AP Ballot, etc

The Associated Press top 25 experienced a shakeup at the top this week because No. 1 Syracuse, No. 3 Baylor and No. 4 Duke all lost on Saturday. Baylor actually suffered a pair of losses.

For the second season in a row, I'm honored to be one of 65 voters nationwide allowed to participate in the process. Thankfully, this is just for fun. Our votes have nothing to do with who wins or loses the national championship. No sport should decide a champion that way (looking at you, college football).

That said, here's the ballot I turned on late Sunday night:

1. Kentucky
2. Missouri
3. Syracuse
4. Ohio State
5. Kansas
6. Baylor
7. North Carolina
8. Georgetown
9. Duke
10. Michigan State
11. San Diego State
12. Creighton
13. Murray State
14. Michigan
15. Florida
16. Indiana
17. Mississippi State
18. UNLV
19. Kansas State
20. Harvard
21. Virginia
22. St. Mary’s
23. Marquette
24. Gonzaga
25. Florida State

Quick thoughts: I believe Kentucky is a more talented team than Missouri, even though the Tigers have only one loss and Kentucky has lost twice. Most of the rest of the panel agreed with me as UK took over the No. 1  spot and Mizzou is No. 2.

I know UNC lost by 33 points to Florida State, but the Seminoles proved more by winning at Duke on Saturday. Road wins always trump home wins against comparable competition. That's why I have UNC two spots ahead of Duke this week.

I included FSU in the top 25 even though it has lost six games, including setbacks to Harvard and Princeton. The Seminoles are a better team now than in December. I'll give them that level of credit.