Six Unbeatens Enter 2010 in College Hoops; Who Will Be the First to Fall?

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↵That shot by Da’Sean Butler assured we’d enter 2010 with six unbeaten teams in college hoops. Kansas, Texas, Kentucky, Syracuse and Purdue all join the Mountaineers in the group of unblemished teams heading into the new year. For what it’s worth, four teams -- North Carolina, Pitt, Wake Forest and Clemson -- went into the 2009 unbeaten during last season. Out of that group we had a champion (UNC), an Elite Eight team (Pitt) and two first-round losers (Wake and Clemson).↵↵Although this year wasn’t supposed to be a year of super powers in college hoops, it’s hard to point at any of these teams and say they’re potential first-round flameout candidates. Of the six unbeatens, Kansas is probably the most untested of them all, but you could argue they’re also the deepest and have the least to prove of the six.↵

↵↵History tells us it’s unlikely any of these six will run the table, but who will fall first?↵

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↵↵1. Kansas: The Jayhawks get a pair of formidable opponents in the early part of January at Temple and at Tennessee. Beyond that, we’re left to wait for the epic showdown with Texas on Feb. 8. The road sets up nicely for a long unbeaten run if they get past these two road tests in Philly and Knoxville in January.↵

↵↵2. Texas: I can’t see Texas dropping the game in Fayetteville against Arkansas on Jan. 5, but keep an eye on a date with Kansas State in Manhattan (Jan. 18) and a trip to Storrs to face UConn (Jan. 23). Texas is an interesting mix of a few vets and some youth. Probably more vulnerable to a sneaky loss than Kansas as a result.↵

↵↵3. Kentucky: Their next game will be one of their toughest on the remaining schedule. Louisville comes to Lexington, and while Louisville has struggled at times this year, there is that intangible factor of Rick Pitino returning to Rupp Arena. After that, it’s a run through the SEC, which has had its share of highs and lows during the nonconference portion of the slate. You have to figure John Wall has a night where his quick pace and sometimes turnover prone style will outweigh his dynamic playmaking ability, right? I mean, we’re still operating under the assumption he’s human, yes? Mississippi, Miss. State and Tennessee loom on the SEC schedule.↵

↵↵4. Purdue: Oh isn’t this convenient? Look who plays on New Year’s Day. No. 4 Purdue vs. No. 6 West Virginia in West Lafayette, Ind. I’m particularly geeked for this one, as I probably have more questions about those two teams than any of the other six remaining unbeatens. Purdue has a few nice wins -- Wake Forest and Tennessee -- but I’m still stuck with the image of how this team folded without Robbie Hummel last season. I think everyone is eager to see them as a complete unit facing another Final Four caliber club.↵

↵↵5. Syracuse: Along with West Virginia, they have to be considered the least likely to go unbeaten. The Big East is just such a grind. Where they’ll fall in that minefield is beyond me, but after escaping Seton Hall on Tuesday night, the ‘Cuse play their next three at home against Pitt, Memphis and USF. Circle Jan. 16 as a strong possibility for a first loss, as Syracuse travels to Morgantown to face WVU.↵

↵↵6. West Virginia: See No. 4 Purdue for part of the story. Should the ‘Eers make it past Purdue on New Year’s day, there is also the aforementioned date with Syracuse on Jan. 16 and Ohio State on Jan. 23.↵

↵↵When you step back and look at things, the two teams at the top -- Kansas and Texas -- appear most likely to take that perfect record into early February. The thought of those two teams making it to Feb. 8 with an unbeaten record would make that matchup all the more enticing.↵

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