John Wall and Kentucky Wildcats Solidify Third in Bleacher Report Top 25

Despite some early-season struggles against mid-majors Miami (Ohio) and Sam Houston State as well as a close win in overtime against Stanford, Kentucky managed to enter its game against North Carolina unscathed.

The defending champion Tar Heels couldn't contain John Wall, who dominated the first half of the contest as Kentucky showed the nation how good they can and probably will be by the end of the year.

The Wildcats' 68-66 victory in this budding rivalry with UNC solidified John Calipari's club as the third-place team in the Bleacher Report Top 25.

The win was enough to catapult the 'Cats into the third spot past Villanova. Philadelphia's Wildcats didn't lose a game this past week, but may lose star freshman Mouphtaou Yarou for the year.

If you're a Bleacher Report member and interested in voting in the Bleacher Report Top 25 poll, email Jameson Fleming at [e-mail] to receive a ballot.

Ranking, Team, (record through Monday) votes (first place votes), ranking last week.

1. Kansas (7-0) 425 (17), LW 1

2. Texas (7-0) 394, LW 2

3. Kentucky (8-0) 383, LW 4

4. Villanova (9-0) 372, LW 3

5. Purdue (7-0) 366, LW 5

6. Syracuse (8-0) 340, LW 8

7. West Virginia (5-0) 325, LW 7

8. Tennessee (6-1) 272, LW 10

9. Duke (7-1) 266, LW 6

10. North Carolina (7-2) 256, LW 11

11. Michigan State (7-2) 241, LW 9

12. Florida (8-0) 219, LW 17

13. Ohio State (7-1) 217, LW 14

14. Connecticut (5-1) 215, LW 13

15. Georgetown (6-0) 174, LW 15

16. Washington (6-1) 167, LW 12

17. Gonzaga (6-2) 128, LW 16

18. UNLV (7-0) 104, LW 24

19. Clemson (7-2) 92, LW 18

20. Cincinnati (5-1) 88, LW 22

21. Wisconsin (6-1) 87, Not Ranked

22. Butler (6-2) 75, LW 21

23. Texas A&M (7-1) 67, Not Ranked

24. Georgia Tech (6-1) 48, Not Ranked

25. Louisville (5-2) 40, LW 20

Others Receiving Votes: Illinois 23, Texas Tech 21, Miami 20, Florida State 18, Oklahoma State 16, Vanderbilt 12, Northwestern 10, Minnesota 9, Notre Dame 7, Michigan 6, Kansas State 6, Brigham Young 6, Maryland 5, Memphis 5, New Mexico 4, Baylor 3, Portland 2, Saint Mary's 2, Missouri State 2, Richmond 1

Voters: Jameson Fleming, Nathan Bitner, Dan Karell, Mark Fodor, Drew Gatewood, Tom Phillips, Dan Lyons, Ari Kramer, Nick Mordowanec, Paul Swaneny, Kevin Lindsey, Jesse Kramer, Paul Seaver, Scott Henry, Stephen Clay, Aaron Morse, Major Ketchner