In comparison with the final a number of weeks, it was a comparatively calm slate of video games in faculty basketball this week because the nationwide image begins to spherical into type. A number of of the most important takeaways? The SEC might hypothetically occupy the Elite Eight by itself, Rutgers has two potential prime 3 draft picks and Duke might run away with the ACC.
There shouldn’t be an entire lot extra drama earlier than the calendar flips to 2025, so catch your breath whilst you nonetheless can as a result of issues are about to warmth up in just some weeks. Till then, right here’s what it’s essential to find out about the perfect groups and gamers in faculty hoops.
1. Tennessee (10-0)
The Vols couldn’t get something going offensively, battled foul bother and endured a raucous crowd on the highway at Illinois and nonetheless discovered a option to hold its undefeated season alive. That’s the resolve of a champion and a real contender, leaving them atop our rankings for at the least one other week.
2. Auburn (9-1)
Clipping at Tennessee’s heels are the Auburn Tigers who impressed once more with a lopsided victory at Ohio State on Saturday. Johni Broome seems to be a NPOY contender and an infinite provide of dynamic guards encompass him to bolster one in all Bruce Pearl’s most gifted groups ever.
3. Iowa State (9-1)
Not even a double-digit lead simply earlier than halftime might propel Iowa to a substantial upset over its in-state rival because the Cyclones rallied for an 89-80 win over the Hawkeyes. The Cyclones added their sixth straight win on Sunday since a slim loss to Auburn and are clearly one of many nation’s prime groups.
4. Kentucky (10-1)
It hasn’t been as fairly as the primary few video games of Mark Pope’s tenure, however his group simply continues to win, together with over the weekend in one of many sport’s nice rivalries. The Cats know methods to rating and defend simply nicely sufficient to win. They’re the third SEC group within the prime 4 and as well-deserving as any of them.
5. Kansas (8-2)
Not many groups wanted a win greater than Kansas on Saturday and the Jayhawks managed their contest with NC State from begin to end. With another sport earlier than Massive 12 play begins, they’ll get a small reprieve earlier than the season actually heats up.
6. Duke (8-2)
The Blue Devils confronted three of the 5 groups forward of them in these rankings and fared nicely in a pair of nail-biting losses adopted by a win over No. 2 Auburn. They’re clear favorites in a weak ACC with convention play kicking off this week.
7. Alabama (8-2)
One other SEC group checks in right here, and two extra will observe, to point out simply how spectacular the beginning for this convention has been. The Tide performed seven consecutive high-major applications, who might all be NCAA Event groups, and walked away with a powerful 5-2 file. They’ll catch their breath for a couple of weeks earlier than a gauntlet in convention play awaits them within the new yr.
8. Florida (10-0)
The primary of two SEC unbeatens, though the facility of the convention means that received’t final for lengthy, is the Florida Gators. Preseason controversy round Todd Golden continues to be an afterthought as his group retains piling wins collectively. The most recent was a neutral-site assertion in opposition to beforehand 8-1 Arizona State who regarded spectacular earlier than working into the Gators in Atlanta.
9. Oklahoma (10-0)
Oklahoma is subsequent after taking down a Massive 12 opponent of its personal in rival Oklahoma State. The sport was by no means actually in query as all 5 starters reached double figures, and in typical Porter Moser trend, the protection dominated to carry their opponent below 70 factors for the seventh time this season.
10. Oregon (10-1)
It’s been a terrific turnaround season for the Geese thus far and regardless of a loss to UCLA final week, they responded with a pleasant win over Stephen F. Austin to get again on monitor. In a Massive Ten with none clear juggernaut, why can’t Oregon win one other debut convention championship in a unique sport?
11. Memphis (8-2)
I select to miss the upset loss to Arkansas State in favor of a few of the extra spectacular wins within the nation over UConn, Michigan State and now on the highway at Clemson. The one different blemish on Memphis’ resume is a loss to Auburn, which is nothing that deserves to be punished.
