Luke DeCock’s AP Top 25 basketball poll ballot: Week 19
As we approach the finish line, a diversion from the balloting to note with some sadness that neither Chris Clemons nor Mike Daum will be in the NCAA tournament. Neither of their teams -- Campbell and South Dakota State, respectively -- were under consideration for this ballot this season but they earned a spot on the national stage.
The same goes for Furman and Belmont and Lipscomb, all of which did appear on this ballot at various points but could potentially end up in the NIT so some 9-9 Big East team or a second Pac-12 team can play in Dayton instead. Huzzah.
The NCAA’s new NET rating is imperfect but it’s a far better way to compare and select teams than the quadrant/strength-of-schedule obsession the committee has now.
As for the ballot, UNC jumps Duke as I stay with three ACC teams in the top four. Which, if the committee were really doing its job, is how the No. 1 seeds would play out. Either way, bet on UNC or Duke ending up in same bracket as the Wildcats, to CBS’ unending joy.
THIS SEASON’S BALLOTS
Week 1 (Preseason) Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week 17 Week 18
MY TOP 25
1. Gonzaga (Last week: 1)
2. Virginia (2)
3. North Carolina (4)
4. Duke (3)
5. Michigan State (7)
6. Kentucky (8)
7. Texas Tech (9)
8. Michigan (5)
9. Tennessee (6)
10. LSU (14)
11. Houston (13)
12. Buffalo (12)
13. Purdue (10)
14. Kansas (11)
15. Wofford (15)
16. Florida State (16)
17. Wisconsin (17)
18. Nevada (19)
19. Auburn (21)
20. Maryland (23)
21. Kansas State (24)
22. Virginia Tech (18)
23. Clemson (NR)
24. VCU (NR)
25. Utah State (NR)
OUT Cincinnati (20), Villanova (22), Marquette (25).
This story was originally published March 11, 2019 at 7:18 AM.
