NCAA Basketball Top 25 Straw Poll: Week 6

As Duke has continued to pick up more and more quality wins over the first few weeks of the season, the gap between the Blue Devils and No. 1 Indiana continues to shrink--which left them just two points behind the Hoosiers last week.

After easily beating Temple over the weekend, the Top 25 voters here on Bleacher Report tabbed Duke as the No. 1 team and dropped Indiana to No. 2 in the nation.

Read on to see the complete Top 25.

Voters: Jesse Kramer, Matt Overing, Jordan Schwartz, Josh Schoch, Scott Polacek, Thad Novak, Ryan Satsky, Robert Pace, Scott Henry, Dave Mayer

Others Receiving Votes

Kentucky, 23 points

UCLA, 15 points

Wyoming, 14 points

Pittsburgh, 13 points

Maryland, 12 points

Baylor, 10 points

Miami (FL), 8 points

Colorado, 5 points

Memphis, 5 points

Texas A&M, 3 points

Oregon, 2 points

Charlotte, 1 point

25. Wichita State Shockers

Points: 24

Record: 9-0

Last Week's Rank: Not Ranked

Notable Wins: VCU (Road), Iowa (Neutral)

Wichita State has reloaded after going to the NCAA tournament as a No. 5 seed last year. Newcomers Cleanthony Early and Malcolm Armstead along with senior forward Carl Hall have led the Shockers to an impressive 9-0 start to the season.

On Thursday, the Shockers will take their undefeated record to Knoxville to take on Tennessee.

24. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Points: 34

Record: 7-1

Last Week's Rank: T-23

Notable Wins: Tennessee (Neutral), NC State (Neutral), South Florida (Home)

Oklahoma State let its defense shine in wins this week over South Florida and Missouri State. The Cowboys' opponents averaged only 45.5 points in those two games and shot 33.7 percent from the field.

The Cowboys continue their homestand with games against Central Arkansas, Texas-Arlington and Tennessee Tech, leading into their New Year's Eve matchup with Gonzaga.

23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Points: 43

Record: 8-1

Last Week's Rank: 25

Notable Wins: Kentucky (Home)

Notre Dame easily defeated Brown in its only game last week. Jack Cooley posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, as did Eric Atkins with 10 points and 12 assists. Freshman Cameron Biedscheid led the team in scoring with 17 points.

This coming weekend, the Fighting Irish will face Purdue in the Crossroads Classic.

22. North Carolina Tar Heels

Points: 46

Record: 7-2

Last Week's Rank: 22

Notable Wins: UAB (Home)

North Carolina won its lone game of the week, easily defeating East Tennessee State over the weekend. Freshman Brice Johnson had his best game against a Division I opponent, scoring 12 points and eight boards while shooting 6-of-8 from the field.

The Tar Heels will host 6-1 East Carolina, whose only loss was to undefeated Charlotte, on Saturday.

21. North Carolina State Wolfpack

Points: 55

Record: 6-2

Last Week's Rank: 18

Notable Wins: UConn (Neutral)

North Carolina State stood its ground against Connecticut and Cleveland State last week. Senior forward Richard Howell had a double-double in each game.

The Wolfpack's only game this week is on Saturday against Norfolk State.

20. UNLV Rebels

Points: 57

Record: 7-1

Last Week's Rank: 17

Notable Wins: Iowa State (Home), California (Road)

UNLV won at California on Sunday night for its fifth consecutive win. Anthony Bennett remains one of the premier freshmen in all of college basketball with 18.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

The Rebels next game should be an easy win against the La Verne Leopards.

19. Georgetown Hoyas

Points: 74

Record: 7-1

Last Week's Rank: 16

Notable Wins: UCLA (Neutral), Tennessee (Home)

Georgetown handily defeated Texas by 23 points at the Jimmy V Classic early in the week, but the Hoyas struggled at home against Towson on Saturday. The Hoyas only won by six points and trailed at various points in the second half, shooting only 29.8 percent from the field.

This week, Georgetown plays two more home games against Longwood and Western Carolina.

18. Michigan State Spartans

Points: 77

Record: 8-2

Last Week's Rank: 15

Notable Wins: Kansas (Neutral)

Loyola-Illinois played Michigan State close on Saturday, but the Spartans ultimately pulled away for a 73-61 win, their third in a row. That streak will almost definitely increase to four after they play Tuskeegee on Saturday.

T-16. New Mexico Lobos

Points: 86

Record: 10-0

Last Week's Rank: 20

Notable Wins: Davidson (Home), UConn (Neutral)

New Mexico continued its perfect start to the season with wins over USC and Valparaiso last week. Since allowing 81 points to Davidson in the season opener, the Lobos are holding their opponents to 60.6 points per game.

New Mexico's next two games will be a home-and-home with New Mexico State.

T-16. San Diego Aztecs

Points: 86

Record: 7-1

Last Week's Rank: 13

Notable Wins: UCLA (Neutral)

San Diego State extended its winning streak to seven games with easy wins over Texas Southern and UC Santa Barbara last week.

The Aztecs continue their homestand with their upcoming game against San Diego on Saturday.

15. Creighton Bluejays

Points: 87

Record: 9-1

Last Week's Rank: 14

Notable Wins: Wisconsin (Neutral), St. Joe's (Home), Arizona State (Neutral)

Creighton has won its last three games, all of them over formidable opponents. The Bluejays beat St. Joseph's to begin December and then defeated Nebraska and Akron last week.

Next up on Creighton's schedule is a tough game at California.

14. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Points: 98

Record: 10-1

Last Week's Rank: 19

Notable Wins: Memphis (Neutral), Stanford (Neutral)

Minnesota extended its winning streak to six games by beating a Nate-Wolters-less South Dakota State team and USC. In the win over the Jackrabbits, Andre Hollins scored 20 points in the first half and made six three-pointers.

