ls but has done enough to hold off bigger named competi

Big Blue Nation isnt going to be happy, but the Indiana Hoosiers are more deserving of the top spot. Remember, the preseason power rankings were based on paper. Now, the rankings change dramatically due to on-court results.Indianas victory in Hawaii over a top-5 Kansas team is far more impressive than Kentuckys easy win over a Michigan State club that lost to Arizona and nearly dropped one at home Sunday night to Florida Gulf Coast.The defending national champion Villanova Wildcats, Kansas and an injury-depleted Duke team round out the top 5 -- with Creighton earning the biggest riser award after wins over Wisconsin and NC State. I owe Bluejays fans and Greg McDermott an apology after calling them overrated in the preseason. The addition of Marcus Foster has been huge, as has the play of talented big man Justin Patton.Say goodbye to a pair of proud programs: Michigan State and UConn. The Spartans, at least, have lost to a couple of big boys: Arizona and Kentucky. But the Huskies have looked abysmal, losing at home to Wagner and Northeastern.1. Indiana Hoosiers Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 14The Hoosiers are shooting 44 percent from 3. James Blackmon Jr. is shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc thus far, and hes averaging 23 points and 7.3 boards. Indiana has the neutral-site win against Kansas on its résumé, which is arguably the most impressive win of the early season.2. Kentucky Wildcats Record: 4-0 Last weeks ranking: 3The Cats had no trouble with Michigan State at Madison Square Garden at the Champions Classic, largely due to the play of freshman Malik Monk and fellow guard Isaiah Briscoe. Monk scored 23 points and was 7-of-11 from deep in the 21-point win.3. Villanova Wildcats Record: 5-0 Last weeks ranking: 4The defending national champs have started strong with a close win at Purdue before winning the Charleston Classic on Sunday. Josh Hart, who nearly left for the NBA Draft after last season, made six of eight 3s against Wake Forest and finished with 30 points.4. Kansas Jayhawks Record: 2-1 Last weeks rankings: 2The Jayhawks dropped their season opener to Indiana in Hawaii, but Frank Masons game winner against Duke keeps KU in the top five. Mason has been sensational thus far, averaging 23 points, 5.7 assists and 4.7 boards. Bill Self became the winningest coach in Allen Fieldhouse history with the victory over Siena, and he now has a 207-6 career mark in the building.5. Duke Blue Devils Record: 4-1 Last weeks ranking: 1The Blue Devils have few healthy bodies but nearly knocked off Kansas in New York, and Duke had little problem beating a tough Rhode Island team. Heralded freshmen Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum and Marques Bolden havent played yet, and Grayson Allen has no lift or acceleration due to foot injuries. The duo of Luke Kennard and Amile Jefferson?have led the way for Coach K.6. Louisville Cardinals Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 5OK, who would have guessed that the Cards leading scorer and rebounder through the first three games would be junior forward Jaylen Johnson, who averaged 5.0 points and 3.5 boards last season? Johnson is putting up 15.3 points and 11.3 rebounds thus far, but the concern is that Rick Pitinos team has struggled from deep (20-for-63) and also from the line (61 percent).7. North Carolina Tar Heels Record: 4-0 Last weeks ranking: 6The Tar Heels havent played a big boy yet, but they pounded a couple of quality mid-majors: Chattanooga by 40 and Long Beach State by 36. Remember, the Tar Heels are without athletic wing Theo Pinson. The surprise has been the early play of freshman big man Tony Bradley, who is averaging 10.5 points and 7.8 boards in 17.5 minutes per game.8. Xavier Musketeers Record: 5-0 Last weeks ranking: 8 Without Myles Davis, the Musketeers looked vulnerable. The hope is that Davis, the senior who gives Chris Mack a much-needed shooter, will return at the semester break. Xavier will also get Kaiser Gates back soon, and that will help the depth, which has been lacking.9. Gonzaga Bulldogs Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 17Heres the thing with the Zags: We didnt realize their quality frontcourt depth. Przemek Karnowski is back healthy and leads the team in scoring (14.7) and rebounding (7.0). However, its the immediate impact of freshmen Zach Collins (14.