Here we are 12 weeks through the college basketball season, and things are getting real interesting. We know the best team or teams from each conference, but it is that next tier within each conference that is so muddled. This next month, the pressure is going to really be on some of these teams, as they try to get those crucial wins they need to get into the dance.
Iowa State Recap:
What more can be said? It was another rough week for the Cyclones. They went to Boulder and allowed 95 points, and followed that up with blowing a 4 point lead with 1 minute left at home against Kansas State. The Cyclones get a week off, before heading to Kansas on Saturday.
These next four games are pretty brutal for the Clones: @Kansas, @Texas A&M, Missouri, @Texas. This 6 game losing streak could easily turn into a 10 game losing streak.
Ken Pomeroy Ratings:
This week: #76, projected to go 16-15 (3-13)
Last week: #71, projected to go 17-14 (4-12)
The model has Iowa State winning at home against Nebraska and Colorado. I believe it can happen, but it depends on the team's morale, and also if they can execute in crunch time.
Big 12 Power Ratings, Top 16, and TV Picks After The Jump!
Big 12 Power Ratings:
1. Texas
2. Kansas
T3. Missouri, Baylor, Texas A&M
6. Oklahoma
7. Kansas State
8. Nebraska
9. Colorado
10. Oklahoma State
11. Texas Tech
12. Iowa State
These are pretty impossible to do since a lot of the teams have the same or similar records, and everybody is beating everybody. Oklahoma is definitely the most improved team in the Big 12 from the start of the season. I know they just lost to Oklahoma State, but they are 4-1 in the Big 12 in their last 5 with wins over Texas Tech, Colorado, Iowa State, and Baylor. Texas and Kansas are clear #1 and #2. Everybody from 3rd to 10th is about the same, while Texas Tech and Iowa State are the two worst teams in the conference.
Top 16
1. Ohio State
2. Texas
3. Kansas
4. BYU
5. Duke
6. San Diego State
7. Notre Dame
8. Pittsburgh
9. Wisconsin
10. Villanova
11. Georgetown
12. Syracuse
13. UConn
14. Purdue
15. North Carolina
16. Louisville
Dropped Out: Kentucky
Also Considered: Kentucky, Arizona, Utah State, Florida
The top 8 are unchanged. Wisconsin sneaks in the Top 10 after toppling Purdue. UNC is ranked for the first time, on a 5 game winning streak with victories over Clemson, @Miami, NC State, @Boston College, and Florida State. The Tarheels are figuring it out and are one of the hottest teams in the nation.
TV Picks:
Monday: 8pm CST: Mizzou vs. Kansas, ESPN
Tuesday: 8pm CST: Tennessee vs. Kentucky, ESPN
Wednesday: 6pm CST: Louisville vs. Notre Dame, ESPNU; 8pm CST: UNC vs. Duke, ESPN...
Thursday: 6pm CST: UConn vs. St. John's, ESPN; 8pm CST: Illinois vs. Minnesota, ESPN
Friday: Nothing as usual
Saturday: 11am CST: Syracuse vs. Louisville, ESPN; 3pm CST: ISU vs. Kansas, WOI/ESPNFC; 5pm CST: Tennessee vs. Florida, ESPN; 8pm CST: Pittsburgh vs. Villanova, ESPN;
Sunday: Noon CST: Purdue vs. Illinois, CBS; 5:45pm CST: Duke vs. Miami, FSN