AP Top 25 College Basketball Rankings: Week 12 Takeaways
AP Top 25 college basketball rankings, reactions and takeaways from Week 12, including Oklahoma's surprising stay atop the rankings.
AP Top 25 college basketball rankings, reactions and takeaways from Week 12, including Oklahoma’s surprising stay atop the rankings.
Well, that was unexpected.
Iowa State is a very good team, but it was viewed as the underdog against Oklahoma, and that victory was considered an upset. Normally with the AP voters, that’s enough to knock a team down at least one spot, but that wasn’t the case this time around.
AP Top 25 Poll
1. Oklahoma (16-2)
2. North Carolina (18-2)
3. Iowa (16-3)
4. Kansas (16-3)
5. Texas A&M (17-2)
6. Villanova (17-3)
7. Xavier (17-2)
8. Maryland (17-3)
9. West Virginia (16-3)
10. Providence (17-3)
11. Virginia (15-4)
12. Michigan State (17-4)
13. SMU (18-1)
14. Iowa State (15-4)
15. Miami (15-3)
16. Louisville (16-3)
17. Baylor (15-4)
18. Arizona (16-4)
19. Indiana (17-3)
20. Kentucky (15-4)
21. Purdue (17-4)
22. Wichita State (14-5)
23. Oregon (16-4)
24. Duke (15-5)
25. Notre Dame (14-5)
Oh hey there, Iowa.
The Hawkeyes jumped into the No. 3 spot in the country, their highest ranking in 27 seasons. That’s quite an accomplishment for a team that didn’t even crack the preseason Top 25.
Speaking of the Big Ten, since when does a loss to Iowa translate to a climb in the rankings? The Boilermakers’ win over Ohio State last week was solid, but it shouldn’t have been enough to negate the loss to the Hawkeyes. Purdue should still be ranked, but how it placed higher than last week is a mystery.
What is clear, though, is the Wichita State Shockers seem to have bounced back from their rough start. They’re unbeaten in the Missouri Valley Conference. Wichita State hasn’t picked up any (overly) impressive wins recently, but a clean conference record isn’t easily obtainable — regardless of the conference.
This is the Shockers’ first appearance in the polls since Week 4 of the college hoops season, and given their recent string of performances, they’re here to stay.
The only other newcomers for the week are Oregon and Notre Dame. Both have fought their way into the rankings but face fierce tests in the coming weeks.
Arguably the biggest surprise from the new rankings is Duke’s presence — in spite of its first three-game losing streak since 2007. It’s fair to say most expected the Blue Devils to fall out of the top 25 for the first time since that 2007 season, especially with teams like Saint Mary’s surging in conference play and fighting for its own spot.
That doesn’t mean Duke is a bad team — on the contrary. The Blue Devils are one of the best teams in the country, but they’re going through a rough patch. They’ll pull themselves together and finish strong. But should they be ranked at the moment? It’s tough to make an argument for them.
That being said, get that red Sharpie out of the middle drawer, pin that 2016 calendar to the wall and circle these games.
Kansas vs Iowa State, Monday
Believe it or not, this game almost didn’t make this week’s list. But, after watching the Cyclones topple the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners last week, it’s impossible not to be intrigued.
Iowa State’s confidence has to be sky-high at the moment. Kansas, on the other hand, is coming off a loss to Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. where it routinely struggles with the Cowboys. In fact, the Jayhawks have lost their last three outings in Stillwater.
Kansas bounced back with a nice win over an underrated Texas Longhorns squad, but how will it fare against the now-beaming Clones? It’s safe to be that Hilton Magic will once again swing in Iowa State’s favor.
Iowa vs Maryland, Thursday
This is the game of the week right here, folks.
The Hawkeyes are still flawless in Big Ten play and have moved into the No. 3 spot in the country, but that should change when they face a Maryland team recovering from a road loss to Michigan State.
The argument can be made Iowa is actually favored here considering it beat Michigan State twice already this year. Meanwhile, the Terps fell in their only match against the Spartans. But up until last week’s thriller, Tom Izzo’s squad hadn’t been playing up to its potential.
If Iowa faced the Spartans team Maryland squared off against, the Hawkeyes wouldn’t be where they are in the Big Ten standings or the AP rankings. Don’t get it twisted. Iowa is one of the best teams in the country, but a hungry Terps squad is better.
Kansas vs Kentucky, Saturday
A rematch of the 2012 National Championship? Uhh, yes please.
Who doesn’t love a little non-conference action in late January? Sure, there isn’t an Anthony Davis or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to dazzle us this year, but that doesn’t mean this game won’t be awesome.
The result of Kansas’ matchup with Iowa State may be a factor in determining this game, but regardless of outcome, the upper hand goes to Kentucky.
The Jayhawks are likely going to be tired from what is bound to be an intense matchup with the Cyclones, while the Wildcats will be coming off a matchup against the Missouri Tigers, who are 1-5 in the SEC.
So, Kentucky faithful, go dig through YouTube and re-watch highlights from 2012 because it’s about to happen again.
Sorry, Kansas fans, your team isn’t getting the credit it deserves with two losses predicted for the week. If it makes you feel any better, the Jayhawks are still a favorite to go to the Final Four.