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG) and Killian Tillie -- who had eight points and 10 boards in a win over San Diego State -- that make this team a legitimate top-10 club.10. Creighton Bluejays Record: 4-0 Last weeks ranking: NRI should have ranked the Bluejays in the preseason poll -- especially after watching Greg McDermotts team beat Wisconsin and then put up 112 points against NC State. This team is balanced with Maurice Watson Jr., Cole Huff, Marcus Foster and redshirt freshman big man Justin Patton.11. Saint Marys Gaels Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 19Australian big man Jock Landale averaged 7.9 points and 3.9 boards last season; he had 33 points in the opener against Nevada and then went for 15 points and 14 rebounds in a road win over a depleted Dayton club. Randy Bennetts team brought just about everyone back from last seasons team that barely missed the NCAA tournament.12. Baylor Bears Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 25Get to know the name Jo Lual-Acuil. The 7-footer was born in South Sudan, grew up in Australia and spent a couple of years in the junior college ranks before arriving in Waco. He is averaging 10.7 points, 10 boards and has 16 blocks in three games. Miami transfer Manu Lecomte has also been tremendous, leading the team in scoring (16.7 PPG) and assists (7.3).13. Syracuse Orange Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 18The question entering the season was point guard play, but Jim Boeheims duo of Colorado State transfer John Gillon and Frank Howard have combined for 27 assists and just five turnovers. Theres also the matter of that 2-3 zone, which has stifled opposing teams. Theyve shot a putrid 19 percent (19-of-98) from beyond the arc through the first three games.14. Purdue Boilermakers Record: 2-1 Last weeks ranking: 21The loss came against defending national champion Villanova, but Matt Painters team needed a 20-0 run at the end of the game against Georgia State to pull out a 64-56 victory. The Boilermakers minus-9 rebound margin was its lowest against a nonconference opponent since 2012. Sophomore big man Caleb Swanigan has looked the part of an All-American, averaging 20.7 points, 13 boards and 4.3 assists per game.15. Virginia Cavaliers Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 7Tony Bennetts Cavaliers made more news off the court than on it over the first week this season. Bennett tossed Memphis transfer Austin Nichols?off the team prior to the win over Yale. Nichols was suspended for the opener, and he was slated to be one of Virginias top offensive options. This will be a significant hit for the Cavs.16. Arizona Wildcats Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 9 With Allonzo Trier out of the lineup, Finnish skilled big man Lauri Markkanen has shined. He has quickly become the focal point of the Wildcats offense and is averaging 20.3 points and 6.7 boards thus far. Hes shooting 59 percent from the field, 46 percent from 3 and 95 percent from the line.17. UCLA Bruins Record: 4-0 Last weeks ranking: 24There hasnt been a better freshman duo thus far than point guard Lonzo Ball and skilled forward T.J. Leaf. Ball just makes everyone better, and Leaf can really score. Steve Alford has a talented, deep group. It should be tested this week at the Wooden Legacy.18. Oregon Ducks Record: 2-1 Last weeks ranking: 10Its difficult to evaluate the Ducks because theyve been without their most important player, Dillon Brooks, who is set to return Monday after rehabbing from offseason foot surgery. Oregon got blasted by Baylor in Waco, but the Ducks rebounded with a win over Valparaiso. When Brooks returns, its time to reevaluate this group.19.?Florida Gators Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 20The Gators have beaten Florida Gulf Coast, Mercer and St. Bonaventure. So they are still fairly unproven. Canyon Barry, the son of NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry and a graduate student majoring in nuclear engineering, had 16 points off the bench for Florida. The key, though, is point guard play. Starter Kasey Hill has struggled thus far with just 10 assists and eight turnovers.20. Michigan Wolverines Record: 4-0 Last weeks ranking: NRThe Wolverines won the 2K Classic after pounding both Marquette and SMU. John Beilein admitted his defense was subpar (and thats putting it nicely) last season, but Michigan is holding opponents to 41 percent shooting and 59.5 points per game through the first four games this season. Junior D.J. Wilson barely played last season; hes logging 30 minutes per game, grabbing 9.5 boards and has been a huge factor in the improved defense this season.21. Wisconsin Badgers Record: 2-1 Last weeks ranking: 12The Badgers lost to Creighton in Omaha but are still worthy of a top-25 ranking. Bronson Koenig has just three assists in three games. Nigel Hayes is struggling, averaging 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds thus far. The Badgers are shooting just 31 percent from beyond the arc.22. West Virginia Mountaineers Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 23Bob Huggins and the Mountaineers have beaten up on low-majors: Mount St. Marys, Mississippi Valley State and New Hampshire. Huggins has 11 guys who are averaging more than 10 minutes per game. Three of them -- Nathan Adrian, Jevon Carter?and?Teyvon Myers?