NCAA Men's Top Ten 2-11-08

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1 (1) - Memphis (23-0)

Last Week: Def. SMU and Central Florida

Toughest Match-up This Week: vs. Houston (18-4)

The one low-light this week was the play of Chris Douglas-Roberts. He had a combined nine points in the Tigers’ games against SMU and UCF. With the match-up against Tennessee quickly approaching, it will be interesting to see if they can keep their focus on the their next three.

 

2 (2) - Duke (21-1)

Last Week: Def. North Carolina and Boston College

Toughest Match-up This Week: vs. Maryland (16-8)

After the Dukies hard fought victories against against UNC and Boston College, there is no time for a let down this week. Maryland has won four straight since their defeat to Duke. They will definitely have redemption on their mind.

 

3 (5) - Kansas (21-1)

Last Week: Def. Missouri and Baylor

Toughest Match-up This Week: @ Texas (19-4)

Kansas bounced back from their first defeat of the season with two very impressive performances this week. After a 100 point and 50% FG percentage night against Baylor, the Jayhawks look to show just how good they can be in Austin against the Longhorns.

 

4 (6) - Tennessee (21-2)

Last Week: Def. Florida and LSU

Toughest Match-up This Week: vs. Arkansas (17-5)

Chris Lofton has been absolutely lethal from distance lately. The last two games he shot a blistering 56% from the 3-point arch. If he can continue his hot shooting down the stretch, the Vols could be a surprising candidate for a number one seed come March.

 

5 (4) - UCLA (21-3)

Last Week: Def. Wash. St. / Lost  @ Washington

Toughest Match-up This Week: @ USC (15-8)

The Bruins had a tough loss in Washington…but it was to the University of Washington. UCLA can’t afford many slip ups like that with Stanford keeping pace in the Pac-10. It should not be hard to get their spirits back up with a re-match with USC coming up this week.

 

6 (3) - North Carolina (21-2)

Last Week: Def. Clemson / Lost vs. Duke

Toughest Match-up This Week: vs. Virginia Tech (14-10)

Tyler Hansbrough’s hustle in the second OT of UNC’s match-up against Clemson kept the Tarheels from a disappointing 0 for this week. Now they start a stretch of winnable games and need a sweep if they want to get the number 1 seed in the ACC Tournament.

 

7 (10) - Stanford (20-3)

Last Week: Def. Oregon and Oregon State

Toughest Match-up This Week: @ Arizona (15-7)

Stanford is quickly climbing the rankings and are now tied with UCLA for the lead in the Pac-10. With an impressive blow out win in The Pit against Oregon, the Cardinal have opened many eyes out west. It won’t be long until the rest of the nation does the same.

 

8 (9) - Butler (21-2)

Last Week: Def. Valparaiso and Wisconsin-Green Bay

Toughest Match-up This Week: vs. Cleveland State (15-10)

Butler’s jack-of-all-trades Mike Green has been terrific this season and the reason why the Bulldogs have been so successful. I’m not sure if you can call them a bracket buster because they have a legitimate shot at a top-tier seed. Maybe their toughest match-up left comes this week against Cleveland State, the team that gave them their last defeat.

 

9 (7) - Georgetown (19-3)

Last Week: Def. South Florida / Lost @ Louisville

Toughest Match-up This Week: @ Syracuse (16-8)

Georgetown stumbled against Louisville, but they have been on a red hot tear as of late and they will need to get through some tough road games to keep it going. Five of their next eight are on the road.

 

10 (NR) - Michigan State (20-3)

Last Week: Def. Northwestern

Toughest Match-up This Week: @ Indiana (19-3)

This week is the most important week of the season for the Spartans. Two huge road contests against Purdue and Indiana could shape how the race in the Big 10 finishes. A sweep this week would put them back into first place and give them some momentum going into the final few games of the season.