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We are starting to feel a bit bad for Kansas.
The Jayhawks were No. 1 of the season in the Power Rankings rankings. They were then relegated to the score when Duke dominated Kentucky in the opening match, despite an impressive appearance of Kansas versus Michigan State. And now, with the defeat of the Blue Devils Wednesday night, the time has come for a new No. 1.
But it will not be Kansas.
We go with the team that beat Duke: Gonzaga.
The Bulldogs got their highest ranking of the season in pre-season this season and are up to it. In fact, they looked inconsistent during their first two matches at the Maui Invitational, but they hit Duke on the mouth early Wednesday and never looked back with a 16-point lead in the second half . The way the Zags held up late in the game was also impressive, with several saves at the last minute to finish the two-point victory.
Gonzaga has all the pieces. Josh Perkins seems much more calm and patient at the goalkeeper's place. Zach Norvell Jr. can kick and get his; Rui Hachimura could be a lottery choice; and graduate transfer Brandon Clarke was great against Duke at both ends of the floor. And remember: Killian Tillie will not be healthy for a month.
By the way, if Kansas beats Marquette on Wednesday and Tennessee on Friday, we'll have a legitimate # 1 debate on our hands
1. Gonzaga Bulldogs (6-0)
Previous ranking: 3
This week: Beat Illinois 84-78 on Monday. Beat Arizona 91-78 on Tuesday. Beat Duke 89-87 on Wednesday.
No one will be able to accuse Gonzaga of playing a tight schedule this season; The Bulldogs are expected to play two more top-10 teams next month against Tennessee in Phoenix and North Carolina. Will they still be No. 1 here?
2. Duke Blue Devils (5-1)
Previous ranking: 1
This week: Beat San Diego State 90-63 Monday. Beat Auburn 78-72 on Tuesday. Lost in Gonzaga 89-87 on Wednesday.
We finally saw some weaknesses for the Blue Devils on Wednesday. Duke did not pull well from the back of the bow; Cam Reddish floated in and out of the game; and the offense has become far too stagnant late in the game.
3. The Kansas Jayhawks (4-0)
Previous ranking: 2
This week: Beat Marquette 77-68 on Wednesday
Wednesday should bring a lot of offensive fireworks. Kansas scored 84-92 points in each game, while Marquette struggled under Steve Wojciechowski (although the Golden Eagles are better this season). Will Lagerald Vick continue his hot session?
4. Nevada Wolf Pack (4-0)
Previous ranking: 4
This week: Beat Cal Baptist 90-55 Monday; at Las Vegas Holiday Invitational – vs. Tulsa (Thursday, 4 pm, FS1)
As long as Nevada will not have to face such a talented and playful team, we may not really know if the Wolf Pack can fit its jumbo lineup. For the moment, Cody Martin, who is 6-foot-7 and has 10 assists on average, is fun to watch.
5. Virginia Cavaliers (3-0)
Previous ranking: 5
This week: at Battle 4 Atlantis – vs. Middle Tennessee (Wednesday at 9:30 pm)
The Atlantis Battle 4 is Virginia to lose this year, and the Cavaliers have not yet been tested. De – Andre Hunter has made the difference again and, if he becomes a 3 point threat (4 against 4 against Coppin State), pay attention.
6. Tar Heels North Carolina (5-0)
Previous ranking: 6
This week: Beat St. Francis, Pa., 101-76; at Las Vegas Invitational vs Texas (Thursday, 7:30 pm, FS1)
Another super efficient performance of Nassir Little, once again on the bench. Little had 19 points on nine throws, seven rebounds – in just 16 minutes. Scouts of the NBA must be salivating.
7. Auburn Tigers (4-1)
Previous ranking: 7
This week: Beat Xavier 88-79 on Monday. Lost against Duke 78-72 Tuesday; vs Arizona (23:30 Wednesday, ESPN)
Considering that Auburn had his worst shooting performance of the season and yielded 1.10 points per defense possession, losing against Duke by just six points is not the end of the world. Avoiding a 1-2 stretch in Maui is the key, though.
8. Tennessee Volunteers (4-0)
Previous ranking: 8
This week: Beat Louisville 92-81 on Wednesday. vs Kansas / Marquette Friday.
The Tennessee front duo consisting of Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield is almost unparalleled in terms of physics, and Flights led both men to victory on Wednesday. Williams and Schofield combined for 44 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.
9. Michigan Wolverines (5-0)
Previous ranking: ten
This week: vs Chattanooga (Friday, 4 pm, BTN)
After another Michigan defensive performance, the Wolverines now have the # 1 defense in the country on KenPom.com. Only one team scored more than 47 points and none broke the 40% mark.
10. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-0)
Previous ranking: 11
This week: St. Francis PA (Saturday, 1 pm, SECN)
The Hokies wiped out their deficit in the first half to knock Purdue down and win the Charleston Classic. Buzz Williams' group now has a lot of momentum – and could be favored in every game until he travels to Virginia on January 15th to face the Cavaliers.
11. Kentucky Wildcats (3-1)
Previous ranking: 11
This week: Beat Winthrop 87-74 on Wednesday. Tennessee State (Friday)
In the last two games – against VMI and Winthrop – Kentucky has allowed their opponents to shoot 32 in 66 from 3 points. It did not make a difference, but it's something to watch for. They have time to sort out their problems as they will be favored every game until Dec. 22 against North Carolina.
12. Kansas Wildcats (5-0)
Previous ranking: 12
This week: Beat Missouri 82-67 Monday; vs. Lehigh (Saturday, 8 pm, ESPN3)
Kansas State won the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam by eliminating Missouri in the title game. Dean Wade finally left the perimeter, burying four shots at three points – after not having managed one of the Wildcats' first four games.
13. Spartans of Michigan State (3-1)
Previous ranking: 13
This week: at Las Vegas Invitational – vs. UCLA (Thursday, 10am, FS1)
The Spartans should start an interesting course with several potential pitfalls: UCLA, then North Carolina or Texas, then road trips to Louisville and Rutgers, followed by games against Iowa and Florida. We will know a lot more in three weeks.
14. Seminoles of the State of Florida (3-0)
Previous ranking: 14
This week: Beat Canisius 93-61 Monday; at Advocare Invitational – vs. UAB (Thursday, 9pm, ESPNU)
It's no exaggeration to say that Florida State could be the favorite to win the Advocare Invitational this week. Villanova is in trouble and the state of Florida is going a step further than his potential opponent in the semifinal, LSU.
15. LSU Tigers (4-0)
Previous ranking: 15
This week: at Advocare Invitational – vs. Charleston (Thursday, 7 pm, ESPNU)
We just talked about the potential semifinal between Florida State and LSU – but if LSU is to win this game, the Tigers will have to improve their defensive position. They are giving 103.1 points per 100 possessions so far this season.
16 UCLA Bruins (4-0)
Previous ranking: Unclassified
This week: Beat Presbyterian 80-65 Monday; State of Michigan (Thursday at 10 pm, FS1), Las Vegas Invitation
Moses Brown had his quieter match of the season Monday (10 points, seven rebounds), but he was one of the most dominant freshmen in the country so far with an average of 19, 7 points and 13.7 rebounds.
Abandoned: State of Mississippi (# 16)
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