By: William Smythe

The beautiful part of March lies in the chaos. We may think we know how the chips will fall, and we may count certain teams out of the Big Dance. Yet, even the likes of Georgetown, Louisville and Cal – a combined six conference wins across the three – have a chance to punch their ticket.

Conference tournaments offer a last resort for those who have no window of opportunity for an at-large bid. Stocks can rise and fall in the “postseason before the postseason” tournament, yet the biggest winners are often those with nothing to lose. String together three or four wins and you can find yourself on the board come Selection Sunday. 

Coincidentally, the Hoyas are no strangers to this scenario. In 2021-22, the eighth-seeded Hoyas (7-9 Big East) won four consecutive games and secured a no. 12 seed in March Madness. They pulled off the impossible, defeating no. 1 ranked Villanova and second-ranked Creighton (by 25) in the Big East championship.

Last year, seventh-seeded Virginia Tech (11-9 ACC) hit their stride at the right time and upended a top-ranked Duke in the championship. 

Now, it’s incredibly unlikely that this year’s Hoyas (and the Hokies) have the chops to pull off such a run. However, who does?

Let’s examine some of this year’s most compelling candidates to make an unexpected run in their conference tournament – including teams on the wrong side of the tournament bubble and those who won’t sniff an at-large bid. 

Villanova (15-14, 9-9 Big East): 

The Wildcats haven’t exactly continued from where Jay Wright left off. Injuries to star freshman Cam Whitmore (12.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and senior guard Justin Moore (12.2 ppg) immediately set Villanova back, while Coach Kyle Neptune couldn’t quite adjust well enough with personnel that wouldn’t exactly stack up to the ‘Nova teams of the past.

However, the Wildcats have dug themselves out of a deep hole – one which included three losing streaks of at least three games – and now look the part of a team ready to fight for the Big East title.

This starting five makes a case for one of the best in the nation. Sure, a full-strength roster with Moore and Whitmore has still lost three games, yet they’re heading in the right direction. Moore has gradually picked up his production after recovering from an Achilles tear – having not looked fully healthy upon his return – and the Wildcats have benefited immensely. 

The guard from Maryland exploded for 25 points in Villanova’s signature win of the season – a road victory over then-no. 13 Xavier. Later last week, the ‘Cats delivered no. 19 Creighton its second consecutive loss – by 12, no less – and have now won five of their last six. Talk about hitting your stride at the right time.

It would be wrong not to address the play of junior forward Eric Dixon. The low-post bruiser went for 31 against Creighton and currently leads the Wildcats with 15.9 ppg. With Moore and Final Four starter Caleb Daniels anchoring the backcourt, Dixon, Whitmore and senior forward Brandon Slater provide a more than serviceable group of forwards.

The Big East is brutal, yet the Wildcats have the momentum to carry them to a conference title – their only hope to reach March Madness.

North Carolina (18-11, 10-8 ACC):

The Tar Heels are firmly on the wrong side of the bubble. However, with their first Quad-1 win under their belt – a 71-63 win over no. 6 Virginia – Coach Hubert Davis can breathe a little easier knowing that his team finally has a signature win.

The worst case scenario looms: the Cavaliers may free fall and the win could prove to be less valuable come Selection Sunday – unless North Carolina steals the ACC Tournament title away. 

I fear relying on Carolina’s postseason success in 2022, yet I can’t help but think about this team’s ceiling. Four out of the five players from last year’s National Championship (appearance) team have returned – save for Brady Manek, whose departure hurt the Tar Heels more than expected.

However, Northwestern transfer forward Pete Nance just quieted the naysayers with a 22-point explosion against Virginia and could pick up the slack even further in March.

This team may benefit from Greensboro’s neutral (?) site considering their trouble on the road (3-6) and their success at home (7-2). Plenty of Tar Heel faithful will flock to the ACC Tournament and try to spur their team onto a March Madness bid – even if a semifinal/final appearance in the conference tournament will likely give them an at-large look.

The combination of proven veterans – juniors R.J. Davis and Caleb Love, alongside ACC Player of the Year candidate and senior Armando Bacot – and “glue guys” – Nance and senior forward Leaky Black – may lead this team to a surprise ACC title.

Will it be that much of a surprise? Probably not, yet this team certainly hasn’t lived up to expectations.

Michigan (17-12, 11-7 Big Ten):

Another Juwan Howard year, another nail-biting end to conference play. Michigan squeaked into March Madness last year as an at-large despite an 11-9 record in the Big Ten – good for seventh in the conference. This year, the Wolverines might not be so fortunate if they don’t win the Big Ten tournament.

A 25-point loss to Arizona State, two-point defeat to Central Michigan and a 22-point blowout at the hands of Penn State may nip this team in the bud…coupled with the fact that they haven’t won a ranked game all season (even if they’re tied for second in the conference). 

However, a team with Hunter Dickinson in the frontcourt (17.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg) always has a chance at the Big Dance. Last year, the big man from Maryland propelled the Wolverines to a Sweet Sixteen appearance amidst the controversy of their at-large bid. A similar mindset could take hold in 2023.

The Michigan of last season managed to lose in the first round of the Big Ten tournament and still heard their name called on Selection Sunday. This year will require a greater effort. Dickinson and guards Jett Howard (14.4 ppg) and Kobe Bufkin (12.9 ppg) have the potential to solidify an automatic bid in a highly-contested Big Ten.

With Michigan’s spot among the top-five in the conference, it may only take three games to reach the Big Dance.

Others up for consideration include:

Oregon (16-13, 10-8 Pac-12): The Ducks certainly haven’t lived up to their preseason expectations, yet they trounced then-no. 9 Arizona and narrowly lost to then-no. 7 UCLA at home. Yes, they’ve lost three out of their last four, but a veteran lineup featuring a stud in senior center N’Faly Dante (13.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg) – could make a run in the Pac-12 tournament. Take Arizona and UCLA out of the equation and the conference is essentially wide open. 

Saint Louis (19-10, 11-5 Atlantic 10): VCU currently sits comfortably at the top of the A-10 (13-3), yet the Billikens have the talent to make some waves in the conference tournament. There are some glaring losses on their record – at UMass and Iona and at home against SIU Edwardsville (epitome of brutality level) – but they also have one of the most capable point guards in the nation in junior Yuri Collins (11.3 ppg, 10.2 apg). Give me the Billikens to surprise some folks and punch their ticket for the Big Dance.

*the SEC and Big 12 have too many tournament “locks” for me to consider a team on the wrong side of the bubble/far from an at-large bid. Maybe Mississippi State, West Virginia and Oklahoma State appear to be candidates, but I think they’re on the right side of the bubble and won’t have much of a chance in their respective conference tournaments.

*It’s really hard for me to imagine anyone winning the AAC and WCC outside of Houston and some combination of Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s.

*The Mountain West has two schools most likely receiving a bid regardless of the conference tournament – San Diego State and Boise State. Despite sitting on the bubble, New Mexico has lost six of their last seven and doesn’t look poised to win the Mountain West.

