1. Pittsburgh            (28-3)    +2
 2. Michigan St.          (25-5)    -
 3. Connecticut           (27-3)    -2
 4. North Carolina        (27-3)    +2
 5. Louisville            (25-5)    +2
 6. Memphis               (28-3)    +3
 7. Oklahoma              (27-4)    -3
 8. Kansas                (25-6)    -3
 9. Duke                  (25-6)    -1
10. Wake Forest           (24-5)    +9
11. Washington            (24-7)    +5
12. UCLA                  (24-7)    +1
13. Villanova             (25-6)    +4
14. Missouri              (25-6)    -3
15. Syracuse              (23-8)   +10
16. Illinois              (23-8)    -4
17. Marquette             (24-7)    -2
18. Purdue                (22-9)    -8
19. Florida St.           (23-8)    +3
20. Gonzaga               (25-5)    -
21. Arizona St.           (22-8)    -3
22. West Virginia         (21-10)   -1
23. Texas A&M             (23-8)   New
24. Brigham Young         (24-6)   New
25. Louisiana St.         (25-6)   -11

Next Ten:
26. Minnesota             (21-9)    +1
27. Wisconsin             (19-11)   -3
28. Penn St.              (21-10)   -2
29. Texas                 (20-10)   +1
30. Ohio St.              (20-9)    +1
31. Butler                (26-4)    +7
32. Clemson               (23-7)    -9
33. Oklahoma St.          (20-10)   -1
34. California            (22-9)    -1
35. Xavier                (24-6)    -7

Others on watch list: Michigan, Utah, Arizona, Tennessee, Kansas St.

New this week: Texas A&M, Brigham Young
Dropped out: Wisconsin, Clemson

Rankings for Week 16
-----------------------------------
-----
 1. Connecticut           (27-2)    +1
 2. Michigan St.          (23-5)    +2
 3. Pittsburgh            (26-3)    -2
 4. Oklahoma              (26-3)    -1
 5. Kansas                (24-5)    +8
 6. North Carolina        (25-3)    -1
 7. Louisville            (23-5)    +3
 8. Duke                  (24-5)    +1
 9. Memphis               (26-3)    -2
10. Purdue                (22-7)    +1
11. Missouri              (24-5)    +1
12. Illinois              (23-7)    +4
13. UCLA                  (22-7)    +8
14. Louisiana St.         (25-4)   +10
15. Marquette             (24-5)    -1
16. Washington            (22-7)    +1
17. Villanova             (23-6)   -11
18. Arizona St.           (21-7)   -10
19. Wake Forest           (22-5)    +1
20. Gonzaga               (23-5)    +2
21. West Virginia         (20-9)    -3
22. Florida St.           (22-7)    +1
23. Clemson               (22-6)    -8
24. Wisconsin             (18-10)  New
25. Syracuse              (21-8)   New

Next Ten:
26. Penn St.              (20-9)    +1
27. Minnesota             (20-8)    +2
28. Xavier                (23-5)    +2
29. Ohio St.              (18-9)    +2
30. Kansas St.            (21-8)    +2
31. California            (21-8)    +2
32. Tennessee             (18-10)   +6
33. Kentucky              (19-10)   +2
34. Texas A&M             (21-8)   New
35. Boston College        (20-9)   New

Others on watch list: Texas, Utah, Michigan, Brigham Young, Arizona, Butler, South Carolina, Florida, Miami FL

New this week: Wisconsin, Syracuse
Dropped out: Arizona, Texas

I couldn't spend as much time as usual on my rankings this week, so I relied on my computer numbers a bit more than usual (no, not the RPI).  Wich is why Michigan State is #2 and UNC is #6, if you must ask.

