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| Monday, February 11 Updated: February 18, 3:54 PM ET A little top-heavy ESPN.com |
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Duke ... Kansas ... Maryland ... Cincinnati ... Oklahoma ... Ala-bam-a .... uh, Arizona? ... Pittsburgh? Yeah, we know. The Power 16 isn't exactly the most powerful 16 teams we've ever assembled. But below is the best we could come up with this week. Don't blame us. Blame your teams for losing when it shouldn't. We're still looking for a couple of solid No. 2s, not to mention a few more No. 3s. And, as for the latest batch of No. 4s? They may or may not be around next week. Hey! When over half teams in last week's Power 16 lose -- and three fail to win a single game -- deciding who stays and who goes, not to mention who replaces those who go, is a headache. Take out the top seeds and the remaining dozen Power 16 teams average nearly five losses as a whole. The lot's winning percentage is .776. Not exactly overwhelming numbers, which is the main cause of the debates (not to mention e-mails) each week. But really, who got slighted? Believe us when we say no team missing from the list below is that much more worthy of the spot someone else has this week. And besides, as we said above, the Power 16 never stays the same for long. So, with all this in mind, here is this week's Power 16. 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. (Records as of Sunday, Feb. 10)
Dropped Out: Utah, Xavier, Ohio State.
Power 16 Comments "I just would like to comment on the these crying and whining Oklahoma fans. First of all you beat Maryland in the beginning of season when they were banged up with a lot of injuries. Second of all, you beat up on an overrated Oklahoma State team and think you have bragging rights. Third, when you beat my Kansas Jayhawks then you can talk all the trash you want. So, quit whining about Maryland because the Terps are better than Oklahoma ... Good luck making it to the third round of the tournament because you'll be lucky to get there! P.S Juan Dixon for 3. It's Good!"
"I went to the grocery store to buy some tissues, to discover OU fans had bought every BOX! No. 1 ranking, for one lucky game against the Terps, at home no less? It's good to see the experts have a grasp on what a quality, No. 1 seeded season is all about. OU, beat Kansas or any other ranked team in your conference for starters. The ACC is the toughest conference in college basketball, obvious to anyone who watches any two ACC teams play on ANY given night. ACC fans are insatiable, LOUD, and unruly. Consistency is what the national title is all about. Ask Duke about winning 10 straight games against the toughest teams in the country, and THAT my friends from OU is why your team has not achieved the No. 1 ranking. One game does not win the title. OU fans, see ya in March. Fear the Turtle!"
"Okay, I am a Cincy fan and I have heard so many people talk about how they don't play anyone.They have proven this season that they know how to win (22-2). Regardless of who thinks C-USA is weak, they are still conference games and a conference game is tough for any team, regardless of what conference they are in.They can beat ranked teams as they proved Saturday -- beating Wake Forest and putting up 103 points. So I know they are deserving of a No. 1 seed in this tourney, and if they don't get it, they will still prove to all of you C-USA haters that they belong at the top."
"I dont think people realize how good Alabama realy is. They have lost to UCLA and Missouri when Mo Williams had not quite come on yet. Then they lost at Auburn (rivalry game) in the final seconds. While they have beaten Kentucky, Georgia, dismantled UTAH, and Arkansas. They have a deep bench, and have who I think is the toughest player in the SEC, in Erwin Dudley. They are much more deserving of a 1 seed then a Cincinati team who has not played anybody."
"What does Marquette have to do gain respect in this country. Their only losses are to Wisconsin (4-2 against ranked teams); Wake Forest and Charlotte. All road losses to very good teams. They won the Great Alaska Shootout, beating Indiana and Gonzaga on consecutive nights. And recently ended Cincy's 20-game win streak this week. With a record of 20-3, I believe they deserve at least top-16 ranking. What is wrong with you so called experts?"
" I hope all you Virginia fans are happy now. The Cavs finally get some competition and fold like a wet paper towel. Hopefully you all will shut up and realize that your team plays a cupcake out-of-conference schedule, which leads to them being overrated every year until they hit their ACC schedule. On a more close to home note, despite the Bearcats loss to Marquette, the Bearcats are still a No. 1 seed and will prove it when they beat a very fundamentally sound Wake team. That will be a very fun game to watch as Huggins and Prosser go head to head again. Also, I do not see how anyone can say that Duke is not the team to beat, that they are overrated, or that they will lose again before the tourney? They have the best starting five in the country that is not (despite the opinion of some) reliant on Jason Williams scoring 30 every game. He had a horrible game against FSU and they still more than avenged the only blemish on their record."