By: William Smythe

Whew, what a day. Flipping through the channels, I landed on the last minutes of the Arizona-Arizona State matchup in Tucson – a classic, no doubt. After a late foul against the Wildcats extended the lead to 88-86, the Sun Devils’ Devan Cambridge took the inbound, put the ball on the deck and launched a prayer with nearly two seconds to play (not sure why he shot it so early). A perfect buzzer-beater secured a massive win for Bobby Hurley’s unit – a team firmly on the bubble.

But wait, what about Florida State? I tuned in to the ACC matchup after seeing that the Seminoles had clawed back from a 25-point deficit in the second half. Just as he did last season against Virginia, sophomore sensation Matthew Cleveland heaved it from just behind the three-point line to sink the ‘Canes hopes of an easy path to an ACC title (after Miami’s Jordan Miller made a three with 4.9 seconds left).

Madness! 

Nine top-25 teams fell yesterday – a normal Saturday. What transpired as we head closer and closer into the jaws of conference tournaments?

An overlooked Gonzaga could prove dangerous in March

We all forgot about the no. 12 ranked ‘Zags. Three early season non-conference defeats – including two double-digit ones to Purdue and Texas – shifted the attention away from Coach Mark Few’s team. After all, who really cares about the West Coast Conference anyways? Well, it’s time to give the Bulldogs the attention they deserve.

Gonzaga has strung together six straight wins after suffering an away loss to then-no. 18 Saint Mary’s. Last night, the ‘Zags avenged their second WCC loss by dominating the fifteenth-ranked Gaels in Spokane – coming away with a 77-68 victory which gave them a share of the regular-season title. This team can fill up the stat sheet – with their 77 points the most allowed by Saint Mary’s this season (they only give up 59.3 ppg). 

The “ultimate glue guy” – senior forward Anton Watson – stepped up in a big way with 17 points and eight rebounds in the win. Complementing America’s most polarizing player in forward Drew Timme (19 pts, 6 rebs), Watson catalyzed the ‘Zags’ win in one of his most impressive performances of the season.

The depth for the Bulldogs is finally there, with the bevy of scoring options beyond Timme, Watson and junior guard Julian Strawther (15.4 ppg) contributing to the nation’s second-highest scoring offense. 

Fear an underrated Gonzaga. Despite their years of disappointment, Coach Few and company might be more motivated than ever heading into March – now eyeing a three or even two-seed. 

No. 6 Virginia looks unrecognizable, may fall to outside of the top-20

What has happened to the Cavaliers? The past four games – including two consecutive losses to Boston College and North Carolina – also witnessed Virginia (13-5 ACC) struggle immensely against Louisville and Notre Dame – the bottom two teams in the conference. A chance to right the ship on the road against the Tar Heels fell flat, with Virginia going eight-of-25 from around the rim and once again putting together an abysmal offensive performance. 

The only bright spot for Virginia has been fifth-year forward Jayden Gardner – who has tallied 35 total points in the Cavaliers’ last two games. The “small-ball” experiment with Gardner and graduate transfer Ben Vander Plas has largely failed as of late, with Gardner carrying much of the load amidst the latter and the backcourt’s struggles.

Senior center Kadin Shedrick (1 pt against North Carolina) and freshman forward Ryan Dunn (0 pts) haven’t played considerable minutes at all in Virginia’s slump.

The panic button is firmly in play. The Cavaliers are playing their worst basketball of the season at the worst point in the season. An ACC regular-season title is almost out of the question with Pitt and Miami both carrying better records; that, however, isn’t the chief concern. 

Virginia must win their last two games of the year – against Clemson and Louisville – to carry some momentum into the ACC Tournament. An early loss there could bode extremely poorly for both seeding and outcome in March. 

Purdue cascading as Indiana rolls in Mackey

Mackey Arena is no longer a place of refuge for the Boilermakers. Indiana waltzed into West Lafayette and stole a 79-71 win over Purdue – their first “sweep” against their in-state rival in ten years.

The key for the Hoosiers? Not senior center Trayce Jackson-Davis, but freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino.

The freshman’s 35-point performance – good for second all-time by an Indiana rookie – sent shockwaves all throughout the Big Ten. Hood-Schifino only made one three in the win, yet a 14-of-24 clip from the field and a 23-point tally in the first half gave the Hoosiers life in the most hostile arena in the conference.

Once again, we have to wonder how limited Purdue is by their inexperienced backcourt. Their starting guards – Ethan Morton, Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith – combined for 23 points, while no one on the court could contain the Hoosiers’ star freshman. 

No. 5 Purdue has now lost three of their last four. The Hoosiers have lost two of their last four, but the win in Mackey may compensate for defeats against Michigan State and Northwestern. 

The Purdue train is slowing down faster than we expected. Like Virginia, the Boilermakers are playing their worst ball late into the season – a trend no one wants to see. The backcourt – who looked so promising early in non-conference play – has put an even greater burden on Zach Edey’s shoulders to score and will his team to a top seed in March. 

Two tricky games to end the season – at Wisconsin and at home against Illinois – will be crucial for the Boilermakers as they look to turn things around.

Other Notes:

• Kentucky has won four straight, trounced Auburn by 32 and swept no. 10 Tennessee
  • The Wildcats are an incredibly dangerous NCAA Tournament team
• Houston takes the AAC, looks to be a surefire no. 1 overall seed barring any losses
• Villanova’s record (15-14, 9-9 Big East) is not a good indication of their talent level
  • The Wildcats just beat no. 19 Creighton by 12 and no. 13 Xavier by one
• No. 23 Iowa State has struggled mightily as of late, loses by 11 to Oklahoma at home
• No. 9 Baylor takes down no. 8 Texas despite an injury to freshman Keyonte George
• No. 10 Marquette clinches a share of the Big East (Shaka Magic!)

By: William Smythe

You need not wait long after Saturday for blockbuster matchups. Now dubbed as “Super Tuesday,” the spread of tonight’s games will further pit top-25 teams against each other in a dash towards conference tournaments. It’s already been a wild post-weekend frenzy: No. 3 Kansas already picked up a massive 73-68 road win over TCU last night, while the lowly Georgetown Hoyas finally ended their skid of 22 consecutive road game losses with a win over a similarly porous Butler. 

With March on the horizon, let’s preview some of the biggest contests tonight.

No. 9 Baylor @ No. 14 Kansas State, 7 PM

Scott Drew’s troops are finally realizing their potential. Some could pawn off Baylor’s demise as a result of a massive frontcourt exodus from last season, yet the backcourt just keeps them humming along. The Bears have only suffered two losses in their past 12 games – on the road to both no. 10 Texas and no. 5 Kansas – and have welcomed forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua back from injury.

The frontcourt is rebuilding, while the three-headed backcourt monster of senior Adam Flagler (16.0 ppg), freshman Keyonte George (16.0 ppg) and junior L.J. Cryer (14.9 ppg) has brought the Bears back to life in recent weeks.