Rankings for Week 15
-----------------------------------
-----
 1. Pittsburgh            (25-2)    +2
 2. Connecticut           (25-2)    -1
 3. Oklahoma              (25-2)    +1
 4. Michigan St.          (21-5)    +1
 5. North Carolina        (24-3)    -3
 6. Villanova             (22-5)    +3
 7. Memphis               (24-3)    -1
 8. Arizona St.           (21-5)    +6
 9. Duke                  (22-5)    +1
10. Louisville            (21-5)    +1
11. Purdue                (21-6)    +2
12. Missouri              (23-4)    -5
13. Kansas                (22-5)    -5
14. Marquette             (24-3)    +1
15. Clemson               (22-4)    +6
16. Illinois              (22-6)    -4
17. Washington            (20-7)    +1
18. West Virginia         (19-8)    +2
19. Arizona               (18-9)    -
20. Wake Forest           (20-5)    -3
21. UCLA                  (20-7)    -5
22. Gonzaga               (21-5)    +2
23. Florida St.           (21-6)   New
24. Louisiana St.         (23-4)   New
25. Texas                 (18-8)   New

Next Ten:
26. Wisconsin             (17-10)   +1
27. Penn St.              (19-8)    +9
28. Syracuse              (19-8)    +2
29. Minnesota             (20-7)    -3
30. Xavier                (22-5)    -7
31. Ohio St.              (17-8)    -9
32. Kansas St.            (20-7)    +1
33. California            (20-7)    -8
34. Florida               (21-6)    -
35. Kentucky              (19-8)    +2

Others on watch list: Utah, Southern California, Tennessee, Butler, South Carolina, Michigan, Miami FL, Brigham Young

New this week: Florida St., Louisiana St., Texas
Dropped out: Xavier, Ohio St., California

The top spot was a decision between UConn and Pitt.  I believe they are the top two teams in the country, and Pittsburgh has shown to be better this week. 

I am not sold on Oklahoma as the third best team in the country - but who else would you put there?  They have lost to a Texas team that is probably much better than their record.  Is this the beginning of the resurgence of Texas, or the fall of Oklahoma? We will find out - Oklahoma plays Kansas and Missouri soon.

Michigan State is blown out by a resurging Purdue, but I think that is more due to Purdue wanting to make a statement than Michigan State slipping. 

Speaking of slipping, Maryland storms the court after defeating a UNC team that seems to have lost their swagger - and their defensive ability.

Villanova seems to be peaking at the right time.  They won 8 of their last 9, the only loss coming to a very underrated West Virginia team on the road.

Arizona State's last three are all great wins - the Sun Devils are finally living up to the pre-season hype.

Duke shows that they can score at Wake Forest's expense. 

Purdue is on a roll, thumping Michigan State.  Question is - will Hummel be healthy?  If he will, this Purdue team will be a force in the tourney.  If he won't - they can still win a couple games. 

Missouri and Kansas are good and underappreciated teams, they drop in my poll mostly because others rise up.

Clemson puts 29 on Maryland to prove that the loss to Virginia was a fluke.  At which Maryland decides to prove that they are no pushover by defeating the #3 team in the country. 

My Illini, what to do with you?  In Penn State coach Ed DeChellis' words, "we set the game back a few decades" in that horrible nightmare of frustrating futility that occurred between Illinois and Penn State on Thursday.  Two teams that couldn't find any offense still remembered how to play defense, resulting in the lowest scoring game ever played in the Assembly Hall, and in the last four years in the entire NCAA Division I. Just as I was about to conclude that Illinois' offense has gone to the toilet, they go on the road and play a beautifully executed offensive game against Ohio State - and forget how to play defense. They manage to win a close one.  Illinois has all the elements of a great team - can we have them all in the same game at the same time, please?

West Virginia is one of the most underrated teams in the country.  They put decisive victories on Villanova and Notre Dame as of late, and their late losses all come to very good teams.  They will be a force in the tourney.

Jawhk is away for a much deserved ski vacation, so I am filling in for him this week.

Welcome to the Week 14 People's Poll!    

The People's Poll is made up of 40+ College Basketball fans who want their opinions heard! Voters give their take over the weeks action on the main CBB board with the results tallied here every Monday. Each week's poll reflects games played through Sunday. If you'd like to check out each voters ballot, here you go . Even if you're not a regular voter, look for the People's Poll voting thread every week to give your take! You may end up in the poll!

So without further adieu.. I give you the Week 14 People's Poll!  

