Power Rankings Week 3: Kentucky, Mizzou take command

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What a weekend in college basketball.

The No. 1, No.3, and No.4 teams in the country were all victimized by the upset, and Kentucky and Missouri were able to take full advantage of their mishaps. Both squads were unanimously selected No. 1 and No.2 respectively by the OCS writers, as Syracuse fell into a tie with Ohio State for third and Baylor dropped to sixth after losing a pair over the week.

Two big wins, one over previously unblemished Baylor and another on the road at Texas, were good enough to move the Jayhawks up only one spot to No.5. John Henson, Harrison Barnes and No.7 North Carolina got back on track in Blacksburg.

After seeing its 45-game home winning streak come to end on a last-second shot, the writers dropped Duke down four spots to No. 8. Undefeated Murray State and Georgetown round out the top ten.

Well that’s peculiar…:

Virginia lost at home to Virginia Tech but still managed to move up in our rankings. Georgetown won two Big East games but stayed put at No.10.  Michigan State fell on the road in Ann Arbor but failed to lose any ground in this week’s rankings.

Leader of the pack:

With the addition of Wisconsin, the Big Ten now leads the way with five teams in the power rankings. The ACC and Big East follow with four a piece, while the SEC and Big 12 both have three teams listed this week. Thank the Badgers, Midwesterns.

Welcome to the party:

We are delighted to add newcomers Florida State, St. Mary’s, and Wisconsin to our OCS rankings. Hopefully you enjoy your stay and stick around awhile, unlike Illinois and Vanderbilt who both decided to leave rather abruptly.  We should have known. Steven Kerstein warned us that the Illini are nothing but a tease.

 

Biggest Climb: 6 – San Diego State (19 to 13)

Largest Drop: 9 – UConn (9 to 18)

 

1. Kentucky 19-1 (Previous week: 2)

Last week: W vs. Arkansas 86-63, W vs. Alabama 77-71

This week: 1/24 at Georgia, 1/28 at LSU

“Unlike most top teams this weekend, Kentucky was able to avoid the upset against Alabama.” – Jared Groff, Temple ’14

2. Missouri 18-1 (Previous week: 7)

Last week: W vs. Texas A&M 70-51, W at Baylor 89-88

This week: 1/25 at Oklahoma State, 1/28 vs.Texas Tech

“The Tigers are one of the most difficult teams to matchup against with their ability to play four guards. If they continue to get strong play from Ratliffe inside, they will continue their dominance.” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’11

T3. Ohio State 17-3 (Previous week: 5)

Last week: W at Nebraska

This week: 1/25 vs. Penn State, 1/29 vs.  Michigan

“One of the best all-around teams in the nation.”  – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

T3. Syracuse 20-1 (Previous week: 1)

Last week: W vs Pittsburgh 71-63, L at Notre Dame 67-58

This week: 1/23 at Cincinnati, 1/28 vs. West Virginia

“Can you really put them lower than third? Losing without your center who controls the paint better than anyone on your team lets you slide. For now.” – PJ Carr, Central Michigan ’14

5. Kansas 16-3 (Previous week: 6)

Last week: W vs. Baylor 92-74, W at Texas 69-66

This week: 1/23 vs. Texas A&M, 1/28 at Iowa State

“The Jayhawks are making a good case for a one-seed in the NCAA tourney.” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

6. Baylor 17-2 (Previous week: 3)

Last week: L at Kansas 92-74, L vs. Missouri 89-88

This week: 1/24 at Oklahoma, 1/28 vs. Texas

“After losing big at Kansas, Baylor suffered a heartbreaking loss to Missouri at home.”  - Jared Groff, Temple ’14

 

7. North Carolina 16-3 (Previous week: 8 )

Last week: W at Virginia Tech 82-68

This week: 1/26 vs. North Carolina State, 1/29 vs. Georgia Tech

“One game, one win this week. UNC should rack up some more wins this coming weekend with two games against unranked teams.” – PJ Carr, Central Michigan ’14

 

8. Duke 16-3 (Previous week: 4)

Last week: W vs. Wake Forest 91-73, L vs. Florida State 76-73

This week: 1/25 at Maryland, 1/28 vs. St. John’s

“The Blue Devils lost at home to Florida State. I think Florida State is a top 25 team, but Duke at home?” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

9. Murray State 20-0 (Previous week: 11)

Last week: W at Morehead State 66-60, W at SIUE 82-65

This week: 1/28 vs. Eastern Illinois

“You know what? It’s tough to go undefeated. Syracuse and Baylor found that out this week. Does that mean I think they can beat all the teams below them on their best day? Of course not, but they deserve the recognition.” – PJ Carr, Central Michigan ’14

 

10. Georgetown 16-3 (Previous week: 10)

Last week: W at DePaul 83-75, W vs. Rutgers 52-50

This week: 1/28 at Pittsburgh

“They continue to beat bad Big East teams but they are still a good team.” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

