NCAA Basketball: 3 thoughts on AP Top 25 poll (Week 2)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates against the Kentucky Wildcats during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 09: Romeo Langford #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers dribbles the ball up court against the Montana State Bobcats in the first half of the game at Assembly Hall on November 9, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. The Hoosiers won 80-35. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Knocking on the door

Only two teams entered the AP poll this week: Marquette and Buffalo at Nos. 24 and 25, respectively, replacing West Virginia and Washington.

The relative stability of the poll provides an opportunity to look at the teams lurking just beneath the surface, ready to claim a spot in the rankings as soon as next week.

While the Mountaineers sit at No. 26, the next highest vote-getter this week is the Indiana Hoosiers. Led by Juwan Morgan and freshman Romeo Langford, Indiana started the season with two big blowouts of completely overmatched teams, winning by a combined 94 points.

They host the aforementioned Marquette on Wednesday night, with a win all but ensuring their first ranking of the season next Monday.

Indiana is 90 votes ahead of the next team outside of the poll, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Their path to a ranking could be paved with a victory over Seton Hall on Wednesday.

Wisconsin could also boost their odds of making the next poll with a road victory over Xavier on Tuesday.

Blue bloods receiving votes in this week’s poll include Maryland, Louisville, Arizona, and St. John’s.

Mid-majors receiving votes in this week’s poll include Loyola-Chicago (who took a hit with their loss to Furman), Marshall, Southern Illinois, Penn, Furman, and Davidson.

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