1. (32) Connecticut (E) 990 24-1          HR-1 LR-3          AP- CP- GP-

"Thabeet looks like a mad man, 25 points, 20 rebounds, 9 Blocks?? He's really giving Uconn the extra help they need after they lost Dyson." - hoosierguy1019

2. (4) Oklahoma (E) 947 25-1          HR-1 LR-4          AP- CP- GP-

" 11-0 start in the big 12 is very impressive, almost as impressive as Griffin’s 40 point 20 rebound game." - reamo37

3. (4) North Carolina (E) 936 23-2          HR-1 LR-4          AP- CP- GP-

"Huge win over Duke, the UNC we saw in the 2nd half is the best team in the country." - Badgers Ballers

4. Pittsburgh (E) 887 23-2          HR-3 LR-4          AP- CP- GP-

" Beating West Virginia or Cincinnati at home isn't fantastic, but beating both by double digits with a game against #1 on Monday to look to is fantastic, especially when very few teams seem to regularly take care of business." - pittbaster

5. Michigan State (+2) 810 20-4          HR-5 LR-12         AP- CP- GP-

"Quietly racking up wins while others fall. The only team that can possibly push aside one of the top 4 and grab a #1 seed in March." - ThaBadge

6. Memphis (+3) 801 22-3          HR-5 LR-10          AP- CP- GP-

" This winning streak in conference is getting ridiculous, maybe they should move to another conference." - agsmith46

7. Louisville (-2) 724 19-5          HR-5 LR-20         AP- CP- GP-

"Rough outing against Notre Dame, but it was more the Irish reminding us they have talent than Louisville playing terribly (although the Cards were not ready for that team)." - pittbaster

8. Wake Forest (E) 627 19-4          HR-5 LR-18         AP- CP- GP-

"A top 5 team if they play to their potential EACH game." - Go_Xavier_56

9. Marquette (+1) 614 22-3          HR-6 LR-NR          AP- CP- GP-

"A loss to 'Nova doesn't hurt them too much this week, as everyone below them seemed to lose also." - brwhite23

10. Missouri (+8) 596 22-4          HR-7 LR-NR          AP- CP- GP-

"Great comback over a quality Kansas team followed by a nice revenge win vs. Nebraska." - nascarfan999

11. Duke (-5) 589 20-5          HR-7 LR-19          AP- CP- GP-

" Another bad week for the Blue Devils who have lost 4 of their past [6]." - Go_Xavier_56

12.Villanova (+1) 561 20-5          HR-7 LR-21          AP- CP- GP-

"You've got to show up for the road games too.  You can lose to good teams away from home--just don't get blown out in the process." - whachoosay

13. Clemson (-2) 479 20-4          HR-7 LR-NR         AP- CP- GP-

"When you press for most of the game like they do, some teams are gonna beat it and beat you, and other teams just will get flustered and fold under the pressure." - agsmith46

14.Kansas (+1) 457 20-5          HR-8 LR-21          AP- CP- GP-

"Very rare to see a Bill Self team toss away a double-digit second half lead and lose like the Jayhawks did at Missouri last week, but the Tigers are much, much better than they have been the past three years." - wachoosay

15. Illinois (+2) 433 21-5          HR-8 LR-21          AP- CP- GP-

"They ended the game at Northwestern on a 17-2 run to win the game after being down by 14 with six minutes left. If they can score like that all the time along with their stingy defense, they will go real far in the tourney." - reamo37

16. Arizona State (+5) 365 20-5          HR-7 LR-NR         AP- CP- GP-

"Swept UCLA, when was the last time that happened? You don't want to play them right now." - brwhite23

17. Xavier (-3) 336 21-4          HR-10 LR-NR        AP- CP- GP-

"Losing to Dayton is not that bad of a loss." - Jermtheworm33

18. UCLA (-6) 295 19-6          HR-9 LR-NR         AP- CP- GP-

" Can you say Yo-Yo, just not a top 10 team" - Carnagex

19. Washington (NR) 276 19-6          HR-10 LR-NR          AP- CP- GP-

"The leader of the Pac-10 has to be in" - Lobofan2003

20. Purdue (E) 243 19-6          HR-9 LR-NR         AP- CP- GP-

"Boilermakers are a gritty team.  They go as their defense plays." - wachoosay

21. Louisiana St. (NR) 207 21-4         HR-9 LR-NR          AP- CP- GP-

"they're owning the SEC West and have 2 games over anyone in the SEC East" - agsmith46

22. Gonzaga (+3) 201 19-5          HR-7 LR-NR          AP- CP- GP-

"Two nice road wins, one at Saint Mary's will only help their seeding come March." - brwhite23

