Who Should be Number One?

Now that the Duke Blue Devils have lost their first game there are four undefeated teams remaining, three of them were following behind Duke in this week's polls. With this situation at hand the question is now raised, who should take over that number one spot? The obvious choice is Ohio State, just move them from number one to two and be done with it. Kansas and Syracuse might have gripes with that, believing themselves to be worthy. Let's take a look at who really should be the top team by the numbers.

Ohio State

The Buckeyes have been number two behind Duke almost every step of the way this year after preseason top tier teams Michigan State and Kansas State have dropped deep into the top 25. They have a very good team, full of experience, guys that can defend, scorers that can attack from the inside, outside, and above the rim. Not to mention Jared Sullinger, maybe the Player of the Year, definitely the front runner for Freshman of the Year.

Ohio State has also played a tough schedule that has included out of conference games against that same Florida State, Florida, and South Carolina, winning all of them by double digits. Sullinger also gives them a player that can take over a game, that even as a freshman can put the team on his back and lead them to a victory.

The knock on Ohio State being number one could be made, because in their last four games since conference play started with a big win they have been on the brink a few times. They have won all four obviously against Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Penn State, but struggled. They have won those four by only a combined 15 points. A cause for concern, but maybe a making a point that they are number one because of their ability to win close ones against familiar opponents.

Kansas

The Kansas Jayhawks are considered the most balanced, deepest, and talented team in the NCAA with the injury to Kyrie Irving of Duke. Most would say that should make them the number one team. They have athletic big men in the Morris twins, a dynamic freshman in Josh Selby, great shooters, and multiple ball handlers to go along with a good bench.

When you look at the numbers they are in the top 10 in the nation in assist to turnover ratio, and in points per game. They are able to defend, take care of the ball, and score, all necessary aspects to have as the number one team. They have played a decent schedule to this point, with out of conference wins over Arizona, USC, UCLA, Memphis, California and Michigan. Sharing a common opponent with both Ohio State and the other team up for the number one spot Syracuse in Michigan, they won by the largest margin (though it took overtime).

Kansas though has struggled as well lately, and are they really the number one team right now, or are they the potentially best team? they are averaging winning their last three games by only five points a game, and they had to go to overtime to win one of them, all against sub-par competition, though two of the three were on the road. Though not being able to win a tough game on the road is why Duke has lost and we are having any conversation.

Syracuse

The Orange have been able to overcome slow starts, bad finishes, and everything in between to make it to 18-0 and into the number one spot conversation. They have a team that is able to score in a variety of ways, and are one of the more dangerous teams in America when they get on the break. They have a big man in Rick Jackson that has been averaging a double-double this year, while leading the Big East in rebounding. Scoop Jardine is a premier ball handler and they have an athletic wing player with NBA lottery ability in Kris Joseph. Not to mention very good outside shooters in Brandon Triche, James Southerland and Dion Waiters.

The Orange have played a good schedule thus far, with wins over Michigan State on a neutral court, as well as Georgia Tech and Michigan to win their preseason tournament. In their conference play against the Big East, the toughest conference this year again, they have started 5-0 with wins over Providence, Notre Dame, Seton Hall, Saint John's and Cincinnati. They seem to have the intangibles to be considered the number one team, and having Jim Boeheim does not hurt the cause.

Syracuse has struggled though with teams that they should not have throughout the year, most recently Seton Hall who was missing their best player. They have the tendency to play down the their competition, though also up to it, and that has made some games closer than they probably should have been. Syracuse though will have their chance to prove themselves, if they are not number one for this week's polls, but are still undefeated after facing number five Pittsburgh on the road and then home to number seven Villanova, then it will be tough to say they should not be in that top spot.

Given all of the factors, I would have to go against the grain of simply bumping everyone up, and at this point I think the team that is most deserving, and should be number one come tomorrow, is the Kansas Jayhawks. But it could all be different come this time next week. And as it is, it is only January, being number one now does not really mean what it does in a month.