Indiana signed on for two more years of the Crossroads Classic this week. It’s a move, coach Tom Crean said, that changes some non-conference scheduling.“We’re going to play a neutral game in Indianapolis.Trying to figure out which non-BCS schools could be dangerous in the upcoming NCAA tournament?
Three potential teams are ranked in the top 15 of this week’s Associated Press men’s basketball poll.
Murray State sits at No. 10. The Racers, out of the Ohio Valley Conference, are the only unbeaten team left in Division I (21-0). I kept Murray State at No. 11 in my vote.
Like Murray State, UNLV climbed one spot to No. 11. The Rebels (20-3) are tied for first place in the Mountain West Conference with San Diego State. UNLV has won 11 of 12, with the only loss coming to the Aztecs. UNLV has non-conference victories against North Carolina and Illinois.
Creighton (20-2) moved up two spots to No. 13. The Bluejays, out of the Missouri Valley Conference, are on a 10-game winning streak. Creighton features national Player of the Year candidate Doug McDermott, who is averaging 23.5 points per game. Creighton has three wins against Big Ten teams (Iowa, Nebraska and Northwestern).
The poll also features San Diego State (at No. 17) and two teams from the West Coast Conference (Saint Mary’s at 18 and Gonzaga at No. 24).
As for the top 10, Kentucky remains at No. 1. Syracuse and Ohio State both moved up a spot, to No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, after last week’s No. 2 Missouri lost. The Tigers are at No. 4. North Carolina, Baylor, Duke, Kansas, Michigan State and Murray State complete the top 10. My top 5 matched the final results. I ranked Duke, Kansas, Baylor, Michigan State and Florida at spots 6-10.
Indiana fell four spots to No. 20. I had IU at No. 19.
