1. North Carolina
The Heels hit a record-setting 12th straight double-figure win when they beat Rutgers 97-75 on Sunday, just some fine tuning before ACC play begins on 1/4
2. UConn
In-state rival, Fairfield, stood no chance, but cupcake time is over as Georgetown pays a visit to tip-off Big East action on Big Monday.
3. Pittsburgh
With no games this past week, the Panthers are gearing up for the Big East slate which begins before the New Year.
4. Oklahoma
The Sooners wont touch the Big 12 schedule until 1/10, but don't expect to see Blake Griffin's team with a loss before then.
5. Duke
Duke's another team that took the week off; Loyola(MD) is the last test before ACC play begins for the Blue Devils.
6. Wake Forest
A 41-point win over East Carolina is just scary... at least, if I was the Demon Deacons' next opponent, Radford, I'd be scared.
7. Texas
The Longhorns recorded a big win over Wisconsin in Madison to avoid back-to-back losses to the Big 10.
8. Notre Dame
Mike Brey's team is absolutely ready to tackle the Big East schedule, just as the Irish footballers tackled Hawaii on Christmas Eve.
9. Purdue
Two more wins over in-state opponents have the Boilers streak up to six games as Big Ten play gets underway on 12/30 against Illinois.
10. Tennessee
Bruce Pearl surely used his off-week to prep for Louisiana-Lafayette... or maybe he prepped for Kansas and Gonzaga, who the Vols face in succession to open up 2009.
11. Georgetown
The Hoyas doubled up Florida International, 76-38, on Tuesday; Big East play doesn't start easy with UConn, Pitt and Notre Dame right out of the gate.
12. UCLA
Josh Shipp's return to the line-up was well received as he led UCLA past Louisiana Tech for the Bruins' 6th straight W.
13. Syracuse
Guard, Eric Devendorf, could be reinstated just in time for the Orange's first conference game against Seton Hall on 12/30.
14. Michigan State
Sparty currently posses a 5-game win streak, but will it be enough momentum to lead State past Minnesota, in Minneapolis on 12/31, for MSU's first conference win?
15. Arizona State
Central Connecticut State is the last opponent for the Sun Devils, not only in 2008, but also before traveling to Stanford to begin PAC-10 play on 1/2.
16. Clemson
With a 12-0 record, the Tigers can round out 2008 with a lucky 13 if they beat arch-rival South Carolina on New Year's Eve in Columbia.
17. Louisville
After losing to Minnesota, the Cardinals bounced back nicely with a win over UAB; if this team finally, "clicks," watch out.
18. Michigan
Only North Carolina Central remains on Michigan's schedule before the nation gets to see how good this team really is against Big Ten opponents; Wisconsin's up first on 12/31.
19. Memphis
The fourth of a seven-game home stand takes place on Monday as Cincinnati visits the FedEx forum, followed by Northeastern to round out 2008.
20. Baylor
Portland State visits Waco on 12/29; anyone who once counted this game as a walk-in-the-park has quickly changed their mind.
21. Marquette
The Eagles finished 2008 on a three-game winning streak; Villanova comes to town on New Year's Day to open up Big East action.
22. Minnesota
The Gophers are 12-0 and off to their best start in 60-years; Next up is Michigan State on 12/31 to open up Big Ten play.
23. Butler
Howard, Hayward and Mack will lead Butler into the Horizon lead schedule which begins with Valpo on 1/3, but first they need to get by UAB on 12/30.
24. West Virginia
Bob Huggins' team embarrassed Ohio State, in Columbus, for it's fourth straight victory to close out 2008; Seton Hall is next up as they enter the Big East slate on 1/3.
25. Illinois
A six-game winning streak is plenty impressive for the Fighting Illini, though if they reach seven, that would mean Bruce Weber scored a road-win over Purdue on 12/30.
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