So dominant, deep and talented are the Kentucky Wildcats that it’s probably safe to etch their name in permanent marker at the top of every Top 25 ballot that’s distributed for the rest of the season.
No one can come close to matching John Calipari’s team—or at least not when it’s playing at its highest level, which Kentucky always seems to do in big games.
But fear not—there’s still an element of suspense in college basketball.
While the identity of the country’s best team is clear, determining who’s No. 2 is a more difficult chore.
With conference play beginning in earnest next week, you could make a legitimate case for as many as seven teams being ranked in the No. 2 slot, one spot behind Kentucky.
Here are the candidates, listed alphabetically:
Arizona
Case for: Despite Tuesday’s shocking loss at UNLV, the Wildcats are one of the country’s toughest teams, both mentally and physically. Sean Miller’s players relish playing defense and are usually poised in tight situations, with the final minutes of the UNLV game being an exception.
Battle-tested veterans such as T.J. McConnell, Brandon Ashley, Gabe York and Kaleb Tarczewski form a nice core. But the true stars are freshman wing Stanley Johnson and sophomore forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, both of whom are projected as top-15 NBA draft picks.
Case against: The Wildcats are a good offensive team but not a great one. They often labor to score against top-flight opponents. Arizona has a pair of surefire pros in Hollis-Jefferson and Johnson, but do they really have a consistent “it guy” who can go make a play when the game is on the line?
Johnson is blossoming into that role, but he’s not there quite yet—at least not on a consistent basis. I’m not sure this team has enough talent to beat Duke on a neutral court.
Duke
Case for: The Blue Devils are led by the country’s top player (Jahlil Okafor) and the country’s top coach (Mike Krzyzewski). One of the most impressive things about the Blue Devils thus far is their chemistry and cohesion, which is at an incredibly high level considering the team’s youth.
Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised. Okafor teamed with Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow in USA Basketball, and senior Quinn Cook's been the perfect “big brother” to his freshmen teammates on and off the court. Duke’s 10-point win at Wisconsin was the best victory by any team this season.
Case against: There aren’t many negative things to say about the Blue Devils. Early in the season, defense and rebounding were a concern. But Duke is improving in those areas. There have also been games (against Elon and Connecticut) when the Blue Devils either seemed complacent, tired or disinterested—all signs of youth.
In the end, though, Duke’s biggest problem is that, no matter how good it gets, it still won’t be as good as Kentucky. Not this season.
Gonzaga
Case for: The Zags are an offensive machine, ranking second in the nation in field-goal percentage (53.6) and 11th in points per game (83.7). And it’s not as if those numbers were achieved against a poor nonconference schedule, as the Zags nearly upset Arizona on the road.
One of the biggest reasons for their success is a backcourt that features a pair of seasoned seniors in Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. Kentucky transfer Kyle Wiltjer is fitting in nicely on the perimeter along with former USC guard Byron Wesley. A pair of behemoths—6’10” freshman Domantas Sabonis and 7’1” junior Przemek Karnowski—man the paint.
Case against: I could be wrong, but sometimes it feels as if Gonzaga lacks a killer instinct. It should roll over teams such as Washington State, UCLA, Cal Poly and Georgia, but instead the Zags allowed those squads to hang around until the final few minutes.
It’s been trendy the last five to 10 years to label Gonzaga as soft when discussing its lack of a Final Four appearance. I don’t think the Zags are physically soft, but sometimes it’d be nice to see them exhibit a bit of a mean streak.
Louisville
Case for: Rick Pitino always boasts one of the most physical teams in America, and this year is no different. Louisville ranked second in the country in rebounding entering Tuesday’s game against Cal State Northridge. Montrezl Harrell is snaring 10 boards per contest along with scoring 16.7 points. He’s a first-team All-American candidate—he’ll have to play well if Louisville is to stand a chance against Kentucky on Saturday.
Case against: Depth is a problem for the Cardinals. Three starters average more than 30 minutes per game, and only four players average more than 4.9 points per game. A deep team such as Kentucky could wear down Pitino’s squad. Louisville has a pair of decent wins against Ohio State and Indiana, but other than that its nonconference schedule has been weak, so it’s still a bit difficult to judge Pitino’s squad.
Villanova
Case for: This is a veteran team that has experienced success at a high level. JayVaughn Pinkston, Darrun Hilliard II, Dylan Ennis, Josh Hart and Co. were integral parts of last season’s Big East Championship run and are hungry for more. The Wildcats are also high on confidence after pulling out wins against nonconference foes such as VCU, Michigan, Illinois, Temple and Syracuse.
Case against: As good of a vibe as the Wildcats have going, talent almost always wins out in the end. And while I can see Villanova pulling off an upset or two against teams ranked above it, I can’t see the Wildcats getting past Kentucky or Duke or even a few other notable squads on this list. Still, I love their toughness.
Virginia
Case for: Not many coaches in America are doing their job as well as Tony Bennett. One season after winning the ACC regular-season and conference-tournament titles, the fifth-ranked Cavaliers look even better this season.
