While "You Know Who" remains on top, those expected to challenge "The Champs" are slowly creeping back up the Power 16. But, whether or not we ever get back to where the season started, it's time to welcome a pair of new teams to the Fab Four.
Syracuse and Oklahoma State -- a combined Power 16-0 -- join Duke and Missouri among the top seeds as we enter December and say goodbye to a November to remember. Two more unbeatens -- Boston College and Marquette -- enter the Power 16, while Virginia makes six perfect squads among the 16.
Arizona, Illinois and Stanford each fell from the ranks of unbeatens. Western Kentucky and UCLA fell out of the Power 16 altogether.
The Wildcats and Illini were beaten by a pair of teams who've started to play up to preseason expectations. But remember, the Power 16 isn't based on perceptions (we learned our lesson), but rather results on the court. At some point the "snapshot" of the season won't be as easy as simply looking at which team beat that team, or which team this team beat, which lost to that team. But for now, we'll still move teams around with that criteria paramount.
So, with that in mind, 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, Dec. 2)
No. 1 Seeds
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TEAM
Duke
Record: 6-0
Missouri
Record: 7-0
Syracuse
Record: 8-0
Oklahoma State
Record: 8-0
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COMMENT
If you have to ask why, you haven't been paying attention. Williams, Boozer & Junior averaging 52.8 ppg combined.
Up Next: Temple (Wed.) Amaker/Duke (Sat.).
Not much competition last week, which explains why Tigers won a pair of games by a combined 62 points.
Up Next: Continuation of best start since '91-92.
As another perfect November ends, Shumpert & Co. begin December where they left off.
Up Next: December "domestand": 4 of next 5 at home
After six straight double-digit wins -- including 48-point drubbing of N.O. -- Cowboys avoid "Shocker."
Up Next: Week of rest before Jackson State (Sat.)
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No. 2 Seeds
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TEAM
Maryland
Record: 5-1
Illinois
Record: 6-1
Kansas
Record: 4-1
Arizona
Record: 3-1
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COMMENT
May be where they started in polls, but we need a little more convincing this week.
Up Next: Intriguing UConn in BB&T final (Mon.).
Itinerary may have finally caught up with Illini; when do top-25 teams start coming to Champaign?
Up Next: More frequent flyer miles: at Arizona (Tue.).
See, Jayhawks can beat a top-five team. Now, let's see 'em win as a top-five team.
Up Next: Wake team with revenge on mind (Tue.).
A month ago, we wouldn't have even considered a 4-0 start. That's why Wildcats remain this high.
Up Next: 4th top-10 foe in 5 games: Illini (Tue.)
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No. 3 Seeds
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TEAM
Virginia
Record: 4-0
Iowa
Record: 6-2
Florida
Record: 4-1
Kentucky
Record: 3-1
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COMMENT
Blame Richmond Coliseum for slight drop; didn't get chance to fully prove they're up to 'Challenge.'
Up Next: Trip to Auburn on Saturday.
Just wondering: Does 6-2 become 8-0 if Hawkeyes play anyone else in "Challenge" and close out Missouri?
Up Next: Pair of in-state dates: NIU and ISU.
Once Florida fans get over Saturday's "draining of the Swamp," these Gators will give 'em plenty to cheer about.
Up Next: A dry court for Michigan State (Wed.).
Tubby sees improvement, and so do we. Beating Kent was a nice win, but real test comes Dec. 18 in Jersey.
Up Next: VMI on Wednesday; UNC on Saturday.
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No. 4 Seeds
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TEAM
Boston College
Record: 5-0
Stanford
Record: 3-1
Ball State
Record: 4-1
Marquette
Record: 7-0
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COMMENT
A second Big East team in Power 16! Why now? Simple: Sidney backing up preseason smack.
Up Next: Morris Brown (Tue.); UMass (Sat.)
Scary to see what happened when Jacobsen was shut down. Cardinal can count on seeing more junk defenses.
Up Next: Study time: Off until Dec. 15
No reason to take out this Cinderella-in-the-making after watching Cardinals beat up on teams their own size.
Up Next: IPFW (Thu.) before Hoosiers (Sat.).
Memphis didn't maintain preseason momentum ... Cincy is close ... C-USA's pleasant surprise earns spot.
Up Next: Home to Dayton (Wed.) & Fordham (Sat.)
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Dropped Out: Western Kentucky, UCLA.