College Basketball Top 25: Kentucky No. 1, UConn out in B/R Writers Rankings

Kentucky tops the college basketball B/R Writers Rankings again, but several Top 25 upsets led to yet another shakeup in the poll. 

The Big 12 might have suffered the biggest hit, as Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State all lost. However, two Big East teams fell from the ranks. 

If you're a Bleacher Report college basketball writer who wants to participate in the weekly poll, message me with your email address to indicate your interest.

Voters: Ryan Eshleman, Ari Kramer, Jesse Kramer, David Mayer, Thad Novak, Daniel O'Brien, Matt Overing, Andrew Pregler, Josh Schoch, Jordan Schwartz, Gene Siudut, James Sullivan, Dan Vasta

Missing the Cut

Dropped From Rankings

UConn, No. 19

Kansas State, No. 23

Seton Hall, No. 25

Others Receiving Votes

Louisville, 27

UConn, 19

Kansas State, 7

Gonzaga, 6

Seton Hall, 3

Middle Tennessee State, 1

Southern Mississippi, 1

25. Harvard Crimson

Record: 18-2, 4-0 Ivy

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: NR

Voting Points: 31

Harvard confirmed its superiority in the Ivy League by thrashing Yale by 30 points in New Haven and then beating Brown by nine.

Tommy Amaker's squad is on a roll since its Jan. 3 setback at Fordham, and the Crimson appeared on nine ballots and peaked at No. 20.

24. Florida State Seminoles

Record: 14-6, 5-1 ACC

Week: 1-0

Previous Ranking: NR

Voting Points: 39

Florida State's inspired offensive play persisted for yet another game, as the Seminoles routed Wake Forest by 23 points on the road.

The experienced Seminoles have hit their stride, and they sit in a tie with Duke and UNC—both of whom they beat—atop the ACC.

Eight voters included Florida State on their ballots, placing them between No. 18 and No. 25.

23. Vanderbilt Commodores

Record: 16-5, 5-1 SEC

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 24

Voting Points: 44

Vanderbilt followed up its disappointing loss to Mississippi State with a sound beating of Tennessee and a narrow victory over Middle Tennessee State. Since Dec. 19, the Commodores are 10-1.

Their hot streak convinced eight voters to rank them, and one voter had the 'Dores at No. 14.

22. Wisconsin Badgers

Record: 17-5, 6-3 Big Ten

Week: 1-0

Previous Ranking: NR

Voting Points: 57

After beating Indiana for its fifth straight win, Wisconsin is back in the B/R Top 25.

Jordan Taylor has played more like himself, averaging 15 points and compiling a 6:1 assist:turnover ratio during the streak, and the team's ugly three-game stretch of four weeks ago seems to be in the rearview mirror.

The Badgers currently sit in third place in the Big Ten, but a win over Ohio State in Madison this weekend would tighten the race.

Wisconsin appeared on all but three ballots, ranking as high as No. 11.

21. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Record: 17-5, 4-3 SEC

Week: 1-1

Previous Ranking: 21

Voting Points: 58

Barely edging Wisconsin for the No. 22 slot, Mississippi State beat LSU but lost at Florida last week.

The Bulldogs, who host a struggling Auburn squad for its sole game this week, didn't appear on two ballots but peaked at No. 17.

20. Michigan Wolverines

Record: 16-6, 6-3 Big Ten

Week: 1-1

Previous Ranking: 20

Voting Points: 66

Michigan earned a tough road win at Purdue but fell to Ohio State on Sunday.

Just one game out of first place, the Wolverines have a crucial upcoming week with games against Indiana and Michigan State. Michigan risks being swept by the Hoosiers but also has the chance to sweep the Spartans.

All but one voter ranked the Wolverines, and one had them at No. 15.

19. Saint Mary's Gaels

Record: 21-2, 10-0 WCC

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 22

Voting Points: 96

Saint Mary's picked up wins at Loyola Marymount and BYU to ascend three spots in the rankings.

The Gaels, who have not lost since Dec. 22 against Baylor, face San Diego this week in a rematch of a surprisingly close road win by Saint Mary's.

The Gaels came in as high as No. 16 and as low as No. 23.

18. San Diego State Aztecs

Record: 18-3, 4-1 MWC

Week: 1-1

Previous Ranking: 15

Voting Points: 101

After beating Wyoming with relative ease, San Diego State endured a stunning shellacking by Colorado State. The Aztecs fell down early against the Rams and couldn't narrow the gap throughout the second half.

