The highest of the rankings sees a shake-up this week after two losses by SEC favorites Auburn and Kentucky.
We’ll get to these video games shortly, however what does all of it imply? Do the outcomes of previous week open the door for an additional crew or two to crack the highest 5? Are Auburn’s and Kentucky’s résumés ok to resist some slipups? Or are the Wildcats’ short-handed losses beginning to catch as much as them? Is there something to be involved about for both crew?
Beginning with the final query: I do not assume so. I nonetheless assume full-strength Kentucky is a clear-cut nationwide title favourite, and the Wildcats confirmed on Saturday in opposition to Alabama {that a} short-handed Kentucky is fairly good too. As for the Tigers, their decision-making within the backcourt remains to be worrisome late in video games, and Wendell Inexperienced has had some actually, actually poor ultimate possessions in current weeks. That is the world to look at.
With the SEC losses, although, Kansas’ path to a 1-seed is extra obvious. The Jayhawks are the one crew within the nation with 10 Quadrant 1 wins. In addition they have only one loss outdoors of Quadrant 1, they usually’re ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s power of file and within the KPI.
Essentially the most fascinating crew on this dialogue, although, is Baylor, which raised some eyebrows when it was ranked No. 5 total in Saturday’s mock bracket reveal. With Baylor as one of many elite groups within the nation when fully wholesome, the choice committee was clearly placing an enormous quantity of weight on the Bears’ full-strength résumé and predictive metrics. If the Bears can avenge their blowout loss to Kansas with a win over the Jayhawks on Saturday, their path to 1-seed is wide-open — particularly if everybody apart from Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (knee, out for the season) comes again totally wholesome earlier than Choice Sunday.
Since Texas Tech began trying like one of many elite groups within the nation in early January, the Purple Raiders have earned Win of the Week honors on a pair of events, and Mark Adams additionally landed Coach of the Week after a house victory over Texas within the first week of February. However they hadn’t earned Staff of the Week honors — till now.
That is what a double-digit win over Baylor and a highway victory versus Texas will do for you.
Texas Tech dominated the second half in opposition to Baylor on Wednesday, scoring 51 factors en path to a 10-point win. Kevin Obanor was terrific, posting a season-high 23 factors and grabbing a season-high 13 rebounds, as nicely. He was quieter in opposition to Texas on Saturday, however Bryson Williams stepped up there with 17 factors, whereas Clarence Nadolny got here off the bench to attain 14. The Purple Raiders’ protection in opposition to the Longhorns was outstanding, holding Texas to simply 10 paint factors and 26.5% taking pictures from contained in the arc. Oh, and the sport was in Austin, however you might barely inform. “Air ball” chants after a second-half miss from Longhorns guard Andrew Jones stood out.
Essentially the most spectacular half? The Purple Raiders received each contests with out two-year starter and double-figure scorer Kevin McCullar, additionally arguably the crew’s finest defender. This crew is for actual.
Saint Mary’s bought some separation within the prime tier of the West Coast Convention this previous week, beating San Francisco and BYU by matching 69-64 scores and clearly establishing the Gaels because the second-best crew within the league and the doubtless 2-seed within the convention match. And the star of the present was Kuhse.
Beginning for the primary time since mid-December, the senior guard performed 40 minutes in each wins. He had 22 factors, six rebounds, six assists and 4 steals in opposition to San Francisco, making a number of clutch free throws down the stretch to maintain the Dons at bay. He adopted that up with a second straight season excessive in scoring on Saturday evening, ending with 25 factors, 4 3-pointers and 4 assists in the important thing conquer BYU. His bucket with simply over 5 minutes left gave the Gaels a 12-point lead that the Cougars could not overcome.
Over Kuhse’s previous 5 video games, he’s averaging 18.4 factors and 4.6 assists whereas taking pictures 43.5% from 3.
I discussed the SEC shake-up on the very starting, and it is exhausting to distinguish between the 2 large victories, so I am giving the Gators and the Vols co-wins of the week.
Florida was basically in a must-win scenario in opposition to Auburn on Saturday. The Gators had misplaced two in a row, at Kentucky and Texas A&M, and their NCAA match hopes have been foundering. A 17-2 Auburn run spanning each halves appeared like it could bury them, however the Gators responded with a 12-2 run halfway by the second half and bought some enormous pictures from Tyree Appleby (26 factors). Florida ahead Colin Castleton (19 factors, eight boards, three blocks) additionally outplayed counterpart Walker Kessler inside.
