NFL
Kansas has grasped my No. 1 spot this week, adding to the aftershocks of a complete shake and stir of the top 10. Kansas is soon on the way to re-claiming the top spot they held for two weeks in January.
Seven of the top 10 ranked teams in last week’s AP poll lost this week’s game, but it didn’t change much in the way I viewed general class warfare. Villanova’s loss to Xavier dropped Villanova out of the No. 1 spot the nation didn’t expect the team to hold, but Jay Wright’s team is still in my top five at No. 3.
Arizona and Iowa dropped an astounding nine spots and eight spots, respectively, still making the top 25, but Utah was one of the biggest risers, climbing their way up nine spots, to No. 13. Only Notre Dame dropped out of my top 25 this week, ranked No. 23 last week, which made room for the new addition to the rankings, Cal, taking the slot at No. 25.
College basketball has gained steam and surprised fans with ranked teams losing in highly competitive conference games at the home stretch, but the top teams have already separated themselves from the pack. Now the nation will get a clearer picture of the beloved March Madness, where seeding and heated matchups will determine the chances of title glory.
Here’s my top 25 for post-Week 16:
1. Kansas (25-4)
2. Michigan State (24-5)
3. Villanova (25-4)
4. Virginia (22-6)
5. Xavier (25-4)
6. Oklahoma (22-6)
7. Miami (23-5)
8. North Carolina (23-6)
9. Oregon (23-6)
10. West Virginia (22-7)
11. Louisville (22-7)
12. Indiana (23-6)
13. Utah (23-7)
14. Maryland (23-6)
15. Purdue (22-7)
16. Iowa (20-8)
17. Duke (21-8)
18. Arizona (22-7)
19. Baylor (21-8)
20. Texas A&M (22-7)
21. Iowa State (20-9)
22. Kentucky (21-8)
23. Texas (19-10)
24. SMU (24-4)
25. California (21-8)
Out of this week’s rankings: Notre Dame
Newest addition to this week’s rankings: Cal
Kristen Ashly is a senior editor and contributor for Nuts & Bolts Sports. You can talk college ball, NFL Combine, and comic book movies with her on Twitter @KristenAshly.
