Thanksgiving weekend doesn't make or break a college basketball season. It doesn't tell you which teams will be in the Final Four come March.
But with all the neutral-site tournament games, and the odd out-of-conference road games for Power Five conference teams fulfilling scheduling contracts, you do learn which teams can handle pressure as well as the teams likely to wilt when the heat is on. Can Indiana recover from its loss to IPFW? Sure.
But will they? That's the $68,000 question. Here are our CBB rankings for the week of November 28th (won-loss records in parentheses).
NCAA College Basketball (CBB) Rankings
1. Kentucky, (6-0)
Yep. we know. John Calipari's team hasn't played anyone yet. That'll change on Monday, when they face Arizona State. Until then, you'll have to take our word for it: UK is the best team in the country until proven otherwise. Freshman point guard De'Aaron Fox (15.5 PPG, 7.2 APG) is making college ball look easy.
2. North Carolina, (7-0)
Conversely, Roy Williams' team has beaten some quality opponents, including Wisconsin and Oklahoma State, both convincingly. Joel Berry II is probably too small (6'0) to play in the NBA, but he's averaging 17.1 PPG, 4.3 APG and 4.3 RPG for one of the best programs in the country.
3. Xavier, (6-0)
Indiana's shocking loss at IPFW is Xavier's gain. Trevon Bluiett (18.6 PPG) has an NBA body, height-wise at least. The Musketeers have had a slightly tougher schedule so far than Big East rival 'Nova.
4. Villanova, (6-0)
We're not sleeping on 'Nova this year. If Jay Wright's team keeps winning, they'll move up.
5. Kansas, (5-1)
Since losing its opener to IU, KU has won five in a row. Fabulous frosh Josh Jackson is averaging 14.3 PPG and 5.8 RPG so far this season.
6. Duke, (6-1)
And the more KU wins, the better Duke's early-season loss to the Jayhawks looks. Senior forward Amile Jefferson is averaging a double-double on the young season.
7. Virginia, (6-0)
The Hoovs keep winning, and we won't be surprised in they're still standing at the end of it all. Point guard London Perrantes (9.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.3 APG) doesn't scream future NBA star, but we like his intangibles.
8. Creighton, (6-0)
Regular readers know we like mid-majors, and Creighton is a mid-major made good. Now in the Big East, the Bluejays are officially big-time, and so is junior Marcus Foster (17.7 PPG).
9. Gonzaga, (6-0)
Speaking of mid-majors, the Zags are the kings of that castle. A perennial Top 25 team, Mark Few's men have a balanced attack, with five guys averaging in double figures in scoring. We like point guard Nigel Williams-Goss (11.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.0 APG). Is he the next John Stockton? Hardly. But that's just fine.
10. UCLA, 7-0
This may not be your grandfather's UCLA, but if you're guard Bryce Alford (16 PPG), it's at least your father's--as in his dad is head coach Steve. Bryce can shoot--and would be playing even if John Wooden were still on the bench.
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