11. Iowa State
I am not concerned just yet for Iowa State. Obviously, a week with back-to-back road losses against Kansas and Cincinnati, where guards Tamin Lipsey and Kilyan Toure played poorly, is not a positive sign. But they’ve got a soft schedule against the bottom of the Big 12 coming up and have a great opportunity to bounce right back.
12. Michigan State
To this point in the season, Michigan State ranks #1 in defensive efficiency, per KenPom, and only has losses to Duke and Nebraska. So why am I not higher on them? I just can’t envision this team winning a National Championship with the offense that they run. Coen Carr is absolutely must-see television, though.
13. Texas Tech
If I had to pick a National Player of the Year right this second, my vote would be for JT Toppin. He carried the Red Raiders to a victory over BYU on Saturday. Having the best player on the floor gives you a chance to win any game you play.
14. Kansas
Much has been made over the injury to Darryn Peterson and the handling of it by both Peterson and Kansas. But make no mistake, when Peterson is out on the floor, this team looks like a National Championship contender, as evidenced by their recent hot play with resounding victories over Iowa State and Baylor last week.
15. BYU
The Cougars finally suffered their second loss of the season last week to Texas Tech. I’m not going to panic over that result on BYU, as it was AJ Dybantsa’s first game seeing heavy drop coverage, and the team shot a combined 5-22 (22%) from 3-point range.
