#1 2059 (7-0)
#2 2042 (4-2)
#3 2039 (6-1)
Where did November go? It is already December 2, so time to take our monthly look at the top three winningest teams in college basketball. November was an unexpected rough month for our teams as only Kentucky came out unscathed.
Kentucky went a perfect 7-0 for the month and was scarcely tested. Only the #14 Kansas Jayhawks and shockingly ODU got within 10 points of the Wildcats wh are now perched as the number one team in the land. North Carolina suffered a shocking loss on the road at UNLV but beat a very tough Wisconsin team at home to finish 6-1 for the month. Kansas suffered tough losses to Kentucky and Duke, but they seem to be a Top 20 team this season and should get their share of wins.
Kentucky picked up a couple of games on Kansas this month and the Jayhawks are starting to look over their shoulder at the Tar Heels who could challenge for the #2 spot this season. Let’s see what is ahead this month.
KENTUCKY
CUPCAKES: vs Chattanooga (12/17), vs Samford (12/20), vs Loyola – MD (12/23), vs LaMar (12/28)
INTERESTING: vs St. Johns (12/1),
TOUGH MATCHUPS: vs #5 UNC (12/3), @ Indiana (12/10), vs #6 Louisville (12/31)
The Wildcats actually have a pretty competitive December as two top 10 teams travel to Rupp this month, and both are bitter rivals. Rivalry games can go either way, but you have to like Kentucky at home at Rupp, where John Calipari still has not lost. I am actually including Indiana as a tough matchup as well. IU is not a top 10 or even a top 25 team yet, but this will be an insane environment and will be Kentucky’s first real road test. Kentucky is actually on the board for December with a win over St. Johns. I had that as a matchup to watch, but UK destroyed the Red Storm.
NORTH CAROLINA
CUPCAKES: vs Evansville (12/6), vs Long Beach State (12/10), vs Appalachian State (12/17), vs Nicholls State (12/19), vs Elon (12/29)
INTERESTING: vs Texas (12/21)
TOUGH MATCHUPS: @ #1 UK (12/3)
I’m not going to be too hard on the Tar Heels for their cupcake laden December as they did face two top ten teams in a row in Wisconsin and Kentucky. After Kentucky, there is not too much reason to be concerned. Texas is not too good this season and that game is at Chapel Hill. That said, the Longhorns are always athletic and capable of pulling a shocker.
KANSAS
CUPCAKES: vs Long Beach State (12/6), vs USC (12/22), vs Howard (12/29), Vs North Dakota (12/31)
INTERESTING: vs South Florida (12/3), vs Davidson (12/19),
TOUGH MATCHUPS: vs #2 Ohio State (12/10)
Aside from Ohio State, the Jayhawks have a very manageable schedule. South Florida and Davidson should be interesting games at the Phog but I would not put Kansas on upset alert. You may be surprised to see I listed USC as a cupcake but the Trojans are horrible this season. Don’t expect me to respect a team that scored 36 points in a loss to Cal Poly. Did you see that, Shabazz Muhammad?
DECEMBER OUTLOOK – In the end, I like Kentucky at home against UNC and think the Rupp Arena crowd will propel this team. I think Indiana will be tougher than expected, but the Hoosiers are still a year away to pull the shocker at home. Look for Kentucky to finish 8-0 or 7-1 at the worst for the month.
After Kentucky, the Tar Heels have an easy month. Texas can give them problems, but I like that game at the Dean Dome. The Tar Heels should finish 6-1 with a shot at 7-0.
Likewise, the only real threat I see for Kansas is Ohio State. I do not see the Jayhawks pulling the upset and the Jayhawks will have three losses against top 10 teams by the end of the year. Credit to Bill Self for upping the schedule, but this year was the wrong year to upgade that much. Jay Hawks should finish the month at 6-1. USF may give them a scare, but I don’t see an upset.
Here is what the All Time Win Totals should look like on 1/1/2012:
KENTUCKY: 2066 (14-0)
KANSAS: 2048 (10-3)
NORTH CAROLINA: 2045 (12-2)