SLAM College Top 10: Tasing aside, UCLA still on top
Hansbrough Vs. Morris in a cage match, overcoming anti-Duke bias, and more.
by Ben Collins
Before we get to the Top 10, BabyLinker Matthew brought up one of those perfect midseason, senselessly yell about who is the better big man questions.
Tyler Hansborough or Randolph Morris? This was probably sarcastic. Uncle Jesse sarcastic, even. Morris ate Hansbrough alive last week, putting up 21 and 7. Hansborough put the “baby” in “baby blues” — 7 points on 20% shooting and a whopping three rebounds.
But isn’t that the point of a finesse player? You’re supposed to surround one with talent so, if his touch is off, someone else can pick up his slack. Reyshawn Terry and Brandan Wright each had 16 and, again, they won. When he has some touch to go along with his smarts and hustle in the paint, Hansbrough explodes and everything is right in the world. He manned up against then-#1 Ohio State the game before and put up 21 and 14 (despite the lack of the next-coming-of-Christ Greg Oden).
Ask Elton Brand what it’s like being a player with touch, lots of scrappiness, less strength than he actually thinks and no talent next to you for four years. Hansbrough luckily has the slack.
I’m not saying I’d pick Hansbrough higher than Morris after that, but you see more effective undersized players with hands (Ryan Gomes, Craig Smith) in the NBA than undersized players with a whole lot of strength and balls trying to overpower people (James Lang, anyone on the IR of the Miami Heat).
You’re thoughts below, but first the rankings for the week.
1. UCLA (8-0) - I really wish I had a bookie.
First of all, they come to your house. You don’t have to move and you still have the opportunity of making money. It’s like Internet poker. Or being Kevin Federline. Second of all, I hear they sell appliances out of their trenchcoats. Which is just awesome.
Thirdly, and most importantly, I would’ve been swimming in cash predicting that an Oden-less Ohio State should not have been #1 and UCLA should’ve been at the top in the first SLAM Top 10. UCLA is 8-0 after sliding past #6 Texas A&M.
Again, I’ll say this all season because they’ll be in the top 5 the whole time: when you have three scorers and a distributor along with some serviceable big men, you’re always going to be one of the better teams in the country.
Good. Recruiting. Ben. Howland.
2 - Pittsburgh (10-0) - I’m not a big Aaron Gray guy. I think he gets a lot of credit just for being naturally tall, which reminds me a lot of pickup games in middle school when captains would always pick the 6′2″ genetic freak who hit puberty at the age of nine. Unless you were that kid, you hated that kid under your breath.
This is Aaron Gray to me. And, although they just barely clawed their way out of Buffalo 70-67, who was hosting a ranked team for the first time in school history the other night, they have to be number 2 considering how good this conference is and that they’re undefeated.
They have their first two tests back-to-back this coming week in #7 Wisconsin tomorrow night and #17 Oklahoma St. the next night. So here’s a chance to see if Aaron Gray’s post footwork is as strong as his pituitary gland.
3 - North Carolina (7-1) - There was the aforementioned Ohio State win. Then the Kentucky win where Hansbrough didn’t show up. And, even despite Gonzaga, this team that I called too young in the last poll is looking pretty damn sharp. Brandan Wright is turning from an offensive star to an all-around player and a freshman stud. Reyshawn Terry is showing that he’s a leader. I guess I’m turning into a Hansbrough apologist, too.
Great, now I’m turning into a cliched Duke hater. Shoot me now, please.
4 - Florida (8-2) - Neither the Coaches Poll or the AP has them this high, but I’m a badass non-conformist. I ride a motorcycle. I eat beef jerky. I take dates on horseback.
Anyways, this team, even at 8-2, is a bit too talented to give up on. I refuse to believe that this same National Championship team is tanking it this year. So I’m holding out judgment until the eve of Christmas Eve (12/23) when they play Ohio State. If Greg Oden emasculates Al Horford and makes him look like an infant (which can happen to pretty much anyone), Florida is entering not-Top 10 purgatory.
5 - Ohio State (8-1) - Greg Oden looks horrifyingly, scarily good. I don’t know why I didn’t trust, I don’t know, everyone in the entire world who tried to tell me this, but it’s proven now.
Even scarier, they hung in there with UNC without him. This team probably should be higher. If they prove this against Florida on the 23rd, my bad.
6 - Wichita State (7-0) - How ’bout them Shockers? Somewhat shocking win at Syracuse. They have no one player that will shock and awe you, but they have some shockingly good depth. Wichita State, in a shocker, is now America’s team.
Shock.