Earlier within the week, Tennessee avenged its 28-point mid-January loss at Kentucky in beating the Wildcats by 13 in Knoxville. The Volunteers went on a 17-1 run early within the recreation, and Kentucky was not often in a position to make it a recreation for the ultimate half-hour. The 2 greatest keys for the Vols have been limiting turnovers and transition protection. The Vols coughed it up 20 instances within the first assembly and have been persistently beat down the ground; they turned it over simply eight instances on Tuesday and barely allowed straightforward baskets.
McCasland has performed an unimaginable job with North Texas this season, capping the week with a last-second win at UAB and giving the Imply Inexperienced a two-game lead over Center Tennessee within the loss column getting into the ultimate two weeks of the common season.
North Texas shocked the nation final season, going from 9-5 in league play — tied for the fifth-best file in Convention USA — to profitable the convention match after which upsetting Purdue within the first spherical of the NCAA tourney. However McCasland misplaced three seniors from that crew, and North Texas was picked all the way in which down at sixth within the preseason C-USA ballot. After dropping three of 5 to begin the 2021-22 marketing campaign, North Texas has misplaced only one recreation since. The Imply Inexperienced have received 12 video games in a row and 18 of their previous 19.
That the majority current victory might need been the most effective. North Texas visited UAB on Saturday, went forwards and backwards with the proficient Blazers for the higher a part of 35 minutes after which allowed a late 11-0 run that appeared like it could give UAB the win and a shot on the regular-season title. However Tylor Perry made a 3 with 23 seconds left to chop UAB’s result in one after which hit one other deep 3 with fewer than three seconds left to present North Texas the W.
Three groups with questions
Xavier Musketeers: I do not assume the Musketeers’ NCAA match chances are high in any kind of bother, however they’ve now misplaced 4 of their previous 5 video games after falling by double digits to St. John’s and UConn this previous week. They’re now under .500 within the Massive East, they usually’ve allowed not less than 1.00 level per possession in 9 of their previous 10 outings.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers: For the primary time in months, the Ramblers now not have the sting within the Missouri Valley regular-season race. They misplaced at house to Drake on Saturday for his or her fourth defeat in 10 video games — following a 10-game profitable streak. Their at-large résumé is sweet sufficient proper now, however they cannot afford too many extra slipups.
Georgetown Hoyas: I’ve included the Hoyas on this part earlier than, however we’re nearing historic ranges of embarrassment within the nation’s capital. Georgetown fell to 0-15 in Massive East play on Saturday, and the Hoyas realistically have just one extra probability to get a win: at house in opposition to DePaul on Thursday. If the Hoyas do not, 0-19 seems awfully doubtless. In that case, does Patrick Ewing get one other season on the helm?
Energy Rankings
1. Gonzaga Bulldogs (23-2)
Earlier rating: 1
This week: at San Francisco (Thursday), at Saint Mary’s (Saturday)
The Zags are simply two video games from securing their third unbeaten regular-season efficiency prior to now 4 campaigns — and 4 wins from their fourth NCAA match 1-seed in a row. They’re additionally very prone to be the general 1-seed for the second straight season. Gonzaga’s stranglehold on the highest of the bracket was strengthened with Auburn’s loss to Florida, and I discover it exhausting to imagine anybody can move the Zags between now and Choice Sunday if Mark Few’s crew wins out. The Zags have three wins in opposition to the highest 15 of the NET, their solely losses are to top-25 NET groups they usually rank No. 1 in all three predictive metrics and within the NET. Barring a shock defeat, the Zags are going to be on the prime of the bracket in three weeks.
2. Arizona Wildcats (24-2)
Earlier rating: 4
This week: at Utah (Thursday), at Colorado (Saturday)
It wasn’t Arizona’s best week, however the Wildcats used large second-half efforts to beat Oregon State and Oregon. And except for displaying some resilience in taking each punch a determined Oregon crew threw on Saturday evening, one of many greater positives of the week was Bennedict Mathurin actually rounding again into kind. After a nine-game stretch through which he averaged 13.1 factors and 5.2 rebounds whereas taking pictures 38.1% from the sphere and 29.3% from 3 — and by no means scored greater than 18 in a single recreation — he has now registered not less than 20 factors in 4 straight contests. Over that stretch, Mathurin is averaging 22.3 factors, 4.8 rebounds and three.3 assists whereas taking pictures 55.6% from the sphere and 50.0% from 3.
