Posted: Monday February 10, 2003 11:18 AM
Updated: Monday February 10, 2003 6:38 PM
By Stewart Mandel, SI.com
Could it be that the nation’s two best teams reside in the same state?
For most of the season, any discussion about the No. 1 team in the land has centered on Arizona, with occasional mentions of Florida, Pittsburgh and, once upon a time, Alabama.
Turns out, there were two other prime contenders sitting 70 miles apart: Kentucky and Louisville.
They have won a combined 29 games in a row, including the Wildcats’ 70-55 pasting of the most recently anointed No. 1, Florida, and the Cardinals’ consecutive home victories over Indiana and Cincinnati.
That they are the nation’s two hottest teams, there can be no question. The matter of which one should be ranked higher is a considerably tougher matter.
Cardinals fans would have you believe it’s simple: Not only have they gone longer without losing but in the process also handed Kentucky its last defeat back on Dec. 28. Rick Pitino’s team is the last remaining with only one loss, suffered way back on Nov. 30, to Purdue.
But the fact is, Louisville has not had a statement victory nearly as riveting as Kentucky’s over Florida, nor as many big road wins as Kentucky has playing in the SEC. Not to take anything away from the Cardinals’ sensational season, but it’s hard to read too much into most Conference USA victories. Even last week’s Hoosiers-Bearcats sweep came with both foes in the midst of uncharacteristic skids.
So for now, we’re crowning Kentucky No. 1, Louisville No. 2. Knowing how these things work, though, one will now probably lose this week.
And if not, well, maybe we can settle this rivalry once and for all -- in the national championship game.
Men's College Basketball Power Rankings
Rank
LW
Team
1
6
Kentucky Wildcats (18-3) The rarest of performances merits a rarest of leaps. The ‘Cats didn’t let down after humiliating Florida, either, winning handily again at Ole Miss, 80-62. This week: vs. Georgia, Tuesday; vs. LSU, Saturday
2
4
Louisville Cardinals (18-1) Francisco Garcia is the latest weapon in the Cards’ arsenal, stepping up with 23 points in the win over Indiana, 24 points to put away Cincinnati. This week: vs. at St. Louis, Wednesday; at Marquette, Saturday.
3
3
Arizona Wildcats (19-2) The Wildcats sleepwalked through road wins at Washington and Washington State last weekend. Where’s the energy we saw back at Kansas? This week: vs. UCLA, Thursday; vs. USC; Saturday.
4
7
Oklahoma Sooners (16-3) Fresh off a week of rest, the Sooners laid a 91-42 whuppin’ on Baylor behind a season-high 58 percent day from the field. This week: at Texas. Monday; at Texas Tech, Saturday.
5
2
Pittsburgh Panthers (16-3) The Panthers have cooled off a tad in recent weeks, though there’s little shame in taking Notre Dame down to the very last second on the road. This week: vs. West Virginia, Wednesday; at Seton Hall, Saturday.
6
1
Florida Gators (19-3) The Gators had to cool off eventually, but that badly? Only six field goals in a half? At least they rebounded against Alabama. (But then, who hasn’t?) This week: vs. Ole Miss, Wednesday; at Tennessee, Saturday.
7
5
Texas Longhorns (15-4) The Longhorns became the latest victims to fall prey to upstart Colorado in Boulder, then rebounded at College Station behind 19 points from T.J. Ford. This week: vs. Oklahoma, Monday; at Nebraska, Saturday.
8
10
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (19-4) If it were up to us, Chris Thomas and Brandin Knight would go head-to-head every night. Thomas got the better of this one, setting up Torin Francis’ game-winner. This week: at Syracuse, Saturday.
9
13
Marquette Golden Eagles (17-3) Louisville may be the hottest team in the land, but Marquette will be the hottest team in C-USA if it can knock off the Cards like it did Wake Forest. This week: at DePaul, Wednesday; vs. Louisville, Saturday.
10
14
Kansas Jayhawks (17-5) The Jayhawks have been playing with renewed abandon since the Arizona loss, putting away both Missouri and hideously dressed K-State with big second halves. This week: at Baylor, Tuesday; vs. Iowa State, Sunday.
11
18
Syracuse Orangemen (16-3) Early on, it was all about Carmelo Anthony. Now, Hakim Warrick, Billy Edelin and Gerry McNamara are all contributing in big ways and ‘Cuse is cruising. This week: at Connecticut, Monday; vs. Notre Dame, Saturday.
12
9
Oklahoma State Cowboys (18-3) The once infallible Cowboys are coming back down to earth, shooting just 34 percent -- including 1-of-13 by Tony Allen -- in a 61-50 loss at Cincinnati on Sunday. This week: at Nebraska, Wednesday; vs. Baylor, Saturday.
13
16
Duke Blue Devils (16-3) The Blue Devils had gone several games playing lax defense before snapping out of it the second half against UNC and all night against Clemson. This week: vs. at Wake Forest, Thursday; at Virginia, Saturday.
14
11
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (16-3) This could be a make-or-break week for the Demon Deacons, who hold a one-game lead in the ACC over the two teams they’re playing. This week: vs. Duke, Thursday; at Maryland, Sunday.
15
17
Illinois Fighting Illini (16-4) The common perception is the Illini are the class of the Big Ten, but they stand a game behind co-leader Purdue headed into the teams’ matchup at West Lafayette. This week: at Purdue, Saturday.
16
20
California Golden Bears (16-4) After getting swept on their Arizona road trip a week ago, the Bears turned things around in impressive fashion at Oregon State and Oregon. This week: vs. Washington State, Thursday; vs. Washington, Saturday.
17
19
Xavier Musketeers (17-4) David West’s staggering 47 points and 18 rebounds keyed an important, albeit tight victory over Dayton to move back into the Atlantic 10 driver’s seat. This week: vs. Rhode Island, Saturday.
18
12
Georgia Bulldogs (13-6) There couldn’t be a worse time for the Bulldogs, who have cooled off considerably, to visit Kentucky, which has done anything but. This week: at Kentucky, Tuesday; vs. Vanderbilt, Saturday.
19
8
Maryland Terrapins (14-6) The Terps did not look like themselves in losses to Virginia and Georgia Tech, especially on defense, where they allowed 86 and 90 points. This week: at Florida State, Wednesday; vs. Wake Forest, Sunday.
20
--
Creighton Bluejays (21-2) Even with Kyle Korver struggling with his shot, the Bluejays are in the midst of another tear, winning their last five MVC games decisively. This week: vs. Southwest Missouri State, Wednesday; at Wichita State, Saturday.
