College Basketball Rankings: Heavy’s Top 30 for December 5

Despite letting one slip away at Virginia last week, JaQuan Lyle and Ohio State look like a much-improved team early (Getty)

30. USC

Record: 8-0

Andy Enfield’s Trojans have hit the ground running this season, once again calling upon a balanced offense that has been tough for opponents to slow down even with sophomore forward Bennie Boatwright sidelined with a sprained left knee suffered in their win over San Diego last Wednesday. The Trojans scored 91 points in their win over BYU Saturday, with guard Jordan McLaughlin accounting for 24 points and four assists and Louisville transfer Shaqquan Aaron scored 19 points in 27 minutes.

Without Boatwright there’s more pressure on fellow sophomore Chimezie Metu to stay on the floor, as he played 31 minutes before fouling out Saturday, so that’s something to keep an eye on as the Trojans approach the start of conference play. Metu’s been a factor in USC’s defensive improvement, as KenPom.com has them ranked 42nd nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. Last season, USC was ranked 82nd in that category.

29. Florida State

Record: 7-1

Leonard Hamilton’s Seminoles have won three straight since their surprising 89-86 loss to Temple on Thanksgiving in the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinals, a game they led by as much as 18 early in the second half. The problems for Florida State in that game were on the defensive end of the floor, as Temple shot 11-for-21 from three and outscored FSU by eight from the foul line as the Seminoles struggled to defend the likes of Quinton Rose (26 points) without fouling. Defense has been Hamilton’s calling card during his time at Florida State and they have the raw skill needed to ensure that this isn’t a major issue in ACC play, but the progress has to translate to the games. Players such as Dwanye Bacon, Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Jonathan Isaac can all produce offensively, but the Seminoles have been at their best during Hamilton’s tenure when they’re defending at a high level. And given how deep the ACC is, that will determine whether or not Florida State can be an NCAA tournament team.

28. Ohio State

Record: 7-1

In their six games prior to a trip to Charlottesville to face Virginia in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge, the jury was out on Thad Matta’s team. Sure they had a win over Providence to their credit, but five of their six wins to that point came against programs the Buckeyes were expected to have little trouble with. But instead of wilting against Virginia’s vaunted pack line defense Ohio State more than held its own, leading by as much as 16 before ultimately dropping the game by the final score of 63-61.

That loss likely did more to boost this team’s reputation than any of their seven wins have, and thus far the rotation looks to be a far better mix than last year’s group that included four freshmen who would ultimately transfer by season’s end. JaQuan Lyle, the lone freshman from 2015-16 who didn’t leave, has continued to develop as a floor general, and Jae’Sean Tate’s leading a balanced offensive attack with an average of 14.0 points per game. Ohio State’s been more efficient on both ends of the floor to this point, and if that continues they should be back in the NCAA tournament after missing out last season.

27. Syracuse

Record: 5-2

After coasting to wins in each of their first four games the Orange suffered consecutive defeats to South Carolina and Wisconsin, with their offense being the biggest issue. Jim Boeheim’s team was limited to 50 points by the Gamecocks, whose aggressive defense resulted in the Orange shooting 31.8 percent from the field and committing 17 turnovers in the 14-point defeat. While Syracuse did shoot 6-for-23 from three in their 77-60 loss at Wisconsin, the bigger issue on that night was their defense. The 2-3 zone was rendered ineffective by Nigel Hayes’ ability to pass out of the high post, and Ethan Happ and Bronson Koenig combined to score 44 points on the night.

Syracuse’s additions, most notably grad transfers Andrew White and John Gillon, have been good for the most part (Providence transfer Paschal, and with more game time together they should be OK. But when your best win to this point in the season is Monmouth (the Hawks are good, but that won’t move the needle), people will still have questions.

26. Oregon

Record: 7-2

Since their surprising loss to Georgetown in the first round of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational the Ducks have won five straight games, taking care of the teams they’re expected to as the preseason favorite to win the Pac-12. That run coincided with the return of versatile forward Dillon Brooks, a player who offensively can take on a variety of roles for head coach Dana Altman. Brooks has been brought along slowly since returning from the foot injury suffered during the summer, averaging 13.2 points in just under 19 minutes per game in his six appearances. He’ll be key for a team that, while deeper than last season’s Elite Eight squad, does not have the same versatility on the wing with Elgin Cook and Dwayne Benjamin both having run out of eligibility.

Guard Tyler Dorsey, who can play either on or off the ball, is leading the team offensively with 13.8 points per night and in total Oregon has seven players averaging at least 7.4 points per game. Chris Boucher serves as the anchor in the front court, combining with Jordan Bell to form one of the best shot-blocking duos in the country. But even with their record, Oregon has the potential to be better than they’ve shown to this point, and how much better will depend a lot on Brooks’ progression as the season wears on.

Click on the “next page” graphic below for teams 25-21