AP Poll - Week 6

[FreeDogs]

Something is weird alright

Lol, oops. I meant we have only lost to the #1 team. The words did not come out as they did in my head.

 

[jleves]

This is the poll!

So only 3 number 1s in 21 years and only three outside the top 7. Seems likes it's best to not be number 1 or outside the top 7. 5 looks good.

 

[bendm]

Hurley said we are “bullet proof” thanks to our D. First and last time he said that was 2024 so That’s all I need to hear.

 

[lateralous]

So only 3 number 1s in 21 years and only three outside the top 7. Seems likes it's best to not be number 1 or outside the top 7. 5 looks good.

I like where we’re sitting. Let everyone spend all season talking up Michigan like they are the 1991 UNLV Running Rebels and then we’ll get them at the end.

 

[RuffRuff]

I like where we’re sitting. Let everyone spend all season talking up Michigan like they are the 1991 UNLV Running Rebels and then we’ll get them at the end.

Not a bad place to be at all. Hurley will always have his unique advantage of out-executing an opponent if he has the right personnel. He has it this year.

 

[HooperScooper]

ESPN's updated Power Rankings. Puts UConn at #5.

5. UConn Huskies (9-1)​

Previous ranking: 4

There are few teams that can match UConn's depth, and Dan Hurley isn't afraid to turn to his bench in big games. Dayton transfer Malachi Smith is arguably the best backup point guard in the country. He finished with nine assists and one turnover in Tuesday's win over Florida and has totaled 31 assists to just six turnovers in five games against top-25 foes this season. Eric Reibe filled in admirably for Tarris Reed Jr., averaging 12.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in five games as a starter before Reed returned Tuesday. Jayden Ross is a defensive game changer. And five-star freshman Braylon Mullins is one of the sport's elite shooters.

UConn has a strong case for owning the best set of wins in the country with victories over BYU, Illinois, Kansas and Florida -- all of which came away from home. The Huskies' one loss to Arizona keeps them outside the debate for No. 1 for now, though.

Next seven days: vs. Texas (Dec. 12), vs. Butler (Dec. 16)

Men's college basketball Power Rankings: The 4-team race for No. 1

Arizona, Duke, Michigan and Iowa State each have legitimate cases to top this week's edition. Which prevailed?

www.espn.com

 

[TerryBoyz]

This is the poll!

I’ll admit a little recency bias on my part but Florida looked good and not on the shortlist. Good test for this AP poll theory.

 

[RuffRuff]

I’ll admit a little recency bias on my part but Florida looked good and not on the shortlist. Good test for this AP poll theory.

100% - they have an elite front court. Their upside will be entirely based on whether they can figure out some way of getting Lee/Fland working. They don't even have to be great, just solid.

Amazing how good that UF team was last year. Elite FC and BC.

 

[3rdbass]

ESPN's updated Power Rankings. Puts UConn at #5.

5. UConn Huskies (9-1)​

Previous ranking: 4

There are few teams that can match UConn's depth, and Dan Hurley isn't afraid to turn to his bench in big games. Dayton transfer Malachi Smith is arguably the best backup point guard in the country. He finished with nine assists and one turnover in Tuesday's win over Florida and has totaled 31 assists to just six turnovers in five games against top-25 foes this season. Eric Reibe filled in admirably for Tarris Reed Jr., averaging 12.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in five games as a starter before Reed returned Tuesday. Jayden Ross is a defensive game changer. And five-star freshman Braylon Mullins is one of the sport's elite shooters.

UConn has a strong case for owning the best set of wins in the country with victories over BYU, Illinois, Kansas and Florida -- all of which came away from home. The Huskies' one loss to Arizona keeps them outside the debate for No. 1 for now, though.

Next seven days: vs. Texas (Dec. 12), vs. Butler (Dec. 16)

Men's college basketball Power Rankings: The 4-team race for No. 1

Arizona, Duke, Michigan and Iowa State each have legitimate cases to top this week's edition. Which prevailed?

www.espn.com

So we drop 1 spot with a win over Florida? ESPN really does hate us.

 

[RuffRuff]

Interesting snake draft between these two, who do know their hoops. Spoiler that Uconn goes 5 - they're fairly chalk. I really only listened to the Uconn bit, and an interesting take from Greg that would be a good conversation point - his analysis of Uconn when looking against past champions is who is their "star"? And can you win a NC without that kind of player?

 

[superjohn]

Interesting snake draft between these two, who do know their hoops. Spoiler that Uconn goes 5 - they're fairly chalk. I really only listened to the Uconn bit, and an interesting take from Greg that would be a good conversation point - his analysis of Uconn when looking against past champions is who is their "star"? And can you win a NC without that kind of player?

You really have a thing for Greg.

 

[HooperScooper]

Interesting snake draft between these two, who do know their hoops. Spoiler that Uconn goes 5 - they're fairly chalk. I really only listened to the Uconn bit, and an interesting take from Greg that would be a good conversation point - his analysis of Uconn when looking against past champions is who is their "star"? And can you win a NC without that kind of player?

You only have to go back 3 years to see an example. Who was UConn's star in 2023? I'd say this year's team is just as talented top to bottom as that team was. Maybe more so.

 

[RuffRuff]

You only have to go back 3 years to see an example. Who was UConn's star in 2023? I'd say this year's team is just as talented top to bottom as that team was. Maybe more so.

Id say you can point to Hawkins and Sonogo that year, no? Although I’m with you on this one. Who was Baylors “star”? Sum of all parts that year.

