Jan. 26--This week's college basketball rankings could have been decided by putting the names of last week's Top 25 in a bag, shaking it and pulling them out randomly.
Is there any rhyme or reason to this season? Nine teams in my top 11 from last week lost.
Here's a look at how I figured out who should be ranked where in the Associated Press Top 25, a task that seems more difficult by the week.
(Last week's ranking in parentheses; records through Sunday)
1. (1) Oklahoma 16-2.
2. (3) North Carolina 18-2.
3. (7) Iowa 16-3.
4. (2) Kansas 16-3.
5. (12) Texas A 17-2.
6. (4) Villanova 17-3.
7. (5) Xavier 17-2.
8. (14) Virginia 15-4.
9. (15) Miami 15-3.
10. (6) West Virginia 16-3.
11. (16) Providence 17-3.
12. (10) SMU 18-1.
13. (8) Michigan State 17-4.
14. (9) Maryland 17-3.
15. (13) Baylor 15-4.
16. (17) Iowa State 15-4.
17. (18) Louisville 16-3.
18. (11) Arizona 16-4.
19. (23) Indiana 17-3.
20. (21) Kentucky 15-4.
21. (NR) Purdue 17-4.
22. (NR) Wichita State 14-5.
23. (19) Duke 15-5.
24. (NR) Oregon 16-4.
25. (NR) Notre Dame 14-5.
--Dropped out: Butler (20), USC (22), Pittsburgh (24), South Carolina (25).
Oklahoma lost this week to Iowa State but remained at No. 1. I debated whether to move North Carolina into the top spot, but the Sooners' resume is stronger. Their losses to Kansas and Iowa State are easier to swallow as both are ranked in the KenPom.com top 15. North Carolina's losses to Northern Iowa and Texas aren't as forgivable.
Texas A made a massive jump this week. The Aggies are riding a 10-game winning streak.
Watch out for Wichita State. The Shockers returned to my ballot this week as they tear through the Missouri Valley Conference. They've won nine straight and 12 of 13 since point guard Fred VanVleet returned from injury.
sryan@tribpub.com
