AP Releases Top-25 Poll; Early Season Thoughts

Mark Dolejs-US PRESSWIRE

In this week’s addition of the college basketball Associated Press standings, there’s been little turnover in presiding over the top-10 teams in the nation, and for good reason.

Indiana (3-0) still sits atop the poll with 46 first-place votes conducted from the 65-member national media panel after posting two run-away victories against North Dakota State and Sam Houston State in the Progressive Legends Classic Tournament this past week.  Though, the Hoosiers have still yet to be tested in the early going, leading the nation in scoring offense.  Their first challenge will come against North Carolina in Bloomington on Nov. 27.

Ohio State and Michigan leapfrogged Kentucky to No. 3 and No. 4 spots, after the former No. 2 Wildcats dropped a decisive 75-68 battle against Duke this past week.  With the win, the Blue Devils jump four spots to the No. 5 position and gleaming from the first big upset to hit the college basketball stage.  Still, both teams are anticipated to land in the top of the standings come March so set your calendars accordingly.

The teams that rounded out the top-10 last week remain relatively unchanged, all posting undefeated seasons thus far.  These teams include Syracuse, Florida, North Carolina and Arizona.

The new additions to the Top-25 list include No. 20 Oklahoma State (4-0) and No. 23 Colorado (4-0), who ousted Notre Dame and Wisconsin.  The Irish fell to unranked Saint Joseph’s 79-70 on Friday night in the semi-finals of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Barclays Center.  Meanwhile, the Badgers lost handily to the No. 7 Florida Gators 74-56, putting a mark on their already overrated season.

So, what have we learned so far this season?

Not much.

Still, the season is young and most teams haven’t even started into their respective division battles so don’t get too stifled by the lack of madness.  Come December, there will be a lot more turnover in the AP polls when teams look to upset division rivals and jockey for position as conferences begin to take shape.