Kansas State hasn’t shared a similar ascendancy. The Wildcats have lost four out of their last six and haven’t won on the road since January 7th against Baylor. Luckily, they’re staying in Manhattan tonight.

Despite a three-point loss to Texas at home five games ago, Jerome Tang’s unit has done a fine job of defending their turf in the nation’s premier conference. Once again expect the tandem of point guard Markquis Nowell (16.9 ppg, 7.5 apg) and forward Keyontae Johnson (17.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg) to shoulder the load.

Prediction? Kansas State eekes one out in an offensive showcase. 

No. 11 Tennessee @ No. 25 Texas A&M, 7 PM

I’m not at all sure where I fall on the issue of Tennessee. They boast one of the nation’s most efficient defenses – holding teams to 56.7 ppg (good for third in the country) – and recently topped then-no. 1 Alabama in Knoxville. Keep in mind that they beat the Tide by nine after twice losing to unranked opponents in Missouri and Vanderbilt.

Much like the Virginia Cavaliers, everything depends on the offensive side of the ball. The Volunteers have suffered from scoring droughts in their losses – two of which also came against an unranked Kentucky – and haven’t always complemented their defense even in their wins. 

There’s a Palpable Buzz Williams in the air in College Station, with the Aggies having won five straight and currently holding a 12-2 record in SEC play – good for second behind Alabama. The nation’s quietest ascender has the chance to put the nation on watch with a home date against the Volunteers.

The key for Williams’ crew? Transfers. Michigan State’s Julius Marble (9.3 ppg), Duke’s Henry Coleman III (9.9 ppg) and Virginia Tech’s Tyrece Radford (13.3 ppg) have rounded out the starting lineup alongside sophomore sensation Wade Taylor IV (15.6 ppg). The Aggies won’t fold easily in College Station, yet the unstoppable force of the Tennessee defense will likely yield a low-scoring, defensive output tonight.

Prediction? Tennessee claws their way to victory, uses depth to their advantage

No. 10 Marquette @ No. 19 Creighton, 8:30 PM

Creighton is – after all – human. The Bluejays slipped up in Big East play after riding an eight-game win streak – falling to Providence in overtime (in the ‘Dunk, though). Still, one can’t help but think that Greg McDermott’s team is one of the nation’s best and may be worthy of a top-ten label despite their record.

The starting core is intact – with Kalkbrenner back and guarding the rim – and the Omaha effect has certainly come into play: the Bluejays haven’t lost at home since the “beginning of the end” – a 10-point loss to Nebraska in December. December!

Before the season, no one could have convinced me that Shaka Smart’s Golden Eagles would be flying high and controlling their destiny in the Big East over the likes of Xavier, Creighton and UConn. Lo and behold, Marquette is staving off the competition with a 13-3 conference record and holds a one-game lead in the Big East. If you want to talk about ramifications, this game sure has some.

The Golden Eagles need to steal one away from Creighton in Omaha – rewriting a script that has them struggling against the upper Big East teams on the road. It’ll be difficult, but a balanced attack and an efficient three-point shooting unit will certainly give them a chance.

Prediction? The Bluejays carry the Golden Eagles away in this one, get a share of the Big East

Other matchups:

No. 13 Miami @ Virginia Tech, 7 PM: The ‘Canes have been hurtling through the ACC – having won their last six. Despite Tech’s capability at home – including wins over Virginia, Duke, Pittsburgh and North Carolina – Miami hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, with a backcourt locked and loaded from three-point range and a frontcourt bruiser in Norchad Omier anchoring the low post. The ‘Canes will continue their streak in Blacksburg.

No. 8 Texas vs. No. 23 Iowa State, 9 PM: The Cyclones have been pitiful on the road this season (2-7 in Big 12 away games). Expect the Longhorns to take care of business in Austin.

No. 17 Indiana @ Michigan State, 9 PM: The Spartans aren’t a top-25 team but have the making of one when they play in East Lansing. A 63-58 win over a tough Maryland team last week gives me reason to believe that they can upend the Hoosiers – especially if the combination of Malik Hall, Mady Sissoko and Joey Hauser can contain Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis (20.5 ppg, 11.3 rpg).

By: William Smythe

So long for the Super Bowl hype. That’s right, America, this weekend belongs to the college basketball world. Once again, the thin security blanket that the top-five, top-ten teams in the nation hide under has been compromised – sorry Arizona and Tennessee.

Conference play – largely in the Big 12, ACC and Big Ten – has been nothing short of unpredictable as only a few squads have avoided serious blemishes on their record.

However, we are close to achieving homeostasis. Creighton is riding an eight-game win streak and looking like their old selves without a half-dead Ryan Kalkbrenner (who seems to be fully healthy now, thankfully), Arizona is once again dropping random Pac-12 games which they have no reason losing, and Kansas is reasserting themselves as a contender for a no. 1 seed in March.

Plenty of storylines surround yesterday’s slate, so let’s not waste any more time. 

It’s almost impossible to wrap my head around Tennessee’s past two games

Hey, I really thought about taking Vanderbilt moneyline before the rivalry game on Wednesday. In an arena where the ‘Vols have traditionally had some trouble – Memorial Gymnasium – the ‘Dores bested their in-state rivals after Tennessee made some head-scratching mistakes in the final minutes.

Rick Barnes’ teams will always pride themselves on their feared defenses, but when will their offense turn the corner? 

The ‘Vols went 4:27 without a basket in the second half – a dry spell which allowed Vanderbilt to take a one-point lead with just over four minutes to play. Freshman Julian Phillips could have secured a Tennessee victory in the final seconds but chose to take the foul (the ‘Vols weren’t even in the bonus yet), and seasoned guard Santiago Vescovi missed a crucial free-throw to give Vanderbilt a chance – down 65-63 with eight seconds left.

A Tyrin Lawrence (19 pts) three-pointer at the buzzer sunk Tennessee’s hopes in Nashville.

Think that was bad? Missouri would like to interject. In an oddly high-scoring affair yesterday in Knoxville, the Tigers solved the riddle of the Volunteer defense and put a second nail in the coffin – a last-second three-pointer from D’Andre Gholston to give Missouri an 86-85 win.

The similarities are eerie – both teams were down two with just seconds to play, and then cashed in dramatic three-pointers to send the sixth ranked team in the country packing. The only consolation for Tennessee was their resolve in this one. The ‘Vols were down by as much as seventeen in the second half, yet rode a 32-15 run to tie the game at 64. Weirdly enough, their offensive explosion late couldn’t compensate for a game in which their defense – their bread and butter – ultimately fell flat.

Panic is setting in for Rocky Top faithful after two unranked losses – the worst imaginable ones, by the way. A win against no. 3 Alabama on Wednesday would give the ‘Vols their swagger back, but beating Brandon Miller and company will be a tall task.

Alabama doesn’t care about The Jungle, Auburn’s home success

I previously commented that, “as [freshman forward] Brandon Miller goes, so does Alabama.” Well, that’s not entirely true. The third-ranked Crimson Tide battled on the road at Auburn – a team with an 11-2 record on their home turf – and saw their best player struggle immensely in a 77-69 win.

