Thinking aloud, Monday's Blog Poll Top 25 vote

Monday is voting day for the bloggers participating in the BlogPoll Top 25. This week I tried something interactive, the readers of the blog will decide which team I vote as #1 by voting in the poll in the top right corner of this blog. Currently UCLA leads the way, with Memphis and UNC going neck and neck for the #2 spot.

I will keep Georgetown at the #4 spot, and Kansas at #5, despite KU's road win at USC.

Into the top 25 will jump one of my "surprise" teams of 2007-2008, the UAB Blazers, injuries and what-not. They will probably occupy the #25 spot. This is more of a gut feeling, since their record is not as pretty. But the whole point of voting is to pick the teams one thinks are the best 25 teams. Otherwise, there would be no need to vote, just pick the teams as they are ranked by the RPI or Sagarin or any other index.

Texas will definitely move on up, while Texas A&M will not necessarily drop because of the loss, although the way they melted down is a reason for concern.

Arizona is a toughie, with the Lute Olson uncertainty and the sub-par play, including the first half against Texas A&M, makes a good case against including them in the top 25. On the other hand, they had a solid game at Allen Fieldhouse, and their second half at Texas A&M was almost reminiscent of some solid Wildcat teams of the past.

Butler will likely move on up, providing there is room for them to move on up, while the Ohio State Buckeyes may get dropped from the top 25 as they are heading into the wrong direction at the moment.

I didn't have or considered Wisconsin as a top 25 team, so no worries about dropping them out :)

Clemson has to earn it the hard way, there's no way they are a top 25 team simply because they haven't lost yet. Their results look exactly like they did last year. I haven't seen them play yet, but they haven't exactly beaten a top 25 team yet. Wake me up when they do :) Also in the "wake me up when they do" is Pitt, with wins over middle of the road mid-majors.

Miami is a team receiving top 25 consideration, with wins over VCU, Providence and Saint Johns. I haven't seen them play yet. Beating Virginia alone is not enough to get Gonzo and Seton Hall in the top 25, but Saint Mary's second impressive win in their igloo against a BCS team, along with sharp shooting Patrick Mills should be enough to get them into the top 25.

Also considering for the top 25: Vandy with two road wins at tough mid-majors, Florida mostly based on their play, New Mexico with Steve Alford, Cal who was in the shadows of the other Pac10 teams in the preseason, George Mason (obviously), and many more.

Meanwhile PitinoVille is not looking as good as I had thought, especially given the injure-prone-ness of Juan Diego Tello Palacios and David Padgett.

For quick and easy access to the records of every Division 1 men's college basketball team check the Yahoo Sports standings.



In other Bob Knight news
Sharp-shooter coach Bob Knight leaves a game at the half after feeling ill, but stopping along the way to yell at Centenary fans. Texas Tech lost the game without Bob Knight who was at the hotel recovering. Pat Knight said according to Yahoo Sports that he wasn't feeling well since their return from the Alaska Shootout.