This week was the calm earlier than the storm that would be the school basketball schedule as soon as convention play comes round subsequent week across the nation. Most of the prime ranked groups loved an idle week throughout the holidays or just a cupcake matchup to wrap up their non-conference schedules.
Take pleasure in the remainder on the conclusion of 2024 as a result of a wild journey within the new yr is true across the nook in one other fascinating season of faculty hoops. Right here’s what to know forward of that huge shift!
1. Tennessee (12-0)
It was purported to be a soothing week for Tennessee followers with only one recreation towards Center Tennessee State at dwelling, however the Blue Raiders offered fairly the scare whereas holding a six-point halftime lead. The Volunteers coasted within the second half to stave off the upset bid and pull one step nearer to an ideal file heading into the brand new yr.
2. Auburn (11-1)
An argument can simply be made for Auburn to be within the prime spot with their dominance in practically each recreation and a formidable haul of ranked victories to go together with it. A loss in Cameron Indoor is the one blemish on the Tigers’ resume and it’s simply sufficient to maintain them under the Vols till they go down.
3. Iowa State (10-1)
Just like the Tigers, Iowa State loved its vacation with none video games this week after a terrific 10-1 efficiency in non-conference play. A robust begin has the Cyclones as one of many prime favorites in an amazing Massive 12. Keshon Gilbert, pictured, continues to steer the cost.
4. Kansas (9-2)
The Jayhawks, as all the time, might be proper there with Iowa State within the Massive 12 because the Jayhawks appear to be hitting their stride will receiving some relaxation earlier than the convention schedule begins this week. It’s not the identical excellent Massive 12, but it surely’s nonetheless formidable with a handful of ranked groups.
5. Duke (10-2)
Jon Scheyer’s group absolutely loved the week off, though with how the Blue Devils have been rolling, they could’ve needed to maintain issues rolling as a substitute. Nonetheless, a positive begin to ACC play ought to permit them to select up proper the place they left off.
6. Florida (13-0)
It’s been a exceptional begin to the season for the Gators who’re one in every of 4 unbeaten groups remaining with three coming from the SEC. A win over Stetson capped off their non-conference schedule and a visit to Lexington adopted by a date with No. 1 Tennessee current fairly the problem to maintain that undefeated season alive.
7. Alabama (10-2)
The Crimson Tide loved one other ridiculous offensive output on Sunday, placing up 57 factors within the first half on their method to a dominant victory over South Dakota State. So many alternative gamers can get it accomplished for this squad, which is what made them so powerful to beat in March final season and will do the identical in just some months.
8. Oklahoma (13-0)
The Sooners are the third and ultimate unbeaten within the SEC they usually’ll have an equally difficult begin to convention play with a highway contest in Tuscaloosa and a matchup with No. 13 Texas A&M to kick issues off. There aren’t any simple video games on this convention, but it surely doesn’t get rather more tough than that.
9. Marquette (11-2)
There was no motion for the Golden Eagles this previous week, however Shaka Good is probably going content material with that after a bodily highway win over Xavier the earlier weekend. It’s been a stable begin for his group that he’ll hope will solely proceed in a down yr for the Massive East.
10. Oregon (12-1)
Oregon is without doubt one of the largest surprises of the primary two months of the season, utterly shifting the dwindling momentum that had occupied the latter a part of the Dana Altman period in Eugene. The Geese are rolling at 12-1 heading into the brand new yr and a serious participant within the Massive Ten of their first season.
11. Michigan State (10-2)
Tom Izzo’s group is being lifted up extra by the standard of its losses than its wins, which can change after many alternatives for large wins within the Massive Ten. The Spartans are one of many extra underrated groups within the nation and we’re attempting to treatment that in our rankings right here.
12. Kentucky (10-2)
The Wildcats wanted a break after a surprising loss to Ohio State on the CBS Basic final week. One ultimate simple matchup towards Brown ought to permit Mark Pope’s squad to get again on observe earlier than SEC play challenges them every night time.
13. Houston (8-3)
No video games for Houston this week who might be hoping to problem for one more Massive 12 title after asserting its dominance in its debut season final yr. They need to be capable of get some momentum rolling with seven consecutive unranked opponents to kick off their schedule.
14. UConn (10-3)
Exterior of a visit to Hawaii, the Huskies are undefeated this yr and clearly nonetheless one of many nation’s prime groups with a very good chunk of spectacular wins. There’s nonetheless no group I’d worry extra in March with how they’ve dominated the final two tournaments, so depend them out at your individual peril.
15. Texas A&M (10-2)
The Aggies seemed sharp of their solely motion of the week, routing Abilene Christian to complete off 2024 at 11-2. It’ll be a chore to face this bodily and athletic group in what’s simply the nation’s most tough convention.
16. Mississippi State (11-1)
There’s loads of similarities within the kinds of play between the Bulldogs and Aggies with each groups threatening to be main gamers within the SEC title race. A win in Memphis was the newest assertion from Chris Jans’ group as they put together for a defining stretch of their season.
Subsequent 5: Purdue, Maryland, Memphis, UCLA, Illinois
Gamers of the Week:
Braden Smith, No. 21 Purdue Boilermakers
One of the best particular person efficiency of the week got here late Sunday night time as Braden Smith dismantled Toledo with 34 factors and 12 assists to steer the Boilermakers to a 19-point victory. It’s probably the greatest shows of Smith’s exceptional profession in West Lafayette and a testomony to the work the 6-0 level guard has put in to enhance his expertise.
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State Buckeyes
Thornton adopted up his huge recreation towards Kentucky with one other because the junior roughed up Indiana State with 33 factors Sunday afternoon. He’s acquired a case to be within the Massive Ten Participant of the Yr dialog and might be crucial to the Buckeyes turning issues round and combating to get into the Massive Dance.
Zakai Zeigler, No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers
The 5-9 senior is understood for his protection greater than something, but it surely was Zeigler’s playmaking (15 assists) towards Center Tennessee State that stole the present. He raised his common to eight.2 assists per recreation, which is now within the prime 5 in all of faculty basketball.
Brice Williams, Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Diamond Head Basic introduced some thrilling video games and even higher performances with none higher than Brice Williams’ 32-point efficiency within the semifinal towards Hawaii. He added to his huge week with 25 extra factors towards Oregon State to steer his group to the match championship as properly.
Deivon Smith, St. John’s Crimson Storm
Smith all the time a clean, slippery athlete in his restricted minutes at Georgia Tech to start his profession and a bigger position with Utah final season gave him the time he wanted to show it. A yr later with Rick Pitino, smith is prospering with 11 factors, six rebounds and 5 assists per recreation and a close to triple-double towards Delaware on Saturday was seemingly his prime efficiency along with his new group.
Play of the Week
It appeared the times of sweating out video games towards inferior non-conference opponents have been behind Louisville, however Saturday’s matchup with Jap Kentucky offered the Cardinals with all of the stress they might deal with. Fortuitously for the house crowd, Noah Waterman got here by means of with a last-second layup to forestall the upset and enter the brand new yr on a optimistic notice. Right here’s the dramatic close to buzzer-beater end that despatched the Cardinals to 8-5.
Video Credit score: ACC Digital Community