Miller – the catalyst for Alabama’s high-powered offense – went zero for seven from behind the arc and only tallied 13 points in 37 minutes. However, Auburn fared far worse shooting-wise.

The Tigers went an abysmal 32.3% from the field, witnessing an uncharacteristically inefficient day from center Johni Broome (8 pts, 3 for 11) even with a 24-point performance from guard Wendell Green Jr. Auburn, however, led for much of the first and second halves and simply caved when it mattered most – allowing the Tide to take a four-point lead with just over five minutes remaining.

The nation’s most talented offense wouldn’t look back. 

If Alabama can win in The Jungle after one of Miller’s worst performances, they will most certainly find themselves at the two spot on Monday afternoon. Nate Oats’ team is currently the only Power Five roster without a conference loss, and their dominance in the SEC has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Expect the Tennessee game on Wednesday to be another battle away from Tuscaloosa; Miller’s services will be especially needed against (still) one of the best defenses in the nation. Auburn looks to close out the rest of conference play on a high note, but will need some more wins to ensure that they make it into March.

Virginia topples Duke, controversy remains despite Grayson Allen’s travel in 2016

Grayson Allen traveled! The ending of the 2016 game in Cameron Indoor Stadium – one which the unranked Blue Devils won, 63-62 – shares some similarities with Virginia’s 69-62 win yesterday. The Cavaliers should’ve run away with the win in the final minutes, yet a last-second inbound from guard Tyrese Proctor to forward Kyle Filipowski (who finished with a season-low zero points) ended in a controversy that will live on forever in the minds of Duke fans. 

The referees called a foul on Virginia’s Ryan Dunn for contact on the shot, yet the boys in stripes took to the monitor to see if Filipowski’s shot went off in time. Well, the shot did go off – but was it actually a foul? The replay seems to show a clean contest from both Dunn and guard Reece Beekman on Filipowski’s attempt – yet, in all honesty, I have never seen a call such as that reversed; in fact, I didn’t even know it was possible.

However, the Blue Devils had a chance to right the wrongs in overtime and couldn’t close it out. Even if the Duke faithful may cry out about the ACC’s incompetence, they clearly didn’t do enough to best the Cavaliers in a wild, wild game in Charlottesville.

Virginia’s defense on Duke’s vaunted frontcourt was incredible. A combination of Ryan Dunn and forwards Jayden Gardner and Ben Vander Plas held Filipowski and fellow freshman Dereck Lively to two total points – forcing skips across the middle that the Cavalier guards easily intercepted.

Frankly, Virginia shot themselves in the foot all throughout this one. Tony Bennett’s team went nine of 22 from the charity stripe, made only four out of fourteen three-point attempts and couldn’t capitalize even while posting ten steals in a defensively-stout performance.

Virginia deserved to win, yet the controversy will keep many fuming.

Other notes:

• Stanford simply outplays no. 4 Arizona last night, winning 88-79 in Palo Alto
• UCLA is quietly making a top-five case after their fourth straight win
• No. 11 Iowa State stunned by Oklahoma State at home, has now lost four of their last five
• No. 14 Baylor picks up a massive road win against no. 17 TCU, riding the nation’s best backcourt and a 28-point game from guard Adam Flagler
• Gonzaga has looked iffy in WCC play, yet squeezes by BYU at home, 88-81
• No. 23 Creighton should send no. 21 UConn out of the top-25, has won eight straight

By: William Smythe

We all just find ourselves waiting for Saturday. This past one was no different, with a particular interest in mind for college basketball viewers nationwide: the randomly-timed yet much-needed Big 12/SEC challenge. Instead of divvying up the games across a several day period – as other matchups such as the ACC/Big Ten challenge often do – the two major conferences gave us a reason to sit in front of our television for the entire day. 

Let’s all be thankful that the two NFL games didn’t fall smack dab in the middle of Tennessee/Texas and Kansas/Kentucky, only two of many dogfights yesterday.

No one is in the Big 12’s airspace after the SEC/Big 12 Challenge

The Big 12 only solidified its case as the nation’s premier basketball league – trouncing the SEC 7-3 on Saturday. We could dive a little deeper and analyze the record – largely on account of teams like Kansas and Kansas State taking on unranked opponents, while no. 12 Iowa State fell to Missouri in a thunderous win in Columbia. Let’s put that all aside for now.

No. 5 Kansas State, no. 9 Kansas, no. 17 Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and West Virginia all took care of business yesterday – with two of the aforementioned teams pulling off massive upsets.

In defense of their feared home turf, the Mountaineers used their timeless, Bob Huggins-masterminded press defense to stave off no. 15 Auburn. A career day from guard Erik Stevenson – who went seven of 10 from three and notched 31 points – also made things easier for a confusing West Virginia squad – currently eighth in the Big 12 but also 9-3 at home. 

West Virginia’s upset pales in comparison to Oklahoma’s blowout of no. 2 Alabama. I know, I know – I couldn’t stop talking about the Tide, and I think they’re still very much poised to win the SEC and carry some momentum into March. But on January 28, 2023, Porter Moser’s Sooners brought the hammer down.

As Alabama’s Brandon Miller goes, so does the Tide. The uber-talented freshman struggled mightily against Oklahoma’s Jalen Hill – going four-of-14 from the field and only posting 11 points. The Sooners, moreover, shot an unbelievable 69.2% from three on only thirteen attempts.

Moser found a gem in guard Grant Sherfield, who carved up the ‘Bama backcourt and finished with 30 points, six assists and four three-balls. The sky isn’t falling for Oats and company yet, of course, but it’ll be interesting to monitor how the Tide will bounce back. Not often does an AP top-five team lose by 24 to an unranked opponent. 

In other news, the hypnotoads in Fort Worth just made me second-guess my Final Four predictions. I know you’re on the road, but you just can’t lose to a 13-8 Mississippi State team who really struggles to put the ball in the hoop at times. TCU, Iowa State and Alabama were evidently yesterday’s biggest losers, even if the first two saw their conference win bragging rights.

Guess that’s not much of a consolation prize, though.

Creighton, as we should’ve predicted, looks elite again

The sky really was falling for Greg McDermott’s team earlier this season. Beginning the year with a 6-0 record and holding as high as a no. 7 ranking in the polls, the Bluejays suddenly collapsed. Losses to then-no. 14 Arizona and then-no. 2 Texas were understandable – sure – but the next four to Nebraska, BYU, Arizona State and Marquette almost destroyed Creighton’s season then and there.

Much of the reason for their collapse? The absence of the frontcourt’s backbone – junior center Ryan Kalkbrenner (15.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg). 

Kalkbrenner missed the last three against the Cougars, Sun Devils and Golden Eagles – games in which the Bluejays’ chemistry looked utterly off despite strong performances from backup center Fredrick King (posted 16 points against both Marquette and Arizona State). King cannot replicate Kalkbrenner’s rim-protecting ability, especially since the 7’1 senior already has a Big East Defensive POY award on his resume. 

