RADIO
10. Michigan (20-5, 12-2) (NR)
The Wolverines had quite a week. First, they dumped a top-10 ranked Purdue team. Then they beat Ohio State in Columbus. You’re getting some respect from me for a week like that. Purdue is in the tank and Michigan State hasn’t been a lot better. Don’t look now, but Michigan is sitting atop the Big Ten (18). That counts for something!
9. Texas Tech (20-5, 11-3) (NR)
The Red Raiders are the only Big 12 (16) team to beat Houston. I will tell you this, if JT Toppin continues to play at this level, there may not be a team in the conference that can take Tech. This is a team on the way up.
8. Texas A&M (20-5, 9-3) (9)
This week, the status quo for the Aggies was maintained. Beating two bubble teams in Georgia and Arkansas is a good look. I don’t care that both games were at home, do you? Things get real for A&M this week. They play Mississippi State and Tennessee.
7. Iowa State (20-5, 10-4) (7)
I don’t know if wins over Central Florida and Cincinnati mean the Cyclones are back, but it means they don’t lose any ground this week. Iowa State’s last chance at that marquee win before seeding comes on Saturday in Houston.
6. Tennessee (21-5, 8-5) (4)
A loss to Kentucky and a come-from-behind win against Vandy (the Vols were down 16) wasn’t the best week for Tennessee. The Volunteers get a mid-week reprieve, but that culminates in a game against A&M on Saturday in College Station. They can ill afford a loss in that game.
5. Houston (21-4, 13-1) (6)
It was a vintage Houston grind-fest against Arizona over the weekend. An 11-point win over Baylor is going to look really nice come selection time as well. Arizona State is never easy in Tempe and the Cougs close the week by welcoming Iowa State to town. It’s another tough week in the Big 12 (16).
4. Florida (22-3, 9-3) (5)
The Gators followed a win over top-ranked Auburn with a win in StarkVegas by 13 points. It’s as easy as a week can get in the SEC for the Gators this week against Oklahoma and LSU.
3. Alabama (21-4, 10-2) (2)
There’s no shame in losing to Auburn. The Tide have the toughest schedule in the KenPom era and it won’t get any easier this week. Alabama is at Missouri and hosts a dangerous Kentucky team that just took out Tennessee.
2. Duke (22-3, 14-1) (3)
An out-of-conference tilt with Illinois on Saturday will break up the oh-so-easy ACC schedule down the stretch for Duke. If Duke takes out the Illini, they might just wrap up a No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed.
1. Auburn (23-2, 11-1) (1)
If Auburn is nine points better than Alabama in Tuscaloosa, who is going to beat this team? Florida was a hiccup. The Tigers weren’t going to run the table on the strongest conference in history. I wouldn’t be shocked if this team didn’t lose again. Auburn is that good.
