Note: Teams in GOLD are currently projected conference winners
Conference: Big 12
Conference Record: 5-0
Season Record: 16-1
Last Week: W @ Oklahoma (81-70), W vs Oklahoma State (87-80)
After some shuffling at the top of the rankings over the past couple of weeks, Kansas finds themselves sitting in the pole position midway through January. Their play has backed it up, too. Senior guard Frank Mason III has been absolutely stellar, averaging 20.5 ppg to go with 5.5 apg and 4.4 rpg. He should legitimately be in the discussion for the Wooden Award. Freshman Josh Jackson, despite some early season growing pains, has performed well with 15.6 ppg and 6.7 rpg. His 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists game against conference and in-state rival Kansas State guided the Jayhawks past the upset-minded Wildcats. While it's still early and Kansas still has to face Baylor and West Virginia as well as a mid-conference-season premier matchup with Kentucky, Bill Self has his squad playing the best ball in the nation.
This Week: @ Iowa State (Monday), vs Texas (Saturday)
Conference: Big East
Conference Record: 5-1
Season Record: 17-1
Last Week: W vs #15 Xavier (79-54), W @ Saint John's (70-57)
The defending National Champs have been quite impressive this far, with their only loss coming to Butler at Hinkle. Besides that loss, Villanova has quality wins against Creighton, Notre Dame, and Purdue. Add a 25 point trouncing against Xavier, and you've got a team that finds themselves at #2 in the nation. Just as Kansas has their senior stud (Frank Mason III), Villanova has their own senior leader in Josh Hart, who has been putting up numbers of 19.3 ppg and 6.7 rpg. His 37 point, 11 assists performance against Notre Dame earlier in the season still stands out as possibly the most impressive individual game of the year. He practically single-handedly led the Wildcats back from an 11 point deficit in the second half, scoring 18 points in the final 13 minutes. The champs are looking good heading into conference play.
This Week: vs Seton Hall (Monday), vs Providence (Saturday)
Conference: Pac 12
Conference Record: 5-1
Season Record: 18-1
Last Week: W @ Colorado (104-89), W @ Utah (83-82)
The hype was finally contained two weeks ago when UCLA traveled to Eugene to take on the Ducks. Thanks to a late game run by Oregon capped off with a clutch game-winning three by Oregon forward Dillon Brooks, Oregon put an end to UCLA's undefeated start. However, this has not fazed the Bruins, who have since won four straight games, including quality wins against Colorado and California. When I watch this team, I see a team that plays with a similar pace to that of the Golden State Warriors. They're fast, fun to watch, and the momentum of the game can change in a hurry. This can prove beneficial, such as their 13 point win against Ohio State or their 15 point win against Colorado, where they were able to pull away in the second half, and it can also prove to be costly, such as their collapse to Oregon which saw them forfeit an 8 point second half lead. They nearly lost another one on Saturday when facing Utah. Down by as much as 9 points in the second half, UCLA was able to fight their way back thanks to a 17-6 run. The freshmen play out of 6' 6" guard Lonzo Ball (14.6 ppg, 8.0 apg, 5.5 rpg) and 6' 10" forward T.J. Leaf (16.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg) has been a big reason why the Bruins are able to capture these victories. Ohh, and senior guard Bryce Alford messed around and scored 37 points on 9-14 shooting from deep against Colorado Thursday night.
This Week: vs Arizona State (Thursday), vs #14 Arizona (Saturday)
Conference: SEC
Conference Record: 5-0
Season Record: 15-2
Last Week: W @ Vanderbilt (87-81), W vs Auburn (92-72)
John Calipari's Wildcats have been playing some of the best basketball in the country, demolishing anything that stands in their way. After a 23 point win at Ole Miss, a 42 point win versus a surging Texas A&M, and a 26 point win against Arkansas, the Wildcats nearly let one slip in Vandy. Malik Monk and company were able to come out Nashville with a 6 point win, though, and remain undefeated in conference play. The backcourt of Kentucky is the best backcourt in the nation, featuring freshmen guards Malik Monk, who's putting up 21.7 ppg, and De'Aaron Fox, with averages of 16.7 ppg, 6.4 apg, and 5.1 rpg. Pair these two with wingman Isaiah Briscoe (15.8 ppg) and freshman big Bam Adebayo (13.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7 bpg) and you've got one of the most talented teams in the nation. Playing in the SEC both helps and hurts the Wildcats, though, as the competition is once again down this year. This should mean plenty of W's, but could also mean guys not coming mentally prepared and taking "nights off," as well as being unprepared heading into the tournament come March. Circle the January 28th matchup with Kansas, though, which breaks up the conference schedule and could be the toughest team Kentucky faces all season.
This Week: @ Mississippi State (Tuesday), vs South Carolina (Saturday)
Conference: West Coast
Conference Record: 5-0
Season Record: 17-0
Last Week: W vs Loyola Marymount (93-55), W vs #21 Saint Mary's (79-56)
With Saturday's convincing 23 point win at home versus Saint Mary's, there is reason to believe that Gonzaga could run the table and finish the regular season undefeated heading into the NCAA Tournament. This club that Mark Few has is quite impressive. Junior transfer Nigel Williams-Goss has been scoring the rock, averaging 15.2 ppg to go along with 5.8 rpg and 4.9 apg. That 36 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists game at San Francisco last Thursday is still vivid in the minds of many. Fifth-year senior big Przemek Karnowski has also been a big reason why the Zags find themselves in the upper echelon of college hoops. His presence defensively matched with his savvy moves around the rim offensively gives Gonzaga strength on both ends of the floor.
This Week: @ Santa Clara (Thursday), vs Portland (Saturday)
Conference: Big 12
Conference Record: 4-1
Season Record: 16-1
Last Week: L @ #10 West Virginia (89-68), W @ #25 Kansas State (77-68)
Well that didn't last long. On Monday, Baylor, not even ranked in the top 25 to begin the season, moved up to #1 in the AP Poll for the first time in school history. On Tuesday night, the Bears fell awfully to Coach Huggins' West Virginia Mountaineers and their devastating full-court press. The constant pressure applied by West Virginia led to 29 Baylor turnovers, which almost set another school record (the school record is 31 turnovers in a game). Scott Drew had to quickly get his team back on track, though, as they traveled to take on Kansas State on Saturday. Despite a scrappy Kansas State team that nearly knocked off Kansas a couple weeks ago, Baylor was able to stay composed and earn a much needed victory to keep them among the best in college basketball. Still, the 21 point loss to West Virginia was awful and showed these Bears, as well as everyone watching, just how hard it is to compete every night in the Big 12.
