OCS Power Rankings Week 6: Duke, Kansas on the rise

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After a prolonged mundane period, college basketball revealed its crazy side once again.

Kentucky and Syracuse both were tested by conference rivals, but ended up passing those exams with flying colors — a phrase I’m pretty sure has never been used to describe a UConn men’s basketball player. For the fourth consecutive week, the Wildcats and the Orange were unanimously voted first and second, respectively, by the voters.

That’s when things get interesting. Ohio State saw its 39-game home winning streak come to an end with a loss to now-No.8 Michigan State, as the Buckeyes and persistent whiner Jared Sullinger fell to No.5 in the rankings.

In their place at No.3 are the Missouri Tigers, who looked every bit deserving after thrashing Baylor over the weekend. Austin Rivers helps the Duke Blue Devils move up to the fourth spot. He will forever live in infamy in Chapel Hill, writing his own chapter in the historic rivalry with the No. 7 North Carolina Tar Heels.

The No. 6 Kansas Jayhawks continue to strive for a number one seed in the NCAA tournament, easily disposing of Baylor and Oklahoma State over the week. A struggling No.9 Baylor squad and No.10 UNLV conclude the top ten.

Well that’s peculiar … :

Gonzaga delivers St. Mary’s its first loss in WCC play, only its third loss overall, and stays put at number 24? But Notre Dame solely beats perennial title contender DePaul and not only enters the rankings, but jumps over the Bulldogs? Huh.

Do not fret, ladies and gents. Michigan is back. After defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers and everybody’s favorite bubble team, Illinois, Michigan overcame all obstacles and made it back into the rankings. You have to give the Wolverines credit; they obviously never quit. Here’s to your exit after losing to Ohio State this weekend, boys. We’ll probably see you the week after that, though.

Finally, how does UNLV elevate seven spots into the top-ten after one two-point victory? Yet, Michigan State has the best victory of anyone this week and moves up only two places.

Leader of the pack:

Thanks to Notre Dame’s entrance, the Big East ties the Big Ten with five teams in the rankings. The ACC follows with four schools, while the top-heavy Big 12 has three. The suddenly-woeful SEC has only two teams on the list for a second-consecutive week, tying the conference with the WCC and the Mountain West.

Welcome to the party:

Everybody welcome the aforementioned Michigan Wolverines and Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who enter the rankings at No.22 and No.23, respectively.

Also say “hello” to the best mid-major team you didn’t even know was good, Wichita State. The Shockers are absolutely crushing fools, including a blowout victory in Omaha over Creighton, which knocked the Jays out of the rankings. It’s great to see them finally getting some love here at OCS.

Biggest Climb: 7 –  Duke (11 to 4), UNLV (17 to 10)

Largest Drop: 10 – Creighton (16 to NR)

 

1. Kentucky 25-1 (Previous week: 1)

Last week: W vs. Florida 78-58, W at Vanderbilt 69-63

This week: 2/18 vs. Ole Miss

“The most talented team in the country. Earned two hard-fought wins over Florida and at Vanderbilt.” – Ben Baer, Wisconsin ’11

 

2. Syracuse 25-1 (Previous week: 2)

Last week: W vs. Georgetown 64-61, W vs. UConn 85-67

This week: 2/13 at Louisville, 2/19 at Rutgers

“Will Syracuse lose another game before the NCAA Tournament? Doesn’t really look like it.” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

3. Missouri 23-2 (Previous week: 4)

Last week: W at Oklahoma 71-68, W vs. Baylor 72-57

This week: 2/15 vs. Oklahoma State, 2/18 at Texas A&M

“They win and keep winning. They have proven that even when they’re off, they can still get the victory. ” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

5. Ohio State 21-4 (Previous week: 3)

Last week: W vs. Purdue 87-84, L vs. Michigan State 58-48

This week: 2/14 at Minnesota, 2/18 at Michigan

“I’m going to cut the Buckeyes some slack. Michigan State is a great team, and Tom Izzo is one of the best coaches in the country.”  – Jared Groff, Temple ’14

