Faculty basketball followers acquired a style of March on the primary day of February.
Saturday introduced some wild outcomes throughout the nation, with 11 AP-ranked groups shedding, eight of the highest 15 falling and a trio of top-10 groups — Iowa State, Houston and Marquette — all shedding at dwelling.
In the midst of convention play throughout America, there are specific matchups (and coaches) that may trigger issues for groups, which might result in eyebrow-raising outcomes. Simply take a look at Kansas State beating Iowa State, 80-61, as the Wildcats handed the Cyclones a shocking Quad 3 home defeat.
Then there’s Houston, which entered Saturday evening on a 13-game profitable streak and had been 23-1 in its earlier 24 video games within the Big 12. The Crimson Raiders overcame ahead JT Toppin and coach Grant McCasland getting ejected and beat the Cougars 82-81 in time beyond regulation behind senior guard Chance McMillan‘s free throws down the stretch. Marquette was down by 22 at dwelling towards a Liam McNeeley-less UConn group, which rolled to an announcement win — one which drops the Golden Eagles out of my prime 10 and confirmed that in the event you make Kam Jones work for what he will get, you possibly can beat them.
The absurdity of this sport may be seen in so some ways, like Tennessee shedding to Kentucky after which following it up by lacking Zakai Zeigler and Igor Milicic and nonetheless taking a beforehand top-five Florida group to the woodshed in a 20-point win. It may be seen with Kentucky then unraveling on Saturday evening as John Calipari walked into Rupp Enviornment and had the final giggle. How about Missouri strolling into Starkville and beating Mississippi State by 27? Sure, there have been some ultimate scores that supplied some actual surprises on Saturday.
No. 25 UConn Huskies vs. No. 9 Marquette Golden Eagles Highlights
Tom Izzo’s pursuit of Bob Knight’s Big Ten wins document will not get damaged in Los Angeles, as Michigan State took a 70-64 defeat to USC. After which there’s Kansas, which suffered its biggest collapse in the history of the program by losing a 21-point lead to Baylor, permitting 60 factors within the second half and falling to 6-4 within the Large 12. The Jayhawks have been a really inconsistent group and will end exterior the highest three within the league for the primary time in over 4 many years.
[Read more: Ranking the top 50 players and coaches in the country]
That stated, let’s get to our Prime 25!
1. Auburn (20-1)
The Tigers beat Ole Miss on Saturday behind double-doubles from Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell, together with 18 from Chad Baker-Mazara. They’re 20-1 on the season and have not misplaced in the perfect league in America, the SEC.
2. Duke (19-2)
The Blue Devils drilled UNC, 87-70, on Saturday behind Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel. Flagg had 21 factors, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks, whereas Knueppel poured in 22-5-5. They won’t lose an ACC sport.
3. Alabama (19-3)
The Crimson Tide thwarted Georgia on Saturday behind 20 factors from Mark Sears and 11 complete triples. I nonetheless love this group’s ceiling and offensive versatility.
4. Tennessee (18-4)
The Vols might need misplaced at dwelling to Kentucky, however their response to lacking Zeigler and Milicic was so spectacular that I am not eradicating them from my prime 5 after a powerful win over Florida.
5. Purdue (17-5)
The Boilermakers have the perfect level guard in America in Braden Smith, and Trey Kaufman-Renn was the hero in Friday’s win over Indiana.
6. Texas Tech (17-4)
The Crimson Raiders are within the prime 10 in KenPom and Torvik with an offense that is actually dynamic. Profitable at Houston and being 17-4? That is the way you make a giant splash and get rewarded!
7. Houston (17-4)
Saturday was a heartbreaker for the Cougars, however they’d gained 13 straight video games. That stated, Milos Uzan struggled from the ground and Emanuel Sharp is taking part in harm proper now.
8. Iowa State (17-4)
Whereas I got here away inspired by the double-overtime sport at Arizona, Saturday was a nasty loss by the Cyclones. I am protecting them within the prime 10 as a result of I imagine they are going to reply and are certainly one of America’s greatest 10 squads.
9. Missouri (17-4)
The Tigers have gained 5 of their previous six video games, with a victory at Florida coupled with wins over Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
10. Florida (18-3)
The Gators shot 25% from the ground and 15% from downtown in Saturday’s loss. Walter Clayton and Alijah Martin simply couldn’t discover it. That stated, the Gators drilled Tennessee in Gainesville. I am protecting them on this spot.
11. St. John’s (19-3)
12. Michigan State (18-3)
13. Texas A&M (17-5)
14. Memphis (18-4)
15. Marquette (18-4)
16. Kentucky (15-6)
17. Arizona (15-6)
18. Clemson (18-4)
19. Kansas (15-6)
20. UConn (16-6)
21. Maryland (17-5)
22. Saint Mary’s (20-3)
23. Michigan (16-5)
24. Creighton (16-6)
25. Illinois (15-7)
John Fanta is a nationwide school basketball broadcaster and author for FOX Sports activities. He covers the game in a wide range of capacities, from calling video games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Community to offering commentary on The Area of 68 Media Community. Comply with him at @John_Fanta.
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