TOP 25
Wall makes statement against UNC
Could John Wall’s statement performance against North Carolina have been any clearer? He’s officially appointment viewing. Meanwhile, it’s simply becoming too difficult for teams to stay at the back end of the top 25 for more than a week or two. Portland deserved to be there after their showing in Anaheim but not after a loss to Idaho; Matt Howard is far too foul prone and Butler hasn’t shot like a team that deserves to stay ranked; and Gonzaga, you know you can’t lose to Wake Forest at home. That will hurt come seeding time in March. In addition, both Clemson and Minnesota have work to do before getting reconsidered.
*records through 12/9
| No. | Team (Record) | Comment | Pvs. |
| 1 | Kentucky (8-0) | Wall’s two fast break finishes vs. UNC were stunning | 1 |
| 2 | Kansas (7-0) | Check out freshman C Murray when Hawks face La Salle | 2 |
| 3 | Texas (7-0) | Want depth. PG Balbay dishes 11 assists in his first start | 3 |
| 4 | Villanova (8-0) | Junior F Pena has double-digit rebounds in all but two games | 4 |
| 5 | Purdue (7-0) | It’s been a decade and a half since Boilers started this strong | 5 |
| 6 | West Virginia (5-0) | They don’t have a tough test until Ole Miss visits Dec. 23 | 6 |
| 7 | Tennessee (6-1) | PG Maze with zero turnovers in three of his last four | 8 |
| 8 | Syracuse (8-0) | Onuaku (.697) and Jackson (.651) efficient from the field | 10 |
| 9 | Florida (8-0) | Backcourt has to overcome size disadvantage to beat Orange | 13 |
| 10 | Texas A&M (8-1) | Aggies go 5-1 during a 6-game, 12-day stretch | 14 |
| 11 | North Carolina (7-2) | Drew II averaging 6.0 assists, but 3.0 pts, 3.5 TOs in losses | 11 |
| 12 | Ohio State (7-1) | Buckeyes begin life without Turner at Butler on Saturday | 16 |
| 13 | Duke (7-1) | Sadness in Durham as Dawkins loses sister in car accident | 7 |
| 14 | Connecticut (6-1) | Calhoun’s idea of boosting morale: “We don’t have a bench” | 12 |
| 15 | Michigan State (7-2) | Where’s Summers? 1 for 8 in his last two games | 15 |
| 16 | Georgetown (7-0) | Freeman (18 pts, 4 for 5 from 3-pt) was big in win over Butler | 18 |
| 17 | Wisconsin (6-1) | Nearly as big a miss in early rankings as Syracuse, Florida | NR |
| 18 | Texas Tech (9-0) | Roberson followed up 25 pts vs. UW with 21 and 10 assists | NR |
| 19 | Washington (6-1) | 5-11 Overton’s block clinched win over upstart Montana | 9 |
| 20 | Cincinnati (5-1) | Soph F Gates (12.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg) will be factor in the Big East | 20 |
| 21 | Memphis (5-1) | Anxious for a larger sample from the rebuilding Tigers | 21 |
| 22 | Ole Miss (7-1) | Rebels have recipe for success with superb backcourt | NR |
| 23 | Florida State (7-2) | Loss to Ohio State shouldn’t dampen spirits in Tallahassee | 25 |
| 24 | UNLV (7-0) | Undefeated start will be tested vs. Kansas State Sunday | NR |
| 25 | Georgia Tech (6-1) | Fresh Favors put up second double-double in win over USC | NR |
HEATING UP
Purdue, Villanova » Boilermakers are becoming a force, and Wildcats were dominant early in win over Maryland.
Also » Texas Tech, UNLV
COOLING DOWN
Washington » Overtime loss at Texas Tech was another squeaker. Huskies on the ropes as they face Georgetown on Saturday.
Also » North Carolina, Ohio State
TOP 25 GAME OF THE WEEK
Syracuse vs. Florida, Thursday, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Part of the third SEC-Big East Invitational, there’s no way organizers thought this would be a meeting of top-10 teams after both lost elite point guards to the pros. But Syracuse (8-0) has survived the departure of Jonny Flynn, with a long, athletic lineup, epitomized by transfer F Wesley Johnson (17.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and duo, starter Andy Rautins and reserve Scoop Jardine, who are averaging a combined 11.5 apg. Florida has compensated for the loss of Nick Calathes (Greece) with freshman G Kenny Boynton (13.9 ppg) and Georgetown transfer Vernon Macklin (11.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg).
PLAYER TO WATCH
Greg Monroe, C, Georgetown
After a quick start as a freshman, the 6-foot-11 center faded badly, and so did the Hoyas. A year later, Monroe may be better equipped to sustain excellence. That adjective describes his 24-point, 15-rebound effort (both career highs) Tuesday night in Georgetown’s 72-65 victory over Butler in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. Monroe’s strong play helped open up the perimeter for G Austin Freeman (18 points) who hit 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Saturday afternoon, Georgetown (7-0) and Monroe (15.7 points per game, 10.7 rpg) will play Washington (6-1) in the John Wooden Classic in Anaheim.
STORY LINES
1. No bricks in this Wall » In 2007-08, Memphis coach John Calipari rode a spectacular freshman PG, Derrick Rose, all the way to the NCAA championship game. Two years later, could Calipari, now the coach at Kentucky, ride another brilliant freshman PG to similar heights? Saturday in a 68-66 win over North Carolina, 6-foot-4 John Wall (18.1 ppg, 7.7 apg) not only showed his incandescent athletic ability, but also his penchant for leading his team and rising against superior competition as he was the catalyst for a sensational 28-2 run in the first half. Then after suffering severe cramps from dehydration, he came off the trainer’s table to hit the clinching free throws. In addition to last night’s game at Madison Square Garden against UConn, Kentucky (8-0) plays Saturday at Indiana.
2. Wisconsin meets the Challenge » With a 73-69 victory over Duke, Wisconsin keyed the Big Ten’s first-ever victory in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. PG Trevon Hughes (26 points, 0 turnovers) paved the way as the Badgers handed coach Mike Krzyzewski his first loss in the 11-year series. In addition to hitting 4 of 7 from 3-point range, Hughes locked up Duke PG John Scheyer (2 of 7, 10 points). Wisconsin (7-1) is off to a fast start, which includes quality wins over Arizona and Maryland. Hughes, a 6-foot senior, is averaging 17 points per game, continuing a tradition of standout point guard play at Wisconsin. Others who have filled the role for coach Bo Ryan include Devin Harris, Kammron Taylor and Sharif Chambliss.
3. Turner out two months » Averaging 20.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, Ohio State’s Evan Turner was called “the best player in college basketball,” so far this season by coach Thad Matta. But now the 6-7 junior is out for two months after breaking bones in his back. Driving the lane for a two-handed dunk against Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Turner was fouled, lost his grip on the rim as his feet flew horizontal, and he fell on his back. Last December, after Ohio State lost its best player, David Lighty for the year with a broken foot, Turner emerged, leading the Buckeyes (22-11) to a surprise NCAA Tournament berth. Ohio State (7-1) will get its first test without Turner at Butler on Saturday.
