NCAA BASKETBALL TOP 20+1 POLL: WEEK 2

by Jacob, Vegas Watch

Everybody moves up after UCLA's loss to Texas. UNC probably has the most impressive resume of these three so far, with wins over Davidson, BYU, Ohio St., and Kentucky. But look at their schedule; it's pretty weak until they get into conference play. I wouldn't be surprised if they're undefeated come January, but are no longer #1 because some team has built up a more impressive resume.

1. UNC, 201 (7), (LW: 2)
2. Memphis, 195 (1) (LW: 3)
3. Kansas, 191 (1) (LW: 4)

I know you can't just go by who teams have beaten this early in the season, but seriously- Texas destroyed Tennessee on a neutral court, and won at UCLA. Georgetown 's best wins have come against Alabama and Old Dominion. I'm surprised it's that close. December 22 is a big day for both of these teams; Georgetown plays at Memphis, while Texas plays Michigan State.

4. Texas, 172 (LW: 8)
5. Georgetown, 169 (1) (LW: 6)
6. UCLA, 160 (LW: 1)

Duke should probably be higher. And they would be, if they weren't 21st on one ballot. People hate them because they're Duke, but with wins over Marquette, Wisconsin, and Davidson, that's pretty unfounded. Michigan St. was second on one ballot, and left off another entirely; I guess those pretty much cancel each other out though.

7. Washington St., 137 (LW: 5)
8. Duke, 135 (LW: 7)
9. Michigan St., 122 (LW: 9)

Butler is interesting. They've climbed pretty high in the rankings in December once again, but it's going to be hard for them to stay in this lofty spot. Once they start Horizon league play in January, they really have nothing to gain. If they lose at Cleveland State, for instance, they'll probably fall pretty far; but if they beat the Vikings by 30, people probably won't notice.

t10. Indiana, 103 (LW: 12)
t10. Tennessee, 103 (LW: 14)
12. Butler, 97 (LW: 15)
13. Louisville, 91 (LW: 12)
14. Pittsburgh, 88 (LW: 18)

Pitt continues to climb, because their schedule is pathetic. They did win at Duquesne this week, which is a nice win. They play at Washington on Saturday, so that'll tell us a little more about if they're actually good or not.

15. Texas A&M, 71 (LW: 10)
16. Marquette, 61 (LW: 11)
17. Gonzaga, 46 (LW: 16)

Most of these ballots were filled out before Gonzaga's loss at home against Washington St. (not that that's a bad loss). They should probably be lower, at least until Heytvelt comes back.

18. Oregon, 37 (LW: 17)
19. Clemson, 36 (LW: 19)
20. Xavier, 31 (LW: NR)
Plus 1. USC, 18 (LW: NR)

USC is another team that was all over the place. They were eighth on one ballot (which seems a little unreasonable, to be honest), but were left off of six of the 10 ballots entirely.

I am not at all convinced that Clemson is good. Once again, their out of conference schedule is an absolute joke. They play UNC on January 6; that should be fun.

(Photo: MSNBC.)