The beginning of essentially the most thrilling two weeks of any sport is simply seven days away, which provides us one remaining probability to rank the highest groups in faculty basketball earlier than all of the convention tournaments start.
It was an unbelievable week of school hoops with unimaginable particular person performances, unprecedented buzzer-beaters and potential legends of March being born earlier than our eyes. Earlier than we enter the ultimate week of the common season, let’s check out who’s wanting the perfect at the absolute best time.
1. UConn (26-3)
Dan Hurley promised to be higher following a giant loss to Creighton two weeks in the past and the Huskies have been simply that. In two wins towards determined bubble groups, UConn outscored Villanova and now Seton Corridor by 54 complete factors and seem like the perfect workforce within the nation as soon as once more.
2. Houston (26-3)
In the event you wanted one other instance for what makes Houston among the finest groups in America, go take a look at the play Jamal Shead made to knock off Oklahoma on Saturday. The person is just a winner and with him within the backcourt, the Cougars must be assured towards any workforce within the nation.
3. Purdue (26-3)
One other yr, one other Large Ten title for Matt Painter and the Boilermakers. Zach Edey was sensational on Saturday with 32 factors and 11 rebounds to clinch a minimum of a share of that title however it can solely take one win or an Illinois loss to make it outright. Two extra titles may simply be on the best way with him and the remainder of the Boilermakers seemingly hitting their stride at simply the best time.
4. Tennessee (23-6)
Is anybody enjoying higher basketball proper now than Tennessee? Just one different workforce within the SEC has held Alabama to 74 factors or fewer and it was South Carolina who misplaced by 27 anyway. The Volts have now performed it twice and have the offensive firepower to enrich this unimaginable protection.
5. Arizona (23-6)
The Wildcats proceed to manage their very own future within the Pac-12 title race after three straight double-digit wins. Nonetheless, a street journey to Southern California awaits the place UCLA and USC will certainly make them earn it.
6. North Carolina (23-6)
Monday’s win was all about RJ Davis. Saturday’s win was concerning the spectacular depth and expertise that now surrounds him. Each Davis’ ascension and virtually a completely rebuilt rotation round him have led to a resurgence in Chapel Hill that makes them among the finest groups within the sport.
7. Iowa State (23-6)
One thing particular is occurring in Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones simply preserve successful and are rather more of a menace than many notice. It’s clearly not simple to win on any evening within the Large 12 and they’re now 12-4 with extra of an opportunity at successful the title than dropping out of second. This isn’t a workforce you need to play together with your season on the road.
8. Duke (23-6)
Virginia would probably wrestle scoring towards a highschool opponent proper now however what the Blue Devils did towards that stifling defensive was extraordinarily spectacular. The immense expertise is lastly beginning to gel in Durham, and I doubt North Carolina desires something to do with it on Saturday evening with the ACC common season title on the road.
9. Kansas (21-7)
Invoice Self misplaced his seventh Large 12 recreation in a season for the primary time in his profession, which is ridiculous once you take a second to really course of it. Can the Jayhawks flip issues round or are they poised for one more early exit in only a few weeks?
10. Marquette (22-8)
It’s arduous to punish a workforce for competing so long as Marquette did on the street with out its two finest and most necessary gamers. Every little thing runs by means of Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro, so to play in addition to they did with out them was spectacular. If something, individuals must be extra assured within the Golden Eagles after this week.
11. Baylor (22-7)
It definitely took a while, however this new-look Baylor workforce is beginning to construct some chemistry forward of the ultimate week of the common season. Yves Missi is getting higher by the day and is a game-wrecker who can shut down any heart and dominate them on the different finish. With him anchoring a trio of terrific guards, Scott Drew may have one other title contender in 2024.
12. Creighton (21-8)
The Blue Jays might need picked up one other top-five win on Saturday however with out each Kolek and Ighodaro enjoying, Marquette was removed from a top-five workforce. Nonetheless, if they’ll attain the second weekend of the NCAA Event and stave off upset bids, it’s simple to image Creighton occurring a deep run with its expertise and size.