7 - Arizona (7-1) - As promised the other day, Arizona is in the top 10. They have some really athletic and tall talent that’s starting to come together with Ivan Radenovic, Chase Budinger and Marcus “no, not the one on the Nets” Williams. They also have the awesome college combo guard in Mustafa Shakur, which always seems to happen to them.
Seriously, how does this happen? Shakur, Arenas, Bibby, Terry, Stoudamire (Damon or Salim, take your pick), all Arizona alum.
Does this have something to do with it being a dry heat?
8 - Wisconsin (9-1) - Yes, they’re too low. Especially after that Marquette win, on the road even. And Alondo Tucker is almost tops in the nation in scoring.
Okay, so they’re way too low. But they play Pittsburgh in a couple of days. Just in case they need some extra motivation to knock off a #2.
9 - Duke (9-1) - Sorry, conscience.
10 - Connecticut (8-0) - This team is not that good on paper. They’re young, their best draft prospect, 7′3″ Hasheem Thabeet, is rawer than Taco Bell ground beef in New Jersey and they still won’t have a chance to play anybody formidable until the New Year (LSU and Marquette back-to-back). But this is why Jim Calhoun is the Saint of Storrs, so they’ve earned their place in the Top 10.
Barely Missed The Cut: Alabama (lost to Notre Dame? Was Troy Murphy playing?) (8-1), Kansas (8-2), Texas A&M (tough-as-nails schedule) 7-2), Butler (even though they lost to Indiana State. Don’t say a word.) (10-1).
Comments, and we’re taking your rankings and quotes for next week’s Top 10…
21 Responses to “SLAM College Top 10: Tasing aside, UCLA still on top”
Dec.15 at 5:18 pm
H to the izzo says:
I stand by Randolph Morris wait and see, ahh fuck it I just wanted to be different
Dec.15 at 5:22 pm
Shiz says:
Well..as a Pitt alumn (by association, Tar Heel by religion), I can tell you you’re spot on about Gray. He’s definitely the “he-aint-good-just-big” guy in pickup games…He’s got the grace of Ilgauskas and the hands of Olowokandi…yeah…ouch… but hey, 7 foot is 7 foot…right??? Arizona should just change their name to Gaurd U. And I see the Duke “curve” is in full effect…great…Sorry man, they shouldn’t be anywhere near the top 10. I think me an my boy blue could produce more than Duke’s backcourt this year. Somebody please tell Paulis that he’s not the second coming of Bobby Hurley!! Their best rebounder is that other guard who can’t shoot a lick, and their “go-to-guy” in McRoberts is just laughable…but that may be that UNC bias shining through… Speaking of my heels, Hansborough needs to do one thing and one thing only…KEEP THE BALL HIGH!! He needs to work on elevating his release point on his stuff around the hope or else Oden’s gonna have a field day. Brandon Wright is the left handed Rasheed Wallace…this guy can catch any entry pass thrown to him…he just cant pass outta the double, but then again, Hansboroughs pretty unwilling to most nights, so whatever… Dont have a problem with the list you’ve compiled, except that inexplicable Duke love your showing…Duke don’t look like a top ten’er to me. Top 25? Ok. Top 10? Not this year…unless Coach K finally unleashes that frosh Henderson…by far the best player on a trash Duke squad…
Dec.15 at 5:25 pm
Maha10k says:
W-W-W-Wildcats
Dec.15 at 5:52 pm
H to the izzo says:
Somebody please beat Pitt,Aaron Gray is a waste of a first round pick,does well in college cause of his size and the fact that he’s not completely useless at other things…Rafael Araujo anyone??
Ben Collins showing Duke love would be a first….Still sleeping on Georgia Tech young athletic blah blah blah…..The following names need to be mentioned…Dequan Cook….Chase Budinger…..Matt Bouldin second coming of the Stache’….Dominic James…..Derek Raivio…..Jared Jordan and last but not least not Aaron Gray.That is all
Dec.15 at 5:57 pm
Biggame j says:
Are you really calling Hansborough a finesse player or am I missing something?
Dec.15 at 6:25 pm
Shiz says:
yeah I don’t know where that “finesse player” shit comes from…He’s all pump-fake and brute strength…God bless his soul…
Dec.15 at 7:27 pm
Ben Collins says:
Biggame, I actually edited this because I didn’t want to make it sound like that. He’s just more of a finesse player than Morris could ever dream of being. I was telling him that, if he wants to be a good pro at 6′9″ and not get beaten up in the tournament, using the touch he’s developing would be pretty beneficial. Jesus, at least I hope I didn’t come off that way.
Dec.15 at 7:43 pm
Doc says:
Sean Singltary UVA watch 4 him.