-- are averaging double figures in scoring.23. Rhode Island Rams Record: 4-1 Last weeks ranking: NRThe Rams got a big win against Cincinnati but couldnt take advantage of an injury-depleted Duke team in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off title game. E.C. Matthews is still working his way back from an ACL injury that cost him all but one game last season.?24. Seton Hall Pirates Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: NRKevin Willard lost Isaiah Whitehead but returns the other four starters. The coach also added freshman Myles Powell (15.3 PPG). Khadeen Carrington is leading the team at 21.7 points per game, but he has had plenty of help from Desi Rodriguez, Angel Delgado and Powell. Seton Hall is one of the few power league teams that has a true road win -- at Iowa.25. USC Trojans Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: NRThe Trojans deserve a spot after a road win against Texas A&M. Andy Enfields team isnt overly deep -- especially up front -- but he has a couple of talented bigs with Chimezie Metu and Bennie Boatwright, in addition to guard Jordan McLaughlin and wing?Elijah Stewart. However, it was freshman DeAnthony Melton who came up with the two biggest plays of the game -- a 3-pointer and a late steal.Dropped out: UConn, Michigan State, San Diego State, Dayton, NC State NFL Jerseys From China . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. Replica Jerseys China .ca! Hi Kerry, Its another day and here we are looking at another dubious hit to the head. In this case Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky elbowed Saku Koivu in the head about a second after he dished off the puck to a teammate, knocking him unconscious. http://www.cheapjerseysreview.com/ . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. Best Site Buy China Jerseys . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. Wholesale Jerseys Online . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. Christmas cheer is in short supply at the Stadium of Light.Sunderland (3-2-11) are rooted to the foot of the table and in desperate need of results heading into Saturdays match with Watford.But the festive fixture list hasnt been kind.A 1-0 defeat to table-toppers Chelsea in midweek is soon to be followed by tricky fixtures against Manchester United and Liverpool over the festive period… and that doesnt coexist comfortably with coach David Moyes 2016 target for his team.Ive been saying that its important to win three or four games before Christmas -- that would be a real big thing, Moyes said. If we could be in a position after winning four or five games, then I could say OK, I fancy my chances of getting us out of it in the homeward stretch. But we need to get to that point by January.Were back on the bottom, but weve been there for most of it so its not something new to us. But we arent back at square one, because weve got ourselves back in with a fighting chance. Were going to have to make sure that were stuck together, and thats why Ive been saying that winning a few games now is so important.Hope for the Black Cats comes in both their home form and the managers attacking tactical switch in recent weeks.The introduction of Victor Anichebe alongside Jermain Defoe in attack has added thrust and variety to the Sunderland forward line, helping spark a run of three wins in the last six games that gives them a chance of avoiding relegation.But there is still much work to do.In contrast, Saturdays visitors WWatford (6-3-7) can be confident of finishing in mid-table, despite inconsistencies that are limiting the clubs chances of challenging for the European places.dddddddddddd.The Hornets have a squad of unfulfilled quality -- or overhyped journeymen -- which is perfectly encapsulated in the shape of Troy Deeney.An unfashionable striker who never scores huge numbers of goals but has done enough to hold off bigger named competition for his place, Deeney is a player whose career could disappear without a trace, but could just as easily see him rise into contention for England selection.Deeney is special, ex-Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores said. I know hes special. Hes really lovely. The work of the player at the club is amazing. He knows every one of the players by name -- not just the first team, but the academy too.Hes a good player and the style of this player is very British. I think maybe one day he will be ready for the national team.Unfortunately for Deeney, he will be denied assistance against Sunderland due to injury concerns for a number of his Watford cohorts, including Stefano Okaka, Adrian Mariappa, Brice Dja Djedje, Valon Behrami, Roberto Pereyra and Craig Cathcart.Sunderland have a host of injury problems to contend with themselves. Paddy McNair, Duncan Watmore, Brad Jones, Jack Rodwell and Lee Cattermole are all out. Stephen Pienaar and Victor Anichebe are doubts. ' ' '