AP Top 25

Observations:

1. Kansas No. 1 -- Okay with that. We are certainly deserving.

2. Gonzaga - I'm fine with that. They have a weak SOS but the computers say they are a top 10 team. My bet is they will not end up better than a 2 seed but as always, playing in the WCC, their record is always going to be inflated. I have them as the 6th best team and the composite has them as the 8th.

3. Louisville -- Fine by me. They are probably a top 5 team or very close.

4. Duke -- Unfortunately, this is totally legit. Duke is good and getting better. They will likely end up a 1 seed.

5. Ohio St. -- Sure, why not. The Minnesota blow out may just have been an off night. They were killing everyone before that. We'll see how they fare going forward. Certainly could be a 1 seed but after the Minnesota blowout, there are questions. 5 is good for them.

6. Kentucky - Seriously. They are purely getting votes because they are Kentucky. Or maybe because they are super young and everyone is voting on their potential. I have them at 25th and the composite of computers has them at 25th. Maybe into the teens, but 6th? No way. And their SOS is 317th in the country. Maybe they will start earning this come conference play but not yet.

7. Maryland -- Seems about right for Turg's team.

8. Oregon -- Okay with this. They have played the No. 2 schedule in the country.

9. Virginia -- These guys would barely score 60 if the other team left the court. I have them at 39th. I really don;t understand some of these other algorithms that give them 15th overall. What am I missing? Maybe in the mid to high teens but I even struggle with that. Overrated!!

10. Baylor -- These guys are legit. Deserving of this for sure.

11. Memphis -- Okay, they beat Tennessee and that was a very nice win. They are young and may get better but they seem more like a barely make it in kind of team.

12. Auburn -- These guys are 9-0 with a good schedule (44th SOS). What are they not getting more respect? I have them at 8th and the composite at 4th. Where's the love for Auburn. They are definitely a top 10 team.

13. Dayton -- Ditto Auburn. Dayton is a very good team. Only loss is to Kansas in OT. Overall a decent schedule. Where's the love for Dayton. Should be a top 10 team.

14. Michigan -- Juwan Howard's team caught lightning in a bottle in the Bahamas. I differ from the composite in that I have them at 27th to 14th for the composite. I guess this is a fair ranking but color me unconvinced. Seem more like a 5 or 6 seed to me.

15. Michigan St. -- What is going on with this team? This seems about right for now but will they find their mojo and move to a 2 seed?

16. Arizona -- My third team that I think is underrated. I have them at 5th overall whereas the composite has them at 11th. In either case they should be higher in the polls. Granted, they have been pretty inconsistent but their only 2 losses were to Baylor and Gonzaga. I am betting they could end up as a 2 seed.

17. Butler -- The mid-majors are getting screwed this year in the polls. I have them at 9 and the composite at 13. They are a great defensive team. Seems pretty underrated.

18. Villanova -- Another blue blood benefit? Composite has them at 20 but I'm at 32. I have seen them play and they seem like about a 6 seed to me. Maybe even a 7 seed. But not a high 5 seed.

19. Florida St. -- GOod team. seems about right.

20. San Diego St. -- Another mid-major that seems underrated. I have them 10th and the composite at 17th. Mediocre schedule thus far so we'll see as conference play comes if they are for real. They sure seem to be.

21. Tennessee -- Another great defensive team that struggles to score. Can they stay in the poll with their offense? Questionable. But they sure have a great defense. (*129th in offense, 7th in defense)

22. Washington -- Who is pimping Washington? They are maybe better than North Carolina but that ain't saying much. I have them ranked 61st and the composite has them 47th. How are they getting any votes for the top 25? Inquiring minds want to know.

23. Penn St. -- Another strong Big 10 team. Definitely top 25 material.

24. Texas Tech -- this seems very fair but I think they could sneak into a 5 seed.

25. West Virginia -- Don;t look now but Huggie Bear has a very good team. I have them at 13th and the composite at 18th. This group could turn some heads and challenge Baylor and Kansas in the Big 12. Lots of potential to move into a 4 seed.

26. North Caroline -- Seriously, 41 points and 26th in the poll? Gimme a break. They were mediocre with Cole Anthony. They are possibly not a tourney team without him. But top 25? No freaking way. BTW, they had the 2nd longest streak of being in the top 25 at 106 weeks. That is over. KU is at 207 weeks straight and counting. Duke is now 2nd with 70 consecutive weeks. KU's consistency under Self is mind-boggling.

If you think #26 for UNC in the AP is unwarranted (and I agree) don't look at #23 in the coaches poll. Just don't. Not worth the aggravation.