ROBYN NORWOOD’S RANKINGS AND COMMENTS

*--* Rk. Team (Rec.) Comment (last week’s rank)

1

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N. CAROLINA

(9-0)

Hansbrough appears to be OK after concussion in Rutgers game. (1)

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2

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MEMPHIS

(8-0)

USC’s Floyd helped write the book coaches will use to try to defend the Tigers. (2)

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3

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TEXAS

(11-0)

Longhorns will have to beat Michigan State on Saturday to hold this spot. (3)

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4

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DUKE

(10-0)

Freshman Singler’s favorite athletes: Larry Bird and the late Pete Maravich. (4)

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5

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KANSAS

(11-0)

Brandon Rush has made it back into the starting lineup after knee surgery. (5)

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6

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UCLA

(10-1)

First showdown with Washington State is Jan. 12 in Pauley. (6)

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7

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WASHINGTON

STATE (9-0)

These Cougars have the best offensive field-goal percentage of any Pac-10 team at 51.1%. (7)

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8

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PITTSBURGH

(10-0)

Panthers get a chance to make a good impression against Duke on Thursday. (8)

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9

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GEORGETOWN

(8-0)

Hoyas finally play somebody -- Memphis -- after winning first eight by average of 22 points. (9)

-- 10 MICHIGAN STATE (9-1) Spartans hold opponents to 38.9% shooting. (10)

11

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TEXAS A&M

(9-1)

UC Irvine’s Anteaters visit Saturday. (11)

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12

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MARQUETTE

(8-1)

Only loss is to Duke, by four. (12)

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13

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INDIANA

(9-1)

Except when injured, Eric Gordon has scored at least 20 points in every game. (13)

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14

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TENNESSEE

(9-1)

Center Duke Crews is being held out after discovery of a heart condition. (14)

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15

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CLEMSON

(8-0)

If Tigers beat North Carolina on Jan. 6, then we’ll believe. (17)

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16

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BUTLER

(9-1)

Bulldogs bounced back from Wright State loss by beating Florida State. (18)

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17

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ARIZONA

(7-2) Add guard Jerryd Bayless, the Wildcats’ leading scorer, to the list of nation’s standout freshmen. (20) 18

GONZAGA

(9-2)

At least for the moment, Zags are no longer top dogs in eastern Washington. (19)

--- 19

VILLANOVA

(8-1)

Wildcats have had a hold on Big Five rivals since 2004. (22)

-- 20

VANDERBILT

(10-0)

Senior Shan Foster and freshman A.J. Ogilvy are leading the way. (23)

--- 21 BRIGHAM YOUNG (9-2) Only losses are to North Carolina and Michigan State. (21) 22

OREGON

(8-2)

Ducks keep running into trouble on the road. (15)

--- 23

XAVIER

(8-2)

Arizona State got its first big victory under Herb Sendek against the Musketeers. (16)

--- 24

USC

(7-3)

Trojans have two good losses but need more good wins. (24)

--- 25

MIAMI

(10-0)

Like Clemson, Miami will say goodbye to undefeated start in the ACC. (NR)

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