Remember a couple of years ago, when Texas wanted to secede from the United States? UConn probably wishes that had gone through after this past week.

Losses at Houston and SMU knock UConn out of my AP Top 25 ballot. The SMU loss is somewhat understandable, but it's the Houston loss that likely will not look good come Selection Sunday. I don't think the Cougars are all that good -- especially down three starters -- though they certainly shot the lights out in the first half on New Year's Eve against the Huskies.

Anyway, UConn doesn't deserve to be ranked this week, but it can work itself back in the discussion rather quickly. There's a very good Harvard team on Saturday, and after UCF on Saturday, the following week's two-headed monster of Memphis (on the road) on Jan. 16 and Louisville two nights later in Storrs.

Also gone from my ballot this week are North Carolina, George Washington and Toledo. Joining the fray are Colorado, Kansas State, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

1.       Arizona

2.       Syracuse

3.       Ohio State

4.       Michigan State

5.       Wisconsin

6.       Louisville

7.       Oklahoma State

8.       Wichita State

9.       Iowa State

10.   Villanova

11.   San Diego State

12.   Florida

13.   Duke

14.   Oregon

15.   Kentucky

16.   Gonzaga

17.   Baylor

18.   Colorado

19.   Massachusetts

20.   Illinois

21.   Kansas State

22.   Cincinnati

23.   Pittsburgh

24.   Memphis

25.   Kansas