Gonzaga leaps to Kansas; Duke and UNC in Power 36 by Andy Katz

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There is a new number 1, but probably no consensus.

The debate over Gonzaga vs Kansas is legitimate.

The Zags beat the former # 1 Duke on neutral ground in Maui. Gonzaga was / is a man down with Killian Tillie in the foreseeable future. The Zags were the dominant team for most of the match. It was a victory as impressive as the one we have seen so far this season.

Kansas defeated Michigan State, winner of the Las Vegas Invitational last week against UCLA and Texas, and stood up to the Tennessee – the legitimate SEC candidate after sharing the championship last season – in overtime.

No matter what.

RELATED: How Gonzaga showed that the Duke of University Basketball was beatable

I went with the Zags. That spot could be a rotation of a handful of teams over the next few weeks, especially Gonzaga clashing with Tennessee in Phoenix on December 8 and in North Carolina on December 15. Winning both and Zags could be No. 1 for the others. of the season.

On the 36 power and probably a debate!

POLL: AP Top 25 rankings

1. Gonzaga (last week 3): Zags stars Zach Norvell and Rui Hachimura caused a sensation in the Maui Invitational title. This must be one of Mark Few's most memorable tournament titles in season in an illustrious career. A match on the road at Creighton on Saturday became even more difficult with the Bluejays' win over Clemson.

2. Kansas (2): The Jayhawks are blown up by the Zags under which they beat comparatively (for me). But Kansas had a great week in every respect with the NIT Season Tip-Off title with victories over Marquette and Tennessee at Madison Square Garden.

3. Virginia (4): The Cavaliers smothered Wisconsin and won the Battle 4 Atlantis title in the Bahamas. Virginia has limited Wisconsin to 46 points. Nobody has scored more than 60 goals against the Cavs this season. And De'Andre Hunter has led the Cavaliers in scoring over the last four games (I will continue to mention that he did not play in the defeat against UMBC). A road match to compete against Maryland takes center stage this week in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

4. Duc (1): The Blue Devils made a strong comeback against Gonzaga, but were sidelined by two. The lack of veteran leadership in the backyard could be a problem sometimes this season. The next tough game on the road could take place on January 12 at Florida State, which means Duke has time to understand it. Indiana is the next step in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

5. Michigan (5): The Wolverines continue to block defending teams, limiting the last two opponents to less than 56 points. Michigan has yielded more than once more than 55 points – 61 to George Washington. This week Michigan hosts North Carolina as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

RELATED: The numbers behind Michigan's big defense

6. State of Michigan (9): The Spartans are still looking for this intermediate game. They looked poor in two halves – the first against Kansas and the first against Texas. But they seemed sensational in the second half in both games. Michigan State dominated UCLA, then beat Texas in the second half to win the Las Vegas Invitational. Josh Langford scored a zero in the first half but then burned Texas for 29 in second. Road games in Louisville (ACC-Big Ten Challenge) and Rutgers (Big Ten opener) are waiting for you.

7. Tennessee (8): The Flights could have climbed among the top four if they had eliminated Kansas at MSG. But alas, they could not close their doors and lost in overtime. Tennessee has the assets to be a Final Four team. The Flights also have the chip after losing to Loyola-Chicago in the final round of the NCAA tournament. The Gonzaga match of December 8 will be another barometer to determine the position of the Flights.

8. Nevada (10): I had the chance to see the Wolf Pack up close in Las Vegas. Jordan Caroline is a stud farm and the most important player on the team. Jazz Johnson is the energy of the team on the bench of the winners and will end up being one of the most critical pieces for the final. The victories on Tulsa and UMass were cemented by an impressive closing in the second half. Nevada will travel to Loyola-Chicago for a rematch of the Sweet 16 game on Tuesday and then tackle California's southeastern Los Angeles on Saturday.

9. Auburn (7)The Tigers came out of Maui 2-1 after beating Xavier in overtime, lost to Duke and being sidelined from Arizona. The Wildcats defensive stop should be a good springboard for Auburn in the coming weeks.

10. Texas (25)The Longhorns were as impressive as any other top-10 team in the win over North Carolina and then in the first period against the Michigan State. Texas has long been stationed and has a dynamite guard in Kerwin Roach II. He turned on the Tar Heels for 32 minutes. Texas ran out of fuel in the second half and did not also defend the perimeter against the Spartans. But Shaka Smart has his crew ready to roll in the Big 12.

MORE: Katz's 7 observations of Las Vegas tournaments

11. North Carolina (5): This decline may not be fair but the game of other teams forced them to lose some places. The Tar Heels have a new star in Coby White, who scored 33 goals in the loss to Texas. Nassir Little will shine soon. The veterans of Luke Maye, Cam Johnson and Kenny Williams exert a constant influence. The brutal Tar Heels slate continues in Michigan this week as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

12. Kentucky (12): I want Kentucky stable in the first dozen. Keldon Johnson bursts and Reid Travis comes on board. Since the Duke debacle, everything is going in the right direction. We will learn a lot more about this team later in December against North Carolina in Chicago and rival Louisville.

