Who's lived up? Who hasn't?

After lofty Pre-season rankings, Bruce Pearl and Tennessee are
left looking for answers.

After the first two months of College Basketball, parity is showing its cards more than ever.  Every team has the talent to compete at a high level, as well as has the innate ability to not show up one evening (or week) and find themselves wondering, "how"?  Take Tennessee for instance, they start the season off winning their first seven, including BIG-TIME wins against at that time (#7) Villanova and then (#3) Pittsburgh.  What do the Vols and Bruce Pearl do follow that? They go 2-4 in their next six games, with all six opponents having an RPI rating of less than 56.  That could spell trouble for Tennessee Basketball, as you might remember the outspoken and flamboyant Pearl being summoned to watch for half of the SEC schedule, beginning after the Volunteers' final non-conference game vs. Memphis.
Some other teams who have faltered after hot starts or gracious pre-season rankings:


North Carolina 
Record: 10-4
Preseason Rank: #9
Current Rank: NR
Current RPI: 31
SOS: 25


As much as it burns my insides to say it, the Heels haven't lived up to expectations this year, even though I believe those expectations were somewhat unfair. They started the season 4-3, and have since won six of seven. Their losses have come at the hands of (#21) Minnesota, Vanderbilt, Texas, and @ (#20) Illinois, all of which are rated in the top 35 in the RPI. The guard-play of the Heels have been shaky, but they have been able to hang their hats on the inside combo of John Henson and Tyler Zeller, who are averaging a combined 26 ppg and 16 rpg thus far. The first part of the ACC schedule will test Roy and his squad, as they travel to Virginia and Georgia Tech, and host ACC Preseason #2 Virginia Tech.


Michigan State
Record: 9-4
Preseason Rank: #2
Current Rank: #18
Current RPI: 36
SOS: 18


The Spartans were (supposed) to be poised for the best season in school history, and it was to be this way due to five of their top six in almost every category returning to East Lansing.  Give Tom Izzo and his team some credit however, his team has lost four games, but all four coming to talented, top teams (UCONN, Duke, Syracuse, and Texas.)  But these Spartans have also been unimpressive in some wins, including a one-point win against Oakland, and a somewhat embarrassing showing at the Maui Invitational, a first round, close victory over Division II Chaminade. Izzo's squad has been paced by Seniors Durrell Summers  and Kalin Lucas, who together, pump in 30 a game.


Kansas State
Record: 12-3
Preseason Rank: #3
Current Rank: #17
Current RPI: 26
SOS: 37


Much like the aforementioned Michigan State, Frank Martin's Wildcats were highly rated, and expected to stay that way for most of the season.  After three losses, struggling in half of their wins, and having their best two players (National POY Candidate Jacob Pullen and dominant big-man Curtis Kelly) suspended for "accepting improper benefits", K-State is on the outside looking in.  It should be noted that one of the three L's came at the hands of the clear-cut favorite Duke, and the other two at home against under-achieving Florida, and the pump-n-run offense of UNLV.  However, these are games that Frank Martin and his club have to win if they want to compete at an elite level.




-Rise and Fire-
Whitt Carter
580-618-4432
whittcarter15@gmail.com
twitter: @whittcarter