With Kalkbrenner back, however, the Bluejays are 7-2. They’re currently riding a four-game win streak with some pretty jaw-dropping margins of victory – yesterday’s 84-67 win over no. 13 Xavier may have been just a taste. Creighton also trounced St. John’s by 28, beat Butler by 19 and bested then-no. 19 Providence by six in Omaha.

No one is playing better basketball than the Blue Jays right now; I don’t care if they’re 13-8!

Creighton is officially in Big East contention – only 1.5 games behind the three-headed monster of Xavier, Providence and Marquette. A bounce-back campaign for the Bluejays seems to be very much in the cards after an abysmal stretch early in the season.

With arguably the nation’s most talented starting five – I haven’t even mentioned point guard Ryan Nembhard (11.4 ppg, 5.4 apg), sharpshooter Baylor Scheierman (13.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg) and versatile forward Arthur Kaluma (12.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg) yet – everyone should be on watch.

The depth hasn’t ever been there for McDermott, but it doesn’t really matter. His team has what it takes to win the Big East and even bring a banner back to Omaha if things keep clicking. 

This is the best unranked team (we’ll see on Monday, though) I’ve ever seen. 

Other Notes:

• No. 7 Virginia has won their last six ACC contests and will take on Syracuse tomorrow night; freshman forward Ryan Dunn continues to provide De’Andre Hunter-like minutes
• Tennessee looks like the favorite to secure a no. 1 seed in the tournament behind Purdue, Houston and Alabama after an 82-71 win over no. 10 Texas
• Purdue’s Zach Edey finishes with 38 and 13 against Michigan State (no one is taking POY from him)
• Saint Mary’s is now ranked no. 22 and has won ten straight; do not underestimate Randy Bennett’s defensive genius
• Baylor’s Keyonte George (24 pts vs. Arkansas) makes a case as freshman MVP

By: William Smythe

Take a long, hard look at the resumes of the nation’s top 25 and tell me there’s a better one than that of the Tide. We’ve been trained to believe that – regardless of talent in previous years – Alabama cannot, and will not, transition from a football to a basketball school – or at least balance the two.

In a bizarre change of circumstances, the Tide have put together a season that would make Saban and company proud. 

Plenty of questions surrounded Nate Oats’ unit following the losses of four starters and a 19-14 finish to a season “capped” by a play-in loss to Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament. Keep in mind that this program – which has never reached the heights of its football counterpart – only reached the tournament twice in the ten years before Oats’ hiring. Some fine players passed through Tuscaloosa under Anthony Grant and Avery Johnson, respectively, but the former Buffalo coach has brought life back to an overshadowed sport at Alabama. 

So – with the losses of double-digit scorers in Jaden Shackelford (16.6 ppg), Keon Ellis (12.1 ppg) and freshman phenom JD Davison – who would Oats bring in to right the ship? The presumed savior of Alabama basketball struck gold both in the recruiting circuit and the transfer portal – landing the no. 4 overall class (only behind Duke, Arkansas and Texas).

A palpable buzz has returned to Tuscaloosa since the 2021, 26-7 season that ended with a no. 5 ranking in the AP Poll – a fitting indicator of what the Oats’ tenure would hold.

Oats didn’t just rebuild in the portal. He flourished. The addition of freshmen five-stars – shooting guard Brandon Miller and point guard Jaden Bradley – complemented a class that boasted three other four-stars and two transfers – including Ohio guard Mark Sears. Following a season which left many wondering about Oats’ third act, the five-stars and Sears immediately left us all thinking, “could Alabama make a run this year – not a Sweet Sixteen exit – but a run?”

The last few weeks have left no doubt about Alabama’s legitimacy. The first few weeks were equally as encouraging, yet the dominance on the court – both in and out of Coleman Coliseum – has given us reason to wonder whether Purdue holds a candle to this team. No one in the country has either the edge or consistency which Alabama has shown.

Let’s begin with the losses (there’s only two, so this’ll be quick).

The 17-2 Crimson Tide fell – by fifteen on a neutral site – to a UConn unit rapidly climbing the ladder.  A few games later and with two wins against no. 1 teams under their belt, Alabama couldn’t escape a shootout against Drew Timme and the ‘Zags – a 100-90 result which marked the end of a four-game winning streak. If we believe in the loss spectrum from good to abysmal, these certainly fall under the umbrella of the former.

The wins – on the other hand – are spectacular.

Even with a no. 1 ranked North Carolina flirting with panic after several close wins and a loss to Iowa State, the Tide snatched victory away from a desperate Tar Heel team in quadruple overtime. The last contest of the Phil Knight Invitational would give Oats and company a 2-1 record coming out of Portland – including a 81-70 performance against a then-no. 12 ranked Michigan State.

Miller stepped onto the scene with a 24-point effort, officially putting the nation on notice about the 6’9 freshman with a knack for the three-ball. 

The win of the season so far for Alabama – however? A dramatic, 71-65 triumph over no. 1 Houston at their place. The Tide went toe-to-toe with the Cougars in a matchup between two top-tier defenses (Alabama’s offense versus Houston’s D was must-see TV, as well).

And so, following a 10-2 record in arguably the hardest non-conference slate, the Tide turned their attention to the SEC.

The momentum has built ever so steadily in the wake of the Gonzaga loss. The scoring differentials themselves are mind-boggling. Alabama is currently first in the SEC with a 7-0 record and – wait for it – a +143 scoring differential against their conference opponents.

They trounced LSU by 40 and handled then-no. 21 Mississippi State and no. 15 Arkansas on the road by double-digits. Domination would be the word to describe Alabama’s recent play.

Who are the keys to Alabama’s success?

Brandon Miller. Simply put, Miller is the nation’s top freshman and a legitimate contender for a spot as a first-team All-American. The 6’9 forward averages 19.6 ppg and 8.3 rpg, shoots the lights out of the gym and went for 36, 31 and 30 against Gonzaga, LSU and Vanderbilt – and he’s not the only bright spot. 

Fellow freshmen Noah Clowney (9.9 ppg) and Bradley (8.7 ppg) round out a starting lineup that is rangy and undeniably fierce on the defensive end. Bradley has surprisingly supplanted former five-star Jahvon Quinerly – the Tide’s second leading scorer last season – as the primary ball-handler for a team with an embarrassment of riches at every position.

Bradley, Quinerly or Sears (14.6 ppg) can each dictate the offense’s tempo, while Miller provides an unmatched combination of defensive length and three-point shooting. 

The frontcourt – arguably Alabama’s “weakness” – features a duo of Clowney and the seven-footer Charles Bediako, both of whom average more than five rebounds and anchor the paint defensively. These two have been critical in giving the Tide the fifth most efficient defensive unit in the country, according to KenPom.

Moreover, the Tide were without the services of Texas Tech transfer Nimari Burnett (7.9 ppg) – a shooting guard and defensive standout – for nine of their nineteen games this season. Burnett is supposedly good-to-go for the rest of conference play after suffering a wrist injury in December. 

They shouldn’t even need him, right? 

