GHooLion's Ballot for Week 17 of 2017-18
Submitted on Monday, February 26, 2018 at 8:59AM EST
FYI: This is a provisional ballot. It does not count towards this poll's results.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Virginia
|
Shook off the rust in an 11-point win over GT, then embarrassed a historically inept Pitt team. Almost a lock for a #1 seed. |
| 2 |
Michigan State
|
Closed out their regular season with a 2-0 week: 1 as expected, 1 much closer than expected. Ending up 31-3 = #1 seed, RPI be damned. |
| 3 |
Villanova
|
Generally I would drop Villanova after the Creighton loss, but Nova has beaten #4 Xavier twice. Almost identical resumes. |
| 4 |
Xavier
|
Not the most confidence-inspiring win over Georgetown, but a win it is. Very likely to win the Big East outright. |
| 5 |
Duke
|
Gets a bump over Gonzaga this week with a dominant 2-0 week, mauling Louisville and Syracuse, the latter in a game where Duke shot badly. |
| 6 |
Gonzaga
|
Went 2-0 this week, on the road, over two teams that really are better than the credit they receive (San Diego, BYU). |
| 7 |
Kansas
|
Death, taxes, and yet another Kansas Big XII regular season title. Blasted OU and won in Lubbock. Solid, solid week. |
| 8 |
Cincinnati
|
Did what it was supposed to do, whipping hapless UConn then sliding by Tulsa in a closer-than-expected game. Sneaky scary #3 seed. |
| 9 |
Purdue
|
Not tickled about giving up 86 points to Illinois, but scoring 93 makes it a win nonetheless. Trashed Minnesota. Can they peak again? |
| 10 |
Wichita State
|
I could repeat the first sentence of my Purdue entry for their Tulane win. They could ruin a #1 seed's season in the Sweet 16. |
| 11 |
North Carolina
|
Just about spit the bit against Syracuse, but held on. 6 straight wins now, but a tough closing slate. |
| 12 |
Texas Tech
|
How quickly a 22-4 team in the lead for the Big XII regular season title turns into a 22-7 team searching to break the skid. |
| 13 |
Auburn
|
No shame in dropping a road game to a Florida team that has much more talent than its record indicates. Still a hefty resume. |
| 14 |
Michigan
|
The head-to-head win over OSU, along with the woodshedding of Maryland, justifies the bump over OSU this week. Typical Beilein team. |
| 15 |
Ohio State
|
The 2-0 week gives OSU the #2 seed in the Big Ten tournament. Holtmann has done a phenomenal job with this group. |
| 16 |
Arizona
|
Gagged away a substantial lead against Oregon. This team hasn't been mentally tough this year, and up comes a time where it badly needs it. |
| 17 |
URI
|
Shook off a sluggish effort against La Salle with a whipping of Dayton for a 2-0 week. Trending toward a #5 seed, which is a shame. |
| 18 |
Saint Mary's
|
Two dominant wins over typically overmatched WCC opponents. The conference tournament, and a rubber match against Gonzaga, awaits. |
| 19 |
Tennessee
|
Defeated Florida at home for the season sweep, then held on for a road win against Ole Miss. Barnes's job this season has been understated. |
| 20 |
West Virginia
|
This is the WVU I've expected to see for the last 6 weeks. Dominant 2-0 week entrenches itself on the #4 to #5 line for the NCAAs. |
| 21 |
Clemson
|
A bit of a letdown in a road loss to VT, then a closer-than-expected win over GT. Hate to see the injuries for this team. |
| 22 |
Nevada
|
2-0 week to remain the class of the MWC. Would like to see them shore the defense up as we head into March. |
| 23 |
Houston
|
Made up for the disappointing loss at Memphis by just doing ghastly, unmentionable things to ECU. #2 and #3 seeds beware... |
| 24 |
MT
|
Smacked UAB by 25 in its only game. The big rematch with WKU awaits. I don't think a loss would be particularly damaging for them. |
| 25 |
Kentucky
|
Strong wins over Arkansas and Missouri give Kentucky the final spot in my Top 25. Still don't trust UK in the slightest. |