1. MURRAY STATE (16-0, 4-0) (1)
The 15th-ranked Racers (16-0) are currently just one of three undefeated men's Division I squads along with top-ranked Syracuse (18-0) and No. 4 Baylor (16-0).
2. GONZAGA (13-2, 3-0) (3)
One of the nation's more underrated rivalries continues Thursday night when the 'Zags face Saint Mary's in an early battle for WCC supremacy. This should be one worth staying up for.
3. CREIGHTON (14-2, 4-1) (2)
Doug McDermott continued his quest for All-American status by dropping 44 points on Bradley last weekend, the highest individual output in Division-I this season.
4. HARVARD (14-2, 1-0) (2)
The Crimson have looked a bit shaky ever since being beaten by Fordham. Getting a scare from an inferior Monmouth team earlier this week is the most recent example.
5. SAINT MARY'S (15-2, 4-0) (6)
See comment under Gonzaga.
6. WICHITA STATE (13-3, 4-1) (7)
The Shockers rank among the national leaders in scoring margin (13th, plus-15.8) and rebounding margin (12th, plus-8.6).
7. IONA (13-3, 5-0) (8)
The greatest amateur show in New York is now the nation's second-leading scoring team at 85.9 ppg. Only North Carolina averages more.
8. MIDDLE TENNESSEE (15-2, 4-0) (9)
The Blue Raiders are 15-2 for just the second time in program history. MTSU has now won seven straight and 11 of their last 12. They are the lone undefeated team in the Sun Belt's East division.
9. OHIO (13-3, 1-1) (5)
Ohio, which ranks sixth in the nation in turnover margin, threw the ball away 18 times in a surprising 10-point loss at Bowling Green to open MAC play.
10. CLEVELAND STATE (14-3, 4-1) (11)
The Vikings will get their shot on a national stage Friday night when they face Butler on ESPNU. Cleveland State is just 2-17 all-time at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
11. BYU (14-4, 3-1) (15)
Taking care of business against the bottom half of the WCC will ultimately determine whether or not BYU's NCAA Tournament resume ends up being at-large bid worthy.
12. GEORGE MASON (12-4, 4-0) (16)
Back-to-back wins at Old Dominion and over Georgia State have the Patriots again looking like the class of the CAA.
13. KENT STATE (11-4, 1-1) (12)
The Flashes bounced back from a one-point loss at Buffalo by posting a four-point win over Miami of Ohio.
14. DAVIDSON (10-4, 4-0) (21)
The Wildcats are the only remaining undefeated team in the SoCon, and won their last two games by an average of 25.5 points.
15. DENVER (13-4, 3-1) (14)
The Pioneers can now focus solely on league play after going on the road and nearly upsetting Colorado State Wednesday night.
16. LONG BEACH STATE (11-6, 3-0) (19)
The Beach should roll through its next three opponents before a showdown at UCSB on Jan. 21.
17. WEBER STATE (12-3, 4-0) (22)
The last time a Weber State team began league play 4-0 it swept the Big Sky regular season and won the conference tournament.
18. ORAL ROBERTS (14-4, 6-0) (NR)
The Golden Eagles left no doubt as to who the top dog in the Summit League is after a 97-75 beatdown of South Dakota State.
19. COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (11-4, 3-1) (17)
A 75-58 loss at middle-of-the-pack Wofford is more than a bit concerning.
20. GEORGIA STATE (11-4, 3-1) (23)
The Panthers saw their program--best 11-game winning streak snapped at George Mason with a 61-58 loss. Still, Ron Hunter's team proved it is a legitimate contender to wear the Colonial crown at the end of the year.
21. VCU (11-5, 2-2) (10)
The Rams will look to rebound Thursday night against James Madison after back-to-back losses to Georgia State and Drexel.
22. WAGNER (12-3, 3-1) (NR)
The Seahawks' lone NEC stumble was a 78-73 loss at unbeaten LIU Brooklyn way back on Dec. 1.
23. ILLINOIS STATE (11-5, 3-2) (NR)
Jackie Carmichael's 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat Evansville was the first of his career.
24. MISSOURI STATE (11-6, 4-1) (NR)
Kyle Weems, the lone returning starter from last season's regular-season Valley champs, is averaging 16.1 points and 7.4 rebounds to help put Missouri State in a three-way tie atop the league with a 4-1
25. BELMONT (11-6, 4-1) (18)
Even though it happened in a rivalry game, the Bruins' 11-point loss at Lipscomb suddenly has them looking a touch vulnerable in the Atlantic Sun.
DROPPED OUT: Indiana State (13), Northern Iowa (20), Robert Morris (24), South Dakota State (25).