10. Villanova – So, tell me this…..is there a better dressed coach in the NCAA than Jay Wright? Seriously….it doesn’t make you less of a man to say that Jay’s suit-game is virgin-gnat tight. Michael Curry of the Pistons could learn a thing or 52 from this man. Maybe he’ll stop buying off the rack at K&G. For real…..you’re an NBA head coach and you wear that soul-ass Michael Irvin collection? Be better than that Michael. I shouldn’t be able see your exact suit and tie combo on the clearance rack at Marshall’s. That’s a bad look.
Oh, …..and Villanova is good.
9. Michigan State – Ouch. That was a bad loss to Purdue, Izz. And for the first half of the game yesterday against Wisky….well, we were starting to think that we’d misjudged your team. But order was restored. We can’t seem to put our finger on it, but this team lacks something. Regardless, they’re a Top 10 team. Consistently.
8. Duke – So is Coach K senile or a genius? Elliot Williams has rotted on the bench for the better part of the year. It had gotten so bad that he tallied a total of three minutes (including two consecutive DNP-CDs) in the three games prior to this week. So what happens? K starts him his next two games (wouldn’t have anything to do with those transfer rumors, would it, Mike?). And the kid produces. That Nolan Smith-at-PG experiment is officially over. The Dukies have even gone so far as to audition Jon Scheyer at the point. The new wrinkle has the Devils playing much better as is evidenced by their throttling of Wake Forest. That’s why he’s a Hall of Fame coach.
7. Clemson – We see ya, Ollie. Do your thing, boy. We’re not exactly thrilled with the UVa loss, but again, a road game in the ACC is always problematic. In years past, that loss (on the road, overtime) would’ve sent this team spiraling. Instead, you bounce back with a thrashing of Maryland and a hard-fought victory in Atlanta. We’ll reserve judgment until after the ACC Tourney, but this looks like a darkhorse Final Four team.
6. Memphis – So here’s the ulterior motive. We simply don’t believe in these Tigers (and refused the impulsive “Paper Tiger” quip). Their record is a product of a Division II conference. That’s it. The three competitive teams that they’ve played…..they lost to. Although, Coach Cal does get props for transitioning notorious gunner, Tyreke Evans, to the PG slot. That has really paid off in spades. Unfortunately, it guarantees that Cal will be looking for a point, next year.
5. Louisville – Speaking of frustrating. You get your phallus knocked in the dirt by Notre Dame. And then come back and play inspired the next three games. What gives? We’ll be honest, there might be an ulterior motive here, but you guys have played well enough to claim a Top 5. You know you’ll get a desperate Hoya team tonight and an improving Marquette bunch, as well. We’re interested to see which Card team shows up.
4. North Carolina – Frustrating. It has to be downright maddening to coach this team. Such offensively gifted players that won’t participate on the defensive end and lack the focus to finish opponents on the offensive end. Look….there’s no shame in losing on the road in the ACC….unless that team plays on North Ave in downtown ATL. Just don’t choke, and that’s exactly what the Heels did on Saturday. With a week off before the next game…..do you think Roy Williams can take his team on a field trip to Oz to see the Wizard?
3. Connecticut – A chink in the armor. For this team to be a defensive stalwart, Thabeet has to be in the game. His lack of scoring against Pitt was not as disconcerting as his lack of rebounding and block. The young’n has to stay out of foul trouble. More pressing, though, is the loss of Jerome Dyson to a torn meniscus. His perimeter offense will be missed, tremendously. And games against Marquette and Notre Dame, this week, will be no picnic.
2. Pittsburgh – Again….when you’re getting a ridiculous salary to write these reviews, then we’ll talk. Talk, as in, can you hook us up, too? Anyway, Pitt soldiers on. And though we feel bad for not being able to rank them at the top slot, it’s only a matter of time till they get back there. The way that Dejaun Blair went into “Beast” mode on Thabeet was epic. We watched Louisville’s frontline run for cover from the 7’3 center…..not Blair. He took it straight to his chest. Great game. And game ball to Khaled El –Am……er, Lavance Fields, as well (clutch shooting at the end.) Enjoy this lazy week, you guys have earned it.
1. Oklahoma – A week or so later than we thought, but welcome to the head table, Sooners. Now, we hear it already……”OU lost to Texas….Pitt should be #1”. Well, first off, it’s our column. Secondly, if ANYONE watched that OU/UT game and doesn’t think OU pulls out a win with Griffin on the floor, then you probably shouldn’t be reading this review. It’s a no-brainer. And they still played well without him; thanks mostly to stud freshman, Willie Warren. Hopefully, Griffin comes back with no ill effects from his hit. Otherwise…..your reign on the top was short like leprechauns.
Knocking on the Door – Ever-so quietly……Missouri and Kansas are sneaking their way up the polls. Meanwhile, Wake Forest seems to be coming apart at the seams. Shooting 61% in Cameron should guarantee a victory. It was trumped by 20 turnovers.
Player of the Year Watch – It’ll take more than a shot from UT’s Dexter Pittman to “knock him out” of the driver’s seat. Get it??? Knock him…..ahhh, to hell with it.
Freshman of the Year Watch – So, two kids have emerged. Tyreke Evans and Willie Warren. Tyreke is the catalyst and playmaker for his Memphis Tigers, while Warren has a secondary role for the Sooners. But when he was thrust into the limelight on Saturday, he delivered 27 pts. We’ll give this week to Willie.
What You Should Check For – OU hosts a resurgent Kansas team tonight. Thabeet vs Harangody on the 28th.
If you have any questions or thoughts relating to college basketball, send us your repsonses at feedback@tpfsports.com