This team has every making of a no. 1 roster. They haven’t found themselves there – somehow still below a Purdue team with a loss to Rutgers and a track record of close wins – but everyone will know about Alabama’s remarkable run soon. This is the year for Alabama basketball to cement themselves as a mainstay, not in the shadow of Saban but in the rafters of Coleman.

A national title is very much in reach for the Tide; never would I have imagined uttering these words. 

By: William Smythe

I can’t recall a Tuesday as hectic as what we experienced yesterday. With nine AP ranked teams in play, two top-ten teams fell while others climbed the continuously-changing ladder in the power rankings. Bedlam – outside of Houston’s consistency at no. 1 – defined what was largely a Big 12-dominated gameday. 

Disclaimer: We apologize for the heavy Iowa State and K-State content recently. But, they’re having fun.

Iowa State is deserving of an “elite” rather than “underrated” label

I’ll admit, it’s always a bit tricky to consider the Cyclones as an elite program. Yeah, they’ve had an impressive history in the past decade, but they’re nowhere near the level of Baylor and Kansas…right? The Wizard of Otz – however – has his 2023 Iowa State roster teetering on the echelon of the Texas’ and Kansas’ of the world.

Motivated in large part by transfer Tyrese Hunter’s return to Ames, the Cyclones overcame an early deficit to the ‘Horns and rallied on the shoulders of their incredible defense. I cannot say enough good things about St. Bonaventure transfers Jaren Holmes (21 pts) and Osun Osunniyi (11 pts, 7 reb) – the latter of which has improved mightily on the offensive side of the ball.

What these two bring is defensive tenacity – a newfound aspect of these Otzelberger teams that just refuse to roll over. 

A 55-53 lead for the Cyclones – with the game seriously in doubt – ballooned into a 65-55 advantage after some tremendous defensive possessions and a clutch three from the (injured?) senior Caleb Grill. Iowa State now has one of the best resumes in the country – wins over no. 7 Texas, no. 12 Baylor, no. 17 TCU and then-no. 1 UNC are impressive, no doubt.

 Fear Otz’s crew as they continue to exceed expectations yet again.

Kansas State holds court in Manhattan, denies Jalen Wilson’s career day

Jerome Tang has his Wildcats humming. They were trounced in Fort Worth last week, yet lost none of their motivation after upending the no. 2 Jayhawks in a “game of the year” candidate midway through the season, 83-82.

You can’t talk about this classic without mentioning Kansas’ Jalen Wilson – the star forward who made his National Player of the Year case that much more interesting with a 38 point, nine-rebound effort.

Wilson did everything for the Jayhawks yesterday – slashing as usual, cashing in three deep-balls (one of which was called back late after Bill Self called a TO), and picking up the slack for three of his fellow starters who fouled out. His performance was a masterclass – one of the best I’ve ever seen – but it wouldn’t be enough. The Wildcats’ Keyontae Johnson (24 pts) – on the other hand – asserted his will in the contest and largely matched Wilson. 

The Wildcats – frankly – shouldn’t have made the game as close as it was. They buried Kansas into a first-half hole (went up by as much as 14 with 9:31 to play), yet ultimately regressed to the mean. Tang’s group managed to keep the Jayhawks at bay for much of the second half – that is, until Wilson couldn’t be stopped. 

A wild finish to regulation – capped by a near game-winning steal and layup from Johnson – led to a depleted, foul-happy Kansas and a last-ditch effort from guard Dajuan Harris that ultimately fell short.

What does this mean for Kansas State? They are playing with house money at this point after defeating their bitter rivals. The Jayhawks will be perfectly fine – having clawed back admirably – yet will look back at this one with some what-ifs. 

The ACC’s lone undefeated team can’t catch up to Wake in Winston

What a brutal fall from grace from Clemson. That’s a stretch – I know – but the Tigers never played the Demon Deacons particularly close in a double-digit victory for the home team. That’s not to say that Clemson doesn’t have a good shot at the ACC crown, but who knows how much this game will set them back.

Wake’s Tyree Appleby (24 pts) – a legitimate contender for All-ACC First Team in his first year in Winston – played a spectacular game throughout despite converting only two of seven from three. Appleby is this year’s version of ACC POY and guard Alondes Williams – giving Steve Forbes’ crew some offensive life which they otherwise may have lacked.

Three other Demon Deacons scored at least 17 points, with Wake forcing plenty of costly Tiger fouls to give them a nine-point free throw differential.

Wake Forest is building something sneaky under Forbes in his second year. The transfer portal has been kind to his teams – who lost nearly every key piece from last season – with  a 14-5 record and a 10-0 clip in Lawrence Joel Coliseum proving that the Demon Deacons may be scrappier than expected. 

Other News:

– Mississippi State has some real problems on offense, couldn’t hang late with a similarly-oriented Tennessee roster

– Houston is coasting through AAC play (despite a close win over USF)

– Alabama is so solid at covering the spread

By: William Smythe

Nine AP ranked teams fell to unranked opponents Saturday. Some were understandable – San Diego St. losing to New Mexico, Florida upsetting Missouri, NC State defending PNC Arena – but some defy all logic – even college basketball’s. 

Which of the Goliaths fell the hardest?

Kentucky on the right track after a shocker in Knoxville

Every metric would tell you that Tennessee was the overwhelming favorite on Saturday. Besides, of course, their complicated history with the ‘Cats. Boasting the no. 1 defense in the nation, the Vols just couldn’t look the part offensively against a Kentucky team – frankly – with nothing to lose. 

Tennessee funneled nearly everything through forward Uros Plavsic (19 pts, 3 reb) – who starred against Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe but couldn’t outmuscle him on the boards. The Volunteers looked relatively hapless from the three-point line – posting a 14.3% clip – and didn’t compete nearly as hard as a Wildcat team desperate for an SEC win.

The loss in Thompson-Boling spoiled the return of legendary guard Chris Lofton and halted what looked to be both Kentucky’s demise and Rick Barnes’ continued ascendance with this crew.

Main takeaways? Kentucky looked hungrier than ever and proved that they still have the personnel to make things interesting. As for the Vols, they’ll be fine; missed layups and a lack of an offensive spark may hold them back…the defense, however, has been magnificent.

Arkansas’ season – like football’s – may be destroyed by injuries

We would be looking at a completely different Razorback team if both Trevon Brazile (11.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Nick Smith Jr. (12.8 ppg) were fully healthy. Unfortunately, things haven’t fallen Eric Musselman’s way in 2023.  Neither has played in the past five games, and the record may show just how important these two are to Arkansas’ success; the Razorbacks are 5-4 since Brazile and Smith last played together. 

Three consecutive losses – including the most recent defeat to Vanderbilt in Nashville – have now cast Arkansas down to 11th in the SEC and a no. 25 national ranking. The team that began the season 11-1 and dropped their sole contest to no. 10 Creighton – without Smith Jr. in action – looks nowhere near their non-conference selves due to injury problems.

Panic is rising in Fayetteville, especially with Brazile out for the season with a torn ACL and Smith’s status in the balance.

