Twelve B/R writers ranked the top 25 teams in the country. Last week's poll featured UNC as the top ranked team, and the same would go for this week.
If you would like to participate in the B/R Top 25 poll, email me at jsflemin@syr.edu. In your email, rank your top 25 teams, but also provide the link to your B/R profile. Voting will open for next week's poll on Friday, Dec. 26 and will close Sunday, Dec. 28 at 11 p.m. EST.
The rankings reflect the outcome of games up to Sunday, Dec. 21.
Rank, Team, Record (First Place Votes), Total Votes, (Rank Last Week)
1. North Carolina 11-0 (11), 298 (1)
The Tar Heels stayed undefeated in a week where Tyler Hansbrough became the school's all-time leading scorer. The senior big man eclipsed Phil Ford's mark in UNC's 18 point win over Evansville. The Tar Heels have won every game by at least 15 points.
UNC ranked first on all, but one ballot, and ranked third on the ballot where they weren't ranked the top team in the country.
2. UConn 10-0 (1), 287 (2)
The Huskies needed an extra five minutes of basketball, but they are still undefeated after taking down fellow top ten team, Gonzaga on one of the best Saturdays of basketball all year. Guards A.J. Price and Jerome Dyson are finally showing some spark that's been missing all year.
UConn ranked first on one ballot and ranked as low as fourth.
3. Pittsburgh 12-0, 271 (3)
The Panthers haven't played a quality opponent in awhile, but got a challenge from Florida State Sunday night. Pitt also picked up a quality win over MAAC favorite Siena earlier in the week. Jamie Dixon's squad will take the rest of the week off before entering Big East play.
The Panthers ranked as high as third and as low as fourth.
4. Oklahoma 11-0, 270 (4)
The Sooners have been creeping up on the Panthers for awhile, and now find themselves just one point behind Pitt in the standings. It comes after another solid home victory over the Colonial Athletic Association favorites, Virginia Commonwealth.
OU ranked as high as second and as low as fifth.
5. Duke 10-1, 249 (9)
The Blue Devils made a statement on Saturday with their thrashing over another top ten team, Xavier. Duke led by 31 at halftime to coast to an 18 point victory. The Blue Devils have only one slip up this year which came in their second meeting with Michigan.
Duke ranked as high as second and as low as eighth.
6. Wake Forest 10-0, 230 (8)
The Demon Deacons haven't played too many good teams, but have taken care of business when they should have. Wake Forest held on to take down a scrappy Richmond squad on Friday. Next up for the Demon Deacons is a meeting with upstart East Carolina.
Wake Forest ranked as high as fifth and as low as 14th.
7. Gonzaga 8-2, 211 (6)
Despite a loss to UConn, Gonzaga only dropped one spot in the rankings. The Zags blew out Texas Southern and took the Huskies to overtime which was enough to convince voters to not drop them far.
Gonzaga ranked as high as fifth and as low as 14th.
8. Syracuse 11-1, 181 (11)
The Orange had a wild week. Monday brought a buzzer beater loss to Cleveland State. Later Eric Devendorf had his suspension reduced from the rest of the season to likely two games. Then the Orange traveled to Memphis and left town with a hard fought victory. The 'Cuse get a breather this Monday against Coppin State.
The Orange ranked as high as seventh and as low as 21st.
9. Ohio State 8-0, 174 (13)
The Buckeyes continue to roll even without star guard David Lighty. OSU knocked off both Jacksonville and Iona to remain undefeated. It will be a busy week for Ohio State with games against UNC-Asheville and Big East foe West Virginia.
Ohio State ranked as high as seventh and as low as 19th.
10. Purdue 9-2, 153 (16)
The Boilermakers didn't want to watch the Stephen Curry show. Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Chris Kramer forced Curry into one of the worst performances of his incredible college career. Purdue jumped out to a 21-0 lead and never looked back in its annihilation of the Wildcats.
The Boilermakers ranked as high as eighth and went un-ranked on one ballot.
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