MetaKoopa99's Ballot for Week 8 of 2018-19
Submitted on Monday, December 24, 2018 at 12:44AM EST
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Duke
|
Back at the top with Kansas losing and a great win over Texas Tech. They'll likely stay there for a while as conference play begins Jan. 5. |
| 2 |
Michigan
|
The top is so close, yet so far. It's unlikely they'll get there unless Duke falters early in conference play. Exciting stuff though! |
| 3 |
Tennessee
|
Even though the Vols lost to Kansas earlier this year, they'll jump the Jayhawks due to recency. Boy, is their starting five good. |
| 4 |
Virginia
|
No surprise that the Cavs continue to roll. Assuming they beat Marshall, they'll stay undefeated into 2019. It'll be a tough January though. |
| 5 |
Nevada
|
Nevada is winning, though they're not dominating like they did before. The last four have all been decided by eight points or fewer. |
| 6 |
Kansas
|
It's only fair to drop the Jayhawks five after losing to Arizona State for the second straight year. They'll be back though. You know why... |
| 7 |
Gonzaga
|
Since dropping two in a row, the Zags have looked like their typically dominant selves. WCC play should be a breeze for the Bulldogs. |
| 8 |
Michigan State
|
Way to rebound. Since those early season losses to Kansas and Louisville, Michigan State has been hot. Still one game to go before January. |
| 9 |
Florida State
|
A three-win week puts Florida State in my top 10. The domination over a solid Saint Louis team is what seals this ranking for me. |
| 10 |
Virginia Tech
|
Not much to say about a 1-0 week, but with a couple of highly ranked teams dropping games this week, the Hokies get into the top 10 as well. |
| 11 |
Texas Tech
|
They played excellent basketball against Duke for 33 minutes, then proceeded to play terribly for the last 7. Still, #11 seems fair. |
| 12 |
Ohio State
|
Very solid win over UCLA. It should be smooth sailing until January, when the Buckeyes are immediately met with a game vs. Michigan State. |
| 13 |
Wisconsin
|
Not much change from last week. They move up a few spots because of some losses from the higher-up teams. Next up, a trip to Bowling Green. |
| 14 |
Kentucky
|
Now THAT is a statement win. Kentucky has looked shaky all year, but with the neutral court victory over UNC, the Wildcats are back in it. |
| 15 |
Auburn
|
A drop of eight may be a bit harsh on the Tigers, but with a loss to NC State days after an OT win over UAB, I think it's deserved. |
| 16 |
North Carolina
|
North Carolina has been hard to pinpoint. One day they'll beat Gonzaga, and another they'll lose to Kentucky. Best three-loss team though. |
| 17 |
Arizona State
|
What on Earth to do with the Sun Devils? They seem like the Pac-12's only contender by beating Kansas, but that loss to Vanderbilt? I dunno. |
| 18 |
Houston
|
The Cougars deserve some love. As one of five undefeateds remaining, they've proven their resiliency with the comeback win over Utah State. |
| 19 |
Mississippi State
|
Things got a little bit closer with Wofford and Wright State than the Bulldogs would have liked. No change in the ranking for Miss State. |
| 20 |
Marquette
|
Big jump for Marquette, and it's thanks to Markus Howard. He's running away with the Big East POTY right now, and Wooden is on the radar. |
| 21 |
Oklahoma
|
Oklahoma is somehow not ranked in the AP poll. That better change this week. At 11-1, they've absolutely exceeded preseason expectations. |
| 22 |
NC State
|
Welcome to the top 25, NC State! After playing mostly cupcakes all year, the Wolfpack proved its worth vs. Auburn. Kevin Keatts is a winner! |
| 23 |
Buffalo
|
You were so close, Buffalo! The big road win over Syracuse then... a big loss at Marquette. I think they should still be ranked though. |
| 24 |
Iowa
|
With Marquette and NC State looking so impressive, I had to unfortunately drop the Hawkeyes two spots. Offense has looked great recently. |
| 25 |
Nebraska
|
Nebraska stays the same with a win. Next Five: Indiana, St. John's, Kansas State, Cincinnati, TCU. (And a sad farewell to Furman!) |