March is simply across the nook and the insanity on the court docket is beginning a tad early in 2024. From UConn lastly faltering to miraculous buzzer-beaters in Baton Rouge and East Lansing, this week had all of it in faculty hoops because the convention and NCAA Event brackets begin to take form. Make amends for all you should know on this week’s NCAA Energy 16!
1. UConn (25-3)
It seems the Huskies are mortal in spite of everything however not sufficient to kick them out of the highest spot in our rankings. A triple-double from Tristan Newton sparked the workforce again to life in a rout of Villanova over the weekend, which units them up for an interesting near the season with journeys to Marquette and Windfall nonetheless on the schedule. Cam Spencer (pictured) continues to be a lucky switch from Rutgers.
2. Houston (24-3)
It’s arduous to have a extra spectacular week than Houston simply needed to put one hand on the Large 12 common season championship trophy in its first season within the convention. Regardless of not having a lot NBA expertise, the highest total seed within the NCAA Event is nicely inside attain for the Cougars who’re getting scorching at simply the correct time.
3. Purdue (25-3)
Even in opposition to the worst workforce within the Large Ten, Purdue ought to really feel achieved any time it avoids a serious upset on the street within the Large Ten. In any case, that’s how the Boilermakers have misplaced all three of their video games this season. These high three groups are very clearly in a separate tier than the remainder proper now.
4. North Carolina (21-6)
I’m unsure anybody within the North Carolina locker room envisioned scoring 54 factors can be sufficient to snap the eight-game dropping streak at John Paul Jones Area however Virginia’s traditionally terrible stretch of offense did simply that. Give the Heels some credit score although who ought to cruise till the ultimate night time of the season in an epic rematch with Duke at Cameron.
5. Arizona (21-6)
Tommy Lloyd celebrated his illustrious contract extension in fashion with a 3-point residence loss to Washington State that accomplished the common season sweep for the Cougars and put them on high of the Pac-12. For a number of days. The Wildcats responded with a giant win over Washington to proper the ship heading into the perfect month of any sport.
6. Kansas (21-6)
The well being of Kevin McCullar stays in query nevertheless it wasn’t an issue for the Jayhawks on Saturday. Whereas they survived this take a look at with out him, Invoice Self will want his senior again to his previous self in a flash if he needs this group to make any noise in March.
7. Tennessee (21-6)
The Vols prevented a catastrophe Tuesday night time at Missouri and refused to play with their meals in a 35-point beatdown of Texas A&M on Saturday night time. 4 consecutive ranked opponents await to shut the season so if Rick Barnes needs to put declare to a different SEC Championship, he’ll must earn it within the closing two weeks.
8. Iowa State (21-6)
Though the Cyclones got here up quick Monday night time in opposition to Houston, it was a superb introduction to those that haven’t seen simply how proficient this workforce is. They went toe-to-toe with the most popular workforce in America in one of the vital hostile environments within the nation. Doubt T.J. Otzelberger and Iowa State at your individual peril.
9. Duke (21-6)
The one factor worse than Duke dropping Saturday’s contest to Wake Forest was its star participant happening throughout the court docket storming. I don’t agree with advocating for the whole elimination of those storms isn’t an awesome look however I’m certain I’d be upset too if I noticed a participant of Kyle Filipowski’s caliber limp off the court docket due to one.
10. Marquette (20-6)
I feel Marquette may’ve been just a little ticked off following an embarrassing loss to UConn final weekend. Whereas DePaul at all times seems to be horrendous, making Xavier look the identical on Sunday ought to flip some heads. Nevertheless, this season has proven that anyone can put it collectively on their residence court docket, so I’ll wait to see how a visit to Omaha seems to be earlier than declaring them again.
11. Creighton (20-8)
Which Creighton will present up for the NCAA Event? The one which crushed No. 1 UConn or the one which adopted it up with a double-digit loss to St. John’s? The ceiling is evident however with eight losses, together with a number of in blowout trend, it’s changing into more and more tough to belief the Blue Jays.