23. Syracuse (-4) 179 19-7          HR-17 LR-NR          AP- CP- GP-

"scratching and clawing to a NCAA berth" - OneAndOnlyStout

24. Dayton (NR) 79 22-4          HR-17 LR-NR         AP- CP- GP-

"Gaudy record, and they have a few nice wins. Why not? I think they deserve a chance in the Top 25." - Badgers Ballers

25. Butler (-9) 77 22-3          HR-19 LR-NR         AP- CP- GP-

"You jerks better win the conference tourney. March Madness does not need 2 teams from the Horizon league" - ThaBadge

Biggest jump:  Missouri (+8)      Biggest fall:  Butler (-9)

Others receiving votes: West Virginia 53, Ohio State 45, Arizona 43, South Carolina 29, California 29, Utah State 23, Texas 20, Florida State 19, Utah 15, BYU 5, Buffalo 3, Wisconsin 2, Creighton 2, UNLV 1, Kentucky 1, Sam Houston State 1

What it all means: (First place votes), Team, (Change in rank from last week), Points, Record, Highest Rank, Lowest Rank, , AP rank, Coache's rank, Gary Parrish's rank, Voter's Take

Conference power rankings:

1. Big East (0.0402)
2. ACC (0.0603)
3. Big 10 (0.0605)
4. Pac 10 (0.0607)
5. Big 12 (0.0804)
6. Atlantic 10 (0.1506)
7. SEC (0.1609)
8. West Coast (0.1708)
9. Mountain West (0.1712)
10. USA (0.1901)
11. Horizon (0.2110)
12. Western Athletic (0.2111)
13. Missouri Valley (0.2413)
14. Southland (0.2714)

(Only teams receiving votes in TPP are calculated into CPR)

Breaking down the rankings:

Another turbulent week in college basketball, with many upsets and many ranked teams splitting a win and a loss.

After a few weeks of big changes in the top positions, this week our top four are unchanged. Michigan State and Memphis move up behind a string of wins. Missouri, who just entered the poll last week, makes the top 10 this week as one of only a handful of teams winning both of their games this week.  Arizona State also makes a big jump.  Washingon and LSU enter the poll behind strong performances in their conferences.  Dayton found favor with many voters by beating Xavier. The big losers of the week both on court and in the poll are Duke, UCLA, Syracuse and Butler; Louisville, Clemson and Xavier drop slightly.

Thanks to everyone who voted! All voters make sure and check out the People's Poll Group!

What!?! How can ____ not be ranked! Or how did ____ get a first place vote? Click here to check out everyone's ballots!

Rankings for Week 14
-----------------------------------
-----
 1. Connecticut           (24-1)    -
 2. North Carolina        (23-2)    -
 3. Pittsburgh            (23-2)    +1
 4. Oklahoma              (25-1)    -1
 5. Michigan St.          (20-4)    +2
 6. Memphis               (22-3)    +2
 7. Missouri              (22-4)    +9
 8. Kansas                (20-5)    +4
 9. Villanova             (20-5)    +4
10. Duke                  (20-5)    -5
11. Louisville            (19-5)    -5
12. Illinois              (21-5)    +3
13. Purdue                (19-6)    +4
14. Arizona St.           (19-5)   New
15. Marquette             (22-3)    -4
16. UCLA                  (19-6)    -6
17. Wake Forest           (19-4)    -3
18. Washington            (19-6)    -
19. Arizona               (18-8)   New
20. West Virginia         (17-8)    +1
21. Clemson               (20-4)   -12
22. Ohio St.              (17-6)    +1
23. Xavier                (21-4)    -4
24. Gonzaga               (19-5)    +1
25. California            (19-6)   New

Next Ten:
26. Minnesota             (19-6)    -6
27. Wisconsin             (16-9)    +6
28. Butler                (22-3)    -6
29. Texas                 (17-7)    -1
30. Syracuse              (19-7)    -1
31. Florida St.           (19-6)    -1
32. Louisiana St.         (21-4)    -1
33. Kansas St.            (18-7)    -1
34. Florida               (19-6)   -10
35. Southern California   (15-8)    -1

Others on watch list: Kentucky, Utah, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgetown, Davidson, Michigan, Miami FL, Brigham Young

New this week: Arizona St., Arizona, California
Dropped out: Minnesota, Butler, Florida

This is my motto:

Always look on the bright side of life

This is the song when I am particularly happy:

Don't stop me now

This is the song when I am particulary sad:

Something I can never have

And this is from my favorite TV show:

Battlestar Galactica - Number six

And this is for Wednesday night for all the CBB regulars (especially riverrock, ahhh yeah);

Business Time

This is when I feel particulary defiant (also for LTD):

Human Nature

She is the bomb:

Mable

For Josh:

Get on Top

For Badger:

Bad Habbit

For Gonz:

Let's get this party started

Have fun

Make-up poll for week 13.  This was my ballot for the People's Poll, Week 13.

