25. USC
Record: 9-0
Last week’s ranking:30th
AP ranking: 24th
Coaches’ poll ranking: 25th
Games last week: W 93-67 vs. Pepperdine
Games this week: vs. Troy (12/17)
Breakdown: The Trojans remained undefeated, beating Pepperdine 93-67 Sunday night in their lone game of the week. Once again good offensively, USC’s made noticeable strides defensively and that will serve them well in conference play. Opponents have an effective field goal percentage of just 43.9 percent per KenPom.com, and the Trojans also manage to defend without sending their opposition to the foul line too often (19th in defensive free throw rate). Jordan McLaughlin’s been a good leader at the point, and the team’s offensive versatility has served them well with sophomore forward Bennie Boatwright still sidelined with a sprained left knee.
24. Xavier
Record: 8-2
Last week’s ranking: 19th
AP ranking: 17th
Coaches’ poll ranking: 17th
Games last week: L 68-66 at Colorado, W 77-69 vs. Utah
Games this week: vs. Wake Forest (12/17)
Breakdown: Xavier’s two-point loss at Colorado on Wednesday was their second consecutive defeat, with the first coming against a very good Baylor team in Waco. No shame in losing a close game on the road, and Chris Mack’s team took a step forward as they managed to rebound and beat Utah Saturday. In the eight-point victory Trevon Bluiett and J.P. Macura scored 18 points apiece, with Rashid Gaston and Edmond Sumner adding 11 points apiece. The keys in the win were the foul line, where Xavier outscored Utah 15-8, and 14 turnovers committed by the Runnin’ Utes. Xavier has another tough home game Saturday when they host Wake Forest in their penultimate non-conference game before Big East play gets going against Providence on December 28.
23. Florida State
Record: 10-1
Last week’s ranking: 29th
AP ranking: 23rd
Coaches’ poll ranking: 23rd (tied)
Games last week: W 98-49 vs. Southern Miss, W 118-63 vs. Nicholls St., W 83-78 vs. Florida
Games this week: vs. Manhattan (12/17 in Sunrise, Florida)
Breakdown: Leonard Hamilton’s Seminoles have now won six straight games, and on Sunday they added a quality win to their résumé by outlasting the rival Gators in Tallahassee. Florida State’s offense has been the story this season, as they rank 19th in adjusted offensive efficiency and eighth in two-point field goal percentage. Players such as Dwayne Bacon, Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Terrence Mann can break down opponents off the dribble, which results in scoring opportunities in the paint for themselves and others. Florida State may be ranked 46th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, but they’re also 13th in effective field goal percentage defense. They have the physical tools to be a very good defensive team, and there’s plenty of time for the Seminoles to grow into that.
22. Oregon
Record: 8-2
Last week’s ranking:26th
AP ranking: 22th
Coaches’ poll ranking: 22nd
Games last week: W 65-56 vs. Alabama
Games this week: vs. Montana (12/13), vs. UNLV (12/17 in Portland)
Breakdown: While the offense has been a work in progress thanks in large part to the need to work Dillon Brooks back into the flow of things, the defense has been quite good for Oregon so far. KenPom.com has the Ducks ranked 12th in adjusted defensive efficiency, as they lead the nation in block percentage and also have good effective field goal and three-point percentage defense numbers. As for Brooks, he’s shaken off the rust that comes with missing time due to a foot injury, and as he gets better so will Oregon. In Sunday’s win over Alabama the Ducks limited the Crimson Tide to 2-for-19 shooting from three, a major factor in the outcome given Oregon’s struggles in keeping Alabama big man Donta Hall (7-for-9 FG, 14 points) away from the basket.
21. Maryland
Record: 10-1
Last week’s ranking: 23rd
AP ranking: Unranked
Coaches’ poll ranking: Unranked
Games last week: W 79-56 vs. Howard, W 66-56 vs. Saint Peter’s
Games this week: vs. Jacksonville State (12/12)
Breakdown: Maryland took care of business against two teams they were expected to beat last week, and the freshman class has continued to stand out for Mark Turgeon’s team. In the win over Saint Peter’s, freshmen Justin Jackson and Kevin Huerter led the way offensively with Jackson scoring a game-high 19 points and Huerter adding 14. Jackson, Huerter and point guard Anthony Cowan make up three-fifths of Maryland’s starting lineup, and with reserves such as Dion Wiley and Jared Nickens struggling to find their groove offensively the newcomers have been welcome additions to the rotation. They’ve been quality supplements to junior guard Melo Trimble, and if Maryland is to be a factor in the Big Ten race that they need this to remain the case.
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