The Confidential

The Confidential’s Basketball Top 30 for January 10, 2012

With over 300 teams in college basketball, the top 25 is just not enough anymore.  Here is the Confidential’s Top 30 for January 10, 2012:

1. Syracuse (17-0).  And then there were three.  While nearly everyone has suffered one loss or more, Syracuse remains unbeaten.  Next up: @ Villanova.
2. Kentucky (15-1).  Kentucky picked up two more wins, but was not tested.  Next up: @ Auburn.
3. North Carolina (14-2).  The Tar Heels had a bye.  That is, they hosted Boston College.  Next up: Miami.
4. Baylor (15-0).  15 straight is 15 straight.  Missouri fell to Kansas State on Saturday, will Baylor do better?  Next up: @ Kansas State.
5. Michigan State (14-2).  The Spartans picked up a huge win at Wisconsin, which is usually a tough venue.  Next up: Iowa.
6. Indiana (15-1).  The Big 10 is having a great year and Indiana deserves credit for that.  They get the edge of the Buckeyes based on head-to-head.  Next up: Minnesota.
7. Ohio State (15-2).  Ohio State can get its revenge against Indiana later this week when the Hoosiers visit.  Next up: @ Illinois.
8. Duke (13-2).  Loss to Temple should have dropped the Blue Devils farther, but everyone else seemed to lose too.  Next up: Virginia.
9. Missouri (14-1).  Completely handled by Kansas State for loss number one.  They get a pass for now.  Next up: @ Iowa State.
10. Kansas (12-3).  Kansas easily defeated the team that easily defeated Missouri.  Still avoiding the top teams in conference.  Next up: @ Texas Tech.
11. UNLV (16-2).  The losses to Wichita State and Wisconsin are not looking as good now.  Big game coming up.  Next up: @ San Diego State.
12. Virginia (14-1).  Look, there are a lot of good two-loss teams.  But Virginia has only lost once and they’ll be tested right away.  Next up: @ Duke.
13. Kansas State (12-2).  Hard to move a team up 10 spots when they are blown out.  The big win over Missouri does it though.  Next up: @ Baylor.
14. Georgetown (13-3).  Home loss to Cincinnati was sloppy and well deserved.  Will stay ahead of Louisville only because Georgetown beat them.  Next up: @ St. John’s.
15. Louisville (13-3).  The loss to Notre Dame was shocking.  Expect the Friars to give Louisville a run.  Next up: @ Providence.
16. Seton Hall (14-2).  Only losses were to Syracuse and Northwestern.  Wins over UConn and West Virginia.  Next up: DePaul
17. Murray State (16-0).  Still rolling.  The latest victim was Austin Peay.  Next up: Jacksonville State.
18. Michigan (13-3).  Narrow loss at Indiana offset by nice win against Wisconsin.  Next up: Northwestern.
19. Creighton (13-2).  Wins over Drake and Bradley last week.  Three games this week.  Next up: Northern Iowa.
20. San Diego State (13-2).  Finally done playing the community colleges.  Will they be looking ahead to UNLV?  Next up: Chicago State.
21. Gonzaga (13-2).  Nice wins over Pepperdine and Santa Clara.  Tough week this week though.  Next up: @ St. Mary’s.
22. Mississippi State (13-3).  Conference play woes as the trip to Arkansas resulted in a tough defeat.  Next up: Tennessee.
23. Alabama (12-3).  Look out for the Crimson Tide!  They rolled through Georgia last week with wins over the Bulldogs and Ga Tech.  Next up: LSU.
24. Marquette (12-4).  Marquette looked great in losing to Georgetown and even better in the second half against Syracuse.  Still, two losses.  Next up: St. John’s.
25. Wisconsin (12-5).  Wisconsin lost to Michigan State and Michigan last week.  Not yet though.  Next up: @ Purdue.
26. UConn (13-3).  Losses to Seton Hall and Rutgers were unexpected, to say the least.  Righted the ship against West Virginia.  Next up: @ Notre Dame.
27. Florida (12-4).  Loss at Tennessee is disappointing.  Still it was a road game and the Gators have not lost at home yet.  Next up: Georgia.
28. Dayton (12-4).  What to make of Dayton?  Losses to Miami of Ohio and Buffalo?  Wins over Alabama, Wake Forest, Minnesota, St. Louis and Temple?  Losses to Murray State and Seton Hall?  Next up: @ St. Bonaventure.
29. Illinois (13-3).  Only losses are Purdue (away), UNLV, and Missouri.  We’ll learn more this week.  Next up: Ohio State.
30. West Virginia (12-5).  After the upset loss to Kent State, the Mountaineers have only lost to teams ranked higher in this poll.  Next up: @ Rutgers.

Tell us what you think.  Is anyone unfairly missing?  Anyone too high or too low?