Rankings for Week 13
-----------------------------------
-----
 1. Connecticut           (22-1)    -
 2. North Carolina        (21-2)    +1
 3. Oklahoma              (23-1)    +1
 4. Pittsburgh            (21-2)    +1
 5. Duke                  (20-3)    -3
 6. Louisville            (18-4)    +1
 7. Michigan St.          (19-4)    +3
 8. Memphis               (20-3)    +9
 9. Clemson               (19-3)    -
10. UCLA                  (19-4)   +10
11. Marquette             (21-2)    -5
12. Kansas                (19-4)   +10
13. Villanova             (19-4)    +8
14. Wake Forest           (18-3)    -3
15. Illinois              (19-5)    +3
16. Missouri              (20-4)    +7
17. Purdue                (17-6)    -9
18. Washington            (17-6)    +1
19. Xavier                (20-3)    -6
20. Minnesota             (18-5)    -8
21. West Virginia         (16-7)    -6
22. Butler                (21-2)    -8
23. Ohio St.              (17-5)   New
24. Florida               (19-4)   New
25. Gonzaga               (17-5)    -1

Next Ten:
26. Arizona St.           (18-5)    -1
27. California            (18-6)    +6
28. Texas                 (15-7)   -12
29. Syracuse              (18-6)    -2
30. Florida St.           (18-5)    +7
31. Louisiana St.         (19-4)   New
32. Kansas St.            (17-6)    +6
33. Wisconsin             (14-9)    +7
34. Southern California   (15-7)   New
35. Penn St.              (17-7)    -9

Others on watch list: Tennessee, South Carolina, Arizona, Georgetown, Davidson, Michigan, Miami FL, Brigham Young, Utah, Utah St., San Diego St., Oklahoma St., Baylor, Nevada Las Vegas

New this week: Ohio St., Florida, Louisiana St., Southern California
Dropped out: Arizona St., Texas

I have decided to continue posting my rankings, so here is a make-up for week 12.  This is the same as was posted on the People's Poll .

Rankings for Week 12
-----------------------------------
-----
 1. Connecticut           (20-1)    -
 2. Duke                  (19-2)    -
 3. North Carolina        (19-2)    +1
 4. Oklahoma              (21-1)    +2
 5. Pittsburgh            (19-2)    -2
 6. Marquette             (20-1)    +1
 7. Louisville            (17-3)    +1
 8. Purdue                (17-4)    +4
 9. Clemson               (18-2)    -
10. Michigan St.          (17-4)    -
11. Wake Forest           (17-2)    -6
12. Minnesota             (18-3)    +8
13. Xavier                (19-2)    +4
14. Butler                (19-1)    +4
15. West Virginia         (15-6)    +1
16. Texas                 (15-5)    -3
17. Memphis               (18-3)    +2
18. Illinois              (18-4)    -7
19. Washington            (15-5)    +2
20. UCLA                  (17-4)    +5
21. Villanova             (17-4)   New
22. Kansas                (17-4)    -
23. Missouri              (18-4)    -
24. Gonzaga               (16-4)   New
25. Arizona St.           (16-5)   -10

Next Ten:
26. Penn St.              (17-5)   +12
27. Syracuse              (17-5)   -13
28. Baylor                (15-6)    +3
29. Kentucky              (16-6)    -5
30. Florida               (18-4)    -2
31. Ohio St.              (15-5)    -5
32. Tennessee             (12-7)    +4
33. California            (16-6)    -3
34. Georgetown            (12-8)    -7
35. Davidson              (18-3)    +5

Others on watch list: Florida St., Kansas St., Miami FL, Wisconsin, Brigham Young, St. Mary's, Michigan, Utah St., Oklahoma St., Nevada Las Vegas, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech

New this week: Villanova, Gonzaga
Dropped out: Syracuse, Kentucky

I have four bogus warnings; that means tomorrow I won't be able to post on my own blog.  The person who warned me has a list of trolls as his favorites; if  an admin is so inclined, they could ban about 15 accounts at one fell swoop. (Edit: he/she has added a lot of established users to his/her favorite list since; I am guessing in an effort to appear legit - or perhaps to troll those people.  Mr/Ms troll, thank you for reading my blog. )

If so inclined... I don't think my warnings will be dealt with for a few days, so I won't be able to blog or remove the offensive comments that will certainly come up on my blog.

