12/7 - The BIAH Top 25's

1. Kansas (6-0): Their week consisted of a 98-31 (insert cliche blowout term here) of Alcorn State and a tough win in Pauley Pavilion. They aren't going anywhere. I would like to see Cole Aldrich start to take some games over, but that may not happen up Kansas gets tested. But with both Michigan and Cal struggling, their next true test might wait until January 10th when the Jayhawks travel to Tennessee.

2. Texas (6-0): Their last four games, the Longhorns have allowed teams to compete in the first half before taking over in the second half. Like Kansas with Aldrich, that won't be a problem is Texas isn't tested. Is anyone else looking forward to their date with the Tar Heels on Dec. 19th?

3. Villanova (6-0): A lot of people are going to be fooled looking at Villanova's box score and think that this is a team that relies on the three ball. They aren't. This is a team that relies on their pressuring defense to create turnovers and get easy baskets. It just so happens that a large percentage of those easy baskets end up being open threes in transition. When you has as many as four very good shooters on the floor at one time, can you really blame them? Side note: I was on press row during the Villanova-Maryland game, and watching this Wildcat team play in a half court set is a thing of beauty. Jay Wright has done a great job teaching this group how to play basketball the right way - moving the ball, attacking close outs, making the extra pass when its there.

4. Kentucky (8-0): We finally saw how good Kentucky can be when they start clicking. John Wall is the most unstoppable player in the country in transition, Patrick Patterson has added an effective jumper out to the three point line, and Kentucky is loaded with talented role players on the wings and up front. If guys like Darnell Dodson and Darius Miller continue to hit their threes, and Eric Bledsoe (turnovers and decision Making) and DeMarcus Cousins (maturity) put it all together, the Wildcats are going to be a scary team come March.

5. West Virginia (5-0): West Virginia drops a spot thanks to Kentucky's impressive performance Saturday. The Mountaineers didn't play this week, and still have to go through Duquesne, Cleveland State, and Ole Miss before Big East play starts.

6. Syracuse (8-0): Blowout wins over Colgate and Maine didn't tell us anything. Their date with Florida on the 10th will.

7. Purdue (7-0): The Boilermakers defense was quite impressive in shutting down Wake Forest in the second half of their game in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

8. Duke (7-1): Losing to an underrated Wisconsin team at the Kohl Center is nothing to be ashamed of, but the Blue Devils weakness - mobile big men - may have been exposed.

9. Florida (8-0): Blowout wins over Jacksonville and Florida A&M didn't tell us anything. Their date with Syracuse on the 10th will.

10. Tennessee (6-1): The Vols were not overly impressive in wins against College of Charleston or East Tennessee State. When will Tyler Smith wake up?

11. UNC (7-2): I was more impressed with UNC's ability to hang on against Michigan State and to come back against Kentucky than with the first half of either game.

12. Michigan State (7-2): The Spartans have beaten Gonzaga with their losses coming against Florida and UNC. This team may have two losses, but they are still a team capable of winning the Big Ten and making the Final Four.

13. UConn (6-1): I'm not yet sold on the Huskies yet, but a win over Kentucky on Wednesday could change that.

14. Ohio State (7-1): This ranking won't last with Evan Turner on the shelf for two months.

15. Texas A&M (8-1): With wins over Clemson and Minnesota, the Aggies look like they may be the third best team in the Big XII.

16. Cincinnati (5-1)
17. UNLV (7-0)
18. Georgetown (6-0)
19. Gonzaga (6-2)
20. Wisconsin (6-1)
21. Ole Miss (7-1)
22. Texas Tech (8-0)
23. Butler (6-2)
24. Washington (6-1)
25. Boston College (6-2)