All but one of their 11 victories have been by double digits, and, defensively, Bennett’s squad is one of the country’s best. Harvard scored just eight first-half points on 1-of-20 shooting against Virginia on Saturday.
Case against: Justin Anderson (15.1 points) and Malcolm Brogdon (13.1) combine for 28.2 points, but this squad doesn’t boast the first-round NBA draft picks that dot the rosters at Kentucky and Duke and even Wisconsin.
I’m not saying Virginia couldn’t beat those schools if one of them was having an off night. This team has been embarrassing its opponents. I can’t wait to see Bennett’s squad match up against some of the ACC’s top teams.
Wisconsin
Case for: If Kentucky’s Aaron Harrison hadn’t made a heroic three-pointer in last season’s Final Four, Wisconsin (and not Kentucky) would’ve advanced to the NCAA title game. All but one of the key members of that squad are back.
The benefits of having that many experienced players is immeasurable, especially considering all of them are driven and hungry. Boasting a pair of potential NBA lottery picks in Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker doesn’t hurt, either.
Case against: A lot of people dropped Wisconsin considerably in the polls after it lost at home to Duke. But I think that outcome said more about the Blue Devils than it did the Badgers, whom I still believe are good enough to beat Duke if the two teams played again.
Wisconsin ranks 125th in the country in rebounding, so the Badgers need to do a better job on the glass. There is also fear that complacency could set in as Wisconsin cruises through what appears to be a very humdrum Big Ten conference.
So who’s No. 2, you ask? Read on to see how I think these teams stack up right now.
A Dozen Words About My Top 12 Teams
1. Kentucky: Louisville won’t have a chance if the Wildcats bring their A-game.
2. Duke: Amile Jefferson is the unsung hero on a team of high-profile players.
3. Wisconsin: Sophomore forward Nigel Hayes is one of the country’s most improved players.
4. Virginia: Tony Bennett is my early favorite for National Coach of the Year.
5. Gonzaga: The Zags haven’t been as crisp in recent weeks, but that’ll change.
6. Villanova: No one can say Jay Wright’s team hasn’t played a tough schedule.
7. Louisville: Montrezl Harrell will need to have his fighter’s mentality Saturday against Kentucky.
8. Arizona: If UNLV can beat Arizona, so can a handful of Pac-12 teams.
9. Iowa State: The Cyclones are a legitimate threat to win the Big 12 title.
10. Utah: The Utes’ five-year NCAA tournament drought should definitely end this season.
11. Wichita State: The Shockers played angrily, but it was not all that well against Detroit, Alabama.
12. Washington: That talk about Lorenzo Romar being on the hot seat? Um, yeah.
Report Card
A’s
Austin Hatch: The Michigan freshman who has survived two plane crashes scored his first career point by sinking a free throw in Monday’s win over Coppin State. Shortly after he committed to the Wolverines in 2011, Hatch survived a crash that killed his father and stepmother. His mother and two siblings were killed in a 2003 crash that Hatch survived.
Robert Upshaw: A 7-foot center, Upshaw has been one of the key reasons for Washington’s 11-0 start. The Fresno State transfer is averaging 14.5 points, 9.5 points and 4.5 blocks in his last four games.
Mick Cronin’s diagnosis: Although he’ll continue to undergo tests, Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin told ESPN.com’s Andy Katz that an unruptured aneurysm discovered by doctors last week isn’t a threat to his career. The aneurysm was detected when Cronin sought treatment for recurring headaches.
B’s
Mike Brey: I love the Notre Dame coach’s ability to use different styles. It seems like only a few years ago when an undermanned Fighting Irish squad was scoring 30 or 40 points a game in Brey’s slow-it-down, “Burn” offense. Now Notre Dame is averaging 86.1 points per game and beating teams by 20 or 30 points.
St. John’s: I still haven’t decided just how good this team truly is, but you have to give the No. 17-ranked Red Storm credit for beating teams they’re supposed to beat. That had been an issue in the past, as St. John’s would lose to teams that didn’t come close to matching its talent. Steve Lavin and his staff deserve credit for the newfound consistency.
Mike Davis: The Texas Southern coach led his team to a huge overtime win at Michigan State last weekend. The victory had to feel extra special for Davis, considering he used to coach in the Big Ten. Davis guided Indiana to the NCAA title game in 2002.
C’s
Wichita State: If I had to power rank the Missouri Valley Conference right now I’m not sure I’d put the Shockers on top. Northern Iowa is playing better than Gregg Marshall’s squad, which had to come from behind to beat Detroit, Alabama and Hawaii.
Arizona State administration: I’m a bit surprised that the Sun Devils’ brass approved a contract extension for Sendek, who has taken Arizona State to just two NCAA tournaments during his nine-year tenure. Sendek’s squad has lost five of its last eight games.
Stanford: Kudos to the Cardinal for Tuesday’s 74-71 overtime road win against No. 9 Texas. Still, as impressive as the victory may have been, it also underscored just how maddening Stanford can be. Johnny Dawkins’ squad is talented enough to be a Top 25 mainstay, but every time you start to get excited about the team’s direction, it loses to DePaul or ekes out single-digit wins against Denver or Loyola Marymount.