I am tired of this uphill battle; the trolls are always two steps ahead and the admins three steps behind .  I am not blaming the admins; the system is set up this way .  They have to get involved in everything, because their judgment is required on the silly warnings.  The trolls are loving the warning system; they know they can bring a regular down just by issuing bogus warnings, even if they are completely unwarranted, it will take days to overturn them and the poster won't be able to blog, issue warnigns for being trolled, start threads or change his/her avatar.  Not to mention he/she won't be able to enjoy posting here.

They keep telling me I should just ignore the trolls.  I am trying.  But how can I ignore the trolls if they have the tools to harass me and I have no recourse but waiting on admin response, who is sick of my whining?  I am not a believer in warnings, I haven't issued one since last summer until this troll infusion - and the last summer ones were to the same trolls, I recognize their attack patterns. 

I am just really tired of this.  I do want to post on this site, I have friends here, I post my basketball rankings - which I won't be able to do until my warnings are overturned, and I am guessing that if/when that happens, I will just get more of them. 

I just want to post in peace.  I don't want to talk to the admins; I don't want to issue warnings; I want to talk basketball and want to return to joking and having fun on the CBB board. 

Please, give us an ignore list and everyone will be happier.  I just click a button and continue; and the admin staff will be free to answer questions and deal with real issues like bugs and requests for CBS services.  This is not good for anyone. 

I understand Ms Rose A's frustration, she probably spends her day dealing with irate users and trying to sort out who is the troll and who isn't.  I don't envy her job.  Please make changes in the software that neither me nor her would have to go through this idiotic, tiresome, never ending cycle of trolling .

I am tired of blogging about this.  I would like to have my blog to be about basketball again.

PLEASE, CBS, LET ME HAVE MY BASKETBALL BLOG BACK. 

Thank you.

 1. Connecticut           (18-1)    +2
 2. Duke                  (18-1)    -
 3. Pittsburgh            (18-1)    +2
 4. North Carolina        (17-2)    -
 5. Wake Forest           (16-1)    -4
 6. Oklahoma              (19-1)    +1
 7. Marquette             (18-1)    +1
 8. Louisville            (15-3)    +2
 9. Clemson               (17-2)    -
10. Michigan St.          (16-3)    -4
11. Illinois              (17-3)    +2
12. Purdue                (15-4)    +4
13. Texas                 (14-4)    +4
14. Syracuse              (17-4)    -2
15. Arizona St.           (16-3)    +4
16. West Virginia         (14-5)    +4
17. Xavier                (17-2)    +5
18. Butler                (18-1)    -
19. Memphis               (16-3)    +5
20. Minnesota             (17-3)    -5
21. Washington            (14-4)   New
22. Kansas                (15-4)   New
23. Missouri              (17-3)   New
24. Kentucky              (16-4)   New
25. UCLA                  (15-4)    -4

Next Ten:
26. Ohio St.              (13-5)    -3
27. Georgetown            (12-6)   -16
28. Florida               (17-3)    +2
29. Miami FL              (14-5)    -4
30. California            (16-4)   -16
31. Baylor                (15-4)    +1
32. Gonzaga               (14-4)    +1
33. Michigan              (14-6)    -7
34. Villanova             (15-4)    +1
35. Wisconsin             (12-7)    -6

Others on watch list: Florida St., Penn St., Notre Dame, Davidson, Brigham Young, St. Mary's, Stanford, Utah St., Oklahoma St., Virginia Tech, Nevada Las Vegas, South Carolina

New this week: Washington, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky
Dropped out: Ohio St., Georgetown, Miami FL, California

----

I didn't get to watch too many games this week, so I will only offer detailed analysis about my own team.

