Will Top Two Fall?

Ohio State and Kansas both remain undefeated coming into today, they both also have what might be their toughest match ups today. This could be the day where one of them, if not both of them, fall out of the unbeaten world like Syracuse did on Monday.

Ohio St. will travel out of Ohio and find themselves in the great state of Illinois, as they visit the Fighting Illini'. Illinois finds themselves back in the top 25, and are coming off of a win against the Spartans of Michigan St. 71-62. Ohio St. is visiting Illinois after one of their more dominant wins of the season, beating Iowa at home 70-48, where they had five players with nine or more points.

Ohio St. though has won three of four games at Illinois, and swept the regular season series last year between the two. Ohio St. has had its struggles on the road though this year, as can be seen in their first meeting with that same Iowa team where they won in a squeaker 73-68.

I think that the tough road game, easily their toughest of the year, catches up with the Buckeyes and they find themselves with a loss coming into next week's rankings, and out of the top spot. Prediction: Illinois 74 Ohio St 70.

Kansas has an advantage over Ohio St. in that they have a home game today, though they do have the tougher of the two teams to face. The Texas Longhorns come into the Phog ranked number 11, and ready to have a statement win, and a Big 12 controlling win, against the Jayhawks.

Texas is coming in at the right time for them though, coming off what was probably their best win and game of the season. They were able to win a rivalry game against #10 Texas A&M on Wednesday, blowing them out 81-60. They were able to end the Aggies 13 game winning streak behind the double digit scoring effort of three starters, led by Jordan Hamilton who dropped 27 points hitting on 10 of 14 shot attempts.

Kansas has yet to lose a game this year, and despite their close calls, many believe them to be the most talented and well rounded team in the nation. The fact that they are playing at home is not small thing either, as they have now won 68 straight at home. Which is currently the longest streak in the nation as well.
When you look at the match ups that Kansas can present on the scoring big men that Texas can throw out there that is where it would appear that Kansas will win, on the defensive end. With the ability to put a Morris twin on Hamilton, they will be able to guard him both inside and out, or if they even wanted to put a Josh Selby on him, and athletic guard that can stick with him all over the court.

Then they will have the advantage out on the perimeter with guard play, and their guards will be able to get into the lane and make plays. Whether they drive looking to finish themselves, drop it off to the big guys, or kick it out for an open look, they should have success.

I think that with the home court advantage that Kansas possesses at The Phog, and their ability to defend the primary scorers for Texas I think gives Kansas the edge. Then on the offensive side of the ball their guard play will help them to score in the familiar confines of home. Prediction: Kansas 82 Texas 71.

When this weekend is all said and done, I think you will be seeing Kansas in the top spot, and Ohio St. falling to number four. That's because with their win over Syracuse on Monday Pittsburgh will find themselves at number two, followed by Syracuse bouncing back with a big top 10 win at home against Villanova.