College Basketball Rankings Preview: Are the Duke Blue Devils No. 1?

This week in college basketball has been a crazy one. The top four teams went down leaving the country in shock. Tomorrow we will find out about both the AP and the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll, but until then all that can be done is speculation.

So here it is, my prediction of what the top 10 will look like tomorrow afternoon after we see where the media ranks the schools.

James Evens serves as a National Featured Columnist for college football and basketball as well as the FC for the Purdue Boilermakers.   Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.

10. Arizona

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LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 27: Markieff Morris #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks fouls Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats during the championship game of the Las Vegas Invitational at The Orleans Arena November 27, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kansas won 87-7

Arizona will more than likely jump into the top 10.  They are one of the hottest teams in college hoops right now and have not lost since they were blown out by Washington a month ago.

Arizona is led by 6'8" forward Derrick Williams who is eating the Pac-10 for breakfast.  

He is averaging 19.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.  Williams is a difference maker for Arizona and considering he is just a sophomore, big things await him in the future.

With all the teams losing this week and with Arizona beating Washington, arguably the second best team in the conference, they should move up to 10 this week.

9. Georgetown

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 5: Chris Wright #4 of the Georgetown Hoyas takes a jump shot during a college basketball against the Providence Friars on February 5, 2011 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. The Hoyas won 83-81. (Photo by Mitchell Layton

Although they lost to UConn earlier this week by six, that was a tough game against a ranked opponent, I doubt that drops them at all, especially with the losses that happened this week.  

Georgetown the past few games has been led by Chris Wright who has just gone crazy the past few games scoring a combined 45 points the past two games.

With the Big East race wide-open, it looks as though Georgetown has a great shot at jumping in and taking it.

8. BYU

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LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 05: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young University Cougars shoots a technical free throw during a game against the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center January 5, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. BYU won 89-77. (Photo by Ethan

Now BYU isn't dropping because they loss, they are dropping because their schedule just isn't allowing them to stay at the top, and when a team plays lackluster teams, it's easy to drop a spot every now and then.

BYU is, of course, led by Mr. Jimmer Fredette who is the lead candidate for National Player of the Year. Ferdette is averaging 27.2 points per game and is just playing un-human-like.

BYU is a good team, and if they can beat SDSU again, they will more than likely move up once more.

7. Purdue

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 13: E'Twaun Moore #33 of the Purdue Boilermakers goes to the basket past Meyers Leonard #12 of the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall on February 13, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Purdue defeated Illinois 81-70. (Photo by Jo

Purdue had a great week. They started off the week by beating the 10th ranked Wisconsin Badgers and finished it off on Sunday by beating the No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.  

Purdue was led by their two stars E'Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson who both had great games in both outings.  Against Ohio State, Moore had 38 points and was god-like, knocking down everything in sight.

The Boilermakers should be rewarded for their two top-10 victories and put in the top 10 themselves. 

6. Texas

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LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 22: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Texas Longhorns dunks against the Kansas Jayhawks during the game on January 22, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Texas is a star-studded team that plays some of the best defense in the country.  They are a very talented team and could make a lot of noise in the postseason.

They are dropping because of a loss to Nebraska this week but are in a position to climb back out of it.

They are by far one of the best teams in the nation and will more than likely secure a one seed for the NCAA tournament i they don't suffer a drop off.

5. San Diego State

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LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 12: Billy White #32 of the San Diego State Aztecs brings the ball up the court during a game against the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center February 12, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. San Diego State won 63-57. (Photo by Ethan

I mean, dropping SDSU down could probably happen and might, but I just can't see it.

Having only one loss is just something that should be rewarded and is.  SDSU is led by Kawhi Leonard who is scoring 15.2 points per game.

SDSU is led and coached by experience, and that will continue throughout the season.  They might just prove to be the real deal.

4. Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 15: Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts while playing the Michigan State Spartans on February 15, 2011 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Ohio State came off their tough loss in Madison and rebounded with a great win against Michigan State. After their game with the Spartans, they were forced to travel to West Lafayette, Indiana, where they were beat by the Purdue Boilermakers.

Ohio State is arguably the best team in the nation. Don't take the fact that they lost to Purdue by 13. Being at the game, it was the loudest environment I've personally witnessed.  It would have been difficult for anyone to win in Mackey Arena on Sunday.

Ohio State is stacked with talent and will make some serious noise this March. With Jared Sullinger in the post and Lighty and Diebler on the wings, they make for a tough matchup.

3. Pittsburgh

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VILLANOVA, PA - FEBRUARY 12: Gilbert Brown #5 of the Pittsburgh Panthers lays up a shot past Isaiah Armwood #34 of the Villanova Wildcats at The Pavilion on February 12, 2011 in Villanova, Pennsylvania (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh had an opportunity to jump to the top of the polls but were beaten in the last few seconds of the game by St. Johns at the Garden.

Pittsburgh is loaded with talent and is one of the best teams in the Big East this season.  They are looking like they will win the Big East title and just need to hold steady to reach the one seed during the Big Dance.  Unfortunately, there are only four one seeds in the tourney, so they will need to finish strong.

Pitt is long and athletic and really dominates opponents when playing well. They will be a tough out.

2. Kansas

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LAWRENCE, KS - FEBRUARY 12: Markieff Morris #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks dunks during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on February 12, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Kansas was embarrassed this week by their rival Kansas State in what turned out to be a blowout. Although it was a blowout, you have to consider it to be a rivalry game, yet that still is not reason to get blown out like that.

Kansas is a great team that has numerous players with some serious talent.

Look for Kansas to win the Big 12 and possibly split it with Texas, but I just don't see Kansas giving it up to Texas in the end.

1. Duke

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CORAL GABLES, FL - FEBRUARY 13: Mason Plumlee #5 of the Duke Blue Devils goes up to block the shot by Durand Scott #1 of the Miami Hurricanes on February 13, 2011 at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Florida. The Blue Devils defeated the Hurricanes 8

The Duke Blue Devils have been on a tear since getting embarrassed by St. Johns at the Garden.

They haven't lost in a while and are playing great.  Coach K really has this team fired up and playing well without Irving.

Nolan Smith is playing out of his mind right now, and it's going to be tough for anyone in the ACC to step up and beat this great team.  

Duke has not lost in a while, and that is why they will be No. 1 when the polls come out.