College basketball season is one of the best times of the year. The college basketball writers of Vavel have voted on what we think are the top 20 teams of college basketball at this point. This year has already been crazy. Here are our top 20 teams, with the games that have been the most revealing the past week and their toughest upcoming games.
1. Kentucky Wildcats (AP Poll #1) - Kentucky has been the best team in the country far and have done nothing but prove it every week. They have already beaten two top 10 teams and the schedule does not get any easier. Last week: Win - Texas. This week: - North Carolina.
2. Duke Blue Devils (AP Poll #2) - Duke is as deep as anyone in the country with one of the best offenses in the country. They proved they can go on the road and beat a top team. They are as good as anyone in the country. Last week: Win @ Wisconsin. This week: No games this week.
3. Louisville Cardinals (AP Poll #4) - The Cardinals are one of the best defensive teams in the country. Their offense isn't there yet but with Montrezl Harrell leading the way they should be fine as the season progresses. Last week: Win - Ohio State. This week: - Indiana.
4. Arizona Wildcats (AP Poll #3) - Arizona if fresh off a huge win against Gonzaga and is looking like a great team early on. They are led by freshman phenom Stanley Johnson, no losses are coming soon. Last week:Win vs Gonzaga. This week: - Michigan.
5. Virginia Cavaliers (AP Poll #6) - Virginia is looking like the team that won the ACC last season. They have a couple quality wins already. The Cavaliers will punch you in the mouth with their defense. Last week: Win @ Maryland. This week: no games this week.
6. Wisconsin Badgers (AP Poll #5) - The Badgers were as high as #2 before and they then hit a brick wall in Duke. They will still steam roll through the Big Ten. Frank Kaminsky needs to make a bigger impact. Last week: Loss - Duke. This week: @ Milwaukee.
7. Texas Longhorns (AP Poll #8) - Texas got beat by quite a bit against Kentucky this past weekend. Without their starting point guard they won't be as good as they could be. Expect a lot more from the Longhorns later in the season. Last week: Loss @ Kentucky. This week: - Texas St.
8. Kansas Jayhawks (AP Poll #10) - The Jayhawks have had an ugly season so far. They got smashed by Kentucky and barely survived Florida. They need to get their act right before conference play. Last week: Win - Florida. This week: - Utah.
9. Villanova Wildcats (AP Poll #7) - Villanova has had many great games this season but still need to prove a lot. They will have a lot of still tough games. This game against Illinois will tell a lot early. Last week: Win @ La Salle. This week: - Illinois.
10. San Diego State Aztecs (AP Poll #18) - We made these rankings before the Sunday night loss to Washington. If they did not lose that game, they would be sitting pretty great right now. Last week: Loss @ Washington. This week: vs Long Beach State.
11. Wichita State Shockers (AP Poll #11) - The Shockers faced their first regular season loss in two season last week against Utah. They have a very soft schedule so that loss hurts a lot. Last week: Loss @ Utah. This week: - Seton Hall.
12. Gonzaga Bulldogs (AP Poll #9) - Gonzaga should of won the game at Arizona but fell up short late. The Zags play a soft schedule. They can't lose many more games in stay in contention. Last week: Loss @ Arizona. This week: @ UCLA.
13. Iowa State Cyclones (AP Poll #14) - The Cyclones had a tough loss early against Maryland but came up big against Arkansas. They have a soft schedule the next couple games. Last week: Win - Arkansas. This week: @ Iowa.
14. Ohio State Buckeyes (AP Poll #12) - The Buckeyes showed how good they could be by coming back in the Louisville game even though they fell short. DeAngelo Russell is as good of a freshman as anyone in the country. Last week: Loss @ Louisville. This week: - High Point.
15. North Carolina Tar Heels (AP Poll #21) - Who would have thought the Tar Heels would start off like this? They were one of the best teams early but are struggling as of late. Step up, or get crushed in the ACC. Last week: Loss - Iowa. This week: @ Kentucky.
16. Utah Utes (AP Poll #13) - Utah got a huge win - Wichita State. That win got their season back on track. It wil be interesting if Delon Wright can keep them winning. Last week: Win - Wichita State. This week: @ Kansas.
17. Butler Bulldogs (AP Poll #15) - Butler was the team that started North Carolina's team to fall early. An upcoming game against Indiana could show if they are still the real deal. Last week: Win - Northwestern. This week: @ Tennessee.
18. Maryland Terrapins (AP Poll #19): Maryland had a chance for a big win - Virginia but fell up short. The Big Ten should be fun with them playing great basketball with Dez Wells. Last week: Loss - Virginia. This week: - USC Upstate.
19. Oklahoma Sooners (AP Poll #16) - This team is going to be very competetive in the Big 12. They beat a very good Butler team already and will have a chance to beat some giants. Last week: Win - Missouri. This week: @ Tulsa.
20. Miami (FL) Hurricanes (AP Poll #20) - Miami went and defeated a former top 10 team in Florida early in the season. They had a small slip up against Green Bay. They will be fine. Last week: Loss - Green Bay. This week: - Eastern Kentucky.
20. West Virginia Mountaineers (AP Poll #22) - West Virginia is playing better than anyone expected so far this season. Hopefully, they can continue playing great basketball in the Big 12. Last week: Loss - LSU. This week: @ Marshall.
College basketball is full of upsets every week. These rankings will change every week more than likely. Stay tuned as the madness unfolds!