13. State of Kansas (13)The Wildcats won the Paradise Jam against Missouri's former rival earlier in the week, then sent Lehigh off the week. Dean Wade is again the top scorer. A match on the road at Marquette this weekend will be another barometer for the Wildcats.

14. Buffalo (15): The Bulls continue to break and head for the Belfast Basketball Classic. A potential confrontation against San Francisco – assuming Buffalo beats Milwaukee – will provide a decent test on neutral ground.

15. Iowa (17)The Hawkeyes have evolved with the fall of the other teams. But the Iowa tests will come fast and furious this week. They should beat Pitt at the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, then host the Wisconsin Hot and travel to the state of Michigan this weekend in the first Big Ten season games.

OTHER: Zion vs. RJ Barrett: Who is Duke's most hard-hitting rookie?

16. State of Ohio (19): The Buckeyes' defense continues to impress, keeping Samford at 50 and Cleveland at 62. Playing at Syracuse in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, then hosting Minnesota at the start of the Big Ten, will offer two major trials to the Buckeyes this week.

17. Virginia Tech (20): The Hokies took over the Charleston Classic title against Purdue by narrowing NEC's favorite St. Francis (Pa.) To 37 points. Penn State is next on the road to the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

18. Wisconsin (24): The Badgers have had an impressive week in the Bahamas, even though they did not win the competition. Ethan Happ, Mitrik Trice, Kobe King and Nate Reuvers all contributed significantly to the win over Stanford and Oklahoma. Virginia's defense smothered everything but Happ, who was 22, in the final. Wisconsin will host NC State in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge prior to the opening of the Big Ten season in Iowa.

19. State of Iowa (22)The Cyclones were a remarkable team on Maui, even though they got pissed off in the first game against Arizona. Still without Lindell Wigginton, his best player, Iowa State easily beats Illinois and San Diego State. Marial Shayok and Talen Horton-Tucker stand firm in the absence of Wigginton. This team will be one of the first three places among the first 12 places.

20. Minnesota (30)The Gophers defeated Santa Clara and Washington in the final seconds in Vancouver. Jordan Murphy was Jordan Murphy with his usual double-double. But the best news is that Gabe Kalscheur hit the 3-poin to beat the Huskies. Kalscheur is part of a class of freshmen for Gophers that includes stars (see: Daniel Oturu). The Gophers open the ACC-Big Ten Challenge at Boston College on Monday and then play Oklahoma State at the Final Four home at US Bank Stadium on Friday before opening the Big Ten Sunday at Ohio State.

21. Texas Tech (NR): Yes, Red Raider fans, Texas Tech, are better than expected. And I'm ready to update my predictions before the season. I think if this Red Raider team continues on this path, they can be back in the NCAA. The victory over Nebraska in Kansas City was dominant. Jarrett Culver is on a roll, leading the team to four consecutive goals, including 26 against the Huskers. The Red Raiders will have Memphis afterwards.

22. Villanova (NR): The Wildcats are back in Power 36 with the title at Advocare Invitational in Orlando. The victory over Florida State was a defensive battle, but Nova won. The defeats against Michigan and Furman will not be forgotten, but Nova is recovering and should continue this week with the first game of the Big Five at La Salle.

RELATED: 13 things of Villmanova's fury by Furman

23. State of Florida (11): The Seminoles fell after failing LSU in overtime and losing to Nova. It may be too far, but let's see how the Seminoles run Purdue this week as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. I'm still leading this team as one of the top five in the CCA.

24. Purdue (21): The Boilermakers returned from the loss in Charleston to keep Robert Morris at 46 points. The Boilermakers' defense will have to be tight again with four coming monster matches at Florida State as part of ACC-Big Ten Challenge, Michigan, against Maryland and Texas. Brutal!

25. UCF (27)The best news for the Knights was Tacko Fall, who scored the most goals (20) and nine (9) in a win against Northern Kentucky. If Fall can be a dominant player most nights, the UCF will win the AAC. Alabama and Missouri are the next two players to test this club.

26. Arkansas (NR): This is called a do-over. Arkansas should probably have been part of the Power 36 team last week after defeating Indiana a week ago on Sunday and losing to Texas in overtime in the opening game. The Hogs have not played in a scoring match last week, but they have an absolute star to Daniel Gafford, with an average of 19 and eight so far this season.

27. Creighton (NR): The Bluejays have made a strong comeback after losing at home against what has clearly become a strong team from the Ohio State. Creighton, who was to be in a bridge year, won a Grand Cayman tournament with a win over Boise State, Georgia State and No. 16 Clemson. Goalkeeper Ty-Shon Alexander is the last outstanding player in the Bluejays, averaging 19.2 players per game.

28. Indiana (18): Yes, Hoosiers are at a bucket to be undefeated. And the loss was in Arkansas, but Indiana did not play well against UC Davis – pulling from behind by two points at halftime. Juwan Morgan scored 31 in the return win. Indiana will have a monster exam at Duke this week before opening the Big Ten against Northwestern and Penn State.

