Men’s college basketball delivered its loudest week of the season, especially at the top.
Duke earned a gritty win over Michigan on Saturday, proving the Blue Devils’ defense is on another level. If March gives us a rematch between these two programs, no one would complain.
But as contenders surged, the other storyline that took over was injuries.
Texas Tech superstar JT Toppin suffered a torn ACL that will end his college career. BYU’s Richie Saunders will also finish the season on the sidelines. North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson remains sidelined with a hand injury, while Arizona’s Koa Peat has been out with a leg issue — though both are expected back soon. It’s an annual reminder that in this sport, health always plays a vital role in who will cut down the nets in April.
That said, here’s the latest edition of my men’s college basketball rankings as of Feb. 22.
Note: Miami (Ohio) remains the nation’s lone unbeaten team, but they are not in my Top 25. I have tremendous respect for those players and for head coach Travis Steele. “Undefeated” carries weight, just not enough to override a strength of schedule ranked 295th nationally. I’ll keep rooting for them, but for now, they’re just outside the field.
Wisconsin responded to a bad loss to Ohio State by beating Iowa. Senior guard Nick Boyd has been a beast this season and outdueled Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz by scoring 27 points, grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out 10 assists.
[COLLEGE HOOPS: Nick Boyd, Nolan Winter Lead No. 24 Wisconsin Past Iowa, 84-71]
Saint Louis misplaced its second recreation of the season, an 81-76 defeat to Rhode Island, which ranks 122nd in KenPom. The Billikens’ schedule doesn’t enable them a whole lot of wiggle room. They did decide up a pleasant win over VCU on Saturday.
BYU has received three of its previous 4 video games and acquired an enormous residence win towards Iowa State to point out that they’re nonetheless a menace, regardless of dropping senior guard Richie Saunders final week to a torn ACL. Freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa had 29 factors, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. He alone is well worth the value of admission.
Louisville misplaced to SMU earlier this week after which beat a nasty Georgia Tech workforce. The Cardinals nonetheless rank fifteenth in KenPom and are enjoyable to observe, however I really feel like they need to be higher than they’re.
Vanderbilt is coming off back-to-back losses to Missouri and Tennessee which have the Commodores sitting at 8-6 within the SEC. Do you bear in mind when Vandy was 16-0 simply final month? It is just like the reverse of Florida.
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North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) dribbles the ball previous Syracuse guard J.J. Starling (2). (Picture by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)
North Carolina misplaced at NC State by 24, however the Tar Heels have been with out freshman ahead Caleb Wilson and senior large man Henri Veesaar. Each accidents are non permanent, so I’m not going to overreact, however they should end the season sturdy.
Tennessee has received 4 in a row and eight of its previous 9 video games to climb again up within the rankings after beginning the season 12-6. I really like the combo of guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and ahead Nate Ament.
Arkansas misplaced an exquisite duel with Alabama early within the week. The Razorbacks do not need a successful streak longer than 4 video games all season, however it is a wildly gifted workforce that has a whole lot of good wins.
Texas Tech‘s loss at Arizona State price the Crimson Raiders greater than a few spots in my rankings. It additionally price them All-American ahead JT Toppin, who’s now out for the yr with a torn ACL. I’m gutted for him and this workforce. The Crimson Raiders are nonetheless good, however they’re now not a Ultimate 4 contender.
It took Alabama some time to gel. I’m not claiming that the Crimson Tide have lined up all of their defensive points (66th in KenPom), however they’ve received six video games in a row and their offense stays scary.
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Dillon Mitchell #1 of the St. John’s Crimson Storm seems on towards the Marquette Golden Eagles. (Picture by Patrick McDermott/Getty Photographs)
One thing has clicked with St John’s. For those who watched the Johnnies in November, they only lacked a sure pop. They’ve it now and destroyed Creighton whereas forcing 18 turnovers. They’ll win the Huge East once more with a win at UConn on Wednesday.
Kansas appeared flat and uninspired at residence towards Cincinnati on Saturday. Credit score the Bearcats for taking part in their greatest recreation of the yr, although. Freshman star Darryn Peterson performed 32 minutes, however he was removed from spectacular, ending with solely 17 factors.
[COLLEGE HOOPS: Kansas Star Darryn Peterson Is ‘Getting Terrible Advice’]
Illinois flexed its offensive muscle early towards UCLA and constructed a 23-point lead within the first half. However the Combating Illini took their foot off the fuel and the Bruins ended up pulling off an upset victory in time beyond regulation with a stupendous end by UCLA senior guard Donovan Dent. Brutal loss for Illinois.
Gonzaga and St. Mary’s are on a collision course once more this yr within the West Coast Convention. They meet in Moraga on Saturday night time. It will inform us quite a bit about each groups.
Virginia retains successful, and this workforce has balanced scoring almost each recreation. On Saturday, six guys reached double figures, as they beat a strong Miami (Fla.) workforce to remain in second place within the ACC.
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Leo Curtis #33 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers drives towards Saa Ciani #22 of the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Picture by Steven Branscombe/Getty Photographs)
Nebraska misplaced on the street to Iowa and the Huskers transfer up this week? Sure. It’s a mixture of Nebraska’s résumé and the truth that Kansas, Texas Tech and Illinois all misplaced in uninspiring methods.
Michigan State blew out UCLA at residence to begin its week, displaying that the Spartans’ physicality continues to be elite. Then, Tom Izzo’s workforce survived Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton’s 32 factors on Sunday to sneak out one other win.
The hole between Purdue and Michigan is giant, and it was on show at Mackey Enviornment in an 80-91 loss to the Wolverines on Tuesday night time. Purdue took out its frustrations towards Indiana just a few nights later. The Boilermakers nonetheless rank within the high 25 in each offense and protection, in response to KenPom.
UConn began the week with a brutal residence loss to Creighton, which ranked 74th within the NET on the time, however the Huskies rebounded with an incredible win towards Villanova. Subsequent, the rematch with St John’s on Wednesday for the Huge East title.
Florida‘s 5-4 begin to the season looks as if a decade in the past. This workforce has hit its stride and is enjoying like a top-five unit, successful 12 of its previous 13 video games.
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Blake Buchanan #23, Joshua Jefferson #5, and Nate Heise #0 of Iowa State stroll down the court docket throughout the ultimate minute of their loss to BYU. (Picture by Chris Gardner/Getty Photographs)
Iowa State‘s street loss to BYU on Saturday wasn’t nice, however many top-10 groups dropped a recreation this week, so the Cyclones solely fall one spot in my rankings.
I nonetheless love this Houston workforce. The Cougars met their bodily match on Saturday towards Arizona and got here up brief. Freshman guard Kingston Flemings had 17 factors — nevertheless it took 17 photographs to get there. He wanted extra assist from his backcourt mates.
Arizona did it once more! The Wildcats solely made three 3-pointers and nonetheless beat Houston on the street. Senior guard Anthony Dell’Orso has had back-to-back 22-point video games off the bench. Freshman ahead Koa Peat might be again any day now from a leg damage.
Michigan‘s loss to Duke doesn’t change how I really feel about this workforce’s potential to win a title. The Wolverines have been my decide to win all of it, and in the event that they be taught the teachings that Duke taught them on Saturday, this loss shall be an excellent factor.
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Patrick Ngongba II #21 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates the basket. (Picture by Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)
I’m not stunned that Duke beat Michigan on Saturday, however I used to be amazed at how troublesome Duke’s protection made it for Michigan to complete across the rim. The Wolverines have been 9-for-17 on layups. Duke earns the No. 1 spot.
