RADIO
For the NBA, Kentucky coach John Calipari is the Christmas gift that keeps on giving, year-round, from the NBA draft on through the finals.
You can certainly argue the ethics of the NBA using our nation's colleges as its feeder system, but you can't argue that Coach Cal isn't among the best in the business in preparing players for the "next level." On a radio show recently, the Legend-Maker of Lexington said that former UK players have accounted for 7 percent of the points scored in the association so far this season.
We believe it, what with this year's Wildcats once again proving to be stars in the making, and making their presence felt at the top of the rankings. With that in mind, here are our CBB rankings for the week of December 19th (won-loss records in parentheses).
NCAA College Basketball (CBB) Rankings
1. Villanova, (11-0)
As we've said before, we're a little reluctant to write off the Wildcats after being so wrong on them last year. And they are still undefeated. But can we see them staying on the court with the likes of Kentucky or even UNC? Not really.
2. Duke, (10-1)
Did the Dukies win at UNLV avenge the Rebels' win over Coach K's team in the early 1990s. No, but the Blue Devils are getting the last laugh, given that they are still a dominant program while Vegas... well, what happens there, stays there. Anyway, guard Grayson Allen (17.7 PPG) is heating up. Head's up ACC.
3. Kentucky, (10-1)
That loss to UCLA is forgotten. Cal's team put a century spot on UNC. No easy task. And fabulous frosh Malik Monk finished with 47. 47! Can you say, "One and done?" We can. He's making college ball look easy, averaging 21.9 PPG.
4. UCLA, (12-0)
Speaking of freshmen, TJ Leaf is playing like a (young) man among boys, averaging 17.8 PPG and 9.3 RPG. But former Bruins coach John Wooden would love the way this current team shares the rock.
5. Kansas, (10-1)
The Jayhawks have won 10 in a row, and Frank Mason III is opening some eyes, averaging 20.3 PPG and 5.6 APG. At 5-11, does he have an NBA future?
6. Creighton, (11-0)
We'll find out over the next week or so whether or not the Bluejays are for real. They have tough tests coming up, and we're not talking finals. Arizona State, Seton Hall, 'Nova... If Creighton gets to 14-0, we've got a story.
7. Gonzaga, (11-0)
Sure, Tennessee isn't really Tennessee, but a win on the road against an SEC opponent is still something. Guard Nigel Williams-Goss did everything against the Vols (20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists), as usual.
8. UNC, (10-2)
We know. UNC has two losses, but lots of teams will lose to the likes of Indiana and Kentucky before the season's over. The Tar Heels still have Top 10 talent.
9. Baylor, (11-0)
We've never heard of John Brown (the college, and the Bears' opponent on Sunday), but we have heard of Baylor forward Johnathan Motley, who is averaging more than 15 PPG and 8 RPG. Does he spell his first name wrong? Yes. But at 6-10, 230, we're not going to tell him. NBA scouts know how to spell it anyway.
10. Louisville, (10-1)
The Cardinals' only loss is to a strong Baylor team, but do they have enough talent to navigate the ACC? None of their stats jump off the page, but junior Jaylen Johnson (9.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG) is a solid contributor up front.
