The Times’ rankings

Robyn Norwood’s rankings and comments:

*--* Rk. Team (Rec.) Comment 1 UCLA (8-0) Tough D, but better shore up 60% free-throw shooting by March. 2 NORTH CAROLINA (7-1) Tar Heels should skate through rest of December. 3 OHIO ST. (8-1) Left-handed practice while right wrist was hurt makes Oden better. 4 PITTSBURGH (10-0) By three over Buffalo? Test comes Saturday vs. Wisconsin. 5 FLORIDA (8-2) Corey Brewer poised to return after missing time with mono. 6 DUKE (9-1) No George Mason prayers were answered at Duke. 7 ARIZONA (7-1) Budinger held to five in homecoming against San Diego State. 8 WISCONSIN (9-1) Not sure anyone can catch Alando Tucker for Big Ten player of year. 9 WICHITA ST. (7-0) There was no letdown for Shockers at Wyoming. 10 CONNECTICUT (7-0) UConn will finally play some tough games in January. 11 OKLAHOMA ST. (11-0) Eleven wins make Cowboys our No. 11. 12 ALABAMA (8-1) Jermareo Davidson struggling with grief after girlfriend’s death. 13 KANSAS (8-2) Leading scorer is freshman Darrell Arthur. 14 LOUISIANA ST. (5-2) Glen “Big Baby” Davis averaging close to a double-double. 15 TEXAS A&M; (8-2) Losses to LSU and UCLA aside, this is a gritty team. 16 BUTLER (10-1) Lost Indiana state title to Indiana State. 17 GONZAGA (9-2) Zags will zig-zag country before WCC play begins. 18 WASHINGTON (7-1) You’re right, Huskies: You’d better not play Zags anymore. 19 MEMPHIS (7-2) This team could be scary if it gets it together. 20 MARQUETTE (9-2) Lost bragging rights to Wisconsin. 21 OREGON (8-0) Take on Eastern Washington scorer Rodney Stuckey on Friday. 22 NOTRE DAME (7-1) Irish lost to Butler but beat Maryland and Alabama. 23 AIR FORCE (10-1) Ex-Denver Nuggets Coach Jeff Bzdelik has Air Force flying. 24 NEVADA (8-1) Lost to UNLV in battle of casino college towns. 25 CLEMSON (10-0) Time for some new blood, even if it’s orange.

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