Illinois keeps moving up on my list.  They have not given up a loss yet to a subpar team, dismantled Ohio State, and beat Wisconsin this week.  Their offense is among the most versatile in the country; anyone can shoot the ball, and the threats come from any range, which makes them a nightmare to defend.  The scoring is very evenly distributed - four people average in double figures, but none above 12.5.  Very unselfish team; around 70% of the shots come from assists. The motion offense and good shooters make for a high field goal percentage.  Couple that with a stifling defense that keeps opponents to 12 points below their average, and you can see a dangerous team that is playing good basketball and has been one of the most consistent teams in the country.

Louisville is the hottest team in the country with the best recent wins, convincingly defeating Syracuse on the road this week.  Their stifling defense and press confuses opponents and causes them to play sloppy, and the ensuing chaos has resulted in ugly games but pretty wins for Louisville.  A team needs discipline to defeate Louisville, and that has been a scarce commodity this year.

Speaking of discipline, you can't expect to be #1 when you lose to a team that has lost to Georgia.  That is just plain wrong.  Doesn't compute.

The number one spot was a toss-up between Connecticut, Duke and Pittsburgh.  I went for Connecticut because this week's wins were more impressive than Duke's, and Pitt's loss to Louisville is still fresh, which drops them behind Connecticut and Duke who are both on a long winning streak.

Wisconsin is on a losing skid; part of that is bad luck in a tough schedule, but they could hardly afford to lose at Iowa and still be able to compete for the Big Ten title.

Michigan State drops three spots; you don't lose to Northwestern on your home court. 

Purdue is regrouping nicely from the early losses with a win over Minnesota this week.  Minnesota on the other hand is on the skid with losses to Northwestern and Purdue recently.

Washington moves into the rankings with beating Southern Cal and UCLA this week.  UCLA barely makes it in - no bad losses but they have lost to every good team they played.  I am giving them a benefit of the doubt because of their Pomeroy rating.

The Pomeroy rating and two nice wins over Oklahoma State and Texas Tech land Missouri at #23 this week. Mizzou's also plays the press, like Louisville, and it also confuses teams.  Mizzou is tied with North Carolina for the largest average margin of victory in the country. (Or at least was in the middle of last week when I checked.)

Kentucky won 11 of the last 12, the only loss being a buzzer-beater at Louisville.   That lands them in my poll as other teams who are on a skid are falling out.

Georgetown was indeed overrated. You don't deserve to be ranked if you lose to Seton Hall.

Same goes for California. Losing to an 8-9 awful Oregon State is just not forgivable.  Even if they also beat Stanford - especially because you have lost to Stanford as well.

Notre Dame falls off even my top 35.  They have lost four of the last six, one of those was to St John's.  That is NOT top 25 material, even if you beat Georgetown two weeks ago - Georgetown hasn't been doing that well lately.

Let's see.  What is the best course of action in case a customer complains about her problem not being resolved and asking for specific action?

a.) Apologize and do what the customer asked.

b.) Further insult the customer and tell her that her not being satisfied with the answer is "borderline harassment". 

The choice is obvious: b.  At least that is what Rose A. wants me to believe.

Congratulations, CBS, Rose. A is your hero.  The problem is obviously not the trolls - it is me.

I think those people who have told me to just give up and move to another site are right.

Below is my correspondence with Rose.A.  Note that the original request was about the customer support received and a request for implementing self-protection features.  The actual warnings have been taken care of.  But the rest of the message was not, and I still have not received a response from the admins on it.

Also note that I have received help and support from the moderators who have forwarded my issues to the proper places and have apologized and sympathized with me.  However, this isn't their job, and I should be able to get through regular help channels without being accused of harassment myself.

Discussion Thread
 Response (Rose A.)     01/23/2009 02:27 PM
Thank you for your email.

Please understand that disagreements, differences of opinion and rivalries will exist on a Sports message board. For a stalking allegation to be considered, certain factors must be present: threats of violence, knowledge of your information not publicly available. If you feel physically threatened by another individual on our boards, please contact your local authorities.

Please bear in mind that this is a free form of entertainment provided by our web site. We have answered your questions and requests, we have also taken care of the issues that you had brought to our attention. If you take a look at your warnings page, you will notice your requests were processed as they were being received. Please also note, that the form of communication that you have been sending us, are now starting to borderline harassment towards us.