Steve Fisher's squad hosts last-place Boise State and TCU this week, so the Aztecs should be able to get back on track.

San Diego State ranked between No. 14 and No. 23.

17. Indiana Hoosiers

Record: 17-5, 5-5 Big Ten

Week: 1-1

Previous Ranking: 14

Voting Points: 103

Indiana doubled its 50-point scoring output at Wisconsin to drop 103 points on Iowa. Nonetheless, the slumping Hoosiers lost to the Badgers and have fallen in four of their last six.

Indiana peaked at No. 13 but appeared as low as No. 24.

16. Virginia Cavaliers

Record: 17-3, 4-2 ACC

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 18

Voting Points: 114

Earning wins over Boston College and NC State last week, Virginia jumped two spots in the rankings. 

The Cavaliers shouldn't take Tuesday's tilt with Clemson lightly, but a big game looms this Saturday—at Florida State.

Virginia came in as high as No. 14 and as low as No. 21.

15. Marquette Golden Eagles

Record: 18-4, 7-2 Big East

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 17

Voting Points: 149

Since losing four of six, Marquette has reeled off six consecutive wins to sit within 1.5 games of Syracuse.

The Golden Eagles' latest wins came against South Florida and Villanova last week, enabling Buzz William's squad to leap two spots in the rankings.

Marquette ranked between No. 11 and No. 18.

14. Creighton Blue Jays

Record: 20-2, 10-1 MVC

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 16

Voting Points: 151

Creighton took care of business last week, beating Drake and Bradley behind Doug McDermott's 27 points per game.

The Blue Jays have now won 10 straight and 13 of their last 14, but games against Illinois State and at Northern Iowa this week should not be taken lightly.

McDermott and Co. came in as high as No. 10 and as low as No. 21.

13. Georgetown Hoyas

Record: 16-4, 6-3 Big East

Week: 0-1

Previous Ranking: 10

Voting Points: 163

Pittsburgh received a much-needed boost from the return of Travon Woodall, but Georgetown still lost to a Panthers team that had been struggling. The Hoyas dug themselves in a hole early—thanks to terribly cold shooting—and couldn't pull off a comeback.

Georgetown, which hosts UConn and South Florida this week, ranked between No. 12 and No. 17.

12. Florida Gators

Record: 17-4, 5-1 SEC

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 12

Voting Points: 177

Florida remained at No. 12 after fighting off Ole Miss and pulling away from Mississippi State last week.

The Gators, who lost their first SEC game, have won five consecutive games and are tied with Vanderbilt for second place, and the Commodores will visit Gainesville this Saturday.

The Gators ranked as high as No. 10 and as low as No. 25.

11. UNLV Rebels

Record: 20-3, 4-1 MWC

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 13

Voting Points: 178

One voting point in favor of UNLV enabled the Rebels to edge Florida for No. 11. However, the Rebels nearly lost to MWC doormats Air Force and Boise State, beating both in overtime.

The Rebels ranked between No. 11 and No. 15.

10. Murray State Racers

Record: 21-0, 9-0 OVC

Week: 1-0

Previous Ranking: 9

Voting Points: 216

Ivan Aska returned to the Murray State lineup, and the Racers continued their undefeated start to 2011-12, beating Eastern Illinois by 15 points.

Second-place SE Missouri State comes to town this week, but no visitor has come within eight points of the Racers at the CFSB Center.

Murray State came in as high as No. 6 and as low as No. 16.

9. Michigan State Spartans

Record: 17-4, 6-2 Big Ten

Week: 1-0

Previous Ranking: 11

Voting Points: 225

In its only game last week, Michigan State defeated Minnesota by 16 points. The Spartans trail Ohio State by a half-game, and they will visit Illinois on Tuesday before hosting Michigan on Sunday.

Voters ranked Tom Izzo's squad between No. 5 and No. 10.

8. Kansas Jayhawks

Record: 17-4, 7-1 Big 12

Week: 1-1

Previous Ranking: 5

Voting Points: 241

The weekend's trendy upset pick came to fruition, as Iowa State defeated Kansas in Ames. The Jayhawks struggled with a shorthanded Texas A&M earlier in the week, so the loss to the Cyclones dropped KU to No. 8.

