As we say good-bye to 2001 and hello to 2002, the Power 16 looks much like it did a week ago -- which is quite a change from the first eight weeks of the college basketball season.

Sure, there are few changes -- as there are each week. Anyone seen that Missouri team we had among the No. 1s just three weeks ago?

But for the most part, a turbulent non-conference season winds down with a little stability at the the top of the rankings. There were no changes among the top nine teams, and just three changes among the 16 teams, overall.

Ah, but that doesn't mean we can't expect a few complaints -- especially from the Pacific time zone. Not so much in the Northwest, where Gonzaga fans will be delighted to see the Bulldogs crack the Power 16. No, we're talking the Pac-10 fans.

No Arizona? No UCLA? No Stanford? Truth be told, each were considered for the final two spots held by Syracuse and the Zags, but each were edged out at the end. Don't worry, the Power 16 committee has their eye on all three.

As always, the Power 16 welcomes your opinions.

Click here to voice your approval or disdain for the latest Power 16. Keep it clean, state a clear case for your team, include both a first and last name, city and state, and we'll post the best comments later in the week.

Oh, and one more thing: the Power 16 wishes all college basketball fans (especially those in Iowa City, Stillwater and Lawrence), a safe and sane New Year's Eve. We'll catch up with what promises to be an unpredictable 2002 next week.

(Records as of Sunday, Dec. 30)

No. 1 Seeds

TEAM Duke Record: 11-0   Oklahoma State Record: 13-0   Kansas Record: 10-1   Florida Record: 11-1

COMMENT Best of four unbeatens remaining. But will best team in country be last unbeaten this season? Up Next: Davidson on Wed.; FSU on Sun. Drank plenty of liquids before doing what KU couldn't -- beat Ball State. But it wasn't easy, either. Up Next: Host to Owens-less Texas (Sat.) Hinrich's turn to step up late, but only after Gooden showed why Jayhawks are biggest threat to team above. Up Next: Tulsa in Kansas City on Saturday. OK, time to prove they belong here as SEC play replaces Belmonts and Stetsons of the world. Up Next: South Carolina in SEC opener (Sat.)

No. 2 Seeds

TEAM Virginia Record: 9-0   Kentucky Record: 8-2   Illinois Record: 11-2   Maryland Record: 10-2

COMMENT Second straight perfect non-conference run. But we expect Cavs to be better than 9-7 in ACC this season. Up Next: Hosting N.C. State on Saturday. UK 82, UL 62: Now what? Only annual goals of winning SEC, reaching Final Four, winning 8th national title. Up Next: Trip to Freedom Hall ... to play Tulane (Wed.) Another brutal non-conference season comes to an end. Things should get much easier now. Yeah, right. Up Next: Host Gophers (Wed.); at Badgers (Sat.) Welcome to another ACC season, where Terps can expect a struggle nearly every night on Tobacco Road. Up Next: One more breather: Norfolk State (Thu.)

No. 3 Seeds

TEAM Iowa Record: 11-3   Cincinnati Record: 12-1   Boston College Record: 11-1 Miami, Fla. Record: 13-0

COMMENT 2 of 3 non-conference losses came to top-10 teams. But, may have exposed Mizzou and Memphis as frauds. Up Next: Badgers at home (Wed.); at Ohio Stae (Sat.) Memphis? Marquette? No, it's Bearcats once again representing C-USA as non-conference comes to an end. Up Next: At East Carolina on Saturday. Had a week off to get ready for Big East title defense, which starts tonight in East Rutherford. Up Next: Trip to Seton Hall; hosting Pitt (Sat.) Time for 'Canes to validate their perfect non-conference season. Big East season starts with three on road. Up Next: At G'Town (Wed.); at UConn (Sat.)

No. 4 Seeds

TEAM Butler Record: 13-0   Oklahoma Record: 10-1   Syracuse Record: 11-2   Gonzaga Record: 11-2

COMMENT Went 5-0 against state of Indiana; Why doesn't 32-0 into Big Dance seem less unlikely each week? Up Next: 1st of 16 in Horizon League: Wright State (Sat.) Big 12 sleeper has all the pieces for a dream season: Four Sooners average double figures. Up Next: Conference opener at home vs. A&M (Sat.) Coach B gets Power 16's early nod for coach of the year. And yes, "Boeheim Court" does have a nice ring to it. Up Next: Hosting Rutgers in Big East opener (Wed.) Can solidify a spot in the Power 16 for rest of 2002 by getting past Saint Joseph's on New Year's Eve. Up Next: Ringing in the New Year in Philly.

Dropped Out: Missouri, Marquette.