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Arizona Basketball drops to No.13, ASU out of AP Top 25 and Duke remains in top 10

By David Rosen

TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats gestures during the first half of the college basketball game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at McKale Center on December 30, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats gestures during the first half of the college basketball game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at McKale Center on December 30, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /
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The Arizona Wildcats dropped out of the top 10 in the AP Top 25, while in-state rivals Arizona State Sun Devils dropped out completely. Duke also loses but remains in the top 10.

How? That would be the best way to describe the college basketball ranking system. After winning seven straight Pac-12 games and then losing to a highly talented Washington Huskies on the road in the final second of the game on an unlucky bounce, the Arizona Wildcats fell four spots to No.13 in the AP Top 25. That I am okay with.

Arizona State survives against last-place Washington State Cougars on the road and falls out of the AP Top 25. Okay? But then Duke losses to 0-11 St. Johns on the road and remains in the top 10 at No. 9. Yeah, that makes complete sensel NOT!

A team should not be rewarded for a loss, and that’s what happened here. What really should have happened is that Duke should have dropped down into the 15-20 spot. Yes, the Blue Devils have had some quality wins early on and deserved the ranking they had, but to lose against St. Johns and not really hurt their rankings, something is definitely wrong with the system.

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It almost feels as if the Blue Devils are “protected.” Meaning the Associated Press will do their part in making sure the Blue Devils are put in an excellent position to have a high seed come post season. Having the No. 1 2018 recruiting class isn’t enough, they seem to not be under the same microscope as Arizona? Who knows!

In the current state of college basketball, I would not be surprised if there was something going on behind the scenes to make sure the Blue Devils remain a “top” team.

Meanwhile, the Sun Devils win on the road against last-place Cougars and are no longer ranked. Both the Cougars and Red Storm are dead last in their conferences, but apparently, that doesn’t mean anything. Nothing makes sense anymore? As much as I have a hatred for the Sun Devils, they should not have fallen out of the AP Top 25. Last time I checked, winning is a good thing, not a bad thing.

East coast bias is a factor! No doubt about that.

What’s even more remarkable is the Wildcats are the only team ranked in the AP Top 25. The three other top teams in the Pac-12, USC, Washington, and UCLA aren’t ranked and didn’t even receive any votes! What is it going to take for teams on the west coast to get the recognition they deserve? Many would say it’s the “Pac-12 after dark” late start games – c’mon Larry Scott, it’s time for a change!

My viewpoint on this whole ranking system debacle goes beyond my hatred for the Blue Devils but doing whats right. What type of message are you sending these young athletes by essentially rewarding them for a loss? Not a good one.

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As a long time college basketball fan, it’s time the AP Top 25 ranking system be re-visited. To say it does not matter to players or coaches, it does matter! Because at the end of the day, the higher you are ranked, the more visibility you get on the national level, which helps to recruit and earns the respect more teams deserve. Whose with me? If you are, let’s do this, get up and Bear Down!

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