D’s
Wayne Selden: The guy who was supposed to be Kansas’ leader continues to underwhelm. Once hailed as a potential NBA lottery pick, Selden is shooting just 35.4 percent (11-for-31) in his last four games and is averaging only 8.3 points during that span. Selden only scored six points in Monday’s 25-point drubbing at Temple.
Nebraska: One season after making the Sweet 16, the Cornhuskers are 6-4 with losses to Hawaii, Rhode Island, Incarnate Word and a subpar Creighton squad. I’m still confident Nebraska (which entered the season ranked No. 21) will develop some consistency and get back to its winning ways, especially considering the mediocrity of the Big Ten. Still, this is a team that has a small margin for error.
F’s
Top 25 voters: Well, at least the ones who voted for TCU in the Top 25. There’s no question that Trent Johnson is doing an outstanding job in Fort Worth.
The No. 25 Horned Frogs are 12-0 after winning just nine games a year ago. Still, one of the biggest reasons for TCU’s gaudy record is a soft nonconference schedule that’s ranked No. 234 nationally. This is not a Top 25 team. Voters should vote for the best teams—not simply the ones with best records.
The Big 12’s week: Speaking of the Big 12, the conference that many people picked to be the nation’s toughest has had a dreadful holiday week. No. 9 Texas lost at home to Stanford, 10th-ranked Kansas got housed by a mediocre Temple team, Maryland drilled Oklahoma State and Texas Tech suffered back-to-back blowout losses against Loyola and Houston.
Incompetent teams: UCLA scored seven first-half points against Kentucky, Harvard had eight points (on 1-of-20 shooting) in the opening stanza against Virginia, and Weber State surrendered a national-record 39 straight points to Oklahoma. I can’t remember that many porous performances in an entire season, much less a week. Making it even more startling is that UCLA and Harvard are decent teams.
Welcome to My Radar
Temple’s new guards: Transfers Jesse Morgan (Massachusetts) and Devin Coleman (Clemson) debuted in grand fashion after becoming eligible this week. Morgan was particularly effective, scoring 16 points in a win over Delaware and 17 in Monday’s upset against No. 10 Kansas.
Kyle Smith: Now in his fifth season, the Columbia head coach has become the talk of the Ivy League. Smith’s Lions led Kentucky for 27 minutes in a 10-point loss earlier this month. And last season’s appearance in the CollegeInsider.com tournament marked the first time since 1968 that Columbia had played in the postseason.
Larry Eustachy: The Colorado State coach has sparked the Rams to a 12-0 record and the No. 24 ranking. Included in the Rams’ wins are victories over Colorado and UTEP. One has to wonder if Eustachy will be a candidate for a job at a major-conference school during the offseason.
Providence: Led by LaDontae Henton (20.0 points) and Kris Dunn (13.3), the Friars are 10-3 with victories over Notre Dame, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Miami.
Rapid-Fire Thoughts
Welcome back: Alex Murphy, Florida (transferred from Duke)
Get well soon: Dwayne Polee, San Diego State
Impressed with: Notre Dame
Not impressed with: Miami
Surprised by: Maryland
Book is still out on: North Carolina State
Getting exposed: Seton Hall and Texas Tech
Will get a lot better: Indiana
Press Row Chatter
Five Christmas gifts I’ve already received:
•Amazon Fire TV
•Care package of spicy pickles, jalapeno olives and Flamin Hot Cheetos
•Suitcase
•WWE Kamala action figure
•Two shirts that are a bit small now but won’t be by the time I go to Vegas next month
Five foods I only eat at Christmas:
•Peanut brittle
•Chex Mix
•Baked green olive balls
•Beef stick
•Candied pecans
Pit Stops
Notable restaurants I’ve been to in December:
Tanner’s in Madison, Wisconsin: Not quite as good as the Kansas City locations, but then again, even a badly charred teriyaki wing is good.
Maestro’s in Chicago: Went here after the Cowboys demolished the Bears back on Dec. 4. Tried caviar for the first time. Pretty sure I enjoyed it, but my memory is a bit fuzzy.
George’s in Waco: Crazy wings and chicken club tacos three hours before Baylor football whipped Kansas State—and 24 hours before it got screwed by the CFP selection committee.
Campisi’s in Dallas: The rest of the menu sounds great, but the pizza (cut in rectangles) is so good that I can’t ever order anything else.
Dodie’s in Dallas: There may be better catfish in Dallas, but I haven’t found it.
Snuffer’s in Dallas: Cheddar fries originated here. Even a half-order (with bacon, chives and jalapenos, of course) is a full meal.
Wing’s Cafe in Kansas City: In competition with the Peanut for the best wing joint in KC. Make sure to get your fries with lemon pepper, garlic parmesan or Slap Yo Momma seasoning.
Gus’s Famous Chicken in Memphis: I may or may not have had seven pieces of the best fried chicken in the land.
Interstate BBQ in Memphis: The pulled pork was incredible, and the barbecue spaghetti was surprisingly good, but I was disappointed by the beef ribs and hot links.
Jason King covers college sports for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JasonKingBR.