TOP 25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

School (Record): Comment

1. Duke (14-1): Terrapin stew to start the New Year.

2. Connecticut (12-0): Better watch out in West Virginia.

3. Cincinnati (14-0): Tough team: Just look at those jerseys.

4. Kentucky (13-3): SEC record last five years is 70-8.

5. Maryland (13-2): Can’t beat the big boys.

6. Stanford (12-2): Can’t bear a loss to Cal on Saturday.

7. UCLA (10-2): Arizona brought out best in Bruins, ASU didn’t.

8. Purdue (13-2): Minnesota will have to wait.

9. St. John’s (12-3): Artest passing the test.

10. North Carolina (14-3): Getting ACClimated.

11. Iowa (11-1): Davis making Iowa AD look foolish.

12. Arizona (9-1): Probably still overrated.

13. Auburn (14-0): Tennessee still has football.

14. Minnesota (9-2): Purdue showdown snowed out.

15. Michigan State (11-4): Sub Morris Peterson is top scorer.

16. Kansas (10-3): Big 12 is feeling comfy again.

17. Clemson (12-3): That’s Harold Jamison, no relation.

18. Arkansas (11-3): Auburn game told tale.

19. New Mexico (12-2): Another overrated team shows stripes.

20. Indiana (14-4): Michigan? Ouch.

21. Syracuse (11-3): Keep an eye on Ryan Blackwell.

22. California (10-2): Costly misstep against Oregon.

23. Texas Christian (12-2): Wants USC on hardwood too.

24. Miami (9-2): Tim James is worth a look.

25. Oklahoma State (10-3): Kansas’ only competition.

GAME OF THE WEEK

CALIFORNIA (10-2, 1-1) at STANFORD (12-2, 2-0)

When--Saturday. Time--7:30 p.m. TV--FX

* Story line--It’s the Big Game--only it will be played on the springy floor of Maples Pavilion. Don’t think Stanford, even after the Final Four, has forgotten the close call against Cal in the midst of the Cardinal’s swoon last February. The Golden Bears are hopeful that always-dubious chain of scores means something: Cal beat North Carolina . . . North Carolina beat Stanford . . .