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Sunday, March 1, 2009
Week 9 Power Rankings
Well, sorry about missing last week. Ironically, very little has changed. When I left, UConn was the team to beat, and they are again (of course, Pittsburgh took over the top spot briefly last week, but that's another story.

As we get back close to tournament time, what have we learned? There's about five teams that stand out above the rest, and then there is a large second tier. Oklahoma is probably the best team in the nation IF Blake Griffin stays healthy, however, they aren't even above average without him. The hot debate within myself this week was whether or not to drop Oklahoma due to their complete lack of depth. Blake Griffin is without a doubt the most dominant player in that nation, and i will eat my hat if he isn't named the Player of the Year by virtually every publication nationally, but he sat out with a concussion for two games and you guessed it, Oklahoma went 0-2. As dominating as they are with Griffin, they are beatable without him, so how should I treat that scenario? Well, let's check it out.



National Power Ten

1. Connecticut (27-2)
Last week #3

Back on top after an impressive win against Marquette and holding off Notre Dame. Still, UConn needed a bit of help to get back to #1 this week.

2. North Carolina (25-3)
Last week #5

Carolina is playing devastatingly good basketball yet again, and as it stands now, they look to be a Final Four team again.

3. Memphis (26-3)
Last week #4

Memphis is not a Final Four team, in my opinion. When they start playing tough tournament competition, they will be exposed as a very good team but not a National Championship team. Still, they've won 20 in a row, and that has to count for something. Add to that, this team plays some defense this year. Go figure, a John Calipari team playing defense.

4. Pittsburgh (26-3)
Last week #1

Pitt is one of just a few teams that can be there at the end. Although I am not totally sure if i will have them in the championship game, the Elite Eight or Final Four certainly appear to be within reach.

5. Oklahoma (26-3)
Last week #2

The team that is likely to be my national Championship pick for this season, Oklahoma is the most dominating team in the nation. It took me a while to get on the wagon, but I am now firmly seat-belted into the Blake Griffin express and it's next stop is Detroit, Michigan. That is IF Griffin stays healthy, which is why I dropped them four spots after their lack of depth was prove. Without Griffin, the Sooners only stop will be at Lake Latonka for a kegger after a losing before the Sweet 16... although I highly doubt that it will happen that way.

6. Louisville (23-5)
Last week #8

After a couple tough losses (most notably to Notre Dame), Louisville got back on track with ultra impressive wins against Georgetown and Marquette.

7. Duke (24-5)
Last week NR

Welcome back Dukies. That's what happens when you win four in a row late in the season!

8. Michigan State (23-5)
Last week NR

It's kind of hard for me to put MSU back in right now, because of their inconsistency, and because there is a certain Pac 10 team that has been waiting ALL YEAR to be included. Still, they play so tough, and as long as they have their consistency going, I'll give them the nod.

9. Kansas (24-5)
Last week NR

I've been watching Kansas for a while and they are gaining a bunch of speed. I've been waiting to see if they knocked off Missouri to get that impressive win. Missouri got into my Top ten by beating Kansas, and so it's only right that Kansas should jump in after HAMMERING Missouri in the rematch.

10. Washington (22-7)
Last week NR

I can't resist. Clinching the Pac 10, while beating two of the hottest teams in the Pac 10 to do it. Of course, had Missouri at least kept their game against Kansas competitive, UW wouldn't be in this position, but the bottom line is that right now, I don't see anyone other than the previously listed teams that can beat UW if they are on their game, and I'm tired of me and everyone else selling UW short. This means UW finally gets into my Top 10, which not even I would have predicted. Take a bow Dawgs, you deserve it.

Dropped out...Villanova, Marquette, Missouri, and Arizona State

Teams to watch...Missouri, UCLA, LSU
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Pac 10 teams in my top 25

10. Washington 22-7
14. UCLA 22-7
17. Arizona State 21-7

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Pac 10 Power Rankings
1. Washington 22-7 (13-4)
Last week #2
No surprise. Beating ASU and Arizona to clinch the Pac 10 was huge.
2. UCLA 22-7 (11-5)
Last week #3
The biggest success story of the weekend needs to go to UCLA. Going to Haas and maples and coming away with two wins and a firm grasp on second in the Pac 10. No easy feat.
3. California 21-8 (10-6)
Last week #5
Cal played UCLA extremely tough, but came up just short. Still, they are going to be a handful for both of the Arizona schools next week.
4. Arizona State 21-7 (10-6)
Last week #1
How close can you get? Losing to Wazzu because of a 30 foot jumper and then not being able to hold on late against UW? Wow. They were "that" close.
5. Washington State 16-13 (8-9)
Last week #8
I know, I know, UA should still be sitting in the #5 slot but the bottom line is that nobody is hotter than the Cougs right now. Should make for an interesting game next week when they conclude their season against the Dawgs. especially with a possible NIT birth on the line.
6. Arizona 18-11 (8-8)
Last week #4
UA looked to be safely the fifth team in the NCAA tournament just last week BUT consecutive losses in the Northwest, coupled with the fact that no Pac 10 team has ever gone to the NCAA tournament with a losing conference record? All of this spells the fact that UA had better either split next week or they too might be going to the NIT.
7. Stanford 16-11 (5-11)
Last week #9
I would have never guessed that I would have a 5-11 team about USC at this point but given their convincing win and the way that USC is falling apart, it seems fitting.
8. Oregon State 13-14 (7-9)
Last week #7
It's hard to know where this team should go. On one hand, they beat a lot of decent teams (and have seven Pac 10 wins, but on the other hand, just when they threaten to get to .500 in conference play, they lose to one of the worst teams in the nation, arguably, in Oregon. With this loss to the ducks, you can once again say, "bye bye" to OSU's dreams of an NT bid.
9. Southern Cal 16-12 (7-9)
Last week #6
I know that going to Cal and Stanford is not an easy road trip but the bottom line is that the NCAA tournament is off the table for SC now, and if they're not careful, so is the NIT. To add to their troubles, USC is imploding before our eyes. Anyone catch that fight that broke out between Hackett and Lewis? Not good news.
10. Oregon 8-20 (2-14)
Last week #10
This might be the worst team in UO history, but wins last week and now this week against rival Oregon State and they seem to be showing a bit of pride. The only question I have is whether or not there is any talent on the horizon? Especially with the plethera of talented Pac 10 coaches out there taking all the best players.
This weeks match ups?
California and Stanford @ Arizona and Arizona State
Oregon and Oregon State @ UCLA and USC
Washington State @ Washington
Happy Hunting!
DM14


Written at 3:24 PM by dawgman14.