AP Top 25: Colorado Buffaloes ranked 20th

The Colorado Buffaloes were ranked once again the AP Top 25. This is the fourth consecutive week they have appeared in the rankings. The Buffs climb to 20th in the poll, the highest they have been since they were 15th in the nation in January 2014.

The Buffs were able to climb after a gritty win over Clemson in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. Colorado carried over that performance on Saturday night when they defeated Sacramento State by double digits. In their six wins, only CU’s game against Clemson was decided by fewer than 10 points.

Colorado has not shot the ball well, but they have thrived because they have the 9th-ranked defense in the nation, according to Ken Pomeroy. The Buffs have fully realized Tad Boyle’s basketball vision, but us fans are hoping they hit some more shots and stop dribbling off their foot. If and when they find their groove offensively, they could be an outstanding team.

That time will need to be now if they plan on competing against Kansas on Saturday. The Jayhawks are ranked 2nd in the newest poll and have looked as talented as ever this season. Their overtime win over Dayton was more of a statement for the Flyers — whom the Buffs play on Dec. 30th — but this is same ole Kansas, with or without the NCAA bearing down on them.

Elsewhere in college basketball, Feast Week proved to be quite chaotic. With early-season tournaments everywhere, there were 15 losses from Top 25 teams during the week, including #1 Duke losing at home to Stephen F. Austin, #3 Michigan State losing to Virginia Tech, and #6 North Carolina and #8 Gonzaga both losing to unranked Michigan in the Bahamas. The rankings should settle down until conference play, but a good shake-up was a pleasant surprise.

The rest of the Top 25 goes as follows:

1. Louisville Cardinals (2nd last week)
2. Kansas Jayhawks (4)
3. Maryland Terrapins (5)
4. Michigan Wolverines (NR)
5. Virginia Cavaliers (7)
6. Ohio State Buckeyes (10)
7. North Carolina Tar Heels (6)
8. Kentucky Wildcats (9)
9. Gonzaga Bulldogs (8)
10. Duke Blue Devils (1)
11. Michigan State Spartans (3)
12. Arizona Wildcats (14)
13. Oregon Ducks (11)
14. Auburn Tigers (18)
15. Memphis Tigers (16)
16. Seton Hall Pirates (13)
17. Florida State Seminoles (NR)
18. Baylor Bears (19)
19. Dayton Flyers (NR)
20. Colorado Buffaloes (21)
21. Tennessee Volunteers (17)
22. Washington Huskies (23)
23. Villanova Wildcats (22)
24. Butler Bulldogs (NR)
25. Utah State Aggies (15)