This Week: vs Texas (Tuesday), @ TCU (Saturday)
Conference: ACC
Conference Record: 3-2
Season Record: 15-3
Last Week: W vs Pittsburgh (85-80), W vs #7 Duke (78-69)
A big week for Louisville was capped off with a solid 9 point win against Duke on Saturday. The Cardinals were able to silence Duke in the second half, leading for the final 17 minutes of action, en route to another resume stuffing win and a 3-2 conference record. Many may say that Louisville has no business being ranked the highest ACC team right now, and that should ranking should go to Florida State, North Carolina, or Virginia. But I beg to differ. To me, not only are they the best team in the best conference in college basketball, but they're one of the best teams in the nation. Listen to these wins: 73-70 win over then-#6 Kentucky, 71-64 win over then-#15 Purdue, 77-62 win over then-#16 Indiana, and now a 78-69 win over then-#7 Duke. I realize that Indiana has since falling out of the top 25 and that Duke is without Coach K and Amile Jefferson, but those four games are impressive and are hard to beat when looking around in college basketball. Their three losses (66-63 to then-#20 Baylor, 61-53 to then-#12 Virginia, and 77-70 to then-#23 Notre Dame) are all "quality" (if you want to use that term) losses. The one thing I will say about Louisville is that they don't have a big time star like some of the other top 10 schools do. However, sophomore guard Donavan Mitchell may prove otherwise. He's averaging 13.6 ppg and 5.1 rpg, but in his last five games, he's averaging 19.0 ppg and has been making some pretty impressive shots. Junior forward Quentin Snider (12.1 ppg and 4.0 apg) is also worth keeping an eye on, as he's now scored in double figures seven of the last nine games.
This Week: vs Clemson (Thursday), @ #10 Florida State (Saturday)
Conference: Big East
Conference Record: 4-1
Season Record: 17-1
Last Week: W vs #12 Butler (75-64), W vs Truman State (101-69)
With Creighton taking down conference foe Butler on Wednesday, the Blue Jays extended their conference record to 4-1, with their only loss of the year coming to then-#1 Villanova on New Years Eve. The Bluejays played a phenonmenal first half, outscoring Butler 47-27. From there on, it was all Creighton, as senior guard Maurice Watson Jr. led the Bluejays with 21 points and 7 assists. His 8.5 apg ranks highest in all of Division I basketball this season. Sophomore guard Khyri Thomas also came to life, scoring 14 points and hauling in 12 rebounds. Aside from the loss to Villanova, Head Coach Greg McDermott's Blue Jays continue to find ways to win. Whether it's from the outside or controlling the pace, Creighton plays with a lot of poise and is a legitimate Final Four contender. Watch out for these Bluejays.
This Week: @ #22 Xavier (Monday), vs Marquette (Saturday)
Conference: ACC
Conference Record: 4-1
Season Record: 16-2
Last Week: W vs #7 Duke (88-72), L @ #11 North Carolina (96-83)
Following a 15-1 start to the year that saw wins over then-#12 Virginia, then-#21 Virginia Tech and Minnesota, the Seminoles headed into a tough week where they'd have to face Duke and North Carolina. This would be the real test for Florida State, who had been scorching hot to start the year. They answered the call Tuesday night against Duke, who was without both Coach K and senior forward Amile Jefferson. Nevertheless, a 16 point win against Duke at nearly any time, no matter the circumstances, is impressive. Taking this momentum into Saturday's date with North Carolina, the Seminoles looked strong throughout much of the game but lacked that game-changing moment. The second half was a half of runs for both teams, with Florida State cutting the deficit to 3 points multiple times. Like I said though, they could not capitalize on it and failed to come away with the victory because of that. They'll have little time regroup, as they face #15 Notre Dame on Wednesday followed by a meeting with #12 Louisville on Saturday. Sophomore guard Dwayne Bacon is a guy worth watching who could go in the lottery this June. He's averaging 17.8 ppg and 3.9 rpg. In addition, freshman forward Jonathan Isaac has come into his own as of late, averaging 12.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg. His 17 point-12 rebound game against North Carolina Saturday surely grabbed the attention of NBA scouts.
This Week: vs #15 Notre Dame (Wednesday), vs #12 Louisville (Saturday)
Conference: Big 12
Conference Record: 4-1
Season Record: 15-2
Last Week: W vs #1 Baylor (89-68), W @ Texas (74-72)
Coach Huggins Moutaineers quickly ended Baylor's reign atop the college basketball world with a resounding 89-68 win Tuesday night. From the tip, it was all West Virginia, as they led the entire game. Senior forward Nathan Adrian woke up for 22 point, 6 rebound performance on 7-10 shooting, and junior guard Jevon Carter patrolled the offense, dishing out 7 assists and chipping in 17 points. Where West Virginia really one the game was on defense, though. Their tenacious full court press as well as active hands in the half-court led to 29 Baylor turnovers. West Virginia had some thinking they should be ranked in the top 5 after this performance. Flash forward to Saturday afternoon, and Baylor trailing by 6 to Texas mid-way through the second half. They'd eventually flip the script and lead by 6 with 3:23 remaining, but Texas came back cutting the lead to just 2 with 30 seconds remaining. Two big free throws by Jevon Carter put the game away for good and West Virginia escaped Texas with a win, but also left exposed. When this team's press is not working, their offense might not be enough to carry them. We'll see how this plays out as we move forward in conference play.
