The College Basketball Power 32 Poll: Alabama Enters the Top 10

It’s Monday, which means it’s time for another exciting edition of the Busting Brackets Power 32 Poll.

There weren’t a whole lot of changes at the top, but one particular SEC team made quite the move into a Top 10 spot this week.

So without any further ado, here’s our Power 32 for the week:

(Note: These rankings were assembled prior to today’s games.)

• 1. North Carolina (3-0) – The nation’s consensus #1 team keeps rolling versus weak competition. They won’t be challenged until November 30th, versus Wisconsin.

• 2. Kentucky (4-0) – The Wildcats looked very good against Kansas in the 2nd half and completely destroyed Penn State. They looked merely mortal in Sunday’s win versus Old Dominion.

• 3. Ohio State (3-0) – The Buckeyes looked very impressive in last week’s home win over a dangerous Florida squad.

• 4. Connecticut (4-0) – Just when you think that Jeremy Lamb is who you have to worry about, Shabazz Napier messes around and gets a triple-double versus Coppin State.

• 5. Syracuse (4-0) – The Bernie Fine scandal has not prevented the Cuse from destroying inferior competition.

• 6. Duke (4-0) – Coach K made history by becoming the all-time Men’s NCAA Division I basketball wins leader. He did it in style, by beating future fellow Hall of Famer Tom Izzo at the Garden.

• 7. Louisville (3-0) – Butler may be down this year, but it was still impressive to see Pitino’s squad go into Hinkle Fieldhouse without Peyton Siva, only to come out with a 16-point victory.

• 8. Memphis (1-0) – The Tigers’ convincing season opening win versus Belmont has Memphis fans drooling over the potential of this team.

• 9. Alabama (5-0) – Bama looked very much the part of a Final Four contender in Puerto Rico over the weekend, on its way to the tournament championship.

• 10. Florida (2-1) – Last week’s loss at Ohio State showed that this explosive squad has a ways to go before they are a threat to the big, big boys.

• 11. Wisconsin (3-0) – The Badgers have crushed their first three opponents by an average of 39 points. The only problem is their opponents were Kennesaw State, Colgate and Wofford.

• 11. Xavier (3-0) – Tu Holloway & company face a stiff stretch of competition beginning with Georgia on Friday.

• 13. Baylor (3-0) – Their solid win versus San Diego State last week was a good sign for the Bears.

• 14. Marquette (4-0) – The Golden Eagles have blown out everyone they’ve played thus far, including a 30-point thrashing of Mississippi yesterday.

• 15. Pittsburgh (2-1) – Jamie Dixon’s team cannot be pleased after being thoroughly beaten at home by Long Beach State. The problem is Pitt didn’t play all that badly.

• 15. Vanderbilt (3-1) – A home loss to an underrated Cleveland State squad is the only blip on the Commodores’ resume so far.

• 17. Kansas (1-1) – This mystery Kansas team was exposed in the 2nd half against Kentucky. We’ll learn more tonight as they face a talented Georgetown team in Maui.

• 18. California (3-0) – Cal’s schedule isn’t too tough, so it will be a while before we know how good Mike Montgomery’s team is.

• 19. Gonzaga (3-0) – The Zags schedule gets interesting at the end of this month and into December.

• 19. Michigan (2-0) – Today’s game versus Memphis in Maui will be a true early season test for the Wolverines.

• 21. Mississippi State (4-1) – The surprising Bulldogs took home the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament trophy without much help from Renardo Sidney.

• 22. Florida State (4-0) – Leonard Hamilton’s team has rolled through their early schedule, to date. Their November 30 match-up with Michigan State will be a defensive battle.

• 23. Arizona (4-1) – Their Coaches vs. Cancer championship game loss to Mississippi State was likely a valuable learning experience for the young Wildcats.

• 24. Missouri (3-0) – Tonight’s match-up with Notre Dame will be Frank Haith & co.’s first test of the season.

• 25. Cleveland State (2-0) – Wins at Vanderbilt and versus St. Bonaventure have Gary Waters’ squad at the top of the RPI rankings early.

• 26. Temple (3-1) – Despite the loss to Purdue, the Owls had a solid showing in Puerto Rico over the weekend.

• 26. Texas A&M (3-1) – After a disappointing effort against Mississippi State, the Aggies bounced back to defeat St. John’s in Madison Square Garden.

• 28. Purdue (4-1) – Purdue opened some eyes with its solid showing in Puerto Rico, led by Robbie Hummel, who’s averaging 20ppg so far this season.

• 29. Belmont (2-2) – The Bruins survived a double overtime scare versus Middle Tennessee State on Sunday.

• 30. Michigan State (2-2) – It wasn’t pretty for the Spartans versus UNC and Duke, but something tells me they’ll get better as the season progresses.

• 31. Villanova (3-0) – Jay Wright’s team held off Big 5 rival LaSalle in overtime last week.

• 32. Creighton (4-0) – Convincing wins against UAB and Iowa have made believers of us. The Bluejays are led by super-soph, Doug Mcdermott (21.5ppg, 7rpg).

• 32. Long Beach State (2-1) – Senior guard sensation, Casper Ware, led the 49ers to a shocking upset at Pittsburgh, unfortunately followed by a loss to a solid San Diego State squad.

What do you think of this week’s rankings?

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