The No. 4-ranked Syracuse Orange and No. 7 Villanova Wildcats each collected victories on Saturday afternoon — SU beat the AP Polls No. 25-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats, 67-52, and ’Nova beat non-conference opponent the Maryland Terps, 74-66. The same should happen for the No. 5 Pittsburgh Panthers, which host the Seton Hall Pirates Saturday night at 7 p.m.
(Click here for full-game recap by SB Nation New York and reaction to the 18th-straight victory.)
On Wednesday, the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils lost to the non-ranked Florida St. Seminoles. So, the question asked is: Will Duke fall far enough in the AP or USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls for SU, Pitt and ’Nova to all earn Top-5 rankings?
It’s going to be really tough because Duke easily beat the Virginia Cavaliers Saturday, 76-60, to keep their record at a still 16-1 overall.
If the No. 2 Ohio St. Buckeyes beat the Penn St. Nittany Lions (5:30 p.m.), I see them moving up to No. 1. Kansas then slides into the No. 2 spot, Syracuse is No. 3 and Pitt is No. 4. However, I don’t see voters placing the undefeated San Diego St. Aztecs ahead of Duke. I also can’t see voters putting the Wildcats in front of the Aztecs, who play at the New Mexico Lobos (6 p.m.), if they remain unbeaten heading into Monday.
Duke also may be voted No. 4, ahead of Pittsburgh, because, well, they’re the defending champs and still a very, very good team.
Your thoughts?