The Golden Gophers should be able to pick up wins in their next games against North Dakota State and Lafayette.

13. Missouri Tigers

Points: 111

Record: 8-1

Last Week's Rank: 12

Notable Wins: Stanford (Neutral), VCU (Neutral)

Missouri went 2-0 last week with wins over Southeast Missouri and Tennessee State. In the two games, senior Laurence Bowers averaged 22 points, 9.5 rebounds and two blocks.

After a nine-day break, the Tigers will return to action against South Carolina State on December 17.

12. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Points: 117

Record: 9-1

Last Week's Rank: 10

Notable Wins: West Virginia (Home), Oklahoma (Neutral)

Gonzaga's undefeated season ended with a loss at home to Illinois on Saturday night. The Bulldogs have a couple of quality wins under their belt, but they still have no Top 25 wins.

The Zags will play three Big 12 teams before the end of the month: Kansas State, Baylor and Oklahoma State.

11. Illinois Fighting Illini

Points: 130

Record: 10-0

Last Week's Rank: 21

Notable Wins: Butler (Neutral), Gonzaga (Road)

In its first big test of the season, Illinois defeated Gonzaga on the road. Brandon Paul led the way with 35 points on 10-of-16 shooting.

The Fighting Illini are now 10-0 entering home games against Norfolk State and unbeaten Eastern Kentucky this week.

10. Cincinnati Bearcats

Points: 144

Record: 9-0

Last Week's Rank: 11

Notable Wins: Iowa State (Neutral), Oregon (Neutral), Alabama (Home)

Cincinnati obliterated Maryland-Eastern Shore on Saturday to improve to 9-0 this season. Seven of their wins have come by at least 11 points.

Over the second half of the month, the Bearcats will play games against Marshall, Xavier, New Mexico and Pittsburgh.

9. Kansas Jayhawks

Points: 167

Record: 7-1

Last Week's Rank: 9

Notable Wins: Saint Louis (Neutral)

Kansas extended its winning streak to six games by beating Colorado at home on Saturday. The Jayhawks have now won 26 consecutive games at home, the second-longest, active streak in Division I.

This week, the Jayhawks will host Belmont, one of the tougher mid-majors in the country.

8. Arizona Wildcats

Points: 177

Record: 7-0

Last Week's Rank: 8

Notable Wins: Southern Miss (Home), Clemson (Road)

In its first test of the season, Arizona outlasted Clemson for a 12-point win on Saturday. Xavier transfer Mark Lyons led the way with 20 points and four assists, including six points over the final 5:22. 

Arizona's next game against Florida will be its first against a Top 25 opponent

7. Ohio State Buckeyes

Points: 185

Record: 6-1

Last Week's Rank: 7

Notable Wins: Washington (Neutral)

Ohio State easily defeated Long Beach State on Saturday, 89-55, as four Buckeyes scored in double figures.

The Buckeyes continue their easy stretch against Savannah State and UNC-Asheville. Their next big test will be against Kansas on December 22.

6. Louisville Cardinals

Points: 199

Record: 8-1

Last Week's Rank: T-5

Notable Wins: Missouri (Neutral)

Louisville had no trouble in its two games this week against the College of Charleston and Missouri-Kansas City. With Gorgui Dieng injured, the Cardinals got valuable minutes from sophomore Zach Price in the frontcourt.

Next up on Louisville's slate is Memphis on the road.

5. Florida Gators

Points: 211

Record: 7-0

Last Week's Rank: T-5

Notable Wins: Wisconsin (Home), Marquette (Home)

Florida blew out in-state rival Florida State last week, 72-47. Through seven games, the Gators are allowing only 48.3 points per game.

The Gators will play their second consecutive road game on Saturday at Arizona.

4. Syracuse Orange

Points: 217

Record: 8-0

Last Week's Rank: 4

Notable Wins: San Diego State (Neutral)

Syracuse went 3-0 last week with an average margin of victory of 39.7 points, granted that all three were all home games against mid-majors.

In the Orange's weekend win over Monmouth, sophomore Michael Carter-Williams put together another outstanding performance with 15 points, 16 assists, five steals and four blocks.

3. Michigan Wolverines

Points: 227

Record: 9-0

Last Week's Rank: 3

Notable Wins: Pittsburgh (Neutral), Kansas State (Neutral), NC State (Home)

Michigan remained undefeated with wins over Western Michigan and Arkansas last week. The win over the Razorbacks was John Beilein's 100th as Michigan's head coach.

The Wolverines have an easy game against Binghamton on Tuesday before facing West Virginia at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

2. Indiana Hoosiers

Points: 242

Record: 9-0

Last Week's Rank: 1

Notable Wins: Georgetown (Neutral), UNC (Home)

Indiana easily defeated Central Connecticut State in its only game last week, 100-69. Christian Watford led the team in scoring with 21 points, and Cody Zeller had 19 points and 19 rebounds.

The Hoosiers next game will be against 7-2 Butler in the Crossroads Classic on Saturday.

1. Duke Blue Devils

Points: 246

Record: 9-0

Last Week's Rank: 2

Notable Wins: Kentucky (Neutral), Minnesota (Neutral), Louisville (Neutral), Ohio State (Home), Temple (Neutral)

Duke continued to build its resume last week, defeating Temple at the Izod Center in New Jersey. The Blue Devils controlled the game from the start and won 90-67 as Mason Plumlee posted another double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

With five high-quality wins early in the season, Duke has bounced ahead of Indiana as the No. 1 team in the country.

The Blue Devils will be out of action until December 19 when they take on Cornell at home.