3. Kansas Jayhawks (22-4)
Earlier rating: 5
This week: vs. Kansas State (Tuesday), at Baylor (Saturday)
0:27
Kerr Kriisa lets it fly and buries the clutch 3-pointer to present the Wildcats’ the lead late within the second half.
Lastly, some consistency from David McCormack! The 6-foot-10 senior middle surged towards the top of final season, and after a wildly inconsistent first three months of this one, he appears to be heading in the right direction as soon as once more. By way of 22 video games, he averaged 9.0 factors and 6.9 rebounds on 51.4% taking pictures from the sphere. That was highlighted by 4 double-doubles but additionally by 5 video games with three or fewer factors. He by no means tallied double figures in scorning for greater than two video games in a row. However over the previous 4 matchups, McCormack has scored not less than 11 factors in each recreation and is averaging 14.5 factors, 8.5 rebounds and taking pictures 55.0% from the sphere. With Jalen Wilson hitting his stride throughout Massive 12 play and McCormack peaking on the proper time, Invoice Self’s offensive choices are increasing.
4. Auburn Tigers (24-3)
Earlier rating: 3
This week: vs. Ole Miss (Wednesday), at Tennessee (Saturday)
Auburn has nonetheless solely misplaced as soon as in regulation, and that got here by one level at Florida, so the Tigers aren’t falling too far within the rankings. And as talked about earlier, I do not assume there’s any cause to instantly write off Auburn as a title contender. However decision-making and turnovers are beginning to spotlight its losses. Within the Tigers’ previous 13 video games, they’ve had two through which they turned the ball over on not less than 23% of their offensive possessions. These two tilts have been the losses to Arkansas and Florida. Wendell Inexperienced and Okay.D. Johnson mixed for 10 turnovers in opposition to Arkansas and eight in opposition to Florida. Each gamers are at their finest after they’re aggressive, getting downhill and making performs off the bounce. However they often overlook Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler exist — which is not best, contemplating Smith and Kessler are the Tigers’ two finest gamers.
5. Kentucky Wildcats (22-5)
Earlier rating: 2
This week: vs. LSU (Wednesday), at Arkansas (Saturday)
Whereas John Calipari will clearly wish to be at full power as usually as attainable shifting ahead, accidents to TyTy Washington and Sahvir Wheeler have pressured him to dip into his rotation a bit extra not too long ago — and the coach might need discovered one thing with Jacob Toppin. Toppin has been a stable reserve for a lot of the season, beginning one recreation again in January and in any other case offering a activate the bench together with his explosiveness and measurement. However he was thrust right into a beginning function on Saturday in opposition to Alabama, and he responded. Toppin completed with 13 factors, six rebounds and three assists, together with some momentum-shifting performs within the first half when the Crimson Tide had a lead. Over Toppin’s previous three video games, he’s averaging 11.3 factors and 5.0 rebounds whereas taking pictures 60.9% from the sphere.
6. Purdue Boilermakers (24-4)
Earlier rating: 4
This week: at Michigan State (Saturday)
The Massive Ten title race goes to be as aggressive as any within the nation, with Purdue, Illinois and Wisconsin all tied within the loss column. Purdue solely has three video games remaining, whereas Illinois and Wisconsin have 4 apiece. Each BPI and BartTorvik.com give the Boilermakers the most effective probability to win the league, in addition to the best remaining schedule. The March 1 matchup of Purdue and Wisconsin in Madison is actually an elimination recreation, nonetheless. In full disclosure, all of that was only a strategy to fill area to get to Jaden Ivey’s ridiculous dunk and strut in opposition to Rutgers on Sunday. The most effective of the season.
Greatest @BoilerBall dunk since _______? 😲 pic.twitter.com/GvUGZlYuQP
— Purdue On BTN (@PurdueOnBTN) February 20, 2022
7. Duke Blue Devils (23-4)
Earlier rating: 8
This week: at Virginia (Wednesday), at Syracuse (Saturday)
After a November that put Wendell Moore squarely within the thick of the All-American dialogue, he had been largely up and down for the previous two months. However he had arguably his finest week in 2022 this previous week, placing up 16 factors, six rebounds and 5 assists within the win over Wake Forest after which going for 16 factors, 5 rebounds, seven assists and 6 steals within the victory over Florida State. With Mike Krzyzewski shifting Jeremy Roach to the bench and AJ Griffin into the beginning lineup, extra of the playmaking duties have fallen on the shoulders of Moore and Trevor Keels. Neither is a basic level guard, however each are robust with the ball and good passers. They mixed for 15 assists in opposition to the Seminoles on Saturday.
