College Basketball Power Rankings: December 4

     Last week we saw four major conferences go head to head in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge and the SEC-Big East Challenge.  The Big Ten-ACC games were the most anticipated headlined by Duke-Ohio State, which Duke came out on top 73-68.  After seeing the majority of the top 25 in action against quality opponents we learned a lot about what these teams have to offer.  Here are my top 15 College Basketball Power Rankings.

1. Duke Blue Devils (8-0) - With wins over then ranked #3 Kentucky, #2 Louisville, and #4 Ohio State it's hard not to put this team at the top.  Mason Plumlee is playing like a player of the year candidate averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds so it's hard to argue against Duke as the best team in the country.
2. Indiana Hoosiers (8-0) - It was hard for me to knock IU out of the top spot, especially after a 24-point blow out of North Carolina, so let's call them 1-B.  They are the nation's highest scoring team and their POY candidate Cody Zeller has had plenty of help from Victor Oladipo, Jordan Hulls, and Christian Watford as this is a balanced offensive attack.
3. Michigan Wolverines (7-0) - After winning the NIT Season Tip-Off the Wolverines followed it up with a solid win over North Carolina State.  Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. have improved from last year and the additions of Glenn Robinson III and Nik Stauskas make this team the most talented perimeter team in the country.
4. Syracuse Orange (5-0) - The Orange have replaced Kris Joseph and Dion Waiters with the emergence of James Southerland and Michael Carter-Williams.  Southerland is a top sixth man averaging almost 17 points off the bench and Carter-Williams is stuffing the stat sheet posting 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and 3.7 steals per game.
5. Florida Gators (6-0) - Coming off a 33-point drubbing of Marquette, this balanced inside-outside team has won every game by double digits and an average of 25 points.  Their next two games, at rival Florida State and at Arizona will tell us how good they could be.
6. Louisville Cardinals (6-1) - After a 23-point win over then #13 Missouri and a five point loss to then #5 Duke, Rick Pitino's squad struggled to get a three point home win over Illinois State.  With Gorgui Dieng out with injury Louisville will rely even more on Peyton Siva and Russ Smith.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes (5-1) - OSU took an eight point halftime lead at Duke but subsequently fell 73-68 after giving up 50 2nd half points.  Deshaun Thomas has filled in nicely after the departure of Jared Sullinger averaging 21 points and 6 rebounds.
8. Gonzaga Bulldogs (8-0) - The Zags have five players averaging double digits and lead the nation in field goal percentage as a team.  Their eight wins have been by an average of 28 points.
9. Arizona Wildcats (5-0) - They have been great on offense ranking 6th in points (85.2), 6th in assists (18.2), and 5th in field goal percentage (.523) in the nation.  But we don't get a good barometer for this team until December 15th when it hosts Florida.
10. Kansas Jayhawks (6-1) - Since an early three point loss to Michigan State, Kansas has looked good but against lesser competition.  They have a few more games at home before traveling to Columbus for a matchup with Ohio State.
11. Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-1) - Rodney Williams is one of the best athletes in the country and with Trevor Mbakwe trying to work his way back from an ACL injury this team is on its way up.
12. Cincinnati Bearcats (7-0) - Cincy has been solid all year being lead by Sean Kilpatrick and Cashmere Wright.  They are dominating the glass ranking 3rd in the country in rebounding and doing it collectively as no player averages more than 6.4 per game.
13. Illinois Fighting Illini (8-0) - Starting the season unranked this team has recorded convincing double digit wins over USC, Butler, and Georgia Tech.  However, their game on December 8th at Gonzaga will tell us even more about them.
14. Georgetown Hoyas (5-1) - After taking the #1 Indiana Hoosiers to overtime on the road, this team caught everybody's attention.  Their 37-36 win over Tennessee raised some eyebrows again, but in a negative way.
15. San Diego State Aztecs (6-1) - SDSU opened the season with a 13-point loss to then #9 Syracuse.  Since then they have played well behind the leadership of Jamaal Franklin and Chase Tapley.