2/7 ESPN/USA Today Poll

The new rankings are in and there isn't much change up top.  The top six teams are the same, with Ohio State (24-0) leading the pack once again.  Ohio State is followed by Kansas, Texas, Pittsburgh, Duke, and San Diego State.  All six didn't lose this week, nor did they play many close games except San Diego State's two point victory over Colorado State.  Ohio State remains the only undefeated team in the country and is rolling through the Big Ten.  Kansas and Texas are leading the Big 12 and are mainstays in the top 5 of the rankings.  Pittsburgh is playing without leading scorer Ashton Gibbs and face a tough test vs. Villanova in the Pavilion on Saturday, which could play a pivotal role in determining the Big East regular season title.  Duke plays UNC in ESPN's Rivalry Week on Wednesday, as the newly ranked Tar Heels (#21) will battle out the Blue Devils for Tobacco Road supremacy.  San Diego State plays a tough game this weekend at UNLV, a team that hung in there with SDSU last month.  

Notre Dame moved up a spot to #7 this week, amidst a five game winning streak.  On Wednesday they take on #15 Louisville in yet another Big East battle.  BYU follows Notre Dame at #8 and have two fairly easy games vs. Air Force and Utah.  Connecticut fell two spots to #9, after losing to Syracuse and barely beating Seton Hall, 61-59.  UConn plays St. Johns and Providence this week, which presents some stiff Big East competition especially with Kemba Walker struggling currently.  Rounding out the top ten are the Villanova Wildcats, who move up two spots to #10.  Villanova beat Marquette and West Virginia last week and take on Rutgers and Pittsburgh this week. 

I have only one problem with the rankings this week as Georgetown is somehow ranked behind Villanova.  Yes, Georgetown has 5 losses to Villanova's 4, but Georgetown beat Villanova just 9 days ago.  Georgetown has won 6 in a row.  This simply does not make sense, but in the end the rankings are merely just a number and don't have any true value.  The Big East leads all conferences as they have 7 teams ranked once again.