8. Villanova Wildcats (21-6)
Earlier rating: 10
This week: at UConn (Tuesday)
Collin Gillespie’s efficiency in opposition to Windfall on Tuesday was a classic Villanova level guard effort: 33 factors, 5 3s, 4 rebounds, a pair of assists and 8-for-8 from the free throw line. With a number of enormous pictures down the stretch within the second half, he lead the Wildcats to a giant highway win over the crew forward of them within the standings. (Gillespie doubtless would have earned Participant of the Week honors, however he shot 2-for-10 and scored 9 factors in Saturday’s win over Georgetown.) That is going to be the kind of efficiency Villanova will want from Gillespie within the NCAA match. He had some struggles in large nonconference video games this season, however he’s nonetheless able to carrying the Wildcats.
9. Texas Tech Purple Raiders (21-6)
Earlier rating: 12
This week: vs. Oklahoma (Tuesday), at TCU (Saturday)
0:17
David McCormack will get up for the putback jam
I gave Texas Tech numerous love within the Staff of the Week part, so let’s take a fast have a look at the Purple Raiders’ total résumé — primarily to see why the choice committee had them 4 full spots behind Baylor, regardless of sweeping the Bears and tying with them within the Massive 12 standings. Baylor edges Tech in each single metric, with a reasonably sizable benefit within the BPI, Sagarin and KPI. The Bears are also higher away from house (9-3 vs. 5-6) and have a greater Quadrant 1 file (9-4 vs. 7-6). The highest finish of the résumé, although, is the place Tech could make its argument. The Purple Raiders have a win in opposition to Kansas, the 2 aforementioned victories over Baylor, a sweep of Texas and a neutral-court triumph versus Tennessee. Baylor has house wins in opposition to Villanova and Texas — after which there is a drop-off to a neutral-court victory over Michigan State.
10. Baylor Bears (22-5)
Earlier rating: 7
This week: at Oklahoma State (Monday), vs. Kansas (Saturday)
Scott Drew’s piecing this crew collectively and conserving the Bears within the hunt for a Massive 12 regular-season title and a possible 1-seed within the NCAA match is tremendously spectacular. They have been lacking Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer on Saturday in opposition to TCU, and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua is already out for the season — they usually nonetheless managed to beat the Horned Frogs by 10. Drew basically had simply six gamers to make use of, however he gave Dale Bonner his second begin of the season. Bonner responded with 5 free throws and 4 steals. Flo Thamba had performed greater than 23 minutes as soon as all season earlier than final weekend, however he has now performed not less than 27 minutes for 3 video games in a row and is averaging 9.7 factors and 9.3 rebounds over that span. The return of Flagler and Cryer will likely be essential for Saturday’s recreation in opposition to Kansas, nonetheless.
11. Wisconsin Badgers (21-5)
Earlier rating: 13
This week: at Minnesota (Wednesday), at Rutgers (Saturday)
As I am penning this, the fallout from the postgame fracas involving Juwan Howard and the Wisconsin teaching workers has not been decided, so we’ll wait to handle the ramifications of attainable suspensions. Within the meantime, Johnny Davis’ Wood Award hopes have been taken up a notch final week. He began with 30 factors and 12 rebounds in a key win at Indiana, scoring the Badgers’ ultimate 13 factors and prepared them to victory. He adopted that up with 25 factors, six rebounds and three blocks in Sunday’s house win over Michigan. Within the two video games, he shot 21-for-27 from contained in the arc and 13-for-17 from the free throw line. Heading down the stretch, it seems like an Oscar Tshiebwe vs. Johnny Davis race.
12. Tennessee Volunteers (19-7)
Earlier rating: 14
This week: at Missouri (Tuesday), vs. Auburn (Saturday)
Tennessee had among the finest wins of the week over Kentucky, however the Volunteers’ offense then disappeared at Arkansas on Saturday. In opposition to the Wildcats, Tennessee shot 47% from 3 and solely turned it over eight instances, scoring 1.11 factors per possession. In opposition to the Razorbacks, Tennessee was right down to 0.71 factors per possession after taking pictures 4-for-24 from behind the arc and coughing it up 15 instances. Tennessee actually struggled to get factors within the paint in opposition to Arkansas. John Fulkerson had simply two factors in Fayetteville, whereas Kennedy Chandler and Zakai Zeigler did not get the area to persistently end on the rim or discover teammates for open pictures. The trio shot 4-for-17 from 2 and had simply three complete assists.