12. Alabama (19-8)
Following one of many worst defensive efforts in faculty basketball historical past, Alabama has now given up 308 factors in its final three street video games. They usually gained considered one of them! The offensive brilliance is all good enjoyable till meltdowns like this make me query if the Tide can actually put it collectively for six video games in March. Till they present they’ll defend a highschool junior varsity workforce, I’m going to think about my doubts justified.
13. Baylor (19-8)
Baylor confirmed a ton of resolve battling again from a 16-point halftime deficit in opposition to Houston however because the comeback fell aside in additional time, an 0-2 week dropped the Bears out of Large 12 title rivalry. Getting again on observe gained’t be straightforward with the dreaded street sport on Large Monday coming and a rematch with No. 9 Kansas on Saturday.
14. Saint Mary’s (23-6)
The longest successful streak in faculty basketball now belongs to Saint Mary’s following UConn’s loss to Creighton. What a turnaround it’s been this yr by Randy Bennett after excessive expectations had been thrown out the window throughout a 3-5 begin. The Gaels look unstoppable proper now as their stand up the rankings continues.
15. Washington State (21-7)
Oh, the ups and downs of faculty basketball. Beat No. 4 Arizona on the street one night time and lose by 12 to a .500 workforce two days later. Nonetheless, the sweep of the Wildcats is what I’m taking away from this week because the Cougars secured a spot within the NCAA Event and put some stress on Tommy Lloyd for the Pac-12 title.
16. Gonzaga (22-6)
How the Zags are on the bubble is an entire thriller to me contemplating what number of groups have struggled to keep away from upsets in faculty basketball this season. None of their losses are something to be ashamed of and a street win vs. Kentucky is trying higher and higher after the Wildcats’ massive wins the final two weekends.
Subsequent 5: Kentucky, San Diego State, Alabama, Illinois, Florida
Gamers of the Week:
Kam Jones, No. 9 Marquette Golden Eagles
Jones went on fairly the heater this week with back-to-back 34-point performances to steer Marquette to a pair of big wins in Large East play. His outdoors shot is wildly inconsistent, however when it’s falling prefer it was this week, you’re taking a look at top-of-the-line pure scorers within the sport. It’s a giant purpose why he’s in our projected mock proper now.
Zach Edey, No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers
The Canadian large put collectively considered one of his most full performances of the season on Sunday with 35 factors and 15 rebounds in opposition to the Wolverines. The trouble matched a season-high for Edey and tightened his grip on the Nationwide Participant of the Yr trophy.
Khalif Battle, Arkansas Razorbacks
Is 42 factors on 15 pictures good? It’s been a miserable letdown of a season for the Muss Bus and the Razorbacks however within the midst of it, Battle loved an evening to recollect with a career-high 42 factors on 6-10 capturing from past the arc and 14-14 capturing on the charity stripe.
Jamal Shead, No. 2 Houston Cougars
Shead is the central cog within the Houston machine and with him firing on all cylinders this week, the Cougars grabbed two essential wins to take the Large 12 convention lead. The senior performed almost flawless in a 73-65 win over Iowa State on Monday and whereas his deep 3-pointer was simply after the buzzer in opposition to Baylor, Shead left his mark on the match in a formidable street victory in Waco.
Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Earlier than the Demon Deacon trustworthy stormed the court docket in Winston-Salem, Sallis blitzed the Blue Devils protection all night time to offer the followers this exuberance. The junior is reveling in his new residence after transferring from Gonzaga, which was by no means extra evident than in a 29-point outburst on a nationwide stage with unimaginable effectivity (11-13 FG, 5-6 3PT).
Play of the Week
FAU was one of many largest Cinderella tales from the NCAA Event a season in the past, and whereas a current spell of losses has them at risk of getting again to the Large Dance, Alijah Martin remains to be having enjoyable with posters like this. This ferocious end is a terrific characteristic from every week full of unimaginable performs and moments.
https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/39578655
Video Credit score: ESPN