Have a great weekend and please continue to enjoy the message boards.
 
 Customer     01/23/2009 01:25 PM
Dear Rose,

The issue is not solved. There are several further actions to be taken. I was looking for the following actions:

1. An apology for having been subjected to sexual harassment on your site.

2. An acknowledgement that sexual harassment is not something CBS supports and will do something about it.

3. An indication that the problem has been noted and the suggestion for implementing an ignore list and profanity filter has been forwarded to your development team.

4. A personal apology from you for the condescending treatment I have received.

I want you to forward this communication to a supervisor.

Best regards.
 
 Response (Rose A.)     01/23/2009 12:59 PM
Thank you for your correspondence and your interest in our Community.

We have investigated the issue raised in your prior correspondence and have determined that no further action is required. Therefore, this case has been closed and this matter considered resolved. Any further claims regarding this matter will be archived, but no further action will be taken.

Have a great day.
 
 Customer     01/23/2009 12:43 PM
This is not solved. Don't mark it solved. I want a response. And I will find the right person.

You should be apologizing, not upsetting me more.
 
 Customer     01/23/2009 11:12 AM
How is this solved exactly? I have not received a response.

Thank you for your attention.

Best Regards.
 
 Customer     01/22/2009 06:27 PM

Feedback: I have been sexually harassed on this site now for two days by different trolls. The admin response is late, condescending and inappropriate. I have lost my warning privileges because of bogus warnings by the trolls, and I cannot warn them now for the sexually explicit content. Ironically, they have followed me and posted their filth on the feedback message board, where I posted in hopes of getting some admin response. None. Just more trolls.

Please do something and implement features to be able to block trolls, and remove the ridiculous warning system. I am appalled and feel horrible, and I have been mistreated by your admin staff.

Regards,

I have been harassed on this site for two days now.  It all started with trolls attacking Jason Wells and me going to his defense.  Then because I am female, I was picked as a main target for the attack of the trolls.  I was told every sexually offensive thing imaginable, I was called ugly and used every possible swear word on me.

The posts were there for hours.  Pages of warnings have been issued.  By me and others.  Nothing happened.  The trolls continued to post.  I have received two bogus warnings - and now I cannot warn any more.  There is no "Warn" link.  No admin was around to overrule my warnings.

I have sent four help requests.  No response.  I posted on the Feedback forum.  No response - except for the trolls, who found me, posted more sexually offensive material, and threatened to gang-rape me. 

And here comes the kicker.  Finally Golf Guy shows up and responds on the thread - and leaves the sexually offensive material there.  So finally I got my response - CBS supports this.  They are involved.  They want the trolls.  They don't want me.

Well, I won't be able to post a blog tomorrow, because I received two more bogus warnings, and no admin will overrule them, so I better get this off my chest today.

CBS, you are an enabler of online harrassment.  You are a troll heaven.  You have an entire system in place to enable trolling.  You don't let us block offensive users.  You don't have a profanity filter.  (Standard features on every site).  And why?  I am told, because it would take away from the experience.  I was puzzled by that, but now it is clear.  It is the trolling experience we don't want to take away. 

Regulars are leaving in droves.  The College Basketball Board, once a safe heaven of friendly discussion about basketball and witty banter, is in shambles, idiotic threads and idiotic posters rule.  We have attempted today to discuss who should be the new #1 in college basketball, and we had an enjoyable experience until the troll showed up and we all had to leave. 

CBS, if that is what you want, only trolls on your site - you got it. Congratulations .

The most maddening about this?  It is incredibly easy to solve.  Give us an ignore list, and put in a profanity filter.

Do away with the idiotic warning system , it just encourages trolling, it is not proactive, it is reactive and it just causes a lot of frustration for users and a lot of admin work for CBS. 

I have run my own community site and our admin issues related to harassment went from about 200 e-mails per week to 2 after I have implemented an ignore list and a profanity filter.  You are wasting your own money and are providing a frustrating user experience.

Some of this is criminal.  Cyber stalking is not only disgusting but there are laws against it.  Even if it isn't, it is grossly negligent on CBS's part to leave us exposed to this kind of utter filth when the solutions are mind-numbingly simple and tried and true. 

CBS, get your act together and clean up the filth.  The decent people are leaving in droves.  You only got trolls left.