Power Rankings Week 2: Syracuse unanimous #1, Kentucky and Baylor ready to pounce

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For the second consecutive week, Syracuse was voted unanimously as the number one team in the nation by the writers at On Campus Sports.

However, that’s where the similarities between the two polls end.

After a multitude of road upsets over the weekend, the rankings changed considerably. North Carolina drops five spots after a thrashing at Florida State. Louisville slides down to the edge of the rankings following an embarrassing showing at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence.

The Big Ten takes the biggest hit, as Michigan State and Indiana no longer find themselves in the top ten. Additionally, the Michigan Wolverines suffers the biggest fall of any team from last week, dropping nine spots from #13 to #22.

There are also some peculiar notables from week to week. Georgetown dropped a game at home to Cincinnati but moved up a spot in the rankings, while Harvard won both of its contests but drops down to #25. San Diego State beat a ranked UNLV team on Saturday, and Ohio State lost on the road to Illinois, but both remain stagnant in this week’s poll. Michigan lost one game on the road and has nine teams jump ahead of them, while Indiana was beat twice – once in convincing fashion and the other to a struggling Minnesota team at home – and falls only seven spots.

The Big East and Big Ten separated themselves from the rest with the additions of Marquette and Illinois to the rankings. The two conferences lead the way with five teams each. The SEC is in second with four teams, while the ACC and Big 12 both have three after Kansas State exits the power rankings.

Key games next week: Baylor vs. Kansas, Alabama vs. Kentucky, Michigan State vs. Michigan, Missouri vs. Baylor, North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech, Mississippi State vs. Vanderbilt, Wisconsin vs. Illinois, New Mexico vs. UNLV

 

Biggest Climb: 7 – Murray State (18 to 11), Mississippi State (22 to 15)

Largest Drop: 9 – Michigan (13 to 22)

 

1. Syracuse 19-0 (Previous week: 1)

Last week: W at Villanova 79-66, W vs. Providence 78-55

This week: 1/16 vs. Pittsburgh, 1/21 at Notre Dame

“Undefeated and playing in arguably the best conference in America, the Orange have shown they are a very well-balanced team.” – Greg Mendell, Miami (Fla.) ’13

 

2. Kentucky 17-1 (Previous week: 2)

Last week: W at Auburn 68-53, W at Tennessee 65-62

This week: 1/17 vs. Arkansas, 1/21 vs. Alabama

“Two big wins on the road this week against Tennessee and Auburn.” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

3. Baylor 17-0 (Previous week: 4)

Last week: W at Kansas State 75-73, W vs. Oklahoma State 106-65

This week: 1/16 at Kansas, 1/21 vs. Missouri

“Looking more and more like a one seed every game they play. Easily the team to beat in the Big 12.”  - Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

4. Duke 15-2 (Previous week: 6)

Last week: W vs. Virginia 78-73, W at Clemson 81-74

This week: 1/19 vs. Wake Forest, 1/21 vs. Florida State

“Played two tough ACC games this week and won them both. You just can’t deny Coach K.” – Greg Mendell, Miami (Fla.) ’13

 

5. Ohio State 16-3 (Previous week: 5)

Last week: L at Illinois 79-74, W vs. Indiana 80-63

This week: 1/21 at Nebraska

“With a victory over Indiana, the Buckeyes have just about reclaimed their position as the best team in the Big Ten.”  – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

6. Kansas 14-3 (Previous week: 10)

Last week: W at Texas Tech 81-46, W vs. Iowa State 82-73

This week: 1/16 vs. Baylor, 1/21 at Texas

“ I REALLY like this team. Watch for the twin towers Withey and Robinson to keep developing into a dominant paint presence” – Evan Bailey, Arizona ’12

 

7. Missouri 16-1 (Previous week: 9)

Last week: W at Iowa State 76-69, W vs. Texas 84-73

This week: 1/16 vs. Texas A&M, 1/21 at Baylor

“ With all of the upsets that happened on Saturday, Missouri looked stellar at home against Texas.” – Evan Bailey, Arizona ’12

 

8. North Carolina 15-3 (Previous week: 3)

Last week: W vs. Miami 75-56, L at Florida State 90-57

This week: 1/19 at Virginia Tech

“Despite their extremely disappointing loss to Florida State, this remains college basketball’s most talented team and they have plenty of experience.” – Greg Mendell, Miami (Fla.) ’13

 

9. Connecticut 14-3 (Previous week: 12)

Last week: W vs. West Virginia 64-57, W at Notre Dame 67-57

This week: 1/18 vs. Cincinnati, 1/21 at Tennessee

“After two losses a week ago, the Huskies were able to bounce back with two wins. I think they are a top ten team.” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

10. Georgetown 13-2 (Previous week: 11)

Last week: L vs. Cincinnati 68-64, W at St. John’s 69-49

This week: 1/17 at DePaul, 1/21 vs. Rutgers

“Snapped their two-game skid with a 20-point win over a scrappy St. John’s team.” – Evan Bailey, Arizona ’12