On the other hand, Vanderbilt has surprised this season – despite Coach Jerry Stackhouse’s battles with Iowa’s Fran McCaffery and Michigan’s Juwan Howard for the title of “referees’ biggest critic.”

They’re hanging around in the SEC – currently positioned in seventh – and boast a balanced offensive attack and a rising forward in senior Liam Robbins (13.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg).

I was very, very wrong about Arizona

Not sure I could have been more wrong in assuming that the Pac-12 would be a walk in the park for Arizona. Tommy Lloyd’s bunch is now situated at fifth in their conference – having recently suffered brutal losses to Washington State and Oregon – and have lacked elite guard play thus far (ironically, their biggest asset last year). The 13-point loss to the Cougars at home was undoubtedly awful, yet the 19-point drubbing to Oregon was equally abysmal. 

Yesterday – on the Ducks’ horrible forest-laden court – Arizona’s three starting guards – Kerr Kriisa, Pelle Larsson and Courtney Ramey – combined for 25 points in the loss. Oregon’s Jermaine Cousinard alone went for 27.

Coach Lloyd, you’re going to need more from this group to compete in a surprisingly competitive Pac-12. No longer can Ben Mathurin or Dalen Terry shoulder the load, as the ‘Cats have now found themselves in a precarious position far from March.

Somehow, they only dropped two spots in the AP Poll – to 11th. Not sure how that works.

Other Notes:

– UConn has now lost four of their last five Big East games, tied for 5th in the conference

– Alabama has made a strong case for the no. 1 spot after the LSU blowout

– Auburn and Marquette are the biggest jumpers in the poll, moving up five spots each

– Clemson claws its way into the top-25 after their signature win over Duke

– Zach Edey is really good at basketball and willed Purdue to a win over Michigan State

By: William Smythe

The usual suspects are out-of-play here. Well, somewhat. The Dukies have defended Cameron – yet less convincingly – and several other players have emerged from the fog in a season dominated by home-court advantage. Maybe someday we’ll analyze the worst basketball environments in ‘23 – has to be the KFC! Yum Center, right? 

Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, RI

Home/Away/Neutral Splits for Providence: 10-0 (H), 4-1 (A), 0-2 (N)

Best Home Win: No. 4 UConn, 73-61

Not even a name change to the Amica Mutual Pavilion could destroy the legacy of the ‘Dunk. A whopping 10-0 record at home has propelled the Friars to a tie for the Big East lead – with Xavier, another team strongly considered for their home court advantage. Ed Cooley’s group lost two of their three on neutral sites – to a now-ranked Miami and a mid-major sleeper in Saint Louis – but have plugged away in Big East road play to complement their defense of the ‘Dunk.

The question remains: with away matchups looming against Creighton and no. 25 Marquette, will the Friars begin to solidify their case as a top-ten team nationally? We all know the power that the ‘Dunk holds – with key wins over then-no. 4 Uconn and Marquette – but the Friars haven’t exactly played their toughest opponents away from Providence.

Home Court Rating: 9.5/10

Neville Arena, Auburn, AL

Home/Away/Neutral Splits for Auburn: 9-0 (H), 2-2 (A), 2-1 (N)

Best Home Win: No. 13 Arkansas, 72-59

The “Jungle” has kept the Tigers in contention for an SEC crown – with a total record of 4-3 at away and neutral sites, it’s obvious that Auburn, Alabama holds a special place in their hearts. The student section – up there with the Crazies at Duke and the Kennel at Gonzaga – have made the poor buy-game opponents miserable at Neville Arena and helped the Tigers handle Arkansas in a massive 13-point win.

It’s unbelievably difficult to get a read on Bruce Pearl’s team because of their inconsistency on away courts. They dropped a game to a surprising but still-reeling Georgia team by 12 on the road, fell to an unranked USC and succumbed by nine points to Memphis on a neutral site.

Does that bode well for their chances against the likes of Tennessee, Alabama, LSU and West Virginia on the road? Absolutely not.

However, what we do know is this: Death, taxes and a win at Neville.

Home Court Rating: 9.4/10

Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH

Home/Away/Neutral Splits for Xavier: 9-1 (H), 4-0 (A), 1-2 (N)

Best Home Win: No. 2 UConn, 83-73

If you’re tired of my Xavier talk, it’s not going to end anytime soon. The resurgence of Sean Miller has resulted in a share of the Big East regular-season lead with Providence, while the Musketeers have excelled both at home and on the road in conference play. Three-point shooting and arguably the most potent offense in the Midwest have propelled Xavier to new heights – while the Cintas Center has been the place where opponents’ dreams have come to die.

Albeit a two-point loss to Indiana at home earlier this year, Xavier has bested their last three Big East opponents – Seton Hall, then-no. 2 UConn, and a rising Creighton – in largely competitive games in Cincinnati.

They’re not quite at the level of the ‘Dunk or the “Jungle” because their wins aren’t as authoritative, yet they consistently produce. After all, a backcourt of Souley Boum and Colby Jones will always give you a chance to compete.

The Musketeers will have to up the ante in the Cintas Center to stave off the likes of Marquette and Providence down the road, but the rest of their home slate is highly manageable. A Big East title is fully in reach for Miller and company.

Home Court Rating: 9.0/10

Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA

Home/Away/Neutral Splits for UCLA: 10-0 (H), 4-0 (A), 1-2 (N)

Best Home Win: Utah, 68-49

While not the most “electric” arena in college basketball, the Bruins have arguably defended their turf better than anyone in the Pacific Time Zone – including Gonzaga and Arizona. This team has risen up the ranks quietly yet with deafening wins – including home contests against Oregon, Utah and USC – with the Bruins holding a +30 scoring differential over these three. 

The straw that stirs the drink for this UCLA unit – senior point guard Tyger Campbell – is averaging nearly five assists per game, while fellow senior and forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. hasn’t skipped a beat in his last campaign in Westwood (16.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg). There’s a scary amount of development happening under Mick Cronin right now, and Pauley Pavilion has played host to many a UCLA win thus far. 

If freshmen Adem Bona (8.4 ppg) and Amari Bailey (9.5 ppg) can continue to play meaningful minutes alongside the veterans, the Bruins have a strong case to make the Final Four for the second time in three years. 

Home Court Rating: 8.9/10

Honorable Mentions:

Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, AL

Home/Away/Neutral Splits for ‘Bama: 8-0 (H), 4-0 (A), 3-2 (N)

Best Home Win: Kentucky, 78-52

Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC

Home/Away/Neutral Splits for Duke: 9-0 (H), 1-2 (A), 3-2 (N)

Best Home Win: No. 25 Ohio State, 81-72

Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN

Home/Away/Neutral Splits for Purdue: 8-1 (H), 4-0 (A), 4-0 (N)

Best Home Win: Marquette, 75-70

By: William Smythe

The preseason AP College Basketball poll is never a strong indicator of what the season will hold. Would many – including myself – have predicted Purdue’s dominance and North Carolina’s unprecedentedly brief stint in the top-25 after holding the no. 1 overall ranking? I thought not.