13. Windfall Friars (22-3)
Earlier rating: 9
This week: vs. Xavier (Wednesday), vs. Creighton (Saturday)
That is simply what they do, of us. After a midweek loss to Villanova threatened the Friars’ place atop the Massive East, Butler appeared prefer it was going to make it a depressing week for Windfall. However Ed Cooley’s crew got here again from 19 factors down to select up an extra time win on the highway — and keep one recreation forward of Villanova within the loss column on the prime of the standings. Now the Friars should handle enterprise at house in opposition to Xavier and Creighton earlier than getting a rematch with Villanova on March 1. The important thing will likely be getting Al Durham again; he missed Sunday’s recreation with a decrease physique harm, and he has been taking part in by ache for some time.
14. Illinois Combating Illini (19-7)
Earlier rating: 11
This week: vs. Ohio State (Thursday), at Michigan (Sunday)
So what is going on on with Andre Curbelo this season? He has been restricted to simply 12 video games and 4 begins because of concussion points associated to the one he suffered again within the preseason, however he hasn’t been almost as efficient even when on the ground. Earlier than lacking 11 video games in a row, Curbelo began his solely 4 video games of the season in November, averaging 9.3 factors and 5.5 assists. When he returned on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in opposition to Purdue, he had 20 factors, six rebounds and three assists and appeared poised to be the elite playmaker he confirmed flashes of being final season. Since then, Curbelo has averaged simply 5.4 factors, 1.7 assists and a couple of.3 turnovers in 15.4 minutes whereas taking pictures 31.7% from the sphere. He has performed greater than 20 minutes simply as soon as prior to now seven video games. Thus far, Illinois is 13-1 with out Curbelo and 6-6 with him. The Combating Illini have Ultimate 4 potential — however Curbelo returning to his freshman-year kind could be the important thing.
15. UCLA Bruins (19-5)
Earlier rating: 16
This week: vs. Arizona State (Monday), at Oregon (Thursday), at Oregon State (Saturday)
Together with Tommy Kuhse and Johnny Davis, UCLA wing Jaylen Clark was one other prime candidate for Participant of the Week after the sophomore broke out in his second and third begins of the season. In opposition to Washington State on Thursday, Clark was inserted into the beginning lineup with Tyger Campbell out and responded with 18 factors, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Campbell returned in opposition to Washington, however Johnny Juzang and Cody Riley have been out, so Clark stored his beginning spot. And he appeared even higher, going for 25 factors on 12-for-16 taking pictures and grabbing 5 boards. Clark has been thought of as arguably UCLA’s finest defensive participant, however he not often confirmed that degree of offensive capacity. That may very well be an enormous increase for the Bruins shifting ahead.
16. Houston Cougars (22-4)
Earlier rating: 15
This week: at Tulane (Wednesday), vs. SMU (Sunday)
Houston almost let Sunday’s recreation in opposition to Wichita State slip away a number of instances, however the way in which the Cougars completed the second extra time and bought the win was basic Houston. With the sport tied at 71, Houston missed two pictures however grabbed two offensive rebounds — because the Cougars are wont to do — dove for a free ball on the ground and ended up getting a bucket plus the foul by Josh Carlton. Wichita State got here again down and tied it on a 3 (that half wasn’t basic Houston), however Jamal Shead then took the inbounds move with 5 seconds left, drove the size of the ground and dumped it off to J’Wan Roberts for a game-winning dunk. It is not at all times fairly for Houston, however no matter personnel, Kelvin Sampson’s groups at all times appear to crash the offensive glass, at all times hustle, at all times play to the whistle and, as a rule, get a win.
Dropped out: NONE
Within the ready room
Arkansas Razorbacks: Few groups nationally are taking part in in addition to Arkansas proper now. The Razorbacks have received 11 of their previous dozen video games after caring for enterprise in opposition to Tennessee on Saturday. Try this remaining schedule, although: at Florida, vs. Kentucky, vs. LSU, at Tennessee.
UConn Huskies: The Huskies picked up résumé-boosting wins this previous week in opposition to Seton Corridor and Xavier, giving them 9 victories of their previous 12 video games. Adama Sanogo was dominant down low, totaling 35 factors and 25 rebounds within the two contests. Up subsequent is a go to from Villanova on Tuesday.
Texas Longhorns: The Longhorns want to seek out some kind of offensive consistency. They’ve scored a couple of level per possession simply twice prior to now seven video games, throughout wins over Kansas and Oklahoma. In these two tilts, they made a mixed 49 2-point pictures; they did not make greater than 16 2-pointers in any of the opposite video games over that stretch.