11. Michigan State
The Spartans’ double-big lineup looks big until it goes up against Michigan’s triple-big lineup. The frontcourt didn’t play all that well, and Michigan State dropped a potentially huge win over Michigan. It’s hard to feel too confident in a team that is reliant on Jeremy Fears to be their primary scorer. The frontcourt has to be better.
12. Purdue
I can forgive a loss on the West Coast road trip. I can forgive a loss to a red-hot Illinois. But I gotta knock the Boilermakers down for their loss to Indiana, a team that by all accounts they should match up well with, and Trey Kaufman-Renn should dominate inside.
13. Nebraska
Fred Hoiberg’s Cornhuskers had a prime opportunity to show that they were a true National Championship contender this past week, and they fell flat. But still, they’re sitting at 20-2, and their two losses are to Michigan and Illinois. That’s not a bad place to be at.
14. Tennessee
Don’t look now – the Vols are on a little bit of a win streak. They’ve beaten Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn in consecutive games. And the win over Auburn was without Felix Okpara in the lineup. This team has the scoring with Gillespie and Ament, and is an outstanding rebounding team.
15. North Carolina
The Tar Heels are peaking at the right time. Henri Veesaar is playing the best basketball of his career, looking truly dominant in this win streak. If not for a horrible West Coast road trip, the Tar Heels would be sitting at 18-2. They just need to figure out how to travel.
