The Early Season Fizzle

The movie "The Way of the Gun," starring Ryan Phillippe, Benicio Del Toro and Juliette Lewis, has one of the best opening scenes ever. (Go ahead, watch it and tell me I'm wrong. Yup, that's Sarah Silverman.) But after the film's intro, it's all downhill. Much like the following college basketball teams, who began the season strong, but have quickly seen the wheels fall off the wagon.

Florida (Highest ranking:10; Current ranking: 18 and falling) - After winning their first eight games of the season, including victories over Florida State and Michigan State, the plucky Gators appeared to have regained the form that helped them win two national championships in a row. So what if they couldn't hit a three or box out. Commentators would not stop talking about Billy Donovan's boys not only about making the NCAA Tournament, but winning it. Then the second week in December rolled around and the Gators lost three straight to Syracuse (fine), Richmond (not fine), and South Alabama (trouble). Now, with SEC conference play looming, Florida has to regain its confidence if the team wants to dance come March.

Portland (Highest ranking: 25; Current ranking: Unranked) - The new Gonzaga, the darlings of college basketball, the toast of Oregon - columnists couldn't get enough of the Pilots when they beat Oregon, UCLA and Minnesota to start off the season. A team chalk full of seniors, Portland climbed into the national rankings for the first time in 40 years. But scrappy defense can only get a team so far and the bottom fell out as the Pilots lost four out of their next six games. True, falling to West Virginia and Washington are nothing to be ashamed of, but losses at the hands of Idaho and Portland State are no way to boost a reputation. Now it's back to the drawing board for the Pilots, which might not be such a bad thing since they were a much better team flying below the radar.

Butler (Highest ranking: 11; Current ranking: 20) - To watch Butler play in Hinkle Fieldhouse is truly spectacular. It gives the team a distinctly Mid-West, Hoosier-esque feel. The Bulldogs are disciplined and scrappy and while they might not be the most talented, they certainly aren't the least and they know how to win - most of the time. This season has been a roller coaster ride for a Butler team trying to shake the mid-major label, but failing to live up to pre-season hype. The Bulldogs started off winning three games in a row, including a nice victory over Northwestern, but then inconsistency took over. They beat Xavier and Ohio State, but lost to Minnesota, Clemson and, most recently, UAB. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Horizon League play starts soon, which should boost their confidence.

Cincinnati (Highest ranking: 19; Current ranking: Unranked) - With freshman phenom, Lance Stephenson leading the charge, the Bearcats rushed out of the gate this season with solid wins over Vanderbilt and Maryland, but they haven't beaten a quality opponent since. Cincinnati has lost close games to Gonzaga and Xavier, while getting blown out by UAB. The Bearcats certainly have the talent to regain their early season confidence, but they better do it fast. UConn comes to town next Wednesday to kick off Big East play and without any perimeter shooting, the Bearcats could struggle.