 

[navery12]

Id say you can point to Hawkins and Sonogo that year, no? Although I’m with you on this one. Who was Baylors “star”? Sum of all parts that year.

If you can point to Hawkins and Sanogo on that team, then you can point to Ball/Mullins and Reed on this year's team

 

[HooperScooper]

Id say you can point to Hawkins and Sonogo that year, no? Although I’m with you on this one. Who was Baylors “star”? Sum of all parts that year.

What is the definition of a "star"? Hawkins and Sanogo were not on any All American first, second or third teams (2023 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans - Wikipedia). Sanogo was on the AP All American Honorable Mention list with 16 other players. They were both very good college players but what does Greg say his definition of a "star" is?

 

[HooperScooper]

So we drop 1 spot with a win over Florida? ESPN really does hate us.

Duke and Iowa St. jumped over UConn with impressive wins. And Purdue got bumped back with their loss. So net was 1 place drop. This isn't like the AP Poll.

 

[bendm]

If you can point to Hawkins and Sanogo on that team, then you can point to Ball/Mullins and Reed on this year's team

Don’t forget Nimari Burnett > Solo Ball

 

[RuffRuff]

What is the definition of a "star"? Hawkins and Sanogo were not on any All American first, second or third teams (2023 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans - Wikipedia). Sanogo was on the AP All American Honorable Mention list with 16 other players. They were both very good college players but what does Greg say his definition of a "star" is?

From the little that I watched, it's more about every team having a "face" of the team that is a difference maker. While those two didn't make AA teams, by end of year they were playing like stars. They went back and forth asking if it was Solo or AK, landing on Solo being that person by end of year, and then asking if he's really that guy.

There is no doubt this years team is definitely sum of all parts, I'm just not sure that is a bad thing. We've also not had Tarris or Mullins overly available and both have that potential if healthy.

I feel pretty good at the moment that we have the second best odds to win it this year. I think Hurley would figure out a way to defend Boozer/Duke, I think we are a more balanced/deep team than AZ. I've yet to really qualify ISU - they could be sneaky. It really does feel like the NC this year will come out of the first 5-7 teams.

 

[superjohn]

Don’t forget Nimari Burnett > Solo Ball

Another RuffRuff classic

 

[RuffRuff]

Another RuffRuff classic

Per Evan Maya:

Burnett total combined efficiency: 5.37
Ball: 5.10

Ball hunts and can make some flashy plays, but we have all know his gaps.

 

[bendm]

Per Evan Maya:

Burnett total combined efficiency: 5.37
Ball: 5.10

We all know Ball started the season in a major shooting slump which is hurting his OBPR. He has a higher ceiling than Burnett.

 

[Captbluefin]

I agree with these guys. Your not winning a title with Solo or AK as your best player.

But….. Mullins will be our best player by February. And with Mullins with Solo and AK backing him up you can win a title.

One last question who’s getting us a bucket when we really need one? Well Mullins got us some desperately needed ones vs Florida.

 

[HooperScooper]

I agree with these guys. Your not winning a title with Solo or AK as your best player.

But….. Mullins will be our best player by February. And with Mullins with Solo and AK backing him up you can win a title.

One last question who’s getting us a bucket when we really need one? Well Mullins got us some desperately needed ones vs Florida.

I think a healthy Reed is somewhere in that mix.

 

[Excalibur]

Id say you can point to Hawkins and Sonogo that year, no? Although I’m with you on this one. Who was Baylors “star”? Sum of all parts that year.

Neither Hawkins nor Sanogo were guys that could create their own (Sanogo to some extent in the post, but that relies on someone to get him the ball).

In 2024 that guy was Spencer (and to a lesser extent Newton).

 

[HooperScooper]

Who will win the national championship?

UConn​

Change course upon learning new information -- that Duke, Michigan State, Gonzaga, Arizona and Iowa State are all very worthy contenders in their own tier right now -- or double down on my preseason pick of the lurking Connecticut Huskies?

I choose the latter, baby.

UConn is a couple of ugly possessions in a close loss to Arizona from being in that same discussion -- and it doesn't even feel like it has cracked the code to consistently being a force like it was two years ago. And yet, the defense is exceptional, offensive execution remains world-class despite injuries and attrition, and Dan Hurley remains the head coach. There are a ton of forces at its sails right now that the metrics aren't accounting for, but soon will.

From a personnel perspective, I'm also buying what's in-house: Tarris Reed is a force when healthy, Braylon Mullins is already as advertised and Silas Demary Jr. -- as my colleague Isaac Trotter noted this week -- has been terrific in his role. The point guard position overall is dramatically improved from last year.

A good team in Storrs still has a chance to be a great one. I'm leaving the door open for the Huskies to take down another chip under Hurley and company. -- Kyle Boone

Dribble Handoff: Duke, Michigan, Houston among top title picks from fabled Week 6 poll

For over two decades now, the national champion has come from the top 12 of the Week 6 AP poll

www.cbssports.com

 

[HooperScooper]

Also 5th in the CBS Sports Power Rankings.

5. UConn
UConn won a big one Tuesday vs. Florida in a second-round rematch from March, 77-73. Don't let Florida's 5-4 overall record fool you: that is a high quality win vs. a good team. Huskies are 9-1 now with their final nonconference game upcoming Friday vs. Texas. Last week: 8

College basketball power rankings: Duke, Arizona move up

Duke and Arizona move up the rankings but still remain looking up at Michigan and Iowa State this week

www.cbssports.com