The early season tournaments began this week, however the higher ones are arising subsequent week because the Maui Invitational and Battle 4 Atlantis headline a giant week in faculty hoops. Benefit from the vacation week and the March Insanity appetizers that include it in a terrific week for sports activities and particularly faculty basketball.
Right here’s our newest energy rankings:
1. UConn (4-0)
The Huskies will repair their consideration on the Maui Invitational and their opening matchup with Memphis to kick off the event. They received their Multi-Workforce Occasion (MTE) final season on the Empire Basic and would be the favorites this week in Maui as properly.
2. Kansas (5-0)
It may not be a conventional MTE just like the Maui Invitational that Kansas has been accustomed to enjoying in, however I don’t suppose anybody will complain a few matchup with Duke on Tuesday in Las Vegas. I’ve received the Jayhawks as an early favourite however pleasure and expertise will ooze via the display screen nonetheless.
3. Auburn (4-0)
The Tigers will even be featured in a stacked Maui subject and if the bracket results in a UConn-Auburn showdown, it’ll be must-watch TV on Wednesday night time. Bruce Pearl’s group might be properly rested heading into the week and a gap matchup with Iowa State might be a top-five matchup.
4. Gonzaga (5-0)
The Zags saved it rolling this week with a powerful street win over San Diego State and it’s off to Atlantis in a captivating event set to start on Wednesday. With each main convention represented by a high contender, each crew and convention bragging rights might be established.
5. Kentucky (5-0)
Kentucky sometimes doesn’t become involved in Feast Week and this 12 months might be no totally different. The Wildcats will look to remain scorching at residence with Western Kentucky and Georgia State on the schedule earlier than a giant week on the street with journeys to Clemson and Spokane to start December.
6. Duke (4-1)
Holding Arizona to 55 factors is spectacular sufficient and doing so on the street this early within the season simply provides to the hype that the Blue Devils will obtain for such a giant win. It doesn’t get any simpler this week with a showdown with Kansas, however this was a large first step for a younger and inexperienced Duke squad.
7. Houston (3-1)
No person humiliates inferior opponents fairly like Houston and this 12 months is not any totally different. Three mid-majors are averaging 43 factors in opposition to the Cougars this 12 months, however that glorious protection might be put to the take a look at in opposition to Alabama in Las Vegas on Tuesday. I’ve received the Cougars successful a nail-biter and staying forward within the rankings.
8. Marquette (6-0)
Hi there, Marquette. It seems we’ve undervalued the Golden Eagles up to now this season after they dealt with Purdue 76-58 in a top-15 contest on Tuesday. Issues are wanting up for Shaka Sensible regardless of dropping some terrific gamers to the NBA this offseason.
9. Purdue (5-1)
Talking of Purdue, we’re not hitting the panic button simply but, particularly after its win over Alabama final week. The Boilermakers will play in a mini event on the finish of the week, beginning with a Last 4 rematch in opposition to NC State on Thanksgiving Day.
10. Alabama (4-1)
Now talking of Alabama, the Crimson Tide bounced again from their loss in opposition to one other Massive Ten crew in Illinois. A stretch of six straight video games in opposition to ranked opponents will proceed with matchups in opposition to No. 7 Houston and No. 24 Rutgers on the schedule this week.
10. North Carolina (3-1)
The Tar Heels aren’t any stranger to Maui and can kick off a marketing campaign for his or her fifth championship in program historical past in Monday’s nightcap in opposition to Dayton. Their solely blemish within the early season is a 3-point loss at Allen Fieldhouse, so it’s protected to say they’re one of many favorites heading into probably the most prestigious MTE within the sport.
11. Tennessee (6-0)
Tennessee grew to become the beasts of the Bahamas this weekend with blowout wins over Virginia and Baylor to take residence the title of the four-team event. It was fairly the assertion for the Vols who destroyed the Bears 47-20 within the first half of the championship sport.
12. Indiana (4-0)
The Battle 4 Atlantis might be probably the most thrilling MTE of the week, and the new-look Hoosiers are maybe probably the most intriguing crew taking part. Mike Woodson’s crew appears to be like sharp up to now and with the Massive Ten as huge open as ever, this might be the 12 months for Indiana to get again on high after a troublesome stretch for this system.
13. Iowa State (3-0)
After sleepwalking to a 3-0 begin in opposition to three horrific groups, issues are about to get much more troublesome for the Cyclones in Maui. It begins with a top-five bout in opposition to Auburn and solely guarantees to get tougher with a number of different high groups headlining a stacked subject.
14. Wisconsin (7-0)
One of many high video games of the primary three weeks of the season slipped beneath the radar Sunday night time as Wisconsin took on Pittsburgh in a battle between two unbeatens. One other massive efficiency from John Tonje lifted the Badgers to a comeback victory and their first 7-0 begin since 2014-15 after they superior to the nationwide championship.
15. Florida (6-0)
Regardless of a scandal with coach Todd Golden early on, the Gators look unphased and motivated to play for his or her coach and are off to a 6-0 begin to present for it. Something aside from a championship on the ESPN Occasions Invitational might be disappointing for Golden’s group.
16. Pittsburgh (6-1)
The Panthers might need blown a 14-point first-half lead in opposition to Wisconsin, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a constructive begin for the crew at 6-1. Jeff Capel’s crew appears to be like harmful early on and could have three extra street exams arising in opposition to Massive Ten, SEC and ACC foes to show it.
Subsequent 5: Baylor, St. John’s, Arizona, Illinois, Arkansas
Gamers of the Week:
Johni Broome, No. 4 Auburn Tigers
Broome’s growth from an elite shot blocker to a spectacular all-around participant has been a deal with to look at and he solely continues to enhance beneath Bruce Pearl. The fifth-year senior dropped 30 factors, 17 rebounds, three blocks and a 3-pointer in opposition to North Alabama and needs to be one of many gamers to look at in Maui this week.
Kam Jones, No. 15 Marquette Golden Eagles
First, Jones was shining with out actually impacting the stat sheet after which rapidly the 6’5 senior had a triple-double to steer the Golden Eagles previous No. 6 Purdue. He’s actually the most effective gamers within the nation and constructing a case as a possible first spherical decide this summer time.
Eric Dixon, Villanova Wildcats
It’s been a depressing begin to the season for Villanova, however Eric Dixon is as far faraway from it as anybody on the Wildcats. Even his 38 factors weren’t sufficient to take down Maryland on Sunday, however the senior nonetheless ranks third within the nation in factors per sport and appears to be an intriguing prospect to look at as soon as once more in 2024-25.
Chaz Lanier, No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers
The motion for Lanier as a draft prospect has begun and a giant week within the Bahamas is a giant motive why. The North Florida switch drilled 13 triples in two video games on unbelievable effectivity (13-22) and was simply the highest participant within the four-team subject as he led the Volunteers to the title.
Adou Thiero, No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks
Kentucky followers fell in love with Thiero quick and now Arkansas followers are beginning to see why. The 6’8 junior is an unbelievable athlete with enhancing abilities and he confirmed off each in back-to-back 23-point performances this week for the Razorbacks. NBA groups searching for an elite athlete with a robust work ethic and a excessive ceiling will discover it straightforward to take an opportunity on the nonetheless 20-year-old junior.
Play of the Week
Getting used to seeing Jeremy Roach in a Baylor uniform would possibly take some time however getting used to finishes like it is a complete lot simpler. In a double-overtime traditional in opposition to St. John’s roached delivered the largest play of his younger Baylor profession with a buzzer-beater that received the MTE season off to a flying begin. Test it out beneath!
Video Credit score: Massive 12 Convention YouTube
