AP Poll - Week 6

[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