This Week: vs Oklahoma (Wednesday), @ Kansas State (Saturday)
Conference: ACC
Conference Record: 4-1
Season Record: 16-3
Last Week: W @ Wake Forest (93-87), W vs #9 Florida State (96-83)
North Carolina's big Saturday afternoon win against then-#9 Florida State put them back near the top of the ACC after a few questionable games early in conference play. After losing at Georgia Tech on New Years Eve and winning a close one in overtime against Clemson, North Carolina returned home to play NC State a week ago Sunday. This one wasn't even close from the tip, with North Carolina jumping out to a commanding 33-7 lead and extending it to 51-21 late in the first half. They would go on to win 107-56 over Dennis Smith Jr. and the Wolfpack. However, the Tar Heels weren't in the clear. They faced a tough Wake Forest team last Wednesday, winning by just 6 as the Demon Deacons came storming back in the second half. Questions surrounded what we would see Saturday when the shaky Tar Heels would take on the red hot Florida State Seminoles. This was a vintage North Carolina win, though, as they were able to dictate the pace and run away with a huge 96-83 win. The play from junior forward Justin Jackson (18.0 ppg and 5.1 rpg) has been crucial for the Tar Heels all season as well as the effort put forth by junior guard Joel Berry II (15.8 ppg and 4.2 apg). However, on Saturday, one could argue that the difference makers were senior forward Isaiah Hicks and junior forward Theo Pinson. Pinson, having just returned from a foot injury for the first time this season against NC State, had a big game against Florida State, scoring 12 points and snatching 10 boards in 24 minutes of play. Isaiah Hicks' draft stock continues to rise, averaging career-bests 13.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg. He finished Saturday's game with 22 points and 7 rebounds. This team showed everyone on Saturday what they are capable of and just how dominant they can be when playing at their pace.
This Week: vs Syracuse (Monday), @ Boston College (Saturday)
Conference: Pac 12
Conference Record: 5-0
Season Record: 16-2
Last Week: W vs Oregon State (85-43)
In my opinion, this is one of the best teams in all of college basketball. They may be the hottest right now as well, winning their 14 games. If you're looking for Oregon's last loss, you have to go all the way back to November 21 in Maui where the Ducks fell to Georgetown. They also lost to unranked Baylor Bears team earlier that week, a Bears team that has turned out to be pretty good. But now in January with conference play in full swing, Oregon sits atop the Pac 12 at 5-0. They're come from behind win against then-#2 UCLA proves to be their biggest win of the year and UCLA's only loss. But it wasn't just that win that's got Oregon revitilized and up at #12. That same week, only two days later, Oregon hosted then-#22 USC, a USC team that was, at this point, undefeated, and absolutely embarrased them 84-61. Junior forward Dillon Brooks, who was a bit banged up to start the season with a foot injury, is back and scoring the ball well. He hit the game winning three over UCLA guard Lonzo Ball and finished that game with 23 points and 9 rebounds. In the USC win, Brooks an impressive 28 points on 9-10 shooting from field, going a perfect 4-4 from deep. I can't fail to mention the impact that senior forward Chris Boucher has had on the Ducks as well. He's averaging 13.7 ppg and 6.9 rpg, but his biggest asset is his ability to block shots. He's averaging a blistering 2.9 bpg, recording 5 in the win against USC. This team is just hitting their stride and should be considered a legit contender to reach the Final Four.
This Week: vs California (Thursday), vs Stanford (Saturday)
Conference: Big East
Conference Record: 4-2
Season Record: 15-3
Last Week: L @ #8 Creighton (75-64), W vs #15 Xavier (83-78)
After suffering a tough loss on the road to then-#8 Creighton Wednesday night, the Bulldogs returned home to Hinkle Fieldhouse, hosting the then-#15 Xavier Musketeers. Wednesday proved to be a tough night for Butler's leading scorer and go-to-guy Kelan Martin, as he shot a brutal 3-14 from the field, finishing the night with just 7 points. This was his lowest output of the season and the only game where he did not score in the double-digits. However, Chris Holtmann was able to get his guys focused for Saturday's big game at home, and the Bulldogs took care of business thanks to a big second half which saw Butler outscore Xavier 58-47. Kelan Martin played well, scoring 13 points on 4-8 shooting, but it was freshman guard Kemar Baldwin who stole the show, scoring a career-high 21 points to go along with 9 rebounds, also a career-high. Senior forward Andrew Chrabascz continues to do his thing as well, averaging 11.5 ppg and 4.9 rpg on the year. We've seen these Bulldogs time and time again win tough ball games. They're doing it once again, and against some of the toughest teams in college basketball.
This Week: vs Marquette (Monday), @ DePaul (Saturday)
Conference: ACC
Conference Record: 3-2
Season Record: 13-3
Last Week: W @ Clemson (77-73)
After a couple losses to start conference play, one to then-#20 Florida State and the other to Pittsburgh, Virginia is back to their winning ways, securing victories in their last two contests. Just this past Saturday, Virginia silenced the efforts of upset-minded Clemson, closing the second half on a 7-3 run to put away the pesky Tigers. Senior guard London Perrantes has been masterful the past few games, knocking down big shots when needed and controlling the pace of the game. He's averaging 12.1 ppg on the season, but in his last three games, he's put 16-24-25 points. Another contributor, freshman guard Kyle Guy, is a guy to keep an eye on. He's averaging 8.5 ppg but has the talent to go off and put up double-digits anytime he steps on the floor. Watch out for Tony Bennett's squad as we head deeper into conference play. If history shows us anything, it's that these Cavaliers get better and better as the season progresses.
