THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

Robyn Norwood’s college basketball rankings and comments:

1 DUKE

(10-0) Another epic battle in Kentucky rivalry.

2 KENTUCKY

(6-2) Maybe there is another team in Duke’s league.

3 KANSAS

(8-1) Drew Gooden had 25-point, 21-rebound game against S.C. State.

4 ARIZONA

(5-2) Everybody loses at Michigan State.

5 MARYLAND

(8-1) Terrapins suddenly football/basketball powerhouse.

6 FLORIDA

(8-1) Udonis Haslem a force to be reckoned with.

7 OKLAHOMA STATE

(10-0) Big 12 looking like the best conference.

8 BOSTON COLLEGE

(9-0) Nonconference date against Duke in January.

9 VIRGINIA

(6-0) Hasn’t lost a nonconference regular-season game since 1999.

10 STANFORD

(5-1) Curtis Borchardt emerging as second scorer.

11 IOWA

(9-3) Steve Alford would beat Quin Snyder one-on-one, too.

12 MISSOURI

(9-1) Looks like theTigers were overrated.

13 MARQUETTE

(9-0) It’s all seashells and balloons these days.

14 ST. JOSEPH’S

(6-1) Soon to resume after 11-day break.

15 GONZAGA

(9-2) Probably would be top four in the Pacific 10.

16 MICHIGAN STATE

(7-3) Too bad NCAA tournament isn’t played in Breslin Center.

17 UCLA

(5-2) Looking forward to getting away from those West Coast, Big West teams.

18 CINCINNATI

(8-1) Unbeaten since season-opening loss to Oklahoma State.

19 ILLINOIS

(9-2) This team doesn’t particularly impress.

20 OKLAHOMA

(8-1) Chance to make impression against Maryland this week.

21 BUTLER

(10-0) Best start in school history.

22 BALL STATE

(6-2) Takes on Butler in mid-major biggie tonight.

23 MIAMI

(9-0) Victory over Indiana gets Hurricanes into rankings.

24 WAKE FOREST

(7-2) Losses to Kansas and Syracuse.

25 INDIANA

(6-3) Don’t look now, but the coach in black sweater in Lubbock is 8-1.