Kansas will host Oklahoma on Wednesday and visit Missouri for a heavily anticipated contest on Saturday.

Despite the Jayhawks' struggles, two voters ranked Bill Self's squad at No. 4. The Jayhawks appeared as low as No. 12.

7. UNC Tar Heels

Record: 18-3, 5-1 ACC

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 8

Voting Points: 245

UNC beat NC State and Georgia Tech by an average of 15.5 points to keep pace with Duke and Florida State in the ACC standings.

With road games at Wake Forest and Maryland this week, the Tar Heels should be able to continue their winning ways.

Voters ranked the Tar Heels as high as No. 4 and as low as No. 9.

6. Baylor Bears

Record: 19-2, 6-2 Big 12

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 7

Voting Points: 264

After losing to Kansas and Missouri, Baylor bounced back with wins over Oklahoma and Texas last week.

The Bears will be even tougher to beat if Perry Jones III continues his exceptional play—he averaged 21.5 points and 13.5 rebounds last week.

Baylor ranked between No. 5 and No. 9.

5. Missouri Tigers

Record: 19-2, 6-2 Big 12

Week: 1-1

Previous Ranking: 2

Voting Points: 265

Wednesday's loss at Oklahoma State dropped Missouri from the No. 2 hole, but the Tigers will have a chance to climb back to the top if they beat Texas and Kansas this week.

Voters ranked Missouri as high as No. 2 and as low as No. 9.

4. Duke Blue Devils

Record: 18-3, 5-1 ACC

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 6

Voting Points: 270

Duke responded to the Florida State loss by beating Maryland and St. John's. Although the Blue Devils dominated the Johnnies in the first half, they couldn't seal the deal until the final minute.

Duke will play Virginia Tech and Miami this week, but the anticipation of next week's trip to Chapel Hill is certainly rising.

The Blue Devils ranked as high as No. 2 and as low as No. 7.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

Record: 19-3, 7-2 Big Ten

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 4

Voting Points: 298

Easy wins over Penn State and Michigan last week helped Ohio State capture the No. 3 ranking, but Saturday's tilt at Wisconsin shouldn't be as painless.

The Buckeyes sit one game ahead of the Badgers, who want to re-establish the Kohl Center as a significant advantage.

Ohio State appeared as high as No. 2 and as low as No. 7.

2. Syracuse Orange

Record: 22-1, 9-1 Big East

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 3

Voting Points: 307

Thanks to Missouri's loss and the controversial ending to its game against West Virginia, Syracuse secured the No. 2 ranking this week.

If you haven't heard, the referees missed a blatant goaltend of a Deniz Kilicli layup that would have, in all likelihood, forced overtime.

Nine voters had the Orange at No. 2, but no one pitted them lower than No. 4.

1. Kentucky Wildcats

Record: 21-1, 7-0 SEC

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 1

Voting Points: 325

Once again, Kentucky, which picked up two easy road wins last week, is the unanimous No. 1 in the B/R Writers Rankings.

The Wildcats beat Georgia and LSU by an average of 18.5 points, and Terrence Jones broke out for 27 points and nine rebounds against the Tigers.

If he comes to life, it's hard to picture the Wildcats losing anytime soon.

Full Top 25

1. Kentucky, 325

2. Syracuse, 307

3. Ohio State, 298

4. Duke, 270

5. Missouri, 265

6. Baylor, 264

7. North Carolina, 245

8. Kansas, 241

9. Michigan State, 225

10. Murray State, 216

11. UNLV, 178

12. Florida, 177

13. Georgetown, 163

14. Creighton, 151

15. Marquette, 149

16. Virginia, 114

17. Indiana, 103

18. San Diego State, 101

19. Saint Mary's, 96

20. Michigan, 66

21. Mississippi State, 58

22. Wisconsin, 57

23. Vanderbilt, 44

24. Florida State, 39

25. Harvard, 31

Others receiving votes: Louisville (27), Connecticut (19), Kansas State (7), Gonzaga (6), Seton Hall (3), Middle Tennessee State (1), Southern Mississippi (1)

Conference Breakdown

Big Ten: 5

ACC: 4

SEC: 4

Big 12: 3

Big East: 3

MWC: 2

Ivy: 1

MVC: 1

OVC: 1

WCC: 1

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