This Week: @ Boston College (Wednesday), vs Georgia Tech (Saturday)
Conference: ACC
Conference Record: 2-3
Season Record: 14-4
Last Week: L @ #9 Florida State (88-72), L @ #14 Louisville (78-69)
It's been a rough past couple of weeks for Duke fans. First was the whole Grayson Allen fiasco, which, yes, is still carrying on. It was revealed that he tripped Elon guard back on December 21, prompting a suspension by the school. Missing Duke's first conference game of the season at Virginia Tech, the Blue Devils fell 89-75, marking their first loss since November 15. Grayson returned, however, after a brief one game suspension, just in time for a 110-57 blowout win vs Georgia Tech. This leads into the second string of tough news for Duke. It had been announced prior to the game that Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski would be out of coaching indefinitely due to a back surgery that he needed to have. That was alright, though, as Duke, being led by acting Head Coach Jeff Capel, took down Boston College 93-82. All those worries about Duke were over by this point, right? Wrong. Senior big Amile Jefferson, who has been arguably the Blue Devil's best player this season (13.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg and 1.7 bpg) missed both the game on Tuesday night and the game Saturday afternoon, citing a foot injury. Foot injuries are never a good sign for big men, and it is still unclear when, or if, Jefferson will return this season. So here's Duke. Without their Hall-of-Fame Coach, without their best player and senior leader, and with the most controversial athlete in all of college sports. And they've now dropped their last two games. This would be a nice time for freshmen Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles to step up, but so far, their impact on the floor has been minimized. Perhaps they're still hurt from early season injuries, or perhaps they were just overrated coming out of high school. I don't know. One thing I do know, though, is that Duke has got to get it's act together soon or they risk falling out of the ACC race.
This Week: vs Miami (Saturday)
Conference: ACC
Conference Record: 5-0
Season Record: 16-2
Last Week: W @ Miami (67-62), W @ Virginia Tech (76-71)
Last week was a big week for the Fighting Irish as they were able to knock off conference foes Miami and Virginia Tech on the road, extending their winning streak to seven and beginning the conference season with a 5-0 record. If you've been watching the Irish, they've been nothing short of exciting. You could also describe them as nerve-wracking. Just this past week, Notre Dame used a 10-1 run in the final 3 minutes to defeat Miami. On Saturday, two days later, Notre Dame once again was in a tight one with Virginia Tech. Here, the Hokies stormed back from a 12 point second half deficit to take the lead late. However, thanks to some timely buckets by senior guard Steve Vasturia along with a big time steal on an inbound by Matt Farrell, the Fighting Irish were able to close it out and tack on two big road victories to their resume. I can't go without mentioning Bonzie Colson, who might be the most underrated big in the country. He's averaging 15.8 ppg and 10.9 rpg.
This Week: @ #10 Florida State (Wednesday), vs Syracuse (Saturday)
Conference: Pac 12
Conference Record: 5-0
Season Record: 16-2
Last Week: W vs Arizona State (91-75)
Now riding a 10 game win streak, Sean Miller's Arizona Wildcats are rolling out west. Freshman forward Lauri Markkanen has been a pleasant surprise, averaging 16.7 ppg and 7.4 rpg. In his last game against Arizona State, he poured in 30 points and corralled 8 rebounds. Junior center Dusan Ristic out of Serbia has been marvelous too, averaging a cool 12.2 ppg and 6.1 rpg. While Arizona has plenty of options to turn too, there's still the absence of Allonzo Trier hanging over this team. It hasn't distracted their play, but a return of Trier could catapult the Wildcats from a solid, 10-20 school to a top 5 school. If he comes back remains to be seen, as does any explanation of why he's been out. Regardless of Trier, Lauri has Zona fans excited and in a great position heading into what should be Arizona's toughest week yet.
This Week: @ USC (Thursday), @ #3 UCLA (Saturday)
Conference: Big Ten
Conference Record: 4-0
Season Record: 14-3
Last Week: W vs Ohio State (89-66)
Wisconsin's 23 point win against Ohio State has them maintain their spot atop the Big Ten and moves them past Purdue in my rankings. Wisconsin has done their job this season. They've lost to some good teams (Creighton, North Carolina, Purdue) but taken care of business against lesser-ranked schools, including Indiana, Marquette and now Ohio State. Senior guard Bronson Koenig leads his team in points, averaging 14.4 ppg. Sophomore forward Ethan Happ leads the team in rebounds, averaging 9.2 rpg to go along with 12.9 ppg. But it's senior forward Nigel Hayes who is the heartbeat of this team. He's the one who gets the rest going. Through 17 games, Hayes is averaging 13.6 ppg and 5.4 rpg. His play, paired with Koenig and Happ has Wisconsin in the Big Ten pole position.
This Week: vs Michigan (Tuesday), @ Minnesota (Saturday)
Conference: Big Ten
Conference Record: 3-2
Season Record: 14-4
Last Week: L @ Iowa (83-78)
A loss at Iowa is all Purdue has to show for this past week, now falling to 3-2 in conference play. They still hold quality wins against Notre Dame and Wisconsin, as well as a 22 point win when Iowa came to West Lafayette. If Purdue wants the conference, they can take it. It's right there for the taking. They already beat Wisconsin. Now they just have to worry about Maryland, Indiana twice, and Michigan State twice. The Boilermakers have perhaps the best player in the Big Ten. Biggie Swanigan has played like an absolute monster, averaging 18.2 ppg to go with 12.6 rpg. In 14 of Purdue's 18 games, he's posted a double-double in points and rebounds. Junior center Isaac Haas, though taking a step back and coming off the bench, has still been productive, averaging 13.3 ppg and 5.5 rpg. It's a race between Purdue and Wisconsin right now for the Big Ten crown, with Minnesota quickly closing the gap. We'll see if the Boilermakers can jump out in front and run away with this thing.
This Week: vs Illinois (Tuesday), vs Penn State (Saturday)
Conference: American
Conference Record: 5-0
Season Record: 15-2
Last Week: W vs SMU (66-64), W @ East Carolina (55-46)
The Bearcats are rolling! Off to one of the best starts in recent memory, Cincinnati continued their winning ways Thursday, taking down SMU 66-64 in tightly contested game. They were able to withstand a late Mustang run and hand SMU their first conference loss of the year. Senior guard Troy Caupain (10.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 4.4 apg) finished the game against SMU with 17-7-6, while junior forward Kyle Washington (13.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 1.6 bpg) posted a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds in Sunday's win over East Carolina. Cincinnati is a team to watch moving forward as they look to continue to dominate the American Athletic Conference.
