CSN's Buckets List: Let's get ready to rumble

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Each Monday through the Final Four, our own Robbie Buckets -- known in some circles as Rob Snyder, associate producer at CSN -- will take a look at the world of college basketball: Games to watch each week, players who might be on the Celtics' radar come draft time, what's going on locally . . . and, of course, power rankings (which will eventually morph into bracketology). Enjoy!

I hope everyone is enjoying a great holiday season as this is the last Buckets List of 2016 (until the new year). The non-conference schedule for the most part has wrapped up as our one game to watch last week was yet another classic. Louisville beat Kentucky in a barn-burner -- and now it's only going to ramp up from here. Conference play begins, so if you haven't been completely tuned in . . . now is the time.

POWER RANKINGS

1. Villanova (12-0) - Easy week for the 'Cats, as they blasted a very bad American team. Now the champs begin Big East play in a big way. Cupcake DePaul on Wednesday, followed by games at Creighton and at Butler.  Ouch.

2. UCLA (13-0) - The Bruins stay undefeated and remain very efficient on offense. However, a 66th-ranked defense concerns me a little. They begin conference play at Oregon, so stay tuned.

3. Baylor (12-0) - The surprise Bears will get a big chance to prove themselves when conference play begins: Oklahoma on the road and Iowa State at home to start, although those are two teams currently playing below their potential.

4. Kansas (11-1) - The Jayhawks still haven't lost since 'opening day' and will be without a challenge, it seems, for a while. Still, TCU on the road is no picnic.

5. Duke (12-1) - Status quo for Duke, so let me give you my two cents on Grayson Allen. The kid is a punk. He's a sore loser who has no clue how to deal with his emotions when he gets aggressive. I have been incredibly tough on him this year because I think his overall play has been poor. I'm as hard on him as anyone.  HOWEVER . . . tripping someone is not the same as the crimes people are comparing it to. It's dumb, but let's all stop the outrage. We've all been tripped before.  It's not criminal. I don't care if he's suspended for more than a game, but I think Duke will be better without him in a pure basketball sense. If he does come back soon, let's not act like he was let out of prison after only serving half of his time.

6. Louisville (11-1) - I have no problem saying "I was wrong," so . . . "I was wrong." I didn't think Louisville would have enough offensive firepower to be a Top-15 team this season. But the Cardinals found a way to get the production and, coupled with a No. 1 overall defense, they're now legit.  We learned that with their win over Kentucky.

7. Gonzaga (12-0) - I still think the 'Zags have a legit shot at going undefeated. Their conference is weak outside of St. Mary's, and I think they're better than the Gaels. We'll see if there are any slip-ups.

8. Creighton (12-0) - This is a team, like UCLA, that is stellar offensively and leaves something to be desired on the defensive end. Can't wait for the Bluejays' game against Villanova in Omaha. That arena has been a kryptonite for the 'Cats since the new Big East came into play.

9. West Virginia (11-1) - Louisville may have the best defensive efficiency rating, but the Mountaineers boast the defense I'd want to face the least. They're nasty and deep, and finding plenty of ways to score. Baylor on January 10th will be a doozy.

10. Virginia (10-1) - The Cavaliers got a nice non-con win over Cal this week, but I have to say, I haven't been impressed.  This Virginia team is looking more and more like how I thought Louisville would look this season. The Cavs are barely squeezing offense out of an almost empty tube of toothpaste.  Oh yeah, they're on the road against Louisville in their next game.

11. Kentucky (10-2) - Defensive problems have crept up for the 'Cats as they suffered their second loss of the season. Still ultra-talented, UK should give the SEC all it can handle over the next few months.

12. North Carolina (11-2) - Too much talent to be this low, but no sweat for the Tar Heels.  They don't face a ranked opponent until mid-January.  Plenty of time to gather wins and move up the rankings.

13. Butler (11-1) - It's a hold right now for the Bulldogs. Golden opportunity on the 4th with 'Nova coming to Hinkle. Kelan Martin has been a force.

14. Wisconsin (11-2) - A hold here as well. The Badgers get a brutal start to Big Ten play with cupcake Rutgers followed by games in Indiana and in Purdue.

15. Purdue (11-2) - Speaking of the Boilers, they have three games before they get Wisconsin, and then it's a march of unranked teams.  Look for Purdue to be a surprise Top 10 team at some point this season.

LOCAL FLAVOR

Rhode Island (8-4) - This is where it really starts to matter for the Rams.  It was a fairly underwhelming non-conference showing by Rhody with four losses -- none of which were bad -- and only one signature win over Cincinnati. If they wanna be playing meaningful basketball in mid-March, they better show up big time for A-10 play.

Providence (10-3) -- There are so-called "hiccups along the way" and then there's losing to Boston College by double digits. The Friars end non-con play on a very weak note, and now begin what is arguably the most difficult four-game stretch to open a conference slate in the country: at Xavier, at Butler, vs G'town, vs Creighton.  We're about to learn a lot.

UConn (5-6) - The Huskies finish non-conference play with a loss to Auburn and now must basically win their conference if they want a shot to play in the NCAAs. Of course there's a chance they go 14-3 in the American and then lose in the conference tournament, but I won't even go that far in saying it would get the Huskies in.

WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK

  • Wednesday, December 28 -- Virginia at Louisville; UCLA at Oregon
  • Saturday, December 31 -- Villanova at Creighton; Louisville at Indiana; Florida State at Virginia

POTENTIAL FUTURE CELTICS TO WATCH

Joanathan Isaac - The Florida State freshman is averaging 12 ppg and 7 rpg and is shooting 56 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range.  Oh yeah, and he's a 6-foot-10 power forward. He's only been averaging about 24 minutes per game, but that should go up in ACC play.  He's currently a projected lottery pick, with some sites even putting him as high as No. 4.

Dennis Smith, Jr. - The North Carolina State freshman point guard is projected as a top-5 pick as well, with some sites putting him as high as No. 2.  Smith does it all for the Wolf Pack, averaging about 19 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, and he's shooting 3's at a 38 percent clip.  He's about the same size as Kris Dunn, so scouts are definitely licking their chops.

Follow me on Twitter @RobbieBuckets for college hoops musings and off-the-cuff sports takes.

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