In the span of two weeks, the Butler Bulldogs and the Wichita State Shockers have traversed a combined thirty-four spots in the Associated Press poll. Let's face it, voters didn't have a choice because the early season resumes both schools are building are more impressive than those of any other team in the country—including UCLA, Pitt, North Carolina, and Duke. At the start of the season, Butler and Wichita State were merely two good mid-major schools allegedly lacking the talent and ability to hang with the BCS conference teams. Both schools tested that notion with their non-conference scheduling. Butler, who was picked in the preseason to finish sixth in the Horizon League, stepped up to the plate by knocking off Notre Dame, Indiana, Tennessee and Gonzaga (a team North Carolina couldn't even contain). Wichita State, picked to finish third in the Valley, shoved the notion aside by visiting George Mason, LSU, and Syracuse and winning, winning, and winning. One question: How does a team that reached the sweet sixteen a year ago and returns four starters not get any love in the pre-season?
Needless to say, the two biggest stories of this young college basketball season are still being slighted in the polls. Had these two actually been ranked in the preseason top 25, both would probably be perched in the top 5 by now. But as it stands, Wichita State and Butler sit at tenth and fifteenth, respectively. However, anyone who has watched these two programs compete knows that is an obvious snub. It's also fine with the Shockers and Bulldogs, because they thrive by flying under the radar.
Without further ado, here's college basketball's real, unbiased top five:
#1 UCLA (6-0) — The Bruins are stacked top to bottom and tested their road savvy by beating Kentucky and Georgia Tech. While many BCS schools choose to invite equal competition to their own confines, the Bruins chose the Wichita State route and went on the road to face stiff competition. That will do nothing but help them come seeding time in March. Their average margin of victory against their four other opponents is a staggering 22.8. And Aaron Afflalo might be the best player west of the Mississippi. On Saturday, the Bruins have a date with upstart Texas A&M which should be a most entertaining match up.
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