Dec.15 at 8:54 pm
Waxtron says:
I wish Mark Tergeon had Bill Self’s job.
Dec.15 at 11:30 pm
lucci says:
wheres gonzaga at
Dec.16 at 6:54 am
Boing Dynasty says:
I thought we settled on “shaving babys”, player.
1
Dec.16 at 6:39 pm
H to the izzo says:
The Zags are 16th on both poles
Dec.16 at 11:45 pm
jumpman_24_24 says:
Ohio State is just plain unstoppable right now. Oden could be best freshman ever. keep in mind his hand still isn’t fully healed and he’s puttin up just plain silly numbers
Dec.17 at 12:38 am
SheedatNC30 says:
Im a big (huge) Carolina fan KRZYTHEAD’S TEAM SUCKS!!!, but that Alando Tucker seems to have produced for a couple of years now and I haven’t lost anything in wisconsin. Singletery is nice but god that boy should have gone someplace where he could get some help. Matter of fact him and tucker would be a VERY NICE underrated offense.
Dec.17 at 12:58 am
Air Up There says:
Duke… too high (they’re not that good, and i’m a big McRoberts fan, but kid just ain’t producing)
Florida… too high (all that talent, all those expectations; who cares about what they did last year or what they could become this year, put them up there once they earn it)
Ohio State… too low (the game at UNC was amazing, especially without Oden, and he is the real deal)
Dec.17 at 8:32 pm
DP says:
Alando Tucker is the truth. I watched that game against Pitt from start to finish and it was Alando’s chance to shine. They could not stop Tucker whether he was in the post or outside dropping three’s. Did you see that alley from Taylor to Tucker on Kendall? That was straight nasty ju. Aaron Gray is overhyped. Brian Butch straight showed his ass out but just straight overpowering him in the paint and dropping wet jumpers in his face. Gray was confused the whole night and could never get into a grove. Ramon really was the one who kept them in the game the whole time. Wisconsin for Final Four. play wit it.
Dec.18 at 9:32 am
Matthew says:
Head to Head the clear winner is Morris. However, as we all know, basketball is not a game of one on one on a nightly basis. With Brandan Wright doing damage, Hansbrough didn’t need to be the dominant force he usually is. On the other hand, Morris has to play well for Kentucky to win (except when you play a shitty Louisville team who will once again be in the NIT. Rick wishes he was still in Lexington). He had the game of his life against UNC and Hansbrough but aside from Saturday’s dud against UL, he has played really well this year with not a lot of help. Kind of like Hansbrough last year. That’s why I made the comparison. I’d be happy to take either but b/c of Morris’ improving range and the fact that he can sign with any team he wants instead of being drafted I think he has the chance to be a better pro. And in my opinion for who I’d rather take, I’ll let the head to head numbers speak for themselves. Thanks for the shout out Ben and good list although Duke and UConn have had more cupcakes than Oliver Miller though. Go Cats!!
Dec.20 at 1:05 am
» Babylinks: 10 Things To Do While Not Writing Your Manifesto - SLAM Online says:
[…] Anyways, Mizzou hung in there the entire game and even had a lead the most of it, but it ended with an anticlimactic slip and a 73-70 loss. Really polarizing split in the crowd, though, where there was a literal line in the middle of the stands. I’m not shocked by the split — the schools are down the road from one another — just the fact that Mizzou still has basketball fans now that they can’t long for Quinn Snyder’s hair. 2) Reading Ryan’s amazing feature. One of those ones that makes you wonder why I still try at this profession. If Melo’s real, this guy’s realer. 3) Finding out that Drexel and Clemson won. Clemson hasn’t lost yet and is #22 in the country and I was making fun of them about three weeks ago. The Drexel Dragons (which is actually alliteration-gone-tacky) dropped Syracuse 84-79 after doing almost the same exact thing to ‘Nova in their last game. Between these two and Wichita State this year, that bracketology guy on ESPN.com is either going to need some antidepressants or a lobotomy by the end of the year. 4) Regretting not putting Alando Tucker and the Wisconsin Badgers higher in the Top 10 last week. This will be fixed this week. I had no idea how money this guy is. We need to do a feature on this dude HAHEMryanHAHEM. […]
Jan.2 at 7:37 pm
Zach says:
Arizona is the number one team out there. They will prove it when they play UNC and UCLA. Ohio state is also a great team and should be ranked higher. Go Cats!!!!!!
Jan.6 at 3:18 pm
Brian says:
Georgetown should be up there not UCONN
Jan.14 at 9:03 pm
kyle says:
O-H