"So what is the point of making a Power 16 ranking and ignoring a top 10 team. I mean Gonzaga of course. Are you myopic or do you just learn slow. There is a reason they are No. 9 and 10 in the polls. They have more tourney experience than several of your picks combined and a better record than all but three. It's fun watching you fumble over yourself when Gonzaga waltzes into the Elite Eight."
"Ohio State has once again shown they do not deserve to be in the Power 16. They haven't played a tough schedule out of their conference, or on the road. It is now catching up to them as they lost once again on the road this time to Wisconsin. After they lose at Michigan State, Indiana, and Iowa we shall see this overrated OSU team drop down to where they should be, about the 50th best team in America. This just goes to show that OSU is afraid of good teams. Why else would they not play against in-state power Cincinnati, or how about Xavier or Dayton? Must be because they know they will lose. Outside of Columbus, no one respects OSU nor should they."
"Come on guys, how can you even have Kentucky in your Power 16. They have such quality wins over teams like Western Kentucky, Georgia, Mississippi State, Tennessee, oh wait a minute, those were all losses to unranked teams! I mean Kentucky is one game over .500 in their own conference. Where is Memphis in your Power 16?"
"It is an absolute joke that Indiana is not in the Power 16. They are in first place in the Big Ten (even though its down) and doing it convincingly. They're record is not far off of the likes of UK or Virginia and they're hot. Come on this poll is as crazy as the others!"
"As mentioned in a previous Power 16 rank comments, 'The Big East is definitely underrated.' As these teams run into each other each week, only one team will be left standing. That is the Big East team who will make it to the Final Four! Now who will it be? Pitt, Miami, UConn, Syracuse? How about Boston College or Notre Dame? This is going to be fun!"
"Hello, N.C. State Wolfpack. These guys aren't ranked and are in my opinion the toughest conference. Look what they've done to Virginia TWICE! They stuck in there with Maryland all day. Sure they lost to Duke, Maryland, and Wake, but the beat Syracuse. This team has two seniors and how many freshmen? They deserve to be in the rankings and at least have an article of how they have battled to EARN their position in the ACC. Watch out, their gonna make some noise in the ACC championship and NCAA."
"I think you all are overall looking a team that is playing very good now. That team is led by John Calapari which would be the Memphis Tigers. They have the best record in C-USA at 10-0 and winning by an average of about 15 points and have won 10 straight. Wagner is living up to hype and with great rebounding by Chris Massie and Kelly Wise and the hustle this team puts out you might want to watch Memphis."
"While I agree most of your selection for the Power 16, I was wonder where is Marquette? Others have squarely place Marquette in the Power 16, yet you have left them out? There RPI is strong at No. 25, they won the Great Alaska Shootout (with quality wins over Indiana and Gonzaga), and recently beat No. 5 Cincinnati by 14 points. As well, Dwyane Wade really is one of the most underrated players in CUSA, if not in the NCAA. But like the Gonzaga fans like to put it, 'We like to be underrated, it is just better come March.' Well, we beat Gonzaga, so bring on March Madness!"
"I applaud the decision of Kansas as a No. 1 seed. In my humble opinion, Kansas is on the same level as Duke -- if not a little bit above. They have two guards that can shoot the lights out, and a tandem down low with Gooden and Collison that is unmatched in all of college basketball. Come April it will be Kansas cutting down the nets, and Roy Williams will finally get the 'best coach to never win a championship' monkey off his back."
" Will everyone stop whining about OU being ranked below Maryland because the Terps are an East Coast school? The last time I heard the 'east coast press bias' argument was from Casey Jacobsen before he got his lunch handed to him in the West Region finals. The Sooners didn't dominate Maryland, they were up by two at halftime and pulled away late when Maryland went a bit cold. The score didn't reflect the game play, don't let those Normans fool ya."
"What do these small school programs have to do to get respect. I cant imagine any ACC or Pac-10 school that had a 20-3 record following a Sweet 16 showing not being in your Power 16. Oh well, I guess Gonzaga will just have to wear the glass slipper again this year."
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