12. Michigan State (8-2)
Talking of the Spartans, they loved a stagnant week due to finals and hung round at 8-2 due to it. They’ll return to motion in opposition to Oakland, FAU and Western Michigan earlier than Massive Ten play continues within the new yr.
13. San Diego State (7-2)
It was presupposed to be a stress-free week for the Aztecs, and was on its option to being one, earlier than Cal Baptist practically erased a 19-point deficit to tug off a significant upset on Wednesday. Nonetheless, Brian Dutcher’s group survived forward of Mountain West play choosing up within the subsequent few weeks.
14. Houston (6-3)
Since shedding to these Aztecs in late November, Houston is again to its roots of creating opponents wish to give up basketball due to its relentless defensive effort. Butler and Troy couldn’t even mix for 100 factors in these two contests and its unlikely that Toledo and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will this coming week both.
15. UConn (8-3)
The Huskies are again within the rankings following a four-game successful streak that features wins over Baylor, Texas and Gonzaga. Maui is wanting increasingly like a fluke with Dan Hurley’s group discovering its rhythm heading into Massive East competitors this week.
16. UCLA (8-2)
The Bruins have been flying below the radar since a loss to New Mexico within the second sport of the season, however swiftly, they’re 9-1 with back-to-back wins over Oregon and Arizona. North Carolina and Gonzaga await them earlier than the calendar turns, so we’ll be taught much more concerning the legitimacy of this revival.
Subsequent 5: Maryland, Texas, Gonzaga, Texas A&M, Purdue
Gamers of the Week:
Dylan Harper, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The race for the No. 1 decide is way from a formality, particularly with the best way Harper is enjoying of late. The freshman was already having an amazing week with an excellent show to knock off Penn State, which paled compared to the present he placed on Saturday in opposition to Seton Corridor. The New Jersey native launched himself to the rivalry with 24 factors and a dramatic buzzer-beater to seal the win for the Scarlet Knights. Evidently, he’s our clear alternative because the participant of the week.
Johni Broome, No. 2 Auburn Tigers
Broome is turning into a fixture on this listing, nevertheless it’s unattainable to disclaim him after a 21-point, 20-rebound efficiency in opposition to Ohio State with six assists as nicely. After first being referred to as a shot-blocker, Broome has expanded his sport every season with the Tigers and now seems like a bona fide NBA prospect.
Lamont Butler, No. 5 Kentucky Wildcats
How does 33 factors and 6 assists with out lacking a shot from the sector (10-10 FG, 6-6 3-PT) sound for a return from damage? Butler, who’s credited extra for his protection, broke out like this in a giant method, on a giant stage, because the Wildcats hosted Louisville in a rivalry that appears renewed after a couple of boring years amidst the Cardinals’ destruction.
Andrej Stojakovic, California Golden Bears
Since transferring from Stanford this summer season, Stojakovic resides as much as the household identify as a celebrity with the Golden Bears. The 6-7 sophomore is averaging 20 factors per sport and is contemporary off a 31-point domination of Northwestern State on 10-14 taking pictures (4-6 3PT) on Saturday. Stojakovic is proving he belongs on draft boards for excess of simply his final identify in a breakout sophomore marketing campaign.
Jordan Gainey, No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee would’ve been misplaced in opposition to Illinois with out Gainey’s heroics off the bench within the second half. The senior guard scored or assisted on 15 of the group’s ultimate 17 factors, together with a game-winning reverse layup that broke a 64-64 tie within the ultimate seconds. These sorts of performances from unpredictable locations are what makes Tennessee so harmful each now and within the NCAA Event.
Play of the Week
Our participant of the week supplied the play of the week when Dylan Harper determined he didn’t wish to stick round for extra time and as an alternative buried a buzzer-beating 3-pointer handy Seton Corridor a crushing loss at Jersey Mike’s Enviornment. Take a look at the outstanding end to an impressive sport beneath!
Video Credit score: Bleacher Report
