This will be the last time I post the NCAA Top 30 on The Issue Pack, as all my sports content will move elsewhere next week. Regardless, here are my top 30 teams for this week.
#1 - Auburn: Their only loss is at Duke this season. They are DOMINATING! They host Tennessee on Saturday.
#2 - Duke: They are the only team that has beaten Auburn this year, and they have won twelve straight.
#3 - Alabama: They had a tough loss to Ole Miss this week but got a signature win at Kentucky. They're on a role.
#4 - Iowa State: A tough loss to West Virginia for the Cyclones this week. They will bounce back, though.
#5 - Kansas: Losing at Iowa State was expected, but Kansas did everything right this week. They host Houston on Saturday.
#6 - Houston: The Cougars have won ten in a row. On Saturday, they should ride that streak into Lawrence, Kansas, when they face the Jayhawks.
#7 - Florida: They lost to Missouri but will recover. They host Georgia on Saturday.
#8 - Tennessee: Tennessee lost at Vanderbilt this week. The SEC is not being kind to the Vols, and it will only get worse from here. They play at Auburn on Saturday.
#9 - Michigan State: Illini fans are unhappy, but a win is a win for the Spartans. That's now eleven in a row and none in conference play. They will deal with Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey when they go to Rutgers on Saturday.
#10 - Kentucky: Kentucky's loss to Alabama is tough, but they are still a top-ten team. They play at Vanderbilt on Saturday and at Tennessee next week.
#11 - Texas A&M: A loss at Kentucky can happen. Texas A&M is still a stellar team in the SEC. They are on the road against Ole Miss on Wednesday and Texas on Saturday. A tough week ahead.
#12 - Marquette: Tough loss to Xavier this week. The question about the ability of this team to go deep into March without Kam Jones is looming. How will coach Shaka Smart respond?
#13 - Purdue: With the win at Oregon capping off a seven-game win streak, the Boilermakers are playing the best basketball in the Big Ten right now.
#14 - Illinois: Yes, the officiating was terrible in East Lansing. Everyone knew that. Regardless, you cannot move Illinois down for losing at Michigan State.
#15 - Mississippi State: The Bulldogs had a great week despite the loss at Auburn. You're expected to lose in number one's building. They play at Tennessee on Tuesday night.
#16 - Missouri: What a week for Missouri. The big upset of Florida was followed up by an eighteen-point win against John Calipari's Arkansas Razorbacks. The Tigers are for real. They go to Texas on Tuesday and host Ole Miss on Saturday.
#17 - Oregon: The Ducks are getting beaten up by the Big Ten's best. It happens in that conference. Still, Oregon will look for a deep run in March.
#18 - Mississippi: Coach Chris Beard's team got a massive win at Alabama this week. Then, they lost at Mississippi State. No problem with that. They host Texas A&M on Wednesday and then go to Missouri on Saturday.
#19 - Connecticut: The Huskies have had a real up-and-down year. The win at Georgetown was solid, but losing at home versus a struggling Creighton team hurt. They will have a chance to redeem this week.
#20 - West Virginia: Now they've upset Iowa State. That's another major win for their resume. The Mountaineers are for real.
#21 - Louisville: The Cardinals continue to dominate in the ACC. Having won eight games in a row, they will likely be the favorite to challenge Duke for the conference championship.
#22 - St. John's: St. John's is the new Big East leader. It's a familiar spot for Rick Pitino.
#23 - Memphis: The loss at Temple hurts. Memphis has had its ups and downs this season but continues to fight.
#24 - Utah State: Another top team taking a tough loss. The Aggies will bounce back and continue to fight for the Mountain West title.
#25 - Georgia: The Bulldogs lost two and remain in my top 25. The two losses were Tennessee and Auburn. You can't fault them for that. They play at Arkansas on Wednesday and at Florida on Saturday.
#26 - Wisconsin: The Badgers return after winning their last seven. They'll have to keep it up at UCLA on Tuesday.
#27 - Texas Tech: This team has been steady but just outside the rankings. They'll be a tournament team if they keep this up. They go to Cincinnati on Tuesday.
#28 - Vanderbilt: The Commodores created a huge upset when they knocked off Tennessee. Their road doesn't get any easier, though. They go to Alabama on Tuesday and then come home to face Kentucky on Saturday. Is it me, or does SEC basketball suddenly look like SEC football?
#29 - Clemson: They return to the top 30 with steady progress in the ACC. They should be able to ride this momentum to another deep March run.
#30 - Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons are playing well right now, but they are in for a little roadblock to their NCAA tournament return party. That roadblock: a Tuesday night battle with North Carolina and a Saturday matchup with Duke.
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