College Basketball Power Rankings Top 30: Week 1 Edition

North Carolina really pulled away this weekend, beating a good Michigan State team pretty handily on a boat in San Diego.

That begs the question, how will teams No. 2-30 fall?

Vanderbilt and UCLA were the two big teams with shocking losses, while teams like Cleveland State emerged as contenders. Duke struggled against Belmont, while Florida, Connecticut, Kentucky and Syracuse proved they were national title contenders against inferior competition.

No. 30: Cleveland State (1-0)

Last Week (NR)

W (71-58) at No. 7 Vanderbilt

This Week

Tuesday vs. Rio Grande College

Friday vs. St. Bonaventure (1-0)

Cleveland State was a great mid-major team last year, but many thought that the loss of Norris Cole would set them back a step going into this season. What we failed to acknowledge was the fact that the other four starters all return, and this veteran-heavy team proved something by beating Vanderbilt in Nashville on Sunday.

No. 29: California Golden Bears (2-0)

Last Week (NR)

W (77-56) vs. UC Irvine

W (81-54) vs. George Washington

This Week

Tuesday vs. Austin Peay (0-1)

The Golden Bears did everything they could possibly do to prove they are an elite team who belongs on this list. Allen Crabbe is a superstar who helped his team pummel a decent George Washington team by 27.

No. 28: Kansas Jayhawks (1-0)

Last Week (30 last week):

W (100-54) vs. Towson

This Week:

Tuesday vs. No. 2 Kentucky (Madison Square Garden)

The Jayhawks did their job in destroying a horrible Towson team in their opener, but I'm still not completely buying into them. They could be in for a long game against Kentucky tomorrow.

No. 27: Cincinnati Bearcats (1-0)

Last Week (28)

W (63-40) vs. Alabama State

This Week

Tuesday vs. Jacksonville State (1-1)

Saturday vs. Presbyterian (1-1)

Like last year, the Bearcats really aren't doing much to challenge themselves early in the season. Road games upcoming against Georgia and Xavier will show just how good this team is.

No. 26: Arizona Wildcats (3-0)

Last Week (27)

W (73-64) vs. Valparaiso

W (67-59) vs. Duquesne

W (73-63) vs. Ball State

This Week

Thursday vs. St. John's (3-0) (at Madison Square Garden)

Arizona did what they needed to do to be one of the few teams in the country at 3-0, but didn't look real pretty doing it. Thursday's game against a really interesting St. John's team will be one to watch.

No. 25: Miami (FL) Hurricanes (1-0)

Last Week (25)

W (69-58) vs. Tennessee Tech

This Week

Tuesday vs. Rutgers (1-0)

Saturday vs. North Florida (0-1)

I really wanted to like Miami this year, but they didn't look all that great against Tennessee Tech in their opener. Rutgers will be a bit more of a challenge for them, and we will be able to see if they can contend for a tournament birth.

No. 24: Texas A&M Aggies (2-0)

Last Week (26)

W (81-59) vs. Liberty

W (83-58) vs. Southern

This Week

Thursday vs. Mississippi State (2-1) (at Madison Square Garden)

The Aggies don't look to have skipped a beat despite their coach's leave due to illness, as well as Khris Middleton's injury that will keep him out close to a month. Ray Turner and company took care of business last week against two inferior foes.

No. 23: Temple Owls (0-0)

Last Week (24)

Did Not Play

This Week

Monday at Pennsylvania (1-0)

Thursday vs. Western Michigan (0-1) (in San Juan, PR)

Friday vs. Iona or Purdue (in San Juan, PR)

Sunday Championship Round (in San Juan, PR)

Temple will get tested right off the bat in Puerto Rico, where they may have to play Purdue and Alabama. Should be a really good opportunity to prove that they are a legitimate Top-25 team.

No. 22: Gonzaga Bulldogs (1-0)

Last Week (23)

W (77-69) vs. Eastern Washington

This Week

Monday Night vs. Washington State (0-0)

Saturday vs. Hawaii (0-0) (in Vancouver, BC)

Gonzaga kicks off the great college basketball marathon with an interesting contest with Washington State. A win against a Pac-12 team on national television would be a great start to their season.

