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Brian Dunleavy's top 10 NCAA college basketball (CBB) rankings, from a fantasy basketball perspective, as of 11/29/17. His fantasy CBB rankings are updated weekly.
Thanksgiving does more than simply raise our body weight and cholesterol levels.
Holiday weekend tournaments also shape much of the rankings for the rest of the season--separating the contenders from the pretenders throughout college basketball.
So, where do we stand after the first slate of big games this season?
Here are Rotoballer's college hoops rankings, as of November 29, 2017 (won-loss records in parentheses).
NCAA College Basketball (CBB) Rankings
1. Duke, (8-0)
Are we thankful for the Blue Devils? Hardly. But fantasy players will be thankful for Marvin Bagley III, a double-double machine averaging 22.3 PPG and 11.3 RPG.
2. Kansas, (6-0)
Under Bill Self, November and December is Jayhawk Time. Fans of KU would like to see that stretch into March, but that's their problem. Anyway, Devonte' Graham (15.8 PPG/4.8 RPG/8.5 APG) is a stat-sheet filler, and one to watch in the future--even if his 2017-18 ends earlier than Allen Fieldhouse denizens would like.
3. Villanova, (6-0)
Okay, we'll say it: Jay Wright is the best coach in college basketball right now. Period. His program is on a great run, and guard Mikal Bridges (18.5 PPG/5.8 RPG) is among the players who have reaped the benefits.
4. Notre Dame, (6-0)
The Fighting Irish have surprised some with their hot start, but 6-6 forward Bonzie Colson (20.0 PPG/10.5 RPG) isn't sneaking up on anybody.
5. Texas A&M, (6-0)
We know what you're thinking: The Aggies don't belong in this stratosphere in men's basketball. And you're right, but ranking them here allows us the opportunity to reprimand A&M sports fans for their unrealistic expectations, particularly in football, where coach Kevin Sumlin got the shaft. Anyway, back to hoops: forward D.J. Hogg hopefully put on weight over the holiday; he definitely put up numbers (16.8 PPG/7.3 RPG/3.7 APG).
6. Miami, (5-0)
6-11 Dewan Huell (13.4 PPG/7.2 RPG) could have also benefited from ingesting second and third helpings this Thanksgiving, but he is an intriguing player for an intriguing team at the U.
7. Cincinnati, (6-0)
Conversely, 6-8 (and 225) Bearcats forward Gary Clark (13.7 PPG/8.1 RPG) has the body to excel--at this level, and the next one--but does he have the skills? We'll find out more about Clark and his teammates when they play Xavier on Saturday.
8. Michigan State, (5-1)
The Spartans only loss came to (our) #1, Duke, and coach Tom Izzo is no stranger to the heights of college hoops. His team was impressive over Thanksgiving weekend against UNC, but we'll see if they still have what it takes when they take on Notre Dame on November 30th. Keep an eye on point guard Cassius Winston (12.2 PPG/7.5 APG).
9. Wichita State, (4-1)
Our affinity for (obsession with?) mid-majors may be keeping the Shockers in our top 10, when others would likely drop them out. But the only blemish on their resume: Notre Dame. So there.
10. Minnesota, (7-0)
The Pitinos are such a nice family, so good for the sport of college basketball... Okay, it's the holidays, and a time to be charitable. So we'll ignore Golden Gophers coach Richard Pitino's lineage and focus on forward Jordan Murphy (22.0 PPG/12.3 RPG).
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