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Brian Dunleavy's top 10 NCAA college basketball (CBB) rankings, from a fantasy basketball perspective, as of 02/14/18. His fantasy CBB rankings are updated weekly.
Old habits die hard.
Actually, we don't like to make changes to our rankings for change's sake. So while the conventional pollsters were quick to drop certain teams--and boost others--based on the result of a single game, we're don't generally have such knee-jerk reactions.
Because, when we've had them, we've ended up looking bad for doing so.
So, it's not that we're smart.
With that in mind, here are the Rotoballer college hoops rankings as of February 14, 2018 (won-loss records in parentheses).
NCAA College Basketball (CBB) Rankings
1. Villanova, (23-2)
A loss to St. John's--how about them Johnnies!--caused many pollsters to drop 'Nova. Not us. We've paid the price for underestimating the Wildcats in the past. Keep in mind that otherwise mediocre Red Storm team has maybe the best college player you've never heard of in guard Shamorie Pounds (21.4 PPG/5.1 RPG/4.6 APG/2.5 SPG), and their upset victory gives us a chance to tout the future NBAer here.
2. Virginia, (24-2)
Look, the Cavs probably deserved their time in the No. 1 spot in conventional polls. But, of course, they promptly lost after getting there. Still, if you like defense, you'll like UVA and forward Isaiah Wilkins (5.6 PPG/6.6 RPG/1.3 SPG/1.5 BPG).
3. Xavier, (23-3)
The Musketeers face off with 'Nova this weekend, and that will likely determine the Big East regular season race--and the top part of our rankings the rest of the way. The Wildcats will need to force point guard Quentin Goodin (8.3 PPG/5.0 APG) to make plays for himself. In other words, he'll need to score and shoot well for the X Men to win.
4. Michigan State, (25-3)
Look, we don't know what Tom Izzo did or didn't do in response to allegations of sexual assault against his players, but the stench around the Spartans program isn't pretty at the moment. So we're holding our noses for this pick. We do like Jaren Jackson Jr. (11.6 PPG/6.1 RPG), though.
5. Cincinnati, (23-2)
The Bearcats deserve to shine in the national spotlight, thanks to their play. Sophomore guard Jarron Cunningham (10.8 PPG/4.0 RPG) is emerging as a scoring threat on this balanced team.
6. Purdue, (23-4)
The Boilermakers have struggled of late, but they are still the second-best team in the Big Ten, and that's still something. Plus they have the Edwards Brothers. Okay, Carsen (16.9 PPG) and Vincent (15.1 PPG/7.8 RPG/3.1 APG) aren't related, but they do form a potent tandem.
7. Gonzaga, (23-4)
The Bulldogs stay in our seven-spot after overtaking St. Mary's in the WCC. Senior forward Johnathan Williams (13.4 PPG/7.7 RPG) is a solid performer, with Big Dance experience.
8. Texas Tech, (24-4)
Keenan Evans (18.7 PPG/3.0 RPG/3.4 APG) and the Red Raiders return to our rankings, almost by default. Evans is a prospect, for sure, but we're not sure about Tech's ability to continue winning games as the season wears on. Then again, we've said that about other teams in past years...
9. Auburn, (23-3)
The Tigers lost this week--but it was a close one to Texas A&M. Bryce Brown (16.6 PPG) and his teammates are hanging by a thread in our rankings.
10. Duke, (20-5)
The Blue Devils are slumping a bit, losing recently to St. John's and rivals UNC, but they are also the top-scoring team in DI (with Oklahoma), averaging 88.8 PPG. And they don't even have Trae Young!
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