Missed #25 – #21 Click Here!
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Missed #10 – #5 Click Here!
It’s been a 5-day journey breaking down my top 25 college basketball power rankings, and I greatly appreciate you coming along for the ride. The goal is for you to apply these in an appropriate fashion and get you to start breathing, thinking, and acting sharp when sports betting specifically, with your basketball picks as conference tournaments and March Madness approach.
Time to unveil the 5 most power teams in all of college basketball!
#5 – OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (23-6) BIG 10 AP Poll: 8, Coaches Poll: 9
Slow and steady go the Buckeyes in the Big 10, and of late it’s been more slow than steady as OSU has dropped 3 of their last 5. After a weekend loss to Wisconsin at home they travel to Northwestern to face a team hungry to have its tournament card punched, then close the season at Michigan State who’s looking to wrap up a Big 10 crown. If Ohio State drops 5 of their last 7 many of the questions I had starting the season will be answered. They aren’t deep, they struggle shooting from distance, and they have a really tough time scoring when Sully’s on the bench. With that said, I know some of the sharpest guys in the world think OSU is the best team in the country but personally, I don’t see it. Now to the positives, OSU ranks #1 in the nation in defensive efficiency, and we know defense wins championships. The Buckeyes also have 6 wins against my top 50 including; 4 wins against my top 25 so they do deserve to be in the discussion as one of the nation’s best, hence why they’re in my top 5. I will add that there isn’t much separating OSU from teams 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 on my list. As of now, O-H-I-O gets an incomplete until I see how they finish down the stretch.
Next Big Game: 3/4 @ Michigan State Spartans
#4 – SYRACUSE ORANGE (29-1) BIG EAST AP Poll: 2, Coaches Poll: 2
Syracuse has rallied around the early season allegations surrounding former assistant, Bernie Fine. They’ve used that as motivation throughout the course of their nearly perfect season adopting an “us against the world attitude.” The lone Orange loss came on the road in a hostile environment without their most valuable player, Fab Melo. Despite everyone talking about how bad the Big East conference is this season, Syracuse has faced a top 15 strength of schedule – and their record against top competition is nearly flawless. The Orange have gone 9-1 against my top 50 and a perfect 3-0 against my top 25, how’s that for handling business? The knock on Syracuse is their issues rebounding, no doubt they have to do a better job, but when you play a zone defense you leave yourself susceptible to the offensive rebound. The reality is, it’s a numbers game and a tradeoff Jim Boeheim is willing to take because opponents are only shooting 38% from the field. Syracuse is the deepest team in the country and have as many as 10 pro prospects. The Cuse’ are plenty capable of cutting the nets down come March if they can get any type of consistent outside shooting from Kris Joseph and Scoop Jardine.
Next Big Game: 3/3 Vs. Louisville Cardinals
#3 – KANSAS JAYHAWKS (24-5) BIG 12 AP Poll: 4, Coaches Poll: 5
Everybody outside the state of Kansas was leery of the Jayhawks entering this season, but they’ve done nothing but impress since the start. KU is getting better than expected guard play and their bigs’ have improved throughout the course of the season specifically, Jeff Withey. Kansas is as complete a team as anybody in the country. They shoot it well, they pass it well, they score a ton of points, they rebound well, and they certainly don’t treat the defensive end of the court like a step child. The thing to focus on when talking Jayhawk basketball is the number 10: Kansas has one of the toughest schedules in the country, one that ranks top 10 nationally. Kansas is one of two teams in the entire country that ranks top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They’ve used that balanced attack to pile up the most top 50 wins in the country with 10 as well. Statistically, this Kansas team towers over just about anyone in the country, but there’s something about them that continues to make me hesitant on drinking the kool-aid. As great as Thomas Robinson is, this team will only go as far as the guards take them specifically, Tyshawn Taylor. He’s silenced critics in his senior season to this point but I can’t help but feel he will be the reason Kansas isn’t able to cut the nets down on April 2nd.
Next Big Game: 3/3 Vs. Texas Longhorns
#2 – MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (24-5) BIG 10 AP Poll: 6, Coaches Poll: 6
Death, taxes, and Izzo’s boys in March: 3 things you can always count on religiously. Typically the Spartans wait until later in the year to play their best ball but this year they’ve decided to show the country what they’re made of early. In my mind, Michigan State is the most cohesive unit in all the land and Tom Izzo claims this is the closest group of guys he’s ever coached. The Spartans dropped the first two games of the year to Carolina and Duke however I don’t put much stock in those games. Teams at that point are just seeing what they have, and aside from Draymond Green Michigan State was extremely wet behind the ears. Since then, MSU has won 24 of 27 and the 3 loses are by a combined 9 points. You’ll notice how these teams in the top 5 are extremely battled-tested and Sparty is no different. They’ve faced a top 10 schedule in the country yet that hasn’t slowed them down one bit. They’ve reeled off 9 wins against my top 50 including; 5 wins against my top 25. MSU is one of the best on the defensive end in the country and their offense ranks top 15 in efficiency as well. This team is flat out the real deal, and unquestionably the best team in the Big 10. Tom Izzo is an absolute monster bar none – and he’s been a cash cow for the sharp bettors going 18-8 against the spread.
Next Big Game: 2/28 @ Indiana Hoosiers
#1 – KENTUCKY WILDCATS (28-1) SEC AP Poll: 1, Coaches Poll: 1
The Kentucky Wildcats are the best team in College Basketball, and it’s not close. UK ranks top 5 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, the only team in the nation that can attest to such accolades. They have 7 wins against my top 50, and have gone 5-1 against my top 25. Unquestionably, the most talented team in the nation. The questions sharp bettors have is, will this team fold down the stretch come tournament time due to inexperience and youth. It’s a great question, but they’ve proven time and time again this team is different in end of game situations. At Indiana down 10 with 9 minutes to go they fought back and lost on a miracle buzzer beater. Down to North Carolina the entire game and they out play a veteran ball club down the stretch. Hostile environment at Memorial? Not a problem as they held the Commodores scoreless the last 4 minutes. Down 13 at the break to Mississippi State? Why worry UK wins by nearly double digits! There are different types of ungodly talents when it comes to the game of basketball. You have the Kobe Bryant’s of the world, and then you have the Vince Carter’s. Point being, DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall aren’t winners – never have been, never will be. They lack the “it” factor. Anthony Davis has his head on shoulders and he’s a born leader and winner. His makeup is completely different than a Demarcus Cousins or John Wall. The rest of the starting line up is made up of a senior in Miller and two sophomores who know the ropes in Lamb and Jones. This version of Kentucky is far better than any other Coach Cal has had because they defend – that’s their calling card. There is nothing sharp about trying to be the cool kid who predicts Kentucky’s demise early in the tournament, this team glides to the final four.
Next Big Game: 3/4 @ Florida Gators