One month…just one more month until the Madness arrives.  Conference tournaments begin is about 5 weeks, Selection Sunday is exactly 39 days away, and the play-in game is merely two days later.  How does one chart the course of this bizarre season thus far?  Maybe by pointing out that we’ve come full circle at the top of the rankings.  Kansas held the #1 spot for the first 8 weeks before getting knocked off.  Then, Texas had a two-week stint in the captian’s chair before Kentucky occupied the spot with its one-week cup of coffee.  Now, we’re back with Kansas on top and roughly 10 more regular season games for each team to work on its resume. 

Similar to their opponents, we’ve beaten UConn and UNC to a bloody pulpy death, so we’re going to avoid them this week...like an episode of Ugly Betty! (/too soon?)

Louisville stands with these guys, but it’s way too early to write them off.

I heard a stat…that the last time Louisville, UNC, and UConn all missed the tourney at the same time was 1973.  I don’t care to confirm that stat, so I’m gonna run with it.

Steve…Someone please recognize Devin Downey and Dominque Jones. Both are on teams with zilch in the talent department but are absolutely lighting up their opponents. Both should be in running for player of the year.

What am I missing about Ohio State? The Buckeyes are the only 6-loss team in either poll and they’re top 20 in both (top 15 according to the AP).  On top of that, there are 30 teams with a higher RPI.  Of those teams ranked below Ohio State in the AP, all but Ole Miss (#25) have a higher RPI.  Seriously, what am I missing?

Evan Turner was missing for 3 of those 6 losses.
Maybe if you paid a little attention you wouldn’t miss that.

While rummaging through a garage sale…A lot can be made of the Big 12, they’re certainly making a case as the top conference in the country.

It’s like quantum physics…How the he’ll does Gonzaga lose to some terrible WCC team every year? San Fran had like 8 wins…8 freaking wins, and they beat ‘em!? Beats me.

We forget that the Zags are ultimately a mid-major team…they won a semi-close game over Santa Clara just two nights prior to the OT loss to San Francisco, for cripes sake!  Of course, the elevated expectations are simply a product of the Zags’ perennial success.  Gonzaga reaps the benefits of playing a weak conference schedule most sesaons, but like Memphis this season, the losses and close games to annually-inferior conference opponents may haunt them later on this season.  By the way, those two square off in Memphis this coming Saturday afternoon.  It’s a must-win for each program.

They are not a mid-major program. They may play in a mid-major conference, but the Zags recruit like a big time program.  They have won plenty of regular season games in the past against big programs.  However, the lack of talent in their conference does not get them ready for March.

It’s a tough place to play…respeck knuckles to Kansas for pulling one out in that absolute madhouse that was Kansas State. That place MIGHT give Cameron Indoor a run for their money when it’s rocking. THAT was intense.

Kalin Lucas injury is still in question. If you missed last nights ass-whooping the Spartans received in the Kohl Center, again, you missed the reigning Big Ten POY going down with what is being called high ankle sprain. Contrary to earlier reports, Lucas did not have it x-rays last night. There is a possibility that it is more than just a sprain. If that his the case, the Spartans season will pretty much be derailed.

Sparty & Friends College Basketball Polls Compilation:
Kansas is back atop the polls this week as the best of all the beatens. 

TWTWCBB Contributors: GatorTrey, Sparty, and Mizerle06.

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