 

6. Kansas 20-5 (Previous week: 9)

Last week: W at Baylor 68-54, W vs. Oklahoma State 81-66

This week: 2/13 at Kansas State, 2/18 vs. Texas Tech

“Having beaten Baylor twice now, Kansas has proved they can play with quality teams despite their lack of depth. Thomas Robinson is currently just edging out Kentucky’s Davis for Play of the Year honors, and the recent play of Jeff Withey makes Kansas very dangerous.” – Greg Mendell, Miami (FL) ’13

 

7. North Carolina 21-4 (Previous week: 5)

Last week: L vs. Duke 85-84, W vs. Virginia 70-52

This week: 2/15 at Miami, 2/18 vs. Clemson

“UNC is first in the nation in points per game  (83.5) and rebounds per game (46.3). One big reason why is Tyler Zeller, who is averaging 16 and 10. UNC lost a thriller and heartbreaker to Duke on an Austin Rivers buzzer beater three, but bounced back with a resounding win over Virginia” – Trevor Hass, Syracuse ’15

 

8. Michigan State 20-5 (Previous week: 10)

Last week: W vs. Penn State 77-57, W at Ohio State 58-48

This week: 2/16 vs. Wisconsin, 2/19 at Purdue

“The Spartans may not have been the favorite to win the Big Ten entering the season, but they have everyone’s attention now.” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

9. Baylor 21-4 (Previous week: 6)

Last week: L vs. Kansas 68-54, L at Missouri 72-57

This week: 2/13 vs. Iowa State, 2/18 vs. Kansas State

“I still think they’re a good squad. They’ll be a tough out in March.” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

10. UNLV 22-4 (Previous week: 17)

Last week: W vs. San Diego State 65-63

This week: 2/14 at TCU, 2/18 at New Mexico

“This team has shown that they can be very dangerous this year with some quality wins, and they got another against San Diego State.” – Greg Mendell, Miami (FL) ’13

 

11. Murray State 24-1 (Previous week: 7)

Last week: L vs. Tennessee State 72-68, W vs. Austin Peay 82-63

This week: 2/15 at SEMO, 2/18 vs. Saint Mary’s

“Surprising loss at home to end their undefeated bid but Isaiah Canaan proved once again he’s one of the best players in the game.” – Ben Baer, Wisconsin ’11

 

12. Florida 19-6 (Previous week: 8 )

Last week: L at Kentucky 78-58, L vs. Tennessee 75-70

This week: 2/14 at Alabama, 2/18 at Arkansas

“Losing to Kentucky is okay; most people do that. Losing to Tennessee at home, however, is a cause for concern. Florida needs more consistent play out of Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker to get back on track ” – Trevor Hass, Syracuse ’15

 

13. Georgetown 19-5 (Previous week: 12)

Last week: L at Syracuse 64-61 OT, W vs. St. John’s 71-61

This week: 2/18 at Providence

“Their loss this week was on the road at Syracuse, and they took them to overtime. Not a bad loss to say the least, and they bounced back by taking care of St. John’s. The Hoyas are experienced and very underrated.” – Greg Mendell, Miami (FL) ’13

 

14. Marquette 21-5 (Previous week: 18)

Last week: W at DePaul 89-76, W vs. Cincinnati 95-78

This week: 2/18 at UConn

“Marquette isn’t getting quite the recognition that they deserve. In an extremely tough Big East, Marquette has gone 10-3, second only to Syracuse.” – Jared Groff, Temple ’14

 

15. San Diego State 20-4 (Previous week: 14)

Last week: L at UNLV 65-63

This week: 2/15 vs. New Mexico, 2/18 at Air Force

“The Aztecs need a win against New Mexico this week to stay in contention in the MWC.” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

