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College Basketball: Top 25 Polls: Duke New #1
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January 26th, 2009
by Matthew Ryter
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The Story: For the third week in a row there is a new No. 1 team in the nation. Duke sits atop both polls this week replacing Wake Forest, last week’s No. 1 team. The only other team to receive first place votes in the Coaches’ poll is Connecticut. A total of four teams received first place votes in the AP poll starting with Duke with 62, Connecticut (6), Pittsburgh (3), and Oklahoma (1). Louisville made the biggest jump in this week’s coaches’ poll. After winning seven straight games the Cardinals jumped up five spots to No. 7; they also sit at No. 7 in the AP poll. Clemson and Syracuse have both fallen from the top 10. The Tigers went 1-1 this week and after losing by 24 to North Carolina find themselves at No. 12 in the newest AP poll. The Orange fell to No. 15 after losing by double digits to Pittsburgh. Georgetown helped Seton Hall earn their first Big East victory yesterday and fell thirteen spots to No. 25. Notre Dame, Minnesota, and Florida have all fallen from this week’s AP poll. Notre Dame’s 45 game home winning streak was snapped this past week after Connecticut paid South Bend a visit. Replacing those three teams in this week’s AP poll is Saint Mary’s, Washington, and Kentucky. Baylor was the only team to fall from this week’s coaches’ poll; they are replaced by Gonzaga.
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AP Top 25
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ESPN/USA Today Poll
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Ryter’s Block: For three straight weeks we have watched a No. 1 team fall. Duke was very impressive in man-handling Maryland and shutting Greivis Vasquez up. We may see a new No. 1 next week as Duke will have a tough test Wednesday at Wake Forest. Any of the top 6 teams in the nation could be ranked at No. 1. Their combined record is 106-7. I think this week’s top 10 in the AP poll is spot on. I shouldn’t even have to point out that I don’t agree with the Coaches’ poll but this week I was very displeased. How are both Notre Dame and Georgetown ranked in the coaches’ poll? Both teams are 12-6, meanwhile Kentucky (16-4) and Washington (15-4) aren’t ranked. I also think that Georgetown should have dropped off of the AP poll as well. Missouri may be the next team to crack the top 25. If the Tigers beat Baylor on Saturday they should be in next week’s polls. I think that St. Mary’s should be ranked ahead of Gonzaga in the AP poll. I am excited to see the outcome of their game this Thursday. As conference play heats up, things will sort themselves out.
Games to watch this week…
Monday 1/26: No. 8 Marquette at No. 22 Notre Dame
Tuesday 1/27: No. 12 Texas at Baylor
Wednesday 1/28: No. 1 Duke at No. 4 Wake Forest
No. 3 Pittsburgh at No. 21 Villanova
Thursday 1/29: No. 18 St. Mary’s at No. 25 Gonzaga
No. 20 Illinois at No. 24 Minnesota
Weekend: 21 ranked teams in action
What do you think about this week's polls? Post your thoughts below:
Comments
Duke
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2009-01-26 15:33.
You think Duke being number 1 has anything to do with them playing 12 out of their first 19 games at home. 2 of those away games were played at neutral sites. Cant wait to see this hot streak come to an end. They may be a top 10 team but they do NOT have the inside presence to keep this up. That is all.
Sorry for the double post.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2009-01-26 15:35.
Computer glitch.
Agreed
Submitted by Shawn Siegel on Mon, 2009-01-26 15:39.
Within a week or two, Duke won't be #1. My guess is that UCONN will be the next to ride the merry go round.. and never double post again, or else! :)
Duke
Submitted by Ryan Cooney on Mon, 2009-01-26 15:46.
Gota love all the Duke haters, I agree rankings mean very little at this point in the season...But, its time to give credit where credit is due
This Duke team is improving each game and are a legit contender for a title
DUKE
Submitted by Matthew Ryter on Mon, 2009-01-26 15:46.
They definitely deserve the No. 1 this week, however I also agree. They lack the inside presence in my opinon to be a BIG threat come tourney time. Just looking at the top of the polls. Who on Duke will guard Griffin, Thabeet, Hansbrough, or Blair???
Even Duke fans know it won't be Zoubek
Zoubek
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2009-01-26 15:52.
Even IF Zoubek can stop one of the opposing teams big men, and thats a HUGE if, whos going to stop the other big men? Such as Adrien, and Thompson.
If Duke beats Wake this week at Wake, THEN i will give them credit. As of now, I still dont think theyre a legit top 5 team till they beat someone big on the road.
No way in my mind that Notre
Submitted by Evan Dorey on Mon, 2009-01-26 18:03.
No way in my mind that Notre Dame's profile is top 25, hard to see how the coaches poll has the Irish ahead of Gonzaga, Kentucky, Washington, etc.. They certainly have the talent to get back up there, and they probably will at some point, but they've done nothing on the road yet, and I don't think, right now, that they're deserving.
No really weird looking results to me, I'd have Pitt #2 ahead of Uconn, and Memphis + Butler a little higher with Texas + Marquette a little lower.
Missouri and West Virginia should also be a little higher, but just outside, I think. Hard to see how the coaches gave only 1 vote to West Virginia but but GTown and ND in. Don't agree much there.
Duke being # 1
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2009-01-27 14:18.
Duke being ranked # 1 is a lot like a Virgin. There are a few around, it NEVER last long, and it's usually over right around SWEET 16...
Wow...that comment was soo funny yet true.
Submitted by JGlover on Tue, 2009-01-27 15:04.
Great comment about Duke being like a Virgin...kinda of poetic to say the least. So did anyone else have a difficult time choosing between Duke vs. Wake in the pick'em this week? I did...I mean what Wake team will be see? the one vs. UNC or the one against Virginia Tech? and will Duke be able to handle Wake inside? tough call but lets give some credit to Gerald Henderson...that guy is playing great basketball right now
Justin Glover
Media Relations
Western Carolina University
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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.
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Duke
You think Duke being number 1 has anything to do with them playing 12 out of their first 19 games at home. 2 of those away games were played at neutral sites. Cant wait to see this hot streak come to an end. They may be a top 10 team but they do NOT have the inside presence to keep this up. That is all.