13. Gonzaga (24-6)
Uh oh. Gonzaga is formally again. The Zags have now avenged each losses in 2024 and are clear favorites within the WCC after a beatdown of Saint Mary’s in Moraga. Ryan Nembhard is beginning to seem like the participant we anticipated to see coming into the yr and places this workforce on one other stage when he performs like he did on Saturday.
14. South Carolina (24-5)
Any high-major workforce with 5 or fewer losses heading into the ultimate week deserves main props. The one three groups who can maintain to this feat outdoors of the Gamecocks are ranked within the top-three, so take that for what it’s price. Give credit score the place it’s as a consequence of Lamont Paris and his overachieving group.
15. Kentucky (21-8)
There’s no extra thrilling workforce in faculty basketball than the Kentucky Wildcats. Not solely are they thrilling, however they’re additionally beginning to determine find out how to win down the stretch, which is a deadly improvement in Lexington.
Get pleasure from this Wildcats workforce whilst you can as a result of it’s actually one of the proficient rosters we’ve seen within the sport in a very long time. Whether or not they can flip that expertise into wins in March is a totally totally different story, however we’ll cross that bridge after we get there.
16. Saint Mary’s (24-7)
Effectively that’s one method to damage your first outright convention championship in 12 years. The Gaels claimed that title on Thursday however nonetheless received stomped by their huge brother, Gonzaga, to shut out the season on their dwelling ground. It’s extraordinarily probably we see a rematch within the WCC Event subsequent week, however till then, all of the momentum and confidence resides in Spokane.
Subsequent 5: San Diego State, Washington State, Illinois, Auburn, Utah State
Gamers of the Week:
RJ Davis, No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels
If there was any doubt about Davis making it as a first-team All-American this season, he put it to mattress on Monday evening towards Miami. The senior dropped a career-high 42 factors and went 7-11 from past the arc alongside the best way. Though he couldn’t replicate that on Saturday, Davis stepped up down the stretch to shut out NC State and proceed UNC’s successful streak.
Reed Sheppard, No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats
A type of losses for Arkansas got here by the hands of Sheppard and the Wildcats however that’s not the sport to speak about from the freshman’s stellar week. Kentucky trailed for the overwhelming majority of Tuesday’s journey to Starkville till Sheppard took over late and completed a floater within the lane with a second left to choose up a crucial street win over the Bulldogs.
Dalton Knecht, No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers
It was a quiet evening for Knecht on Saturday however his 39-point efficiency towards Auburn was sufficient to land him on this record. The SEC Participant of the 12 months race is all however wrapped up now however Antonio Reeves can have one other probability to vary that within the season finale on Saturday, which may be one of many video games of the yr between the Vols and Kentucky.
Khalif Battle, Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas might need gone 0-2 this week however Battle was the final particular person in charge as his scorching sizzling streak continued after a 42-point effort final week. The Temple switch averaged 35 factors in two extra video games, which is a 22-point enhance from his season common. No matter he’s been doing these days is working and it’s a disgrace it’s going to waste in a disappointing season for the Razorbacks.
Tucker DeVries, Drake Bulldogs
DeVries put up 39 factors, 13 rebounds, seven assists and 4 steals towards UIC on Wednesday, but none of those stats have been his most spectacular of the evening. It was his 54 minutes in a triple time beyond regulation victory that helped shake off a loss to Northern Iowa from the earlier recreation. The junior shined as soon as once more versus Bradley and continues to point out why he could possibly be one of many greatest sleepers on this summer season’s draft.
Play of the Week
It should be March. As a result of buzzer-beaters just like the one we noticed this weekend within the Western Michigan and Ball State recreation merely don’t occur in some other month. The insanity is right here and the bracket is beginning to take form. Earlier than we stay up for that nonetheless, let’s have a look again at this loopy end at hand the Broncos an exhilarating win.
https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/39640188
Video Credit score: ESPN
