CAMPUS HARDcourt Power Poll for JANUARY 23, 2012...is KENTUCKY #1 followed by WHO?....Ohio STATE, MIZZOU, or KANSAS....

We have about a month and a half before COLLEGE BASKETBALL takes over the sports world. Teams now are jockeying for CONFERENCE Supremacy as the middle of the PACK is trying to position themselves for a CONFERENCE Tourney Run and an INVITE to the BIG DANCE.

The latest CAMPUS HARDcourt Power Poll for Men's College Basketball....January 23, 2012:

1. UK CATS (19-1) : The have 1 maybe 2 teams that will challenge them in the SEC in the GATORS and COMMODORES. Their achilles heel to watch is the PG Spot with freshman Marquis TEAGUE.

2. MIZZOU (18-1): They have stellar guard play from SO Phil Pressey with a mix of Dynamic frontcourt play led by SR's Kim ENGLISH and Ricardo RATCLIFFE. They will be a factor in the NCAA TOURNEY.

3. 'CUSE ( 20-1): OK went to SOUTH BEND and took their 1st Loss. Now the real test begins form the ORANGE...Do they bounce back and get on track or do they trade WINS and LOSSES in their next 3-4 Big East Games?

4. O-H-I-O (17-3): Coach Thad MATTA and his BUCKEYES need to get on a WIN STREAK and try to stay healthy doing so. The BIG TEN shouldn't pose too many problems for them but the GOAL is to get a #1 Seed in the BIG DANCE.

5. TAR HEELS (16-3): Thier lackluster SHOWING in LEON COUNTY Florida with the 'NOLES last week was downright embarrassing for the 'HEELS. And if they don't start playing with more intensity...DUNZO.

6. ROCK CHALK Jayhawk (16-3): You would think after the suspension of a few ballyhooed freshman and SELBY leaving that the JAYHAWKS would be done. Enter the STELLAR Guard play of Tyshawn TAYLOR and PF...MEN among BOYZ..THOMAS ROBINSON..100% Grown Folks Business in the PAINT.

7. CAMERON KRAZIES (16-3) They are playing much better but you know something is missing from COACH K's Group and it will appear in winning time in MARCH MADNESS as you move further and further in the TOURNEY.

8. HOYA PARANOIA (16-3): Quietly they have moved into the Top of the BIG EAST and John THOMPSON III has a lot to do with this. Led by SR G Jason STARKS and JR WF Hollis THOMPSON the HOYAS' are a real threat.

9. the BEARS of WACO TX: Scott DREW and company were 17-0 entering last week's action but took it on the chin from the 2 best TEAMS in the BIG 12 KANSAS and MIZZOU. BEARS you need to beat them to go anywhere...REAL TALK

10. MURRAY STATE RACERS (20-0): WHO....forget the #15-#16 seed these guys will get an AT-LARGE Bid even if they don't WIN their CONFERENCE TOURNEY they are that good. With 6 PLAYERS averaging 5 points or better they spread the wealth out. Watch out for GUARDS Isiah CANAAN and Dante POOLE. Oh! and the RACERS are from KENTUCKY let's not get confused.......

11. the SWAMP (15-4): They have MAJOR FirePower on the PERIMETER they only need their BIGS to PLAY D and get on the GLASS. The GATORS pose a real threat to the UK CATS and they should be a 3-4 SEED in the BIG DANCE.

12. SDSU AZTECS (17-2): They lost All-American F Kawhi LEONARD to the NBA 's SPURS and Coach Steve FISHER still keeps it moving. The AZTECS arew #1 in the Mountain West again and are led by 2 POINT GUARDS, a COMBO G, and BIG GUARD in THAMES, FRANKLIN, TAPLEY , and RAHON. Teams that are GUARD HEAVY pose the most problems in the BIG DANCE becuase it starts with the GUARD PLAY.....always.

13. SPARTY (16-4): IZZZONE and his SPARTANS are in a good holding pattern and in striking distance of the BUCKEYES. They need to get more consistent play from their BIGS and G Keith APPLING from the MOTOR CITY has to be the G to lead them.

14. VEGAS Runnin' REBS (18-3): they are a LEGIT TEAM no doubt about it and they will be a factor come MARCH MADNESS with wins over UNC and ILLINOIS. the ONLY thing the REBELS are worried about is the FISH that can SAVE SIN CITY in #1 School Boy PLAYER Shabazz MUHAMMAD from local HS Bishop Gorman.

15. HOOSIERS (16-4): A relentless recruiter and sideline X and O'er..Coach Tom CREAN has that anchor in Freshman Sensation ZELLER and a top class coming in next SEASON so get used to looking at these HOOSIERS as long as CREAN is in the BUILDING.

16. MARQUETTE golden eagles (16-4): they might have the BEST GUARD in the US you know nothing about in Darius JOHNSON-ODOM. Don't look now BIG EAST....the EAGLES are #3 in the Conference......

17. BLUE JAYS of CREIGHTON (18-2): The MISSOURI VALLEY's Best Team and remember this name... 6- 7 SOPHOMORE Doug McDERMOTT from AMES IOWA averaging 23 PTS and 8 off the GLASS. It will come down to the BLUE JAYS and the SHOCKERS of Wichita STATE.

18. BULLDOGS of STARKSVILLE MS (16-4): They will be tough in the SEC Tourney and MARCH MADNESS. Does anyone remember Renardo SIDNEY...he is the BULLDOGS 2nd Leading Scorer.

19. CRIMSON of the IVY League (16-2): Just in case you forgot about Head Coach and FORMER DUKE Standout Tommy AMAKER....HARVARD is a LEGIT Hoop Squad in the Northeast.

20. ST. MARY's CA (19-2): The TOAST of the WEST COAST CONFERENCE......getting chased by the ZAGS, COUGARS of BYU, and Loyola-Maramount.

BEST of the REST......

VIRGINIA..Coach Tony BENNETT has the WAHOOS playing well

MAIZE and BLUE...Tim HARDAWAY JR must continue to lead

UCONN...They are young but LAMB is the DEAL and they need BOATRIGHT

BAGDERS....Jordan TAYLOR getting healthier.....

'NOLES...beat UNC and DUKE but can they maintain that level?

VANDY....if they can get help for SNIPER John JENKINS

the 'VILLE..PITINO needs more consistent Front Court play.....