THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

Robyn Norwood’s college basketball rankings and comments:

1 DUKE

(6-0) Unlikely to go unbeaten, but who will trip up Blue Devils?

2 MARYLAND

(6-1) First chance against Duke not until Jan. 17.

3 MISSOURI

(8-0) Almost caught St. Louis blues.

4 KANSAS

(5-1) Jayhawks stood tall Tuesday against Wake Forest.

5 ARIZONA

(4-1) Managing OK with trial-by-fire schedule.

6 FLORIDA

(4-1) Familiar matchup today against Michigan State.

7 SYRACUSE

(9-0) Preston Shumpert is a shooting star.

8 ILLINOIS

(6-2) Frank Williams started slower than expected.

9 BALL STATE

(4-1) In a nod to Letterman, Cardinals make our top 10.

10 OKLAHOMA STATE

(8-0) Check out Cowboys vs. Ball State later this month.

11 KENTUCKY

(3-1) Showdown of storied programs Saturday vs. North Carolina.

12 VIRGINIA

(4-0) Roger Mason averaging 22 points.

13 IOWA

(6-3) Slipped up against Northern Iowa.

14 STANFORD

(3-1) Texas’ winning tactic: Slow Casey Jacobsen.

15 BOSTON COLLEGE

(6-0) Ryan Sidney showed Troy Bell isn’t only scorer.

16 FRESNO STATE

(6-1) Melvin Ely returns from suspension.

17 UCLA

(2-2) Cedric Bozeman injury will have more lasting impact than Pepperdine loss.

18 ALABAMA

(6-1) Crimson Tide battles Bruins Saturday in Wooden Classic.

19 MARQUETTE

(7-0) Coach Tom Crean hitting stride in third season.

20 WAKE FOREST

(5-2) Tough loss in first trip to Allen Fieldhouse.

21 MEMPHIS

(6-2) Dajuan Wagner’s teammates sometimes spectators too.

22 MICHIGAN STATE

(4-2) Final Four regulars on verge of slipping from top 25.

23 GEORGETOWN

(5-1) Resurgence might have not yet arrived.

24 WEST. KENTUCKY

(4-2) But say goodbye until center Chris Marcus returns from foot injury.

25 S. ILLINOIS

(6-1) Salukis challenged Illinois; Beat Indiana