Week of 11/20/23
Some big games happened this week, and an even bigger and better week is coming up.
Just like the AP Poll, my top 9 stays the same, but so does Gonzaga, who’s sitting at 10. All teams went undefeated this past week, and Duke is the only one that’s not undefeated this season. However, their loss came to Arizona, who’s ranked 3rd.
Some shake up starts to happen after the top 10, however. Miami is tenth in the AP Poll but one spot behind that in mine. They do have some good wins against Georgia and Kansas State, but nearly lost to FIU. They fell behind midway, but eventually pulled it out, winning 86-80. Baylor and Texas A&M are swapped in the AP Poll, but because Texas A&M has allowed 66 three games in a row and have put up around 75, Baylor who’s coasted for most of the season, is ahead. A&M has a chance to prove themselves when they play Penn State on Thanksgiving and Virginia later this month. Following those three are North Carolina and Alabama. Alabama is 17th in the AP Poll, but jump Texas and Kentucky, who I’ll get to later. North Carolina had an easy week, with only one game. They beat UC Riverside 77-52, but have tougher games coming up, like against Tennessee and UConn. As for Alabama, they’re undefeated, and should stay that way until they play Purdue next month. They also have Creighton and Arizona right after, and Bama should definitely be tripped up in at least one of those games.
Rounding out the top 20 are Texas, Kentucky, FAU, Arkansas, and Michigan State. 4 of the 5 teams lost, with Texas being the only one that didn’t. Kentucky lost to Kansas, but that wasn’t a surprise. In fact, they only lost by 5. Neither was Michigan State’s loss, which was to Duke. However, their loss to James Madison from the start of the season is the reason they’re this low. FAU and Arkansas were both upset this week. FAU lost to Bryant, 61-52. FAU shot an embarrassing 26.2% from the field and 16.7% from 3. Arkansas lost to UNC Greensboro, 78-72. They didn’t play too bad, but shot 17.4% from deep. Other than that, they were pretty good, but just got out played a bit. Texas was the only won to win all of their games this week, but barely beat Louisville on Sunday, 81-80. They have UConn this week and Marquette next month. Those games should show us the real Texas.
Finishing the top 25 are James Madison, USC, Colorado, Illinois, and Memphis. James Madison is still undefeated, but most of their wins have been close. 2 more undefeated teams are Colorado and Memphis. Colorado hasn’t struggled at anytime this year, as they’re undefeated. As for USC, they were upset by UC Irving 70-60. USC won the rebound battle, but shot on 28.8% from the field and had 16 turnovers. However, star freshman Isaiah Collier shined. He had 23 in the loss, and 24 last game. Illinois also lost, but to Marquette. Illinois lost by 7, 71-64. They turned the ball over 15 times, while Marquette only had 8.