This Week: vs Temple (Wednesday), @ Tulane (Saturday)
Conference: Big East
Conference Record: 3-2
Season Record: 13-4
Last Week: L @ #3 Villanova (79-54), L @ #12 Butler (83-78)
It was going to have to happen at some point. Xavier would have to face the best of the Big East. And you know what they say: "You gotta beat the best to be the best." This week didn't help Xavier's case in the Big East. That's not to say they're a bad basketball team; they are still very good, as I have them #21 in the country. But in terms of moving up from the fourth spot in the Big East, they weren't able to do it. However, there's plenty of time. They'll meet both Villanova and Butler again in February, as well as Creighton on this week. There were definitely some positives from the game at Hinkle, too. For one, the Musketeers led Butler at the half by 6. The lead didn't last longer than 4 minutes into the second half, but Xavier didn't go away. They kept it close, cutting the lead down to just 1 with 37 seconds left and once again down to 1 with just 8 seconds remaining, but Butler hit their free throws and finished it out at home. Sophomore guard Edmond Sumner led the charge with 22 points and 3 assists.
This Week: vs #7 Creighton (Monday), vs Georgetown (Sunday)
Conference: Big Ten
Conference Record: 4-1
Season Record: 16-2
Last Week: W vs Indiana (75-72), W @ Illinois (62-56)
After a hiccup loss to Nebraska on New Years Day, Maryland has won three straight conference games, knocking off Michigan by 7, Indiana by 3, and Illinois by 6. The departure of Diamond Stone, Rasheed Sulaimon, Jake Layman and Robert Carter left junior guard Melo Trimble with almost an entirely new group to work with. So far, a 16-2 start and 4-1 in conference has exceeded many expectations. They still have to face Purdue, Wisconsin and Minnesota, but Maryland finds themselves within striking distance of the Big Ten which isn't nearly as strong as perceived to be back in October.
This Week: @ Iowa (Thursday)
Conference: SEC
Conference Record:5-0
Season Record: 14-3
Last Week: W @ Alabama (80-67), W vs Georgia (80-76 OT)
This team is hot! Winners of their last seven, Florida has been playing some good basketball lately and taking care of business against conference opponents. However, their last two contests have been tight. Their win against Alabama on Tuesday didn't come without some drama. Up 18 in the first half, Florida allowed Alabama to rally and take a 53-47 lead with 10:56 to go in the second half. Florida stormed back, finishing the game on a 33-14 run to take of business in Tuscaloosa. Then on Saturday, facing an up-and-down Georgia squad, Florida again had to use a late game rally to come back. Georgia had them beat, up 64-59 with 4:51 remaining, but Florida answered with an 8-3 run to take the game to overtime where they were able to win. Senior guard Canyon Berry was ultra-impressive, pouring in 27 points and snatching 7 rebounds.
This Week: @ #24 South Carolina (Wednesday), vs Vanderbilt (Saturday)
Conference: West Coast
Conference Record: 5-1
Season Record: 15-2
Last Week: W @ Portland (74-33), L @ #5 Gonzaga (79-56)
The Gaels' season has been nearly perfect, going into conference play 10-1. Their only non-conference loss came to a hungry UT-Arlington bunch. Beginning conference play, Saint' Mary's handled Loyola Marymount, San Diego, BYU, San Francisco, and Portland, winning against Portland 74-33. Ouch! This team has got to be the best in the conference, right? Wrong. This was made evident Saturday night when facing then-#5 Gonzaga. The Zags dominated this one from the jump, winning by a score of 79-56. Not even close. This showed just how big of a gap there is between the #1 and #2 team in the West Coast Conference. But Saint Mary's play prior to Saturday night showed just how big of a gap there is between #2 and the rest of the field. They don't get Gonzaga again until Saturday, February 11, but you know that Randy Bennett will have his squad ready for that match in Cali.
This Week: vs Pacific (Thursday), vs Pepperdine (Saturday)
Conference: ACC
Conference Record: 2-3
Season Record: 13-4
Last Week: W vs Syracuse (83-73), L vs #20 Notre Dame (76-71)
Virginia Tech is one of a few teams to be hit hard by conference play. It doesn't help that they play in arguably the most competitive conference in basketball, especially this season. Going 11-1 non-conference, the Hokies entered conference play with a stunning win against then-#5 Duke. Although Grayson Allen was suspended for this game, VT's 14 point victory was still impressive. Then came a puzzling loss to NC State, 104-78, followed by a 15 point loss to then-#12 Florida State. This week started out well, with a 10 point win over a resurgent Syracuse club but ended with a 5 point loss to Notre Dame. This game looked to over the second half, with Notre Dame leading 54-42 with 12 minutes to go, but Virginia Tech, thanks to Chris Clarke's aggressive play that featured 7 points in a 3 minute span, brought the Hokies back in striking distance with the lead with 1:52 remaining. Then everything fell apart. Attempting to preserve the clock and save time, Virginia Tech rolled the ball inbounds. Notre Dame guard Matt Farrell quickly jumped on the ball, dished it ahead to Temple Gibbs, and just like that, it was a 5 point Notre Dame lead. Problems like this will have to be minimized if Virginia Tech wants to remain in the top 25.
This Week: vs Georgia Tech (Wednesday), @ Clemson (Sunday)
Conference: Big Ten
Conference Record: 2-3
Season Record: 12-6
Last Week: L @ Maryland (75-72), W vs Rutgers (76-57)
These aren't the Hoosiers everyone was expecting in October. Initially ranked #11 in the nation to begin the season and winning a big game against then #3-Kansas in overtime, it looked as if Indiana would easily win the Big Ten and be a top 10 team for the year. Then came a shocking loss to Fort Wayne in overtime. However, a week later, the Hoosiers were back at it, knocking off then-#3 North Carolina. Heading into conference play, Indiana was 10-2, with a loss to Fort Wayne and then-#18 Butler. Not too much concern surrounded the team. Once conference play got started, though, many realized they weren't the team we thought they were. Nebraska took care of business, then Wisconsin, and most recently Maryland. It's not time to completely give up on this team, though. There is still plenty of season left to be played and the Hoosiers are equipped with star athletes who can change the course of a game. O.G. Anunoby (11.4 ppg and 5.6 rpg) is a human highlight reel. Any given night he plays, he can be featured on SportsCenter's Top 10, sometimes multiple times in the same night. Sophomore center Thomas Bryant (11.6 ppg and 6.9 rpg) is coming into his own. And junior guard Justin Blackmon Jr. paces the Hoosiers with 17.5 ppg. It's not a matter of if things get clicking, it's a matter of when.
