| 06 February 2011
Every Sunday The Hoops Manifesto and Bloguin's NCAA hoops writers come together to vote on the four best teams in the country, our Fabulous Four, plus the best team from a non-BCS conference. We present to you the Fab Four Plus One - because who has time to read a list of 25 teams.
Voters: Jeff Fox from The Hoops Manifesto, Flounder from Leftover Hot Dog, Philip from Rise Northwestern and Jamie D. Gilkey from Suns Stuff't.
Fabulous Four
1) (Last week - 1) Ohio State - 20 (out of possible 20) points
Record: 23-0
Games this week: Today @ Minnesota, Sat @ Wisconsin
"Will this be the week the last unbeaten squad finally falls? It wouldn't be a huge shock, as the Buckeyes have two road game against nationally ranked teams. If Ohio State does come out of the week unscathed, they will unequivocally prove that they are the preeminent team in the nation." - Jeff Fox
"This team eventually is going to lose. Trips to Purdue and Wisconsin are still on the horizon. There are some major road blocks Ohio State has to clear. But, by golly, this team just keeps on winning. They really are a pretty complete group." - Philip
"The Buckeyes are looking to avoid being cracked by some pesky gophers and badgers." - Flounder
"Scoring an average of 77.7 points per game, the Ohio State Buckeyes have already gone well beyond what most preseason analysts expected but we're still looking for them to go undefeated this season and enter the NCAA annals as one of the best collegiate teams of the past decade. If Ohio State's offense stalls - or Jared Sullinger lands in foul trouble - they can always bring in the excellent shot blocker named Dallas Lauderdale, who has been batting away an average of 1.8 shots per game while playing just 17.9 minutes per contest." - Jamie D. Gilkey
2) (3) Texas - 15 points
Record: 20-3
Games this week: Wed @ Oklahoma, Sat vs Baylor
"Another week, another ranked team crushed, in this case a 20-point win at Texas A&M on Monday. What is it going to take to convince national pollsters that Texas is the best team in the Big 12?" - Jeff Fox
"The Longhorns had their ups and downs early in the year, but they have really found their footing against the Big 12. It is not easy winning at Allen Fieldhouse, but to follow that up with a win on the road over a decent Texas A&M team? The Longhorns certainly should be considered the hottest team in the nation at this point." - Philip
"Longhorns have the table set to finish on top of the Big 12 as no ranked team stands between them and the end of the regular season." - Flounder
"This isn't last year's flaky Texas team. Instead, they are known for a ridiculously intense Longhorn defense that is accompanied by a powerhouse trio of Jordan Hamilton, Gary Johnson and Tristan Thompson averaging 43.2 points, 21.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game. With that many consistent weapons in their arsenal, Texas is poised to meet the Buckeyes in the finals." - Jamie D. Gilkey
3) (NR) Kansas - 7 points
Record: 22-1
Games this week: Mon vs Missouri, Sat vs Iowa State
"Their only slip up remains the loss to Texas. Kansas is a really solid team, both inside and out." - Jeff Fox
"The Jayhawks just kind of continue to cruise along. The loss to the Longhorns a few weeks ago seems to be more of a blip." - Philip
"Morris and Morris are is in the business of collecting wins and so far they are getting the job done." - Flounder
4) (2) Duke - 6 points
Record: 21-2
Games this week: Wed vs North Carolina
"Getting blown out by St. John's in New York isn't good for the resume, by Coach K got his team back on track real quick after that, as they pasted Maryland and North Carolina State." - Jeff Fox
"They lost to St. John's last week. Big whoop. This team has its problems. And they are slowly being exposed (North Carolina this week?). But this is still a veteran team that I think knows how to get it done when the chips are down." - Philip
"Still feel they are in the mix. Will the Tarheels tell us different?" - Flounder
Top Non-BCS Team
BYU - two votes out of four
Record: 22-2
Games this week: Wed @ Air Force, Sat vs Utah
"Not only are they currently the top non-BCS team, BYU probably also has the National Player of the Year in Jimmer Fredette (perhaps you've heard of him.)" - Jeff Fox
""Jimmer Jimmer Jimmer." Go ahead and circle 2/26 on your calender as that is the rematch date with their foe SDSU. It is setting up to be the title game of for the "Non-BCS" teams." - Flounder
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