WHO'S HOT

Big Ten/ACC Challenge

Yes, it's a made-for-TV, commercialized extravaganza. But what sporting event isn't these days? Besides, with games like Indiana-Maryland Tuesday night, who wouldn't want more of these matchups?

Holy Cross

Holy Toledo! The Crusaders are 3-1 and just upset the Troy Bell-led Boston College. If recent NCAA history has any weight, expect Holy Cross to give some major-conference team a major scare in the first round of the tournament.

Powerful mid-majors

Creighton ... Gonzaga ... College of Charleston ... San Diego ... Thanks for giving us a taste of March in early December. Here's hoping it lasts.

WHO'S NOT

Michigan

It's getting worse (as if starting 0-5 and losing to Central and Western Michigan weren't bad enough). Chris Webber's father admitted to accepting gifts, and reserve guard Dommanic Ingerson plans to transfer at the end of this semester. Good luck against Duke today.

Florida

Even coach Billy Donovan said the Gators didn't deserve to beat West Virginia, which they didn't. Four-game road trips before Christmas are the reason teams with Florida's talent are 4-2.

Kansas

The team with "the best starting five in the nation" dropped back-to-back games against North Carolina and Florida on a neutral court. Kirk Hinrich (left) needs to recover from his strained back before the Big 12 starts.

MUST-SEE TV

Xavier at Cincinnati, 4 p.m. today (ESPN): Not that you needed any reminders, but don't miss this one.

South Carolina at North Carolina State, 6:30 p.m. Sunday (FSN): The Wolfpack are off to a hot start. But it's not as good as the Gamecocks'. Something has to give.

Miami U. at Xavier, 7 p.m. Tuesday (FSNO): Regardless of what happens today, Xavier will have to refocus for the RedHawks quickly. The advantage is the Musketeers are playing at Cintas Center, where they're 29-2.

Boston College at Iowa State, 7 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN): With Jake Sullivan back at shooting guard and junior-college transfer Tim Barnes running the show, the Cyclones are about to make some noise. See if the Eagles can handle Hilton Coliseum.

Kentucky at Tulane, 9 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN): If you watch the Iowa State/BC game, you might as well hang around and watch UK rout Tulane. The Waves' best chance is to run the Cats' depleted roster ragged.

Player of the week: J.J. Redick

The Duke freshman led the 4-0 Blue Devils to a pair of wins against UCLA and Ohio State while scoring 20 points in each game. His hot 3-point shooting is a major factor in Chris Duhon's 9.8 assist average. It's another example of how Duke reloads while everyone else rebuilds.

TOP FIVE LIST

This week's topic: UC's top five rivalries other than Xavier.

Louisville: This rivalry between schools from two Ohio River towns dates to 1920-21 and includes shared membership in the Missouri Valley Conference, Metro Conference and Conference USA. Louisville leads 45-34.

Memphis: UC and Memphis have played together in the Metro, Great Midwest and Conference USA. UC leads 33-26.

Marquette: In recent years, this has become one of UC's most competitive games. UC leads 21-13.

Dayton: Started in 1906-07, was interrupted in the mid-90s, and was resumed in 1998-99, at least temporarily. UC leads 56-28.

Ohio State: Can you call this a rivalry when they haven't played in 40 years? It's true that OSU and UC haven't met in basketball since the national championship game of 1962, but if they ever got together again - and it's travesty that they don't - the rivalry would be instantly hot. Each team has won four times.

THE SWEET 16

1. Arizona	Next challenge vs. Texas Dec. 15.
2. Alabama	Buckeyes showed defense is the way to stay with 'Bama.
3. Texas	Frontcourt dominance the only missing piece.
4. Pitt	Panthers don't get real test until end of month vs. Georgia.
5. Duke	14th 4-0 start in 23 seasons under Coach K.
6. Indiana	Big win in classic title-game rematch.
7. Maryland	OT loss to Indiana doesn't diminish status.
8. Oregon	Ducks have Kansas in Portland today.
9. Connecticut	Early schedule hardly challenging.
10. Oklahoma	Trainer working overtime with injured Sooners.
11. Kansas	Jayhawks won't be down for long.
12. Missouri	Arthur Johnson going for double-doubles.
13. Minnesota	Barely hung on to beat Georgia Tech.
14. North Carolina	Freshmen surprise of young season.
15. Stanford	Win over Florida loses luster.
16. Xavier	Impressive domination of Purdue.