11. Florida 15-4 (Previous week: 13)

Last week: W vs. LSU 76-64

This week: 1/26 at Ole Miss, 1/28 vs. Mississippi State

“Good win over LSU. Their upcoming game versus Mississippi State will prove their worth.” – PJ Carr, Central Michigan ’14

 

12. Michigan State 16-4 (Previous week: 12)

Last week: L at Michigan 60-59, W vs. Purdue 83-58

This week: 1/25 vs. Minnesota

“Lost at Michigan and won against Purdue. They don’t impress me.” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

13. San Diego State 17-2 (Previous week: 19)

Last week: W at New Mexico 75-70, W vs. Air Force 57-44

This week: 1/24 at Wyoming, 1/28 at Colorado State

“San Diego State is the best team in the Mountain West.” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

14. UNLV 18-3 (Previous week: 16)

Last week: W vs. TCU 101-78, W vs. New Mexico 80-63

This week: 1/25 at Boise State, 1/28 at Air Force

“UNLV has the potential to be a great sleeper team in March, boasting a very good offense with numerous shooters.” – Jared Groff, Temple ’14

 

15. Creighton 18-2 (Previous week: 18)

This week: W at Missouri State 66-65, W vs. Indiana State 75-49

Last week: 1/25 at Drake, 1/28 vs. Bradley

“The Bluejays do not have a top 25 win but they play in a competitive Missouri Valley Conference. They will be tough down the stretch.” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

16. Virginia 15-3 (Previous week: 17)

Last week: W at Georgia Tech 70-38, L vs. Virginia Tech 47-45

This week: 1/26 vs. Boston College, 1/28 at North Carolina State

“Any time you hold a team to 38 points on their home court, you’re bound to move up in the power rankings a little.” – PJ Carr, Central Michigan ’14

 

17. Mississippi State 16-4 (Previous week: 15)

Last week: L at Ole Miss 75-68, W at Vanderbilt 78-77 OT

This week: 1/25 vs. LSU, 1/28 at Florida

“ Tough week coming up with games against LSU and at Florida. The Bulldogs will either be ranked much higher or lower come next week.” – PJ Carr, Central Michigan ’14

 

18. Connecticut 14-5 (Previous week: 9)

Last week: L vs. Cincinnati 70-67, L at Tennessee 60-57

This week: 1/29 vs. Notre Dame

“The chances of the Huskies repeating as national champions are looking slimmer and slimmer.” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

19. Marquette 16-4 (Previous week: 23)

Last week: W vs. Louisville 74-63, W at Providence 79-72

This week: 1/24 vs. South Florida, 1/28 at Villanova

“The Golden Eagles likely knocked Louisville out of the national rankings. That makes them pretty awesome in my book.” – Mychal Anderson, Minnesota ’11

 

20. Florida State 13-6 (Previous week: NR)

Last week: W vs. Maryland 84-70, W at Duke 76-73

This week: 1/25 at Wake Forest

“The Seminoles were able to knock off yet another ACC power in Duke, snapping the Blue Devils’ 45-game home win streak.” – Jared Groff, Temple ’14

 

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

Last week: L at Nebraska 70-69, W vs. Penn State 73-54

This week: 1/26 at Wisconsin, 1/29 vs. Iowa

“Lost to Nebraska. Nebraska? This isn’t football.”  - Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

22. St. Mary’s 19-2 (Previous week: NR)

Last week: W vs. Pepperdine 61-47, W at Santa Clara 93-77

This week: 1/26 at Loyola Marymount, 1/28 at BYU

“The Gaels have quietly slipped past WAC powers Gonzaga and BYU this year.” – Jared Groff, Temple ’14

 

23. Michigan 15-5 (Previous week: 22)

Last week: W vs. Michigan State 60-59, L at Arkansas 66-64

This week: 1/24 at Purdue, 1/29 at Ohio State

“The Wolverines are surprisingly tied for first place in the Big Ten.” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

24. Harvard 16-2 (Previous week: 25)

Last week: W at Dartmouth 54-38

This week: 1/27 at Yale, 1/28 at Brown

“Harvard looks like the powerhouse of the Ivy League but its upcoming matchup against Yale will give one team the upper hand.” – PJ Carr, Central Michigan ’14

 

25. Wisconsin 16-5 (Previous week: NR)

Last week: W vs. Northwestern 77-57, W at Illinois 67-63

This week: 1/26 vs. Indiana

“The Badgers will continue to work their way back into the Big 10 picture with a big game against Indiana this week.” – Jared Groff, Temple ’14

 

No longer ranked: Vanderbilt, Louisville, Illinois

 

Also receiving votes: West Virginia, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Kansas State, Cincinnati, New Mexico, Oregon

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