College Basketball Power 10: Duke Rises, North Carolina Falls

Dec 3, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) is introduced as one of the Duke Blue Devils starting five before the start of their game against the Maine Black Bears at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This was the first game Tatum has played in this season. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Kansas (9-1)

It’s a shame that Kansas doesn’t have a ranked opponent on its schedule until late January against West Virginia. Kansas looks significantly better than at the start of the year when they lost to Indiana in overtime and barely beat an injury-plagued Duke team by two.

The Jayhawks beat UMKC by 33 points and jumped out to a 20-point halftime lead over Nebraska before beating them by 17 like they were back in the Big 8.

Frank Mason III continues to put up Wooden Award numbers– averaging 20.5 points, 5.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He’s also shooting a ridiculous 58.7 percent from the field and 54.8 percent from three this season.

Even though Kansas’ strength of schedule nose dived after their first two games of the season, Mason’s numbers are still incredible through 10 games.

Standout freshman Josh Jackson also continues to get better every week. His double-double against UMKC and 17 points with five blocks against Nebraska are indicative of why so many people are high on his all-around potential.

The big question is how Kansas will handle losing Carlton Bragg Jr. to suspension. Bragg is second on the team with 5.3 rebounds per game and also adds 7.8 points per game on 53.7 percent shooting.

Being suspended indefinitely certainly doesn’t help, but Kansas will have time to figure out how to replace him before the bulk of their conference schedule.

Kansas will have a test against Davidson in Kansas City this week.