The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Borges Top 25: Tennessee is No. 1
Last week, we didn’t change a single thing among our top eight teams from the previous week. Not the case this week.
Our top three teams from last week’s ballot, as well as six of our top 10 teams, lost at least one game. That means a lot of switching around, and a tough call at No. 1.
We end up with Tennessee at the top spot. We’ve always loved Rick Barnes as a recruiter and as a person, but not so much his coaching acumen. Only been to one Final Four in all these years. But he’s got a heck of a team this year in Knoxville, and after a 2-0 week, we moved the Vols up from No. 4 to No. 1.
Perhaps the biggest eyebrow-raiser is moving Duke down from No. 3 to No. 6, even after beating Virginia at Cameron Indoor on Saturday night. Don’t forget, the Blue Devils lost at home to Syracuse five nights earlier. And we keep Virginia ahead of Duke at No. 5, because we didn’t feel a two-point loss to the No. 1-ranked team in the country warranted a four-spot drop from No. 2 to No. 6 on our ballot.
Syracuse, you ask? Strongly considered, but not enough teams in our bottom 15 from last week did enough to warrant being ousted. Only UCF, who we replace with Iowa State. And let’s not forget, the Orange have five losses, including to UConn at MSG and at home to Buffalo and Old Dominion.
1. Tennessee: Vols have only beat one ranked team (Gonzaga) but they’re a worthy No. 1 right now.
2. Michigan State: Sparty’s won 11 straight. Look out.
3. Michigan: One loss at Wisconsin doesn’t merit too severe punishment.
4. Gonzaga: Only losses are to Tennessee, UNC.
5. Virginia: Jack Salt. We just like saying the name.
6. Duke: Probably the two top picks in the 2019 NBA draft, yet “experts” can’t stop saying they’re “undermanned.” Please.
7. Kentucky: Looks like the Wildcats are starting to figure things out. Nice win at Auburn.
8. Nevada: Wolfpack keep winning, though not as easily as expected.
9. Kansas: May take a bit for Jayhawks to get used to this small-ball thing.
10. Marquette: Golden Eagles survive scare from Providence on Dwyane Wade Day.
11. Virginia Tech: A 22-point loss at Charlottesville helps the Hokies drop a couple of spots.
12. Buffalo: CJ Massinburg ends slump with 31 vs. Eastern Michigan on Friday.
13. North Carolina: Luke Maye hasn’t been the national player of the year candidate many pegged him as.
14. Maryland: Bruno Fernando is a Man out there.
15. Auburn: Two-point home loss to Kentucky no great sin.
16. Iowa: Injury to UConn-killer Tyler Cook could be a concern.
17. NC State: DJ Funderburk is no relation to former Ohio State star Lawrence Funderburke. That’s unfortunate.
18. Iowa State: A road win at Texas Tech helps get the Cyclones on this ballot.
19. Texas Tech: Losses to Iowa State, at Baylor drops the Red Raiders nine spots.
20. Houston: There were 62 fouls called and 76 free throws attempted in Coogs’ win at USF Saturday night. Come on, refs. Let. Them. Play.
21. Kansas State: Wildcats have defeated Top 20 teams on the road each of the last two weeks.
22. LSU: Watch out, Tremont Waters & Co. have won seven straight and are looking good.
23. Villanova: Rhode Island native Cole Swider could be out for a while with a broken hand.
24. Florida State: Losses at Pitt and BC. That is not a good week.
25. Mississippi: Home loss to LSU drops Rebels down a few.