This Week: @ Penn State (Wednesday), vs Michigan State (Saturday)
Conference: Big Ten
Conference Record: 3-3
Season Record: 15-4
Last Week: L @ Michigan State (65-47), L @ Penn State (52-50)
This past week was a tough one for a Golden Gophers team that started out 15-2, including a huge overtime victory over then-#15 Purdue on New Years Day. Minnesota just can't seem to get past Michigan State, though, as the Spartans finished the conference meetings with the Golden Gophers up 2-0. The Penn State loss is even more concerning, though. With not much offense from either side, the Gophers controlled a 32-22 lead at the half. However, they failed to play with much intensity, especially through the first few minutes of the second half, and let Penn State take one that the Gophers should've had. Looking ahead, Minnesota has the week to get rested and prepare for #17 Wisconsin on Saturday.
This Week: vs #17 Wisconsin (Saturday)
Conference: SEC
Conference Record: 4-0
Season Record: 14-3
Last Week: W @ Tennessee (70-60), W vs Ole Miss (67-56)
South Carolina continues to rise back up the ranks thanks in large part to an undefeated start to conference play. Perhaps the biggest reason why South Carolina has been able to things around after losing 3 of their last 5 non-conference games is due to the return of senior guard Sindarius Thornwell. Thornwell, who was suspended in early December and missed the final 6 games of the non-conference schedule, returned in time for the conference season and boy has he been cooking. His return game against Georgia featured a double-double, scoring 19 points along with 11 rebounds and 6 steals. With him, the Gamecocks are a legitimate top 25 team. This week is most likely going to be the toughest week of the season, as they host #19 Florida before going on the road to take on Kentucky Saturday evening.
This Week: vs #19 Florida (Wednesday), @ #5 Kentucky (Saturday)
Conference: Big 12
Conference Record: 3-2
Season Record: 11-5
Last Week: W @ Oklahoma State (96-86), L @ TCU (84-77)
Consistency is going to be key moving forward for the Cyclones. Iowa State, coming off of solid conference wins against Texas and Oklahoma State as well as a 2 point loss at Baylor, fell to TCU Saturday night in a game that could have and should have been won. What happened? TCU executed better offensively and controlled the paint thanks to 7' 1" junior Vladimir Brodziansky, who had 25 points to go with 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. Iowa State's stars were disappointing, with Monte Morris scoring 9 points and shooting 4-14 from the field. He was impressive, however, in their win against Oklahoma State, putting up 30 points on 10-16. His play is a major factor as to how far this team will go.
This Week: vs #2 Kansas (Monday), @ Oklahoma (Saturday)
Conference: Pac 12
Conference Record: 3-3
Season Record: 16-3
Last Week: L @ Utah (86-64), W @ Colorado (71-68)
Thursday was the definitely a "Yikes!" moment for the USC Trojans. After beginning the year 14-0, a streak that included wins at Texas A&M and versus SMU, the Trojans lost 3 of their first five conference games, including a 23 point loss to then-#21 Oregon, a 1 point loss to California last Sunday, and a 22 point loss to Larry Krystkowiak's Utes. USC struggled mightily from the field, shooting 36.7% on 22-60 shooting. They were able to bounce-back Sunday against Colorado, but that game required a second half comeback from the Trojans. Bottom line, they need to win games like the ones against Utah and Colorado plus steal some from UCLA, Oregon and Arizona if they want their 14-0 non-conference start to mean anything come March.
This Week: vs #14 Arizona (Thursday), vs Arizona State (Sunday)
Conference: Big Ten
Conference Record: 2-3
Season Record: 12-6
Last Week: L @ Illinois (85-69), W vs Nebraska (91-85)
While Michigan hasn't been overly terrible, they haven't been incredibly impressive either. A rode loss to Illinois by double-digits doesn't bode well for this squad, but they were able to bounce back and get a win against Nebraska at home, a game in which they scored 91 points and well from beyond the arc (11-22). Now, the focus shifts to defense. Can they stop some of these Big Ten schools from having success from deep? We'll have to wait and see what Coach John Beilein has up his sleeve.
This Week: @ #17 Wisconsin (Tuesday), vs Illinois (Saturday)
Conference: Big 12
Conference Record: 2-3
Season Record: 13-4
Last Week: W vs #25 Kansas State (66-65), L @ Oklahoma (84-75)
Tuesday night's 1 point victory of then-#25 Kansas State gave Texas Tech another big win after the shocking overtime defeat over then-#7 West Virginia two weeks ago. This team just loves to win the close ones. However, are they actually legit or just lucky? That's the question on the Red Raiders as they had deeper into conference play. One thing that has been consistent? The scoring output from junior guard Keenan Evans. He's averaging 14.0 ppg this season and has scored 11 or more points in 11 or his last 12 games.
This Week: vs TCU (Wednesday), vs Oklahoma State (Saturday)
Conference: ACC
Conference Record: 1-4
Season Record: 12-6
Last Week: L @ #14 Louisville (85-80), L vs Miami (72-46)
Pittsburgh was beginning to look like a potential top 25 team after beating then-#11 Virginia two weeks ago, but since then, the Panthers are on a 3 game skid, with a 26 point loss to Miami coming most recent. This team seems to love falling behind in the first half and trying to mount a comeback in the second. Against Syracuse, they trailed 42-21 at the half only to outscore the Orange in the second half 45-35. Once again, they trailed then-#14 Louisville 47-26 at the half and won the second half 54-38. The play out of senior forwards Jamel Artis (22.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and a 43 point game against Louisville) and Michael Young (20.9 ppg and 7.6 rpg) has been nothing short of spectacular. Now the rest of the team needs to pitch in.
