So we go to bed--early, we're old--on New Year's and we wake up to find our Top 10 eviscerated.
So much for our hopes for a better 2017.
Anyway, the results this weekend illustrate that while the years 2016 and 2017 may not be the greatest of all time, the 2016-17 college hoops season certainly looks promising, with a lot of contenders for the national title.
Here's what left of our CBB rankings for the week of January 2nd (won-loss records in parentheses).
Happy New Year!
NCAA College Basketball (CBB) Rankings
1. Villanova, (14-0)
The Wildcats visit another of our Top 10 teams, Big East rival Creighton, and win. Take note, Duke, North Carolina and, well, Creighton. Jalen Brunson (13.9 PPG and 4.1 APG) is emerging as Robin to Josh Hart's Batman.
2. Kansas, (12-1)
The Jayhawks and Coach Bill Self know how to stay in the rankings: Just win, baby! (Somebody should trademark that.) Anyway, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (11.2 PPG) is coming on as a scorer.
3. Baylor, (13-0)
KU's Big 12 rival Baylor is still hanging around. Junior guard Al Freeman (12.9 PPG, 51.5% shooting) has found his stroke.
4. Gonzaga, (14-0)
Are the 'Zags better than UCLA or Kentucky? Probably not. But you can't ignore 14-0. And you can't ignore Przemek Karnowski (12.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG), the center with a defensive tackle's body.
5. UCLA, (14-1)
The Bruins might have been on our "top tanking" teams list had they not lost to Oregon, which started the season in our rankings. Plus, what other team boasts six players averaging double figures in scoring?
6. West Virginia, (12-1)
You know we like the Big 12, right? Well, we're not big on D, or on Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins, but we have to begrudgingly admit that his system has made magic in Morgantown: They are averaging 13 steals per contest.
7. Creighton, (13-1)
Yeah, we know, the Bluejays are one of our "losers," but even though they lost at home, it was to 'Nova. So there.
8. Florida State, (14-1)
We doubt the Seminoles will have staying power, but ranking them this week gives us an excuse to tout sophomore guard Dwayne Bacon (18.1 PPG). Who doesn't like Bacon?
9. Louisville, (12-2)
We were looking forward to dropping the Cardinals from our rankings after they lost to UVA, but then they go and beat Indiana. Damn you, Rick Pitino.
10. Kentucky, (11-2)
The Wildcats bounced back from their loss to Louisville last week with a win at Ole Miss. An SEC road win is an SEC road win. And they're averaging 94 points per game. Those are NBA numbers.
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