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College Basketball: Top 25 Commentary: UNC #1
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March 9th, 2009
by Matthew Ryter
The Story: After being ranked No. 1 for the first eight weeks of the season, the Tar Heels find themselves back on top of the polls. North Carolina defeated Duke yesterday, 79-71, to complete the season sweep against their rivals. Pittsburgh and Memphis are the only other teams to receiving first place votes in the Coaches’ poll. Pittsburgh, No. 2, also completed a season sweep this past weekend over Big East foe Connecticut. Memphis, No. 3/4, is riding a 22-game win streak. Last week’s No 1, Connecticut, falls to No. 4/3. Louisville, Big East’s regular season champion, received one first place vote in the AP poll and sits at No. 5 heading into the conference tournament. Big Ten champions Michigan State move up to No. 6/7. Big 12 champion Kansas fell two spots to No. 11 after losing earlier in the week to Texas Tech. Syracuse jumped up an impressive seven spots in the AP (No. 18) poll after closing out the regular season with two conference wins. Illinois is the only team to fall from the AP rankings this week. The Fighting Illini are still ranked in the Coaches’ poll at No. 25. They are replaced in the AP poll by No. 25 BYU.
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AP Top 25
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ESPN/USA Today Poll
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Ryter’s Block: It’s interesting to think that Oklahoma, 2nd in the Big 12, is ranked ahead of Big 12 Champion Kansas. Louisville, the Big East champs, is ranked behind both Connecticut and Pittsburgh. Although the Jayhawks and Cardinals earned regular season titles and a No. 1 seed in conference play, the rankings are still spot on. The Tar Heels find themselves back on top of both polls. Many people thought it was inevitable that UNC would be No. 1 when the regular season ended; however it wasn’t easy. The Tar Heels overcame two early conference losses to win the ACC regular season crown. Washington and Villanova’s rankings are flip flopped in both polls. Washington is No. 10 in the Coaches’ poll and No. 13 in the AP, whereas ‘Nova is No. 13 in the Coaches’ poll and No. 10 in the AP. Can’t they agree on one? I like Washington at No. 13, ‘Nova at No. 10. These rankings won’t even matter next week. We already have several teams who have punched their ticket…who will earn theirs next?
Games to watch this week…
MARCH 9th-14th: EVERYTHING!
MARCH 15th: SELECTION SUNDAY
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About Matthew Ryter
Contact
matthew.ryter@gmail.com
Background
Matt Ryter is a graduate of Providence College. He is a life long college basketball junkie. Although his Friars may not be atop the Big East, he follows the conference religiously. When Matt worked at ESPN he was a part of the Stats and Analysis team where he mainly covered college basketball. Matt wears black Nike socks whenever he can to honor the Fab Five.
Location
New Jersey
Also interesting is that FSU
Also interesting is that FSU beat Clemson home and away and is still thought less of than Clemson. It's all about pre-season expectations there. Clemson was ranked highly in pre-season and the sportswriters and the coaches both still think they are the better team. Do they need to beat them 3 times? possible..likely 2nd round ACC scenario has them playing again with the winner taking on UNC.