| 20 November 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 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, Ryan Curi from College Fantasy Hoops Insider, Ray Bala who writes The Can Ball Report on Raptors HQ, Raphielle Johnson from CollegeHoops.net, Adam Francis from Raptors HQ and Jamie D. Gilkey of Suns Stuff't.
Fabulous Four
1) (Last ranking: 1) North Carolina - 29 (out of possible 30) points
Record: 2-0
Games the next two weeks: Today vs Mississippi Valley St, Tues vs Tennessee St, Fri vs South Carolina (neutral site), Nov 30 vs Wisconsin, Dec 3 @ Kentucky
"North Carolina has lived up to the hype thus far, with John Henson being a monster at both ends of the court."- Jeff Fox
"They haven't been really tested yet but they still get the number one spot." - Ray Bala
"Tar Heels haven't done anything to show that they don't deserve to be atop this poll. " - Raphielle Johnson
"Although the Tar Heels have been unimpressive in their first two wins, which they won by 12 and 16 points respectively, I don't have the courage to move them down in the rankings. No team can match their frontline and trips to Kentucky and Duke are the only potential games I could see them losing.- Ryan Curi
"After dominant performances against Michigan State and UNC-Asheville that just seemed too easy, UNC takes my top spot with a bullet." - Adam Francis
"Is it any wonder that the North Carolina Tar Heels remain a top pick for so many?" - Jamie D. Gilkey
2) (2) Ohio State - 19 points
Record: 3-0
Games the next two weeks: Mon vs North Florida, Wed vs Virginia Military, Fri vs Valparaiso, Nov 29th vs Duke, Dec 3rd vs Texas-Pan American
"Jared Sullinger looks much more dangerous slimmed down, which is a scary thought for opponents. That Duke game on the upcoming schedule looms large." - Jeff Fox
"Aaron Craft is one of the best defensive point guards in the country. Their role players will get better as the season rolls on as well, and the win over Florida should help." - Raphielle Johnson
"The Buckeyes looked okay against a good Florida team, but I definitely smell some road losses for OSU in Big Ten play. Non-conference wins over Duke and Kansas would go a long way for Thad Matta's bunch, who still does not have the depth necessary to win a title." - Ryan Curi
"A very nice win over Florida earlier this week showed just how balanced a scoring attack the Buckeyes can offer, especially considering Sullinger took just eight shots." - Adam Francis
"The biggest win for the Ohio State Buckeyes has been their 81 - 74 clipping of the Florida Gators and they made it look pretty for most of the 40 minutes on court. With Sullinger, Buford, and Craft they have three likely All-Americans and they work together really sweet as a unit." - Jamie D. Gilkey
3) (3) Kentucky - 17 points
Record: 3-0
Games the next two weeks: Wed vs Radford, Sat vs Portland, Dec 1st vs St. John's, Dec 3rd vs North Carolina
"On December 3rd we will find out if Kentucky's boys are really men." - Jeff Fox
"That comeback against Kansas in the first half of what could have been an ugly loss shows that this team is a few weeks away from knocking on #1." - Ray Bala
"Wildcats looked very good in the second half against Kansas. And as they mature (as expected) they're only going to get better." - Raphielle Johnson
"The Wildcats were way too athletic for a young Kansas team, but it's hard for me to bump them up over Ohio State and UCONN. Anthony Davis is the real deal, but will Coach Cal's team be able to get over the hump come March? Unfortunately for them, I think there youth will show up leaving him without a title." - Ryan Curi
"This team could be even scarier than UNC. One game down, but a very nice win over a good Jayhawks club." - Adam Francis
4) (4) Connecticut - 12 points
Record: 3-0
Games the next two weeks: Today vs Coppin St, Thurs vs North Carolina-Asheville (neutral site), Dec 3rd vs Arkansas
"No real tests on the UConn's early schedule - they should go the next two weeks undefeated also." - Jeff Fox
"Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier are looking like they are the new Rudy Gay/Ben Gordon combo. And they're crushing teams they should be crushing." - Ray Bala
"After poor performances in his first two games, Andre Drummond showed everyone why he is the real deal on Thursday. The 18 year old grabbed 11 offensive rebounds, blocked four shots, and scored 11 points in only 27 minutes of play. If and when Ryan Boatright becomes eligible to play, the Big East better watch out." - Ryan Curi
"The team that’s impressed me most so far this season, considering even the fairly lofty expectations I had for them." - Adam Francis
Others receiving votes: Mississippi State, Duke, Syracuse
Top Non-BCS Team
Memphis - 2 votes (out of a possible five)
Record: 1-0
Games the next two weeks: Maui Invitational (Mon vs Michigan), Nov 28th vs Jackson St, Dec 3rd vs Austin Peay
"They may have only played one game, but stomping on a very good Belmont team is impressive nonetheless." - Jeff Fox
"Their win over Belmont was impressive, especially on the defensive end where their length gave the Bruins trouble. They could get a Maui Invitational semifinal matchup with Duke provided they beat Michigan. Win Maui and this is a team that will push for Top 5 consideration in the polls." - Raphielle Johnson
Others receiving votes: Gonzaga, Cleveland State
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