| 18 December 2011
Every Sunday (or every other Sunday if we're lazy) The Hoops Manifesto and our esteemed voting panel come together to vote on the four teams with the inside track to play in the building pictured above next March, 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, Perry Missner & Ryan Curi from College Fantasy Hoops Insider, Cub Buenning from SLAM, Jamie D. Gilkey of Suns Stuff't, and Raphielle Johnson from CollegeHoops.net.
Fabulous Four
1) (Last ranking: 2) Ohio State - 24 (out of a possible 30) points
Record: 10-1
Games the next two weeks: Tues vs Lamar, Thurs vs Miami (OH), Dec 28th vs Northwestern, Dec 31st @ Indiana
"This is a very good, deep team but the continual injuries to Jared Sullinger (most recently his foot) has to be more than a bit concerning to Buckeyes' fans." - Jeff Fox
"When this team is at full strength, the Buckeyes have the horses to be a top team. However, with Jared Sullinger’s health a constant concern, I’m not surprised that they came up short in
"It sounds as if they dodged a bullet with Sullinger's foot injury. If he were out for an extended period of time, it would make for a very interesting race in the Big Ten. Maybe Sullinger should have stayed fat - he would have been injured less often." - Perry Missner
"With just a few minutes of playing time from Jared Sullinger the Ohio State Buckeyes still powered past South Carolina when it mattered on Saturday and went on to earn their first away game win of the season. Having already taken out Florida and Duke at home, Ohio State has now proven that they can win a big game on the road without their dominant big man. That's confidence inspiring." - Jamie D. Gilkey
"With a healthy Jared Sullinger, the Buckeyes could very well be unbeaten. A slip up on the road against Kansas isn't enough to change my decision on who is the best team though. Deshaun Thomas has been lights out as of late." - Ryan Curi
"Deshaun Thomas has made his last 17 two-point shots, and his emergence will make this team even better." - Raphielle Johnson
2) (1) Kentucky - 21 points
Record: 9-1
Games the next two weeks: Tues vs Samford, Thurs Loyola (MD), Dec 28th vs Lamar, Ded 31st vs Louisville
"Hopefully the Wildcats' New Years Eve tilt with hated rival Louisville doesn't turn into 'The Backyard Brawl II"." - Jeff Fox
"The Wildcats are still the best team in the nation based on their last-second win over
"Tough loss in Indiana and one has to wonder what is going on with Terrence Jones. He looked like the best player on the court in the first half against UNC, but has virtually disappeared over the last 60 minutes. They need him to lead the way." - Perry Missner
"Missed free throws and not fouling at the end of the game sounds familiar for a Calipari coached team. While this one has the talent of that Memphis squad, they will need more consistency from Terrance Jones who struggled mightily in the loss to Indiana." - Ryan Curi
"Not sure what's up with Terrence Jones but they do have Anthony Davis." - Raphielle Johnson
3) (4) Syracuse - 16 points
Record: 11-0
Games the next two weeks: Tues vs Bucknell, Thurs vs Tulane, Dec 28th vs Seton Hall
"I'm glad our voting panel isn't fooled by Syracuse's gaudy record like the 'experts' are in the national polls. A weak, home-heavy non-conference schedule is not worthy of the #1 slot. " - Jeff Fox
"I am anti-rankings, so 'Cuse’s mention atop those lists does not affect my feelings. They have been impressive, to be sure, but truly don’t feel they are in the same class as either
"We've hated Jim Boeheim's coaching style for years but the Orangemen seem to have overcome both his approach to the game and the worst off court headlines in living memory. Now Syracuse has to show that they can beat credible opponents - not just underachievers like SUNY/ Albany. The Orangemen's 88-72 defeat of North Carolina State is a step in the right direction but their schedule will remain soft until a Jan. 7th game against Marquette." - Jamie D. Gilkey
"The Orange are unblemished, but their only tough test was at home against Florida. The unbeaten streak will surely end in Big East play, it just depends on how soon. The depth of this team is their real strength." - Ryan Curi
"That team can look downright scary when clicking due to their many weapons." - Raphielle Johnson
4) (3) North Carolina - 12 points
Record: 9-2
Games the next two weeks: Mon vs Nicholls State, Wed vs Texas, Dec 29th vs Elon
"They're still the last team I'd want to face come Tournament time." - Jeff Fox
"Settling into a nice groove. They will power their way through the rest of the non-conference schedule before heading into ACC play where only Duke (and possibly Florida State) will challenge them." - Perry Missner
"Yes, they have two losses, but tell me who you would pick in a game between the Tarheels and a non-Kentucky opponent? Exactly." - Cub Buenning
"Take the Heels here due to their inside play compared to Duke, and they've been tested a bit more than Louisville." - Raphielle Johnson
Others receiving votes: Georgetown, Connecticut, Duke, Marquette, Baylor
Top Non-BCS Team
Xavier - 3 votes (out of a possible five)
Record: 8-0
Games the next two weeks: Today vs Oral Roberts, Thurs vs Long Beach State (neutral site), Dec 31st vs Gonzaga
"Don't let their highly publicized brawl with Xavier cloud the fact that this is an extremely talented and experienced group." - Jeff Fox
"The Musketeers own one of the most daunting December schedules and unfortunately, the brawl against
"Although the Musketeers made news with their fight at the end of the Cincinnati game, they have been incredibly impressive on the court. Battles against fellow mid majors Long Beach State and Gonzaga will be good tests before conference play for the undefeated Musketeers." - Ryan Curi
Others receiving votes: Murray State
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