Week 2 rankings compiled by RYAN McDONOUGH with liner notes written by JOSHUA KAY
1.Kentucky 4-0 (248) (9)
How would Calipari’s latest bunch far against top ranked opponents? With ease apparently. Jamal Murray looked like a veteran slicing up the Duke defense, and Tyler Ulis muscled his way down low all night.
2.Maryland 3-0 (221) (1)
It may not have been the prettiest week, (down 14 to Rider) but the Terps remained perfect. Jake Layman also recorded his first double-double of the season. Watch for that trend to continue.
3. Michigan State 3-0 (216)
Denzel Valentine became the first Spartans player since Draymond Green to record a triple-double (20 points, 12 assists, 11 rebounds). On the season, Valentine is averaging 16.3ppg and 10.7apg.
4. Duke 4-1 (208)
It would seem that the Dukies will go as far as Grayson Allen takes them. In the Blue Devils’ loss to Kentucky, Allen accounted for six points. In Duke’s four wins, Allen is averaging 29 per game.
5. Villanova (194)
We asked the question: who would step up when Ryan Arcidiacono was double teamed? Daniel Ochefu clearly heard us – 15 ppg, 63 percent FG, 12 rpg 2.3 bpg.
6. Kansas 1-1 (184)
The Jayhawks did everything but win against Michigan State in the Champions Classic. It took a triple-double from Denzel Valentine to down Kansas. Bill Self’s squad opens the Maui Invitational against Chaminade Monday.
7. North Carolina 3-1 (182)
What was supposed to be Marcus Paige’s homecoming, turned into an upset as North Carolina fell to Northern Iowa 71-67. The Tar Heels did not force a single turnover in the second half.
8. Iowa State 2-0 (175)
Cyclone starters contributed 81 of the teams 106 points in a route of Chicago State. Next up for Iowa State is Virginia Tech.
9. Gonzaga 2-0 (172)
Six players scored in double figures for the Bulldogs in their 101-56 win against Mount St. Mary’s. Gonzaga should be the favorite to win the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament this weekend.
10. Oklahoma 2-0 (163)
Through two games Buddy Hield is averaging 27 points per game while shooting 56 percent from the field.
11.Virginia 4-1 (149)
Virginia couldn’t execute or get stops against George Washington earlier in the week, but rebounded to take the Charleston Classic.
12. Arizona 4-0 (146)
The Wildcats should be 6-0 when they meet Gonzaga on December fifth.
13.Indiana 3-0 (130)
Headed into the Maui Invitational 3-0, the Hoosiers have to like their chances to win the tournament after what they have seen from James Blackmon Jr (18.7ppg) and Yogi Ferrell (16.7ppg 7apg).
14. California 3-0 (106)
All five Golden Bears starters are averaging double figures on the season.
15. Notre Dame 3-0 (97)
The Irish survived a scare at home from Milwaukee and responded nicely with a 26-point win against UMass-Lowell. If I were a betting man, I think we will see Demetrius Jackson on the Wooden Watch list in the near future.
16. Wichita State 2-1 (81)
The Shockers shot an abysmal 36 percent (20-55) from the floor in their upset loss to Tulsa last Tuesday. A hamstring injury for Fred VanVleet doesn’t bode well.
17. UConn 3-0 (70)
A potential matchup against former Big East rival (Syracuse) looms large for Connecticut as they get set for the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Huskies will have to get by Michigan in the first round.
18. Vanderbilt 3-0 (69)
The Maui Invitational should be a good test for this veteran-laden Commodores team.
19. LSU 3-0 (61)
The freshman duo of Ben Simmons and Antonio Blakeny are leading the way for this LSU team. Simmons had 23 and 12 against Southern Alabama while Blakeney at 22 including 4 three pointers.
20. Miami 5-0 (61)
The U raised Cane in San Juan toppling three ranked teams.
21. Purdue 5-0 (57)
While Maryland, Michigan State and Indiana get all the praise in the Big 10, Matt Painter’s bunch are quietly building a solid season with stout defense (54.8ppg) and balanced scoring (five players averaging double figures).
22. Utah 4-1 (45)
The Utes had sixteen turnovers in a 24-point loss to Miami (FL) in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
23. Oregon 4-0 (41)
Following a 74-67 win against a then-ranked No. 18 Baylor team, the Ducks could be 14-0 before they are truly tested against California at home on January sixth.
24. Baylor 2-1 (38)
Rico Gathers: Baylor’s unstoppable force.
25. Butler 3-1(27)
The Bulldogs rank top ten nationally in scoring margin.
Also receiving votes:
Xavier (21), Cincinnati (20), Louisville (16), SMU (13), West Virginia (12), Texas A&M (8), Dayton (5), Texas (3),Valparaiso (3), BYU (2), Florida (2), George Washington, Northern Iowa, Hofstra, Michigan.
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