THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

*--* Rk. Team (Rec.) Comment 1 GEORGIA TECH (8-0) Sticking with Yellow Jackets for now. 2 CONNECTICUT (7-1) There’s some concern about Emeka Okafor’s back. 3 DUKE (6-1) Defense, not offense, looks like this team’s calling. 4 STANFORD (6-0) Cardinal toughs it out through injuries. 5 NORTH CAROLINA (6-0) What Roy Williams thought of victory over Akron: Zip. 6 WAKE FOREST (6-0) Deacons play UNC Saturday to determine ACC pecking order. 7 KENTUCKY (5-0) Tough team that plays hard, but not No. 1. 8 ARIZONA (4-1) Young Wildcats look as if they’re getting the hang of things. 9 KANSAS (5-1) Rumors of Bill Self’s passing greatly exaggerated by Bruce Weber. 10 TEXAS (5-1) Longhorns have a chance to make an impression at Duke Saturday. 11 OKLAHOMA (7-0) Drew Lavender is Oklahoma’s mighty mite. 12 ST. JOSEPH’S (7-0) Hawks ahead of Gonzaga only because of opening-game victory. 13 GONZAGA (7-1) An “upset” of Stanford Saturday would put Gonzaga in the top 10. 14 MISSOURI (3-1) Tigers not collapsing under weight of Ricky Clemons’ accusations yet. 15 LOUISVILLE (4-1) Cardinals beat Florida, and a one-point loss to Iowa is only flaw. 16 MARYLAND (6-2) Jamar Smith averages a double-double. 17 PURDUE (7-1) Lost to Oklahoma, 47-45: Is Dick Bennett coaching this team? 18 FLORIDA (5-2) Just another not-ready-for-prime-time temporary No. 1. 19 CINCINNATI (4-0) Do these guys ever play? 20 SYRACUSE (3-1) Now enjoying typical December cupcakes. 21 MARQUETTE (7-1) Plenty of other teams will lose to Arizona. 22 WISCONSIN (6-1) Marquette by far the toughest of three games vs. state schools. 23 DAYTON (8-0) Ohio state shakeout when Flyers play Cincinnati on Tuesday. 24 VANDERBILT (7-0) Forward Matt Freije still underrated on national scene. 25 MICHIGAN STATE (4-4) All four Spartan losses are to top-10 teams.

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