Shakeup on Top 25 ballot

As expected, January brought changes to my top 25 ballot. The beginning of conference player makes for many more competitive games.

But who would have thought North Carolina would lose? At home? Not me. The Tar Heels merited consideration for becoming the first undefeated team since Indiana in 1975-76.

Even with the loss to Boston College, I considered continuing to vote North Carolina No. 1. But I decided to vote for Pittsburgh, which had been in my No. 2 slot since the Dec. 7 balloting.

I dropped North Carolina to No. 3, but the Tar Heels will be back to No. 1 soon.

As for SEC teams, I voted Arkansas at No. 22 on the strength of the Hogs’ home victory over Oklahoma. That was the only SEC team that made my ballot.

Kentucky? I was ready to vote for the Cats this week. A victory at Louisville would have done it. As we know, that didn’t happen.

Kentucky didn’t receive any votes, but UK is on the brink of making my ballot. A lopsided victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday will get the Cats on the ballot. Winning by any margin against Vandy and then beating Tennessee the following Tuesday will do it.

Besides Arkansaqs, newcomers to my ballot this week were Kansas after beating Tennessee, Cal after beating Arizona State, Marquette after beating Villanova and Boston College after beating North Carolina.

Here’s this week’s ballot:

1. Pittsburgh

2. Duke

3. North Carolina

4. Texas

5. Georgetown

6. Connecticut

7. Oklahoma

8. Wake Forest

9. Michigan State

10. Xavier

11. Clemson

12. Syracuse

13. Minnesota

14. Michigan

15. UCLA

16. Boston College

17. Louisville

18. Butler

19. West Virginia

20. Marquette

21. Illinois

22. Arkansas

23. Villanova

24. California

25. Kansas