No. 21: Xavier Musketeers (1-0)

Last Week (22)

W (74-63) vs. Morgan State

This Week

Tuesday vs. IPFW (1-0)

Friday vs. Miami (OH) (0-0)

Xavier struggled a bit against a very weak MEAC team in Morgan State. They still appear to be the team to beat in the Atlantic Ten, though, with Temple right behind.

No. 20: Michigan Wolverines (1-0)

Last Week (21)

W (59-33) vs. Ferris State

This Week

Monday vs. Towson (0-1)

Thursday vs. Western Illinois (0-1)

Two easy games await the Wolverines this week as they approach their huge game against Memphis next Monday.

No. 19: Villanova Wildcats (1-0)

Last Week (20)

W (106-70) vs. Monmouth 

This Week

Tuesday vs. LaSalle (1-0)

Saturday vs. Delaware (0-1)

Villanova will contend in the Big East; it's just a matter of how much. Two easy wins await this week.

No. 18: Vanderbilt Commodores (1-1)

Last Week (6)

W (78-64) vs. Oregon

L (71-58) vs. Cleveland State

This Week

Tuesday vs. Bucknell (0-1)

Saturday vs. North Carolina State (2-0) (at East Ruthersford, NJ)

Vanderbilt lost a shocker to Cleveland State this week, but they are still a great team who handled a good Oregon team fairly easily. Once Festus Ezeli returns, they should be an elite team again.

No. 17: Washington Huskies (2-0)

Last Week (19)

W (91-74) vs. Georgia State

W (77-71) vs. Florida Atlantic

This Week

Monday vs. Portland (2-0)

Sunday at Saint Louis (1-0)

The Huskies got themselves caught in a close one with Florida Atlantic, but pulled away from the week with a 2-0 record. Portland and Saint Louis may play spoiler this week.

No. 16: Missouri Tigers (1-0)

Last Week (17)

W (83-68) vs. Southeast Missouri State

This Week

Monday vs. Mercer (1-0)

The Tigers aren't exactly challenging themselves leading up to next week's CBE classic, where they will have to most likely play Notre Dame and California. 

No. 15: Marquette Golden Eagles (1-0)

Last Week (15)

W (91-37) vs. Mount Saint Mary's

This Week

Monday vs. Norfolk State (0-0)

Friday vs. Winthrop (0-1) (at the U.S. Virgin Islands)

Saturday vs. Ole Miss/Drake (Virgin Islands)

The Golden Eagles looked fantastic against an inferior team from Mount St. Mary's. Who knows how that play will translate into the Big East, but we may get a sense if they take on a decent Ole Miss team this weekend.

No. 14: Florida State Seminoles (1-0)

Last Week (15)

W (79-67) vs. Jacksonville

This Week

Monday vs. Central Florida (1-0)

Wednesday vs. Stetson (1-0)

Sunday vs. South Alabama (0-1)

It will be interested to see if a solid Central Florida team will give my sleeper pick, Florida State, a decent game tonight. UCF does have some players ineligible, including the sons of Michael Jordan.

No. 13: Baylor Bears (2-0)

Last Week (13)

W (77-57) vs. Texas Southern

W (92-59) vs. Jackson State

This Week

Tuesday vs. San Diego State (3-0)

Baylor will take on San Diego State in what will be one of the more interesting games of the great college basketball marathon. The Bears did look quite impressive in their two games last week despite the weak competition.

No. 12: Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0)

Last Week (13)

W (64-44) vs. North Florida

This Week

Monday vs. Oakland (0-0)

Thursday vs. Maryland (1-0) (at San Juan, PR)

Friday vs. Colorado/Wichita State (at San Juan, PR)

Sundy in Championship Round (San Juan, PR)

JaMychal Green and Alabama jump Vanderbilt and become the third best team in the SEC with a win over North Florida. That being said, they have some serious work to do to compete with the top two.

No. 11: Memphis Tigers (0-0)

Last Week (10)

Did Not Play

This Week

Tuesday vs. Belmont

The Tigers have to open up on National Television against a Belmont team that will look to play spoiler like they tried to against Duke. This will be a good chance to see just how good Will Barton and company can be this year.

