11. Baylor Bears
The Bears are good, and their résumé suggests they should be ranked higher. But The Bilas Index tells you how good a team is, not what the paper says or how the committee will vote. Baylor's opponents average 62.4 points per game, fewest in the Big 12 and third-fewest among major-conference teams. Its opponents shoot 39.2 percent from the field, lowest in the Big 12 and second-lowest among major-conference teams. The Bears are on pace to allow their third-fewest points per game in the past 50 seasons. Johnathan Motley averages 9.5 rebounds per game, most in the Big 12. His 10 double-doubles are tied with Texas' Jarrett Allen and TCU's Kenrich Williams for the most in the conference.
16. Cincinnati Bearcats
The Bearcats lead the American in points per game (75.
, field goal percentage (46.9 percent) and points per game off turnovers (17.2). What sets Cincinnati apart this season is its ability to score from five spots on the floor. Lefty Kyle Washington has shown great versatility for the Bearcats and has been a difference maker.
26. Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines have a 119.2 adjusted offensive efficiency, highest in the Big Ten. Michigan turns the ball over on 15 percent of its possessions, lowest in the Big Ten and sixth lowest in Division I. This has been a different team over the past two weeks, and the turnaround has been impressive. When Michigan scores, the Wolverines can beat most anyone.
38. USC Trojans
USC allows 11.4 points per game off turnovers, second-fewest in the Pac-12 behind Arizona State at 11.0. The Trojans average 7.1 steals per game, most in the Pac-12. When USC is allowed to get out in transition, this can be a really good team. When forced to play a five-on-five game in the half court, though, this team is very beatable.
44. Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Red Raiders have lost four of five, but that has to be understood in the context of the difficulty of the schedule. Texas Tech lost at TCU by a point, then lost at home to Kansas by a point. The Red Raiders then beat Baylor, then lost to both Iowa State in overtime) and West Virginia in double overtime. Texas Tech is 5-10 in the Big 12, but is a pretty tough team to beat.
46. TCU Horned Frogs
TCU gets an assist on 62 percent of its made shots, the highest in the Big 12. Kenrich Williams has 10 double-doubles, most by a TCU player since Marquise Gainous had 11 in 1999-2000.
59. Houston Cougars
Coach Kelvin Sampson has done an excellent job of making Houston competitive again. The Cougars are 18-8, including wins in five of their past six games, primarily because the Cougars can shoot it from range. Houston shoots better than 40 percent from deep, eighth in the nation, with former Oregon Duck Damyean Dotson leading the way with 90 made 3s on 47 percent shooting.
60. Pittsburgh Panthers
After an overtime win over Virginia to make Pitt 1-1 in the ACC, the Panthers lost eight in a row, including five on the road. Pittsburgh bounced back and had a great performance against Florida State behind 29 points from Shelden Jeter. Top scorers Michael Young and Jamel Artis have combined for 99 made 3-point field goals.
61. UT Arlington Mavericks
Kevin Hervey continues to put on high-level shows for the Sun Belt-leading Mavericks. Hervey has 11 double-doubles, including a 28-point, 13-rebound performance against Georgia Southern that included five made 3-point field goals. UT-Arlington plays its final two regular-season games on the road before the Sun Belt tournament.