16. St. Mary’s 23-3 (Previous week: 13)

Last week: L at Gonzaga 73-59, W vs. Santa Clara 82-67

This week: 2/15 vs. Loyola Marymount, 2/18 at Murray State

“The loss to the ‘Zags takes some luster of the Bracket Buster game against Murray State.” – Ben Baer, Wisconsin ’11

 

17. Florida State 17-7 (Previous week: 15)

Last week: L at Boston College 64-60, W vs. Miami 64-59

This week: 2/16 vs. Virginia Tech, 2/18 at North Carolina State

“FSU lost to BC in an upset but bounced back with a win over a Miami team that beat Duke a few days prior. The Seminoles defense is one of the best in the country and Bernard James is shooting 60% from the field and is a reliable option in the waning minutes of the game” – Trevor Hass, Syracuse ’15

 

18. Louisville 20-5 (Previous week: 23)

Last week: W vs. UConn 80-59, W at West Virginia 77-74

This week: 2/13 vs. Syracuse, 2/18 at DePaul

“The Cardinals have got it rolling after a rough start to their Big East schedule. Still searching for a signature win which could come this week at home against Syracuse.” – Ben Baer, Wisconsin ’11

 

19. Wisconsin 19-6 (Previous week: 21)

Last week: W at Minnesota 68-61 OT

This week: 2/16 at Michigan State, 2/19 vs. Penn State

“Big victory at Minnesota. The Badgers are dedicated to tough defense and defense will give them a chance to win in every contest.” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

20. Indiana 19-6 (Previous week: 22)

Last week: W vs. Illinois 84-71

This week: 2/15 vs. Northwestern, 2/19 at Iowa

“After their hot start, Indiana has cooled own a bit in recent weeks. They are very well balanced but probably a year or two away from really contending in the Big Ten.”  - Greg Mendell, Miami (FL) ’13

 

21. Virginia 19-5 (Previous week: 20)

Last week: W vs. Wake Forest 68-44, L at North Carolina 70-52

This week: 2/14 at Clemson, 2/18 vs. Maryland

“Tough loss to North Carolina but Mike Scott is a beast so I think for that reason alone the Cavaliers are going to be okay.” – Dominic DeLoya, Minnesota ’12

 

22. Michigan 19-7 (Previous week: NR)

Last week: W at Nebraska 62-46, W vs. Illinois 70-61

This week: vs. Ohio State

“Michigan gets almost a week to prepare for arguably its biggest game of the season against Ohio State on Saturday.” – Jared Groff, Temple ’14

 

23. Notre Dame 17-8 (Previous week: NR)

Last week: W vs. DePaul 84-76

This week: 2/15 vs. Rutgers, 2/18 at Villanova

“For being in the Big East, the Fighting Irish actually have a relatively easy schedule down the stretch.” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

24. Gonzaga 20-4 (Previous week: 24)

This week: W vs. Saint Mary’s 73-59, W vs. Loyola Marymount 78-59

Last week: 2/16 at Santa Clara, 2/18 at San Francisco

“They might not top St. Mary’s in the conference standings, but Gonzaga should be a virtual lock to see March.” – Jared Groff, Temple ’14

 

T25. Harvard 21-3 (Previous week: 19)

Last week: W at Penn 56-50, L at Princeton 70-62

This week: 2/17 vs. Brown, 2/18 vs. Yale

“Harvard’s loss to Princeton will have everyone writing them off, but I am still convinced that this is a tournament team that is capable of making a deep run.” – Trevor Lowry, Colorado State ’13

 

T25. Wichita State 22-4 (Previous week: NR)

Last week: W vs. Northern Iowa 82-57, W at Creighton 89-68

This week: 2/15 vs. Missouri State, 2/18 at Davidson

“Even though Creighton has received most of the attention, don’t discount Wichita State. The Shockers look poised to take the Missouri Valley Conference.” – Jared Groff, Temple ’14

 

No longer ranked: Creighton, Iowa State

Also receiving votes: Mississippi State, Creighton, Temple, Iowa State, Vanderbilt, California

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