Surprises galore have arisen in the mid-point of another hectic college basketball season, with the blue bloods largely on the ropes and the Big 12 poised for a successful ‘23 campaign. 

If your team brought in a top-10 recruiting class (and you’re not named Alabama, Tennessee or Kansas), chances are you’re disappointed in the way your season is heading. Unfortunately, the stockpiles of talent that several *ahem “historically dominant” programs usually don’t mean all too much in today’s landscape.

The transfer portal – whether you like it or not – is the future for teams who want to climb the ladder quickly.

So, who has shocked us thus far? Who has made us laugh joyously as they have descended rapidly in the rankings, and who looks the part of a real contender despite having no preseason buzz?

The Pleasant Surprises: Tang, Cyclones, Sean Miller?

I’m beating a dead horse here, but Jerome Tang’s Kansas State Wildcats have done nothing but impress in the former Baylor assistant’s first year at the helm. Last week’s mania in Waco and Austin catapulted the Wildcats to a no. 11 ranking in the AP Poll – a spot they wholly deserved after two top-15 wins. 

The storylines are chock-full in Manhattan: Tang defeating his former boss – Baylor’s Scott Drew – on his home court, forward Keyontae Johnson returning to stardom (18.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg) after a scary health incident at Florida last season, and an offense reaching sky-high levels after a 116-point effort at Texas.

Do they have a chance at the Big 12 regular-season title? I think so, even if Kansas looks to be in charge at the moment. 

Biggest Game Ahead: No. 2 Kansas on Tuesday, 1/17

Alongside the Manhattan Miracle-Makers is the Wizard of Otz’s crew – the Iowa State Cyclones. The Big 12’s mid-2010s thorn in the side (Monte Morris and Georges Niang = an elite duo), the Cyclones are back in form after ascending to the no. 14 ranking in the AP Poll – recently gaining key wins over no. 17 TCU and no. 12 Baylor.

Otz’s “Road ‘Dawgs” have a revamped roster led by St. Bonaventure transfers Jaren Holmes (13.1 ppg) and Osun Osunniyi (8.1 ppg) – yet the key here is the defense. 

Questions surrounded the Cyclones after the loss of touted freshman Tyrese Hunter to the portal, yet Otz reloaded offensively and bolstered his team on the defensive end, too. Iowa State has made life increasingly difficult for Big 12 opponents – holding their past four to an average of 59.8 ppg – with the schedule only amping up in the next few weeks – no. 2 Kansas, no. 10 Texas and Kansas State all await the Cyclones. 

Biggest Game Ahead: @ No. 2 Kansas on Saturday, 1/14 (this game is on ESPN+, what a joke)

Now, that’s enough of the Big 12. In short, they’re all really, really good. But the Big East? Also primetime entertainment.

The Big East was Creighton’s or UConn’s to win before the season, yet only until Sean Miller emerged from oblivion. Miller’s return to Xavier has marked a clear improvement for the no. 12 Musketeers in ‘23 – currently tied for first in the Big East with another “from the rafters” team this season – Providence.

The 6-0 Big East clip is an indicator – one – of their defense of the Cintas Center (they haven’t lost there this season), and – two – of an unfathomably good three-point shooting team. 

Every starter – every, single, one – averages at least 40% from three. The backcourt of Souley Boum (17.7 ppg) and Colby Jones (14.4 ppg) makes a case as one of the nation’s best, while forward Jack Nunge (14.7 ppg) and fellow big man Zach Freemantle (14.7 ppg) share the load in the frontcourt as uber-efficient scorers.

This team will go far in March on account of their offense – not their defense. They can run with the best of ‘em and have made Big East defenses look silly thus far.

Biggest Game Ahead: No. 25 Marquette on Sunday, 1/15

The Corner of Blue Blood Shame: Coach Cal, UNC, Indiana

Who shall we start with…Kentucky! In arguably John Calipari’s worst year at Kentucky since the 2020, COVID-shortened 9-16 year, Rupp Arena is no longer a safe place. The ‘Cats just suffered their most painful loss at home since Evansville in 2019 – as the 19.5 point spread in favor of Kentucky couldn’t save them from a 71-68 loss to an 8-8 South Carolina.

The game before – a 26-point blowout loss to Alabama – set the stage for another massive letdown for Big Blue Nation. 

There’s so much wrong with this team, especially when you consider that they have the defending NPOY – center Oscar Tshiebwe – back and averaging 16.0 ppg and 13.1 rpg. Talk about an underwhelming supporting cast and an offense that doesn’t even involve Tshiebwe as much as it should. Desperate three-pointers – assuming that the big man will clean it up at the rim – don’t exactly lead to success.

Those faithful to BBN are already calling for Cal’s head, which poses the question: Will he find a way out of his lifetime contract?

Even if he does, the ‘Cats have the rest of the season to dwell on their future – a miserable-looking one as of late. 

Biggest Game Ahead (to right the ship): @ No. 5 Tennessee on Saturday, 1/14

Arguably the biggest disappointment in the nation, North Carolina has joined the Kentucky ranks as blue bloods-turned-overrated in 2022-23. The Tar Heels are oddly less wounded than the ‘Cats right now, but they squandered a win on the road Tuesday at Virginia and have worrisome losses – Virginia Tech and Pitt are fine teams, but they’re typically far below Carolina’s echelon.

Hope still remains in Chapel Hill because of last season – one in which the Tar Heels played a mediocre regular season yet salvaged a National Championship appearance out of it all. 

They need center Armando Bacot (17.6 ppg, 10.6 rpg) back from an ankle injury that he suffered against the Cavaliers – even if freshman Jalen Washington starred in his absence. Replacing Bacot is close to impossible in an era where dominant big men are valued like none other. The guards, moreover – juniors Caleb Love and R.J. Davis – have a case of three-ball dependency and make head-scratching plays despite their talent. 

A very manageable next five games in the ACC may help Carolina build their momentum, but they better be careful.

Biggest Game Ahead: @ Syracuse on Tuesday, 1/24

Brutal would be an understatement when describing Indiana’s play over the past few weeks. Mike Woodson’s squad just did the impossible (with the parity of the Big Ten) by dropping three straight games to unranked opponents – Iowa, Northwestern and Penn State all but destroyed the Hoosiers’ season.

They haven’t won a Power Five contest since Nebraska on December 7. 

That’s worse than I initially thought. 

The loss to Northwestern – one which occurred at the hallowed Assembly Hall – reverberated throughout Bloomington unlike any other this season. The Wildcats are a surprise themselves this season – sitting at 12-4 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten – but the Hoosiers’ defeat makes the rest of the conference slate seem like climbing up Mount Doom.

Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (17.4 ppg) and freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino (13.2 ppg) do enough to keep Indiana in most games, but there’s just not enough help around them.

I feel for Indiana nation. You’re not like the other blue-bloods – yes, I called you a blue-blood – so I’m sympathetic to your cause. However, you can’t lose back-to-back games to Northwestern and Penn State.

Biggest Game Ahead: No. 18 Wisconsin on Saturday, 1/14