Jan. 18--This wasn't the best week for top 10 teams.
Four teams lost to unranked opponents and there was a combined eight losses among five teams.
West Virginia helped determine the No. 1 team this week. Oklahoma beat the Mountaineers, who earlier in the week knocked Kansas out of the top spot.
(Last week's ranking in parentheses; records through Sunday)
1. (2) Oklahoma 15-1.
2. (1) Kansas 15-2.
3. (5) North Carolina 16-2.
4. (7) Villanova 16-2.
5. (8) Xavier 16-1.
6. (11) West Virginia 15-2.
7. (18) Iowa 14-3.
8. (4) Michigan State 16-3.
9. (3) Maryland 16-2.
10. (12) SMU 17-0.
11. (15) Arizona 15-3.
12. (17) Texas A 15-2.
13. (19) Baylor 14-3.
14. (14) Virginia 13-4.
15. (6) Miami 13-3.
16. (13) Providence 15-3.
17. (16) Iowa State 13-4.
18. (20) Louisville 14-3.
19. (9) Duke 14-4.
20. (21) Butler 13-4.
21. (10) Kentucky 13-4.
22. (25) USC 15-3.
23. (24) Indiana 15-3.
24. (23) Pittsburgh 15-2.
25. (22) South Carolina 16-1.
--Iowa jumped 11 spots because -- let's face it -- the Hawkeyes are as legitimate as they come. Their only losses were against Dayton, Notre Dame and at Iowa State. They're riding a seven-game win streak that includes a sweep of Michigan State and a victory against Purdue.
--West Virginia is on the same track. They beat top-ranked Kansas and lost by only two points at Oklahoma this week. They elevated five spots for their efforts.
--So why did Michigan State only drop four spots while Kentucky plummeted? Quality of opponent. Michigan State's losses came to teams ranked fourth (Iowa) and 59th (Wisconsin) in KenPom ratings. Meanwhile, Kentucky's losses this season have come to teams ranked outside the top 60, including Saturday's loss to Auburn (161).
--Last season's NCAA tournament champion Duke and Final Four contender Kentucky aren't having the same type of seasons this year. Both plummeted in the polls this week after registering their fourth losses. The Blue Devils fell to Clemson and Notre Dame, while the Wildcats were stunned by 8-8 Auburn.
--A team to keep an eye on for next week: Valparaiso (15-3). Purdue (15-3) could re-enter my ballot.
sryan@tribpub.com