No. 10: Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0)

Last Week (9)

W (89-56) vs. Albany

W (86-78) vs. Rider

This Week

Tuesday vs. Long Beach State

Rider gave the Pittsburgh Panthers a run for their money, forcing a drop in the rankings by one spot. Travon Woodall has emerged as a superstar and should fill the void in the back court left by Brad Wanamaker.

No. 9: Wisconsin Badgers (1-0)

Last Week (12)

W (85-31) vs. Kennesaw State

This Week

Wednesday vs. Colgate (1-0)

Saturday vs. Wofford (1-1)

Wisconsin looked completely dominant, especially shooting the basketball, in their 60-point demolition derby over Kennesaw State of the Atlantic Sun.

No. 8: Louisville Cardinals (2-0)

Last Week (11)

W (83-48) vs. Tennessee-Martin

W (68-48) vs. Lamar

This Week

Saturday at Butler (0-1)

The Cardinals dominated two weak teams last week and will head to Indianapolis to play a rebuilding Butler team this weekend. Chane Benahan looks like a star freshman for them early.

No. 7: Duke Blue Devils (2-0)

Last Week (7)

W (77-76) vs. Belmont

W (96-55) vs. Presbyterian

This Week

Tuesday vs. Michigan State (0-1) (at Madison Square Garden)

Friday vs. Davidson (1-0)

I'm sure the Duke players and coaching staff are looking forward to Coach K breaking the record tomorrow night, as that quest can't be anything much more than a distraction and added pressure for the team.

No. 6: Florida Gators (1-0)

Last Week (8)

W (99-59) vs. Jackson State

This Week

Tuesday at No. 3 Ohio State (1-0)

Thursday vs. North Florida (0-1)

The Gators looked fantastic against Jackson State last weekend, but will need to play well in Columbus tomorrow night to prove that they are a legitimate national title contender.

No. 5: Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)

Last Week (5)

W (73-42) vs. Wright State

This Week

Tuesday vs. No. 8 Florida (1-0)

Friday vs. Jackson State (0-1)

The Buckeyes cruised against Wright State behind National Player of the Year candidate Jared Sullinger, but they will be heavily challenged when the talented Gators come to town on Tuesday.

No. 4: Syracuse Orange (1-0)

Last Week (4)

W (78-53) vs. Fordham

This Week

Monday vs. Manhattan (1-0)

Saturday vs. Colgate (1-0)

Kris Joseph led the way for Syracuse in their nice win over Fordham last week. The Orange will stay with two more in-state teams this week and should pick up two wins.

No. 3: Connecticut Huskies (1-0)

Last Week (3)

W (70-57) vs. Columbia

This Week

Monday vs. Wagner (1-0)

Thursday vs. Maine (0-0)

Sunday vs. Coppin State (1-0)

It will be hard to judge exactly how good UConn is due to their insanely weak out-of-conference schedule, but Jeremy Lamb has emerged as one of the best players in the country after their first game.

No. 2: Kentucky Wildcats (1-0)

Last Week (2)

W (108-58) vs. Marist

This Week

Tuesday vs. No. 11 Kansas (1-0) (at Madison Square Garden, NY)

Saturday vs. Penn State (1-0) (in Uncasville, CT)

Sunday vs. South Florida/Old Dominion (in Uncasville, NY)

Wildcats fans had to have been a little worried when they heard their star player, Terrance Jones, was involved in a car accident the night before their first game. As long as he can stay healthy and out of trouble, he will be one of the best players in the country, and the Wildcats will keep winning.

No. 1: North Carolina Tar Heels (2-0)

Last Week (1)

W (67-55) vs. Michigan State (in San Diego, CA)

W (91-75) vs. UNC-Asheville

This Week

Sunday vs. Mississippi Valley State (0-1)

The Tar Heels have had some phenomenal groups of four in the past decade. The question will be begged all year if they have ever had a group better than this one with Tyler Zeller, Kendall Marshall, Harrison Barnes and John Henson. I'm sure Tyler Hansbrough would beg to differ, but we'll decide that later.