6 AROUND THE NATION
Games to watch Keep an eye on these matchups
O OREGON VS
MISSOURI
The Ducks go into Mizzou Arena hoping to pick up their first quality victory of the season. Missouri lost several key players from last year's Elite Eight team, but is looking to rebuild quickly, Coach Mike Anderson hopes his fast-paced style will lead to a victory at home.
WAKE FOREST VS. GONZAGA
The Demon Deacons hit the road to try to recover from Tuesday's loss to Pyrdue. Gonzaga was not ranked to start the season, but quickly earned some respect by giving the Michigan State Spartans all they could handle. The Bulldogs will be tough to beat at home.
ARIZONA VS. OKLAHOMA
The Wildcats and Sooners are both struggling heading into this matchup in Norman, Okla. Sean Miller is off to a rough start in his first season as Arizona's head coach, and Oklahoma is trying to recover after Blake Griffin's departure to the NBA. Both teams really need a victory.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ST. JOHN'S VS. DUKE
St John's has opened its season with six straight victories, but none have come into a team as good as Duke. The Blue Devils are primed for a great season after a disappointing finish last year. The Red Storm will have to play very well to pick up a victory Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Kentucky coach John Calipari directs his team during the first half of the Wildcats' game against Miami of Ohio in November in Lexington, Ky. Calipari and the Wildcats are preparing for a big game against defending national champion North Carolina on Saturday.
NORTH CAROLINA VS. KENTUCKY
Wildcats try to knock off defending national champion
North Carolina heads into Lexington, Ky. for a big matchup against the new-look Kentucky Wildcats. The defending national champion Tar Heels are loaded with young talent and they have already gained valuable experience against Syracuse and Michigan State. This game also features a clash of two of the best coaches in the game, Roy Williams and
John Calipari. Expectations are soaring in Calipari's first season at Kentucky, while Roy Williams is looking to rebuild after losing Tyler Hansborough and Wayne Ellington to the NBA. Freshman phenom John Wall, who is averaging 18 points and eight assists per game, leads undefeated Kentucky into their toughest test yet.
AP TOP 25 as of Nov. 29
Team (First-place votes) Record Total Votes
1. Kansas (63) 5-0 1,623
2. Texas (1) 5-0 1,508
3. Villanova 6-0 1,442
4. Purdue 5-0 1,389
5. Kentucky 6-0 1,333
6. Duke 6-0 1,316
7. West Virginia 5-0 1,238
8. Syracuse (1) 6-0 1,183
9. Michigan State 5-1 1,109
10. North Carolina 6-1 961
11. Tennessee 5-1 936
12. Washington 5-0 893
13. Florida 6-0 777
14. Connecticut 4-1 742
15. Ohio State 5-1 702
16. Georgetown 4-0 588
17. Gonzaga 5-1 491
18. Clemson 6-1 426
19. Texas A&M 5-1 284
20. Louisville 4-1 252
21. Florida State 6-1 219
22. Cincinnati 4-1 205
23. Butler 4-2 200
24. UNLV 5-0 191
25. Portland 5-1 120
Others Receiving Votes
Oklahoma State 112, Georgia Tech 97, Marquette 82, Mississippi 179, Miami (FL) 77, Brigham Young 76, Memphis 66, Vanderbilt 64, Notre Dame 52, Kansas State 41, Michigan 60, California 39, Minnesota 35, Wisconsin 28, St. John's 60, Northwestern 15, Dayton & Missouri State 7, New Mexico 61, Pittsburg 6, Richmond 6, North Carolina State 3, Arizona State 5, Illinois 5, Illinois State 4, Washington State 4, South Carolina 3, Maryland 3, Missouri 2, Texas Tech 2, Virginia Commonwealth 1, Cal State Forterson 1.
The Wave's Top 25 Wave editor Scott Toland ranks the nation's best teams
1. Kansas - The Jayhawks have rolled to a 6-0 start and look as good as advertised so far.
2. Villanova - The Wildcats
6. West Virginia - Bob
are 7-0 and have enough experience to make a big run in March.
Huggins has coached some good teams, and this squad could be among his best.
3. Duke – Coach K has Kyle Singler and the Blue Devils playing great early in the season.
7. Purdue — the Bolemakers have experience and should compete with Michigan State for the Big 10 title.
11. North Carolina - The
F. 1. North Carolina - The Tar Heels suffered an early setback, but they have the potential to be a great team.
8. Syracuse - Jim Boeheim's
4. Texas - Dexter Pittman gives the Longhorns a big inside presence that will be tough for anyone to stop.
12. Connecticut - The
Orangemen are on a roll after their blowout victory against North Carolina.
*L. Connecticut* <u>the</u>
Huskies lost a lot from last year, but Connecticut is always tough to beat.
5. Kentucky – Freshman point guard John Wall has the potential to lead this team to the Final Four.
9. Florida – The Gators made a big statement by defeating Michigan State last week.
13. Tennessee - Coach
21. Georgia Tech - The Yellow Jackets should be able to make a run at the Sweet 16.
16. Clemson - The Tigers are hoping to break through this year and pick up some big victories in the ACC.
13. tennessee - Coach Bruce Pearl is hoping to lead his athletic team to the SEC Championship this year.
10. Michigan State - Tom Izzo and the Spartans need they need to improve after their loss to Florida.
14. Georgetown - The
Hoyas are still undefeated and are looking to make some noise in the Big East.
17. Ohio State - Coach Thad
17. Ohio State - Coach Thad Matta will have the Buckeyes playing well when Big 10 play rounds around.
15. Washington - The
21. CINEMA 1 The Bearcats should be able to challenge for the Big East championship this season.
15. washington - the Huskies have the potential to run the table in the Pac-10 Conference.
22. Cincinnati - The
18. Louisville - Rick Pitino
18. Louisville - Rick Pitton
lost some key players from last year's team, but he will rebuild quickly.
23. Portland - The Pilots
19. Gonzaga – The Bulldogs took Michigan State down to the wire on the road and earned a lot of respect.
23. Portland - The Pilots already have road victories against Minnesota and UCLA.
20. Texas A&M - Former
24. UNLV = The Runnin'
Brebels set 5 O and are
trying to make it to the Big
Dance again.
HAWAII AQUA—Former Jayhawk Mark Turkgeon has his Aggies playing well early in the season.
25. Butler - The Bulldogs have suffered two early setbacks, but they are still a quality team.
THE WAVE DECEMBER 4,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN