THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

ROBYN NORWOOD’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL RANKINGS AND COMMENTS:

1 DUKE (7-0)

Seems as if sooner or later, Blue Devils always find themselves here.

2 CONNECTICUT (8-0)

Only four unbeaten teams left (Wake Forest, Clemson are the others.)

3 PITTSBURGH (9-1)

Brandin Knight’s cold shooting spelled trouble against improved Georgia.

4 ARIZONA (7-1)

Only loss was without Walton -- and No. 2 might come at Oregon tonight.

5 ALABAMA (9-1)

Utah knocked Crimson Tide from the ranks of the unbeaten.

6 NOTRE DAME (11-1)

If not for that loss to Creighton, Irish would be in top three.

7 lLINOIS (9-1)

For now, the Illini get the nod over Indiana, Michigan State in Big Ten.

8 OREGON (9-1)

Ducks could take huge step in Pac-10 race by beating weakened Arizona.

9 MISSISSIPPI STATE (9-1)

Victory over Oklahoma rather impressive.

10 OKLAHOMA (7-2)

This spot reserved for winner of Saturday’s OU-Michigan State game.

11 TEXAS (8-2)

Not quite a top-10 team in our book.

12 MARQUETTE (8-2)

Had this little problem with East Carolina last year too.

13 INDIANA (8-2)

Mike Davis’ one-game suspension was fair -- and standard for Indiana coach.

14 FLORIDA (11-2)

Showdown against Mississippi State just around bend.

15 MICHIGAN STATE (8-3)

Toledo ruins Tom Izzo’s New Year’s.

16 XAVIER (9-2)

Withstood a strong rally by Creighton.

17 KANSAS (7-3)

Don’t bet against Kansas in Big 12 yet.

18 LOUISVILLE (7-1)

Marvin Stone looks good in Cardinal uniform.

19 KENTUCKY (7-3)

Came up on wrong end of Bluegrass Stakes.

20 MARYLAND (6-3)

Now Drew Nicholas is coming around.

21 GEORGIA (8-3)

With center Steve Thomas back, Bulldogs a very good team.

22 MISSOURI (7-1)

Hard to shake memories of USC game in Anaheim.

23 TEXAS TECH (8-1)

Bob Knight’s team visits San Diego State on Monday night.

24 WAKE FOREST (8-0)

Best bet other than Maryland to give Duke a run in ACC.

25 CREIGHTON (10-1)

Kyle Korver put on a shooting display in loss to Xavier.