 

11. Murray State 18-0 (Previous week: 18)

Last week: W vs. Jacksonville State 66-55, W vs. Tennessee Tech 82-74

This week: 1/18 at Morehead State, 1/21 at SIUE

“If it wasn’t for a very weak conference, Murray State may be considered in the top 5.” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

12. Michigan State 15-3 (Previous week: 8 )

Last week: W vs. Iowa 95-61, L at Northwestern 81-74

This week: 1/17 at Michigan, 1/21 vs. Purdue

“The Spartans were upset by Northwestern this week, but their defensive and offensive efficiency ratings are still top 10 in the country.” – Greg Mendell, Miami (Fla.) ’13

 

13. Florida 14-4 (Previous week: 17)

Last week: W vs. Georgia 70-48, W at South Carolina 79-65

This week: 1/21 vs. LSU

“One of the most explosive offenses in the nation. Don’t count these Gators out of the SEC just yet.” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

14. Indiana 15-3 (Previous week: 7)

Last week: L vs. Minnesota 77-74, L at Ohio State 80-63

This week: 1/18 at Nebraska, 1/22 vs Penn State

“The Hoosiers got off to an amazing start, but after suffering two straight losses, they may be coming back down to Earth.” – Greg Mendell, Miami (Fla.) ’13

 

15. Mississippi State 15-3 (Previous week: 22)

Last week: W vs. Tennessee 62-58, W vs. Alabama 56-52

This week: 1/18 at Ole Miss, 1/21 at Vanderbilt

“Two impressive victories against Tennessee and Alabama vault the Bulldogs.” – Evan Bailey, Arizona ’12

 

16. UNLV 16-3 (Previous week: 14)

Last week: L at San Diego State 69-67

This week: 1/18 vs. TCU, 1/21 vs. New Mexico

“They lost to San Diego State. It was an away game that they lost at the buzzer, but I still don’t think they are a top team as of right now.” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

17. Virginia 14-2 (Previous week: 15)

Last week: L at Duke 57-52

This week: 1/19 at Georgia Tech, 1/22 vs. Virginia Tech

“The Cavaliers barely lost to the Blue Devils. Virginia is for real this year.” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

18. Creighton 16-2 (Previous week: 23)

This week: W at Illinois State 87-78, W vs. Southern Illinois 90-71

Last week: 1/18 at Missouri State, 1/21 vs. Indiana State

“Losing Dana Altman hasn’t hurt the Blue Jays.” – Evan Bailey, Arizona ’12

 

19. San Diego State 15-2 (Previous week: 19)

Last week: W vs. Chicago State 73-65, W vs. UNLV 69-67

This week: 1/18 at New Mexico, 1/21 vs. Air Force

“They beat a highly ranked UNLV team. We will see if they continue to win. The Aztecs only true upcoming test is an away game against UNLV, other than that the road looks quite easy.” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

20. Vanderbilt 13-4 (Previous week: 25)

Last week: W at South Carolina 67-57, W vs. Georgia 77-66

This week: 1/19 at Alabama, 1/21 vs. Mississippi State

“A couple of wins against some of the worst teams in the SEC should get the ball rolling for the ‘Dores. The real challenge comes this week, as they face two of the conference’s best. Will Vandy catapult in the rankings come next week?” – Mychal Anderson, Minnesota ’11

21. Louisville 14-4 (Previous week: 16)

Last week: L at Providence 90-59, W vs. DePaul 76-59

This week: 1/16 at Marquette, 1/21 at Pittsburgh

“The Cardinals have been more up and down than an elevator lately. ” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

22. Michigan 14-4 (Previous week: 13)

Last week: W vs. Northwestern 66-64 (OT), L at Iowa 75-59

This week: 1/17 vs. Michigan State, 1/21 at Arkansas

“They lost big to Iowa, but the Hawkeyes have proven they can knock off Big Ten opponents and have played numerous top teams well. Michigan is still a force.” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

23. Marquette 14-4 (Previous week: NR)

Last week: W vs. St. John’s 83-64, W vs. Pittsburgh 62-57

This week: 1/16 vs. Louisville, 1/21 at Providence

“This team always plays tough and they had two very solid wins this week.” – Greg Mendell, Miami (Fla.) ’13

 

24. Illinois 15-3 (Previous week: NR)

Last week: W vs. Ohio State 79-74

This week: 1/19 at Penn State, 1/22 vs. Wisconsin

“Back into the top 25 with an impressive win over Ohio St.” – Evan Bailey, Arizona ’12

 

25. Harvard 15-2 (Previous week: 24)

Last week: W at Monmouth 70-61, W vs. George Washington 69-48

This week: 1/21 at Dartmouth

“You know the Crimson have a good team when they are getting national recognition for something other than academics” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

No longer ranked: Gonzaga, Kansas State

 

Also receiving votes: West Virginia, Wisconsin, Alabama, California, Gonzaga, New Mexico, Kansas State, St. Mary’s, Seton Hall

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