This Week: @ NC State (Tuesday)
Conference: Big 12
Conference Record: 3-2
Season Record: 14-3
Last Week: W @ Texas (64-61), W vs Iowa State (84-77)
The big win against a resurgent Iowa State team has TCU up to #34 this week. To date, this is their biggest win of the year. Slovakian big Vladimir Brodziansky contributed in a large way to the win against Iowa State, scoring 25 points and grabbing 14 boards. Earlier in conference play, the Horned Frogs had a chance against then-#3 Kansas and then-#7 West Virginia, but didn't have enough to pull off the upset. We'll see if they can ride this recent momentum into the coming week as they travel to Texas Tech Wednesday and host #6 Baylor on Saturday.
This Week: @ Texas Tech (Wednesday), vs #6 Baylor (Saturday)
Conference: Big Ten
Conference Record: 4-2
Season Record: 12-7
Last Week: W vs #24 Minnesota (65-47), L @ Ohio State (72-67)
If there's one thing that Tom Izzo's Spartans have mastered, it's Minnesota. They've now got Minnesota twice in this season with Wednesday night's game being even more impressive than the first meeting. However, problems became present again Sunday afternoon when Ohio State took down the Spartans 72-67. Ohio State surprised many by winning this game, including Coach Izzo, who didn't expect the offensive output from the Buckeyes. This team is still growing and with the return of Miles Bridges from his ankle injury (and a 24-9 afternoon against Ohio State) there is still time for this team to become a threat.
This Week: @ Indiana (Saturday)
Conference: Missouri Valley
Conference Record: 5-1
Season Record: 15-4
Last Week: W vs Loyola-IL (87-75), L @ Illinois State (76-62)
Everything looked to going well for Wichita State after a 5-0 conference start. It seemed as if, once again, the Shockers would dominate the Missouri Valley and march into tournament time with a double-digit win streak. That was until they met Illinois State, who is playing some terrific basketball. This was on full display in Bloomington, where the Shockers had no answer for what MiKyle McIntosh and the Redbirds threw at them. The closing minutes had Wichita State frantically scrambling to find a good shot. They looked completely out of order and had no composure. This was capped off with an airball three from junior Connor Frankamp and had those inside Redbird Arena celebrating. My biggest concern for the Shockers is the lack of a go-to-guy. In years past, they've had Cleanthony Early, Ron Baker and Fred Van Vleet. Who is it now? Markis McDuffie? Darral Willis Jr.? Landry Shamet? As it looks right now, there isn't anyone that's going to be "that guy."
This Week: @ Evansville (Tuesday), vs Indiana State (Saturday)
Conference: Big East
Conference Record: 3-2
Season Record: 12-5
Last Week: W vs Seton Hall (89-86 OT), W vs DePaul (83-58)
A huge OT win over Seton Hall capped off with a 25 point beating over DePaul gave Marquette a nice bounce-back week after dropping two in a row the week prior. There are still question marks surrounding this team, like if they can knock off one of the top four teams in the conference (Villanova, Creighton, Butler, Xavier) and move themselves into that conversation or not, but the fight shown by the Golden Eagles to pull out the Overtime victory against Seton Hall was nice to see. This upcoming week could be big for Marquette to make their case.
This Week: @ #13 Butler (Monday), @ #7 Creighton (Saturday)
Conference: SEC
Conference Record: 2-3
Season Record: 13-4
Last Week: L vs Mississippi State (84-78), W vs Missouri (92-73)
Arkansas finds themselves at #38 in the nation thanks in large part to an early season win against UT-Arlington and Houston. Their loss Tuesday night against Mississippi State was really their first loss in a game in which they should have won. Up until this point, they had lost to legitimate top 25 contenders, like Kentucky, Florida, and Minnesota. Now, the pressure begins to mount on the Razorbacks. A win over Missouri is nice, but what would really get them on track is a win at College Station Tuesday night.
This Week: @ Texas A&M (Tuesday), vs LSU (Saturday)
Conference: ACC
Conference Record: 2-2
Season Record: 12-4
Last Week: L vs #20 Notre Dame (67-62), W @ Pittsburgh (72-46)
Having an 8 day break after losing by 15 to Syracuse, the Hurricanes hosted then-#20 Notre Dame Thursday night. A game that looked like it was going to be won by Miami was lost in the final 3 minutes. Notre Dame used a 10-1 run to rally against Miami and take one on the road. But Miami roared back on Saturday, knocking off Pittsburgh by a whopping 26 points. They'll take on Wake Forest next in what should be a win before heading to Cameron to face the Dukies.
This Week: @ Wake Forest (Wednesday), @ #18 Duke (Saturday)
Conference: Big 12
Conference Record: 0-5
Season Record: 10-7
Last Week: L vs Iowa State (96-86), L @ Kansas (87-80)
Alright, I'll give these guys another week to figure things out. Coming into to conference play, the Cowboys were 10-2 with their only losses coming to then-#4 North Carolina and Maryland. Since December 30, the Boys have dropped five straight with a 3 point loss at Texas being the worst of the five losses. They have made things interesting, though. Last Saturday, they took Baylor down to the wire only to lose by 4. This Saturday, they had Kansas trailing by 4 at the half, squandering away that lead in the second half. There's potential here, but in a tough conference like the Big 12, Oklahoma State risks being lost in the crowd.
This Week: vs Kansas State (Wednesday), @ Texas Tech (Saturday)
Conference: American
Conference Record: 5-1
Season Record: 15-4
Last Week: L @ #22 Cincinnati (66-64), W @ Tulane (80-64)
The Mustangs nearly pulled off what would've been their biggest win of the year Thursday against then-#22 Cincinnati. A late 12-7 run wasn't quite enough and despite a number of chances to tie or take the lead in the final minute, SMU was unsuccessful. This was their first loss since November 30, however, and double digit wins against TCU and Temple have the Mustangs deserving a spot in the bracket right now.
This Week: vs Connecticut (Thursday), vs Houston (Saturday)
Conference: A10
Conference Record: 4-1
Season Record: 13-4
Last Week: L @ Massachusetts (67-55), W @ Duquesne (76-57)
Despite dropping one to Massachusetts Wednesday and giving them their lone conference win this season, I have the Flyers still atop the A10 and projected to get an at-large bid. This is due in part to conference wins against Saint Bonaventure's and Rhode Island. Senior Scoochie Smith is one of the most underrated guards in the nation. He's averaging 13.5 ppg to go with 3.8 apg and 1.8 spg.
