David Borges’ AP Top 25 ballot: Win at Rupp vaults UCLA to No. 2
Syracuse might still be ranked entering Monday night’s battle with UConn at Madison Square Garden, but the Orange are off my ballot. After getting bopped by 14 by South Carolina last week, the Orange were crushed by Wisconsin on Tuesday night in Madison. They rebounded to eke out a win over North Florida on Saturday at the Carrier Dome, but that’s not enough to stay in my Top 25.
Bounced three other teams, as well. Rhode Island, my alma mater, had to go. I was going to keep them in after losing on the road to a good Valparaiso team, but then the Rams lost to instate rival Providence (which is supposed to be in a rebuilding year) on Saturday at The Dunk. URI’s first flirtation with the Top 25 since the days of Lamar Odom are over, at least for a while.
Iowa State (home losers to Cincinnati) and Maryland (which lost pretty handily at Pitt) are also gone. In their place are USC, Notre Dame, Texas Christian and — throwing the AAC a bone — Temple.
Borges’ ballot
1. Villanova: Defending champs romped all over their City of Brotherly Love rivals…