29. Nebraska (14): The Huskers were my choice to finish in the first two of the Big Ten. That can still happen, but to say that the performance against the Red Raiders was a disappointment is a euphemism. The Red Raiders chased the Huskers out of the arena, 70-52. The victory over Seton Hall could have some life in March if the Pirates continued to improve. But this week, Clemson players will play for the ACC-Big Ten Challenge on Monday and open the Big Ten against Illinois and Minnesota before the rival match against Creighton.

30. Houston (36): The Cougars passed their first test of the season with a convincing victory on the road at BYU. Oregon is the second roadblock to block this weekend. This team will continue to grow on everyone as it pleads for first place in the CAA.

31. State of Arizona (NR): The Sun Devils have become terrorists again. The ASU eliminated the States of Mississippi and Utah, No. 15, in Las Vegas, the latter behind the 33 points of Luguentz Dort. Matches against Nevada, Georgia, Vanderbilt and the Kansas matchup are scheduled for December. We will know then if the Sun Devils are true pretenders under Pac-12.

32. St. John's (33): The Red Storm won the Classic Legends in Brooklyn beating Cal and VCU. Shamorie Ponds scored 32 and 35 in both games and LJ Figueroa collected the boards during the victories. St. John's looks more and more like one of Big East's top three teams.

33. Oregon (28): The Ducks did nothing wrong last week, but the drop was more related to the more impressive weeks of the other teams. Bol Bolt leads the Ducks scoring and bouncing recently, making Oregon a good watch every night.

34. Furman (34): The Paladins retained their place in the Power 36 while they were 7-0. The margin of error is still slim for Southern teams and Furman still has a major game at LSU in late December.

35. Clemson (23): Clemson dropped in the Power 36 after losing his first game against Creighton in the Grand Cayman final. The Tigers will have many opportunities to move up the rankings, starting with Nebraska on Monday as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

36. Maryland (NR): I fell in love with Terps when I saw them beat Mount Saint Mary's. But I wanted to see how they would react with Marshall. Maryland crushed the flock behind the group of 26th Anthony Cowan Jr. The diary is complicated with Virginia as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge before welcoming Penn State and to get to Purdue.

Weekly honors

Team of the week

Gonzaga: The Zags look quite like a Final Four team in the Maui Invitational victory. This team played the guard, scored the dribble, shot and could compete on the boards with the best in the country. Once Killian Tillie returns for the race to stretch, the Zags could be the favorite to win the title, not just one of the contenders. Gonzaga eliminated Illinois, Arizona and Duke en route to the championship on Maui.

Player of the week

Luguentz Dort, Fr., G, State of Arizona: Dort presented a show in Las Vegas, scoring 17 points in victory over Mississippi State No. 15, then 33 against the state of Utah. He made 16 of 35 shots, 5 of 8 out of 3, 13 of 18 free throws, 16 boards, six assists, four interceptions and nine turnovers. Dort started the season with 25 wins against McNeese and 12 against Long Beach State. So, this is not new for the ASU stud.

The backup five

Coby White, Fr., G, North Carolina: Scored 33 times against Texas and 19 against UCLA in Las Vegas. Star.

Kerwin Roach II, Sr, G, Texas: Paid 32 points in the surprise win over North Carolina, then 15 against Michigan State in Las Vegas. He will stop at nothing. Stud.

Josh Langford, Jr., G, Michigan State: Langford was a completely different player in the second half against Texas, scoring 29 points. He leads the Spartans in scoring and is still the leader with Cassius Winston and Nick Ward, the Spartans needing the title.

Antoine Davis, P., Detroit: Mike Davis' son leads the Titans with 30 points per game, scoring 42 points against Loyola (R), 32 points against Bowling Green and 24 points east of Michigan. All three led to the Titans 'win in Davis' first season in Detroit. Davis enlisted in Houston, but then moved on to play with Texas Southern before coming with his father to Detroit when he got the job last spring.

Shamorie Ponds, Jr., Floor, St. John's: Ponds, pre-season choice for Big East player of the year, played the role of Red Storm leader in Legends Classic with a combined total of 67 points against Cal and VCU in Brooklyn. He came to the line 15 times and won 11 overtime wins over VCU. He had seven flights and one ride with his seven helpers.

The most important victory

Creighton over Clemson in the Cayman Islands: The title of this tournament greatly strengthens the confidence of the Bluejays. But the victory was also critical for the Big East. The league desperately needed more off-conference wins against potential NCAA tournament teams.

Disturbing

The A-10: The league has already 41 defeats, including 12 at home. The league has just one win on the road – St. Louis at Seton Hall. The good news is that a low-income resident like Fordham is 5-1, but the bad news is that potential teams under title, URI (2-2), St. Joseph's (3- 3) and George Mason (2-5) did not drop out. to strong starts. My choice, Davidson, is still solid at 5-1. But the league needs a better month of December before settling in the conference.

Keep an eye on

Lipscomb: The Bisons beat No. 18 TCU 73-64 and start 5-1 with the only defeat against rival Belmont.

Vanderbilt: The Commodores lost their first-year leader, Darius Garland, with a torn meniscus in the foreseeable future. The Commodores lost to Kent State, 77-75, after Garland was injured. Vandy will play next month in the states of NC, Middle Tennessee, Arizona and Kansas.

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