This Week: vs Richmond (Thursday), vs Saint Louis (Sunday)
FIRST FOUR IN:
Conference: SEC
Conference Record: 1-4
Season Record: 9-7
Last Week: W vs LSU (92-62), L @ Mississippi State (67-59)
Despite at 1-4 record in conference, A&M finds themselves in the picture with a nice early-season win against Virginia Tech. They've also played a number of quality opponents tightly, with a 2 point loss to USC, a 4 point loss to then-#19 Arizona, and a 7 point loss to then-#14 UCLA.
This Week: vs Arkansas (Tuesday), vs Georgia (Saturday)
Conference: Big 12
Conference Record: 2-3
Season Record: 13-4
Last Week: L @ Texas Tech (66-65), L vs Baylor (77-68)
K-State has been right on the cusp of pulling off major victories. An early season 1 point loss to Maryland has been followed up by a 2 point loss to then-#3 Kansas in The Phog, a 1 point loss at Texas Tech on Tuesday, and a 9 point loss to Baylor on Saturday, a game in which they led with 10 minutes to play in the second half. Watch out for this squad, their poised to make their mark on the Big 12. Perhaps a Saturday upset is in the cards against West Virginia. We'll see.
This Week: @ Oklahoma State (Wednesday), vs #7 West Virginia (Saturday)
Conference: Big Ten
Conference Record: 4-2
Season Record: 15-4
Last Week: W @ Rutgers (69-60), W vs Iowa (89-54)
This is looking like it could finally be the year that the Wildcats make it to the Big Dance. Head Coach Chris Collins, son of former NBA coach and current analyst Doug Collins, has got his team off to a 4-2 conference start, picking up a convincing 35 point win over Iowa on Sunday. Junior guard Bryant McIntosh balled out, picking up a double-double in the win with 20 points and 10 assists.
This Week: @ Ohio State (Sunday)
Conference: Big East
Conference Record: 2-3
Season Record: 12-5
Last Week: L @ Marquette (89-86 OT), L @ Providence (65-61)
Last week was a rough one for a Seton Hall club that looked to be headed in the direction of being one of those scary, under-the radar type teams. They had previously picked up wins against South Carolina, Marquette, and California, but faltered last week when playing in Milwaukee and traveling to Providence. Still, I've got them just squeaking in right now. They're a team that could pick up a big win against a ranked conference opponent any given night.
This Week: @ #1 Villanova (Monday), vs Saint John's (Sunday)
FIRST FOUR OUT:
Conference: ACC
Conference Record: 1-4
Season Record: 11-6
Last Week: L @ Georgia Tech (75-63), L vs #19 Virginia (77-73)
If you want to find a team that is free-falling, look no further than the Clemson Tigers. After two early season losses to then-#11 Xavier and Oklahoma, the Tigers rattled off nine straight wins. Then conference play began, and they've lost their last four. Granted, three of these games were against ranked opponents (North Carolina, Virginia, and Notre Dame) and they were within 5 in all of the games, but the Tigers will have to start winning some of these if they want to stay alive in the NCAA Tourney picture.
This Week: @ #12 Louisville (Thursday), vs Virginia Tech (Sunday)
Conference: Pac 12
Conference Record: 4-2
Season Record: 13-5
Last Week: W vs Washington (69-59), W vs Washington State (58-54)
An intriguing Golden Bears squad is off to a decent start in conference, going 4-2 with losses to then-#4 UCLA and then-#18 Arizona. A big win against then-#25 USC last Sunday moved Cal up and gave us reason to believe that they can play up to their early season ranking of 25. Potential lottery pick Ivan Rabb has five double-doubles in his last six games, averaging 15.6 ppg and 11.1 rpg. This week, the Bears will travel out to Oregon to take on both the Ducks and the Beavers.
This Week: @ #11 Oregon (Thursday), @ Oregon State (Saturday)
Conference: Pac 12
Conference Record: 0-5
Season Record: 10-8
Last Week: L vs #4 UCLA (104-89), L vs #25 USC (71-68)
Close but no cigar. That's been the case for Colorado as of late. A game of runs Thursday night against UCLA ended in the Bruins favor, with Bryce Alford torching the Buffs for 37 points, with 27 of them coming from deep. Then, on Sunday, Colorado had another opportunity slip away when they let up a late second half lead to USC. Although the Buffs are winless in conference, they still hold crucial early season wins against then-#13 Xavier and then-#22 Texas.
This Week: @ Washington (Wednesday), @ Washington State (Saturday)
Conference: Big Ten
Conference Record: 2-3
Season Record: 12-6
Last Week: W vs Michigan (85-69), L vs Maryland (62-56)
The Fighting Illini has flirted with the tourney cut line all season long. Just when it seems like this team is ready to take the next step and become a contender in the Big Ten, which is more open this year than many expected, they take a step back and take an L in the process. However, they do have good wins against Michigan and Ohio State, as well as non-conference victories over VCU and NC State, but the two losses to Maryland (one being by 25) and the 16 point loss to a reeling Indiana team keep the Illini on the outside looking in.
This Week: @ #17 Purdue (Tuesday), @ Michigan (Saturday)
NEXT UP:
#51 - Ohio State (Conference: 1-4 Season: 11-7)
#52 - VCU (Conference: 4-1 Season: 14-4)
#53 - Temple (Conference: 1-5 Season: 10-9)
#54 - Valparaiso (Conference: 4-1 Season: 14-4)
#55 - Middle Tennessee (Conference: 5-0 Season: 15-3)
#56 - UNC Wilmington (Conference: 6-0 Season: 17-2)
#57 - Providence (Conference: 2-4 Season: 12-7)
#58 - Georgia Tech (Conference: 3-2 Season: 11-6)
#59 - UT-Arlington (Conference: 2-2 Season: 12-5)
#60 - Nevada (Conference: 4-1 Season: 15-3)
That's all for this week. Make sure to check back here next Monday for my updated rankings after this week's play. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for the Big Dance Projection and see where the schools would sit in the NCAA Tournament if the season were to end today.
All stats from ESPN.com
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