The All-Cinderella top 10

By Brian Ault Sports Central Columnist

Welcome to the All-Cinderella Top 10, where you won't find the best in the AP poll listed. If they're a good team that's either ranked in the bottom ten or not at all, they'll get viewing from me. Now, without me blabbering on for much longer, let's get things started with No. 10.

10. Pepperdine: You may remember these guys as the team that took out Indiana in last year's NCAA tournament. This year, they've shown they aren't a fluke. They are currently the top team in the WCC ahead of Gonzaga. They're also 2-1 against Top 25 opponents.

9. Hawaii: The best in the WAC, they've been blacked out mainly because of a soft schedule so far. But, coming from a town that knows the WAC, with guys like guard Predrag Savovic and big forward Haim Shimnovic, the Rainbow Warriors won't be a team to look over for much longer.

8. UC Irvine: Now, we all know why Irvine hasn't been nationally respected. Being the proverbial whipping toys in the Big West, the Anteaters are on cruise control for an NCAA berth. I hope teams don't forget these guys almost beat UCLA at Pauley Pavilion a few months back.

7. Western Kentucky: The powerhouse of basketball past, the Hilltoppers gained a lot of steam after their upset of Kentucky at Rupp Arena earlier this season. Even though they suffered a losing streak shortly after, they are still one of the best in the Sun Belt and still one of the deadliest small teams in the nation.

6. Florida State: A hidden gem in the ACC, you'd have no clue why I'd pick them this high with a 7-9 record. But, if shaken right, these 'Noles have the power to be a real party crasher in March. Heck, we saw what happened with Duke at Colton Fieldhouse when they were focused.

5. UConn: The "Phoenix" of the Big East, the Huskies have come up from the ashes to be one of the best teams in the conference. And they are the only team with a shot to beat Syracuse in the Big East tournament at the Garden.

4. Oregon: What a year it's been to be part of the Oregon Ducks. First, a Fiesta Bowl championship and a rightful shot at the National Championship. Now, a basketball team with a real shot at an NIT crown. What else could be better?

3. Georgia: Even though guard Tyrone Cole was dismissed from the team for a rape case against him, I believe the Bulldogs are still the only real competition besides Auburn to make sure Kentucky isn't the SEC champion.

2. Indiana: Pride is officially back in South Bend. After disposing of problem coach Bobby Knight, first-year coach Al Davis has guided the Hoosiers out of the pits of college basketball oblivion to its first possible shot at the Big 10 crown since U2 was starting out in music.

1. Ohio State: Elite Eight? These Buckeyes have the tools to repeat its minimal success of only four years ago when Michael Redd ripped boards down like it was nobody's business. Unless they drop the ball, they are the only team besides Illinois and Indiana with any shot at winning the Big 10 title this year.

Others receiving votes: Pitt, Dayton, Butler, Detroit, Nevada.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.