Males’s Energy Rankings: Arizona stays No. 1; Washington, Illinois impress

Males’s faculty basketball noticed chaos two weekends in the past. This previous weekend, in distinction, did not function as many upsets on the high of the Energy Rankings, although six groups within the rankings nonetheless suffered defeats, and 5 undefeated squads misplaced their first sport of the season. The weekend forward? It could be essentially the most loaded slate of your complete common season, which means these rankings ought to look awfully completely different seven days from now. Here is what’s at stake:

Nonconference sport of the 12 months: No. 1 Arizona takes on No. 3 Purdue in Indianapolis, with the winner probably claiming the highest spot in these rankings come Monday.

Not one of the high six on campus: Whereas Arizona-Purdue is the large sport of the weekend, the opposite 4 groups within the high six are all enjoying off campus. Kansas has a real street sport in opposition to Indiana, Houston faces Texas A&M on the Bayou Metropolis’s Toyota Heart, UConn heads to Seattle to tackle Gonzaga and unbeaten Baylor goes to Detroit to play Michigan State. The highest six may both solidify or fluctuate dramatically.

Kentucky or North Carolina to make an announcement: Each the Wildcats and Tar Heels have had video games the place they’ve appeared like potential Ultimate 4 groups. And each are nonetheless ranked inside the highest 12 of the Energy Rankings. However they should so persistently to be fixtures within the high 10 shifting ahead. They may face one another in Atlanta.

Litmus take a look at for Creighton: Regardless of missing any actual high quality wins, Creighton is ranked inside our high 10. The Bluejays will put that to the take a look at at dwelling in opposition to Alabama. Count on loads of 3s, regardless.

On to this week’s awards and rankings …

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Washington hangs on for the upset after Gonzaga’s late turnover

Gonzaga’s Nolan Hickman turns the ball over after a nasty cross securing a 78-73 upset victory for Washington.

This can be a essential season for Mike Hopkins’ future with the Huskies. Together with his assured cash right down to about $3 million after this season, it’s a must-win marketing campaign. And Hopkins ready prefer it, including a slew of transfers from the portal this spring. Sahvir Wheeler, Paul Mulcahy and Moses Wooden joined transfers Keion Brooks Jr. and Franck Kepnang, each of whom arrived following the 2021-22 season. As anticipated, there’s been some inconsistency and rising pains. However this previous week, we noticed this staff’s ceiling.

The Huskies opened with an 85-61 win over Montana State then had one of many largest triumphs of Hopkins’ tenure: a 78-73 choice over Gonzaga, which ended the Bulldogs’ 16-game profitable streak versus Pac-12 groups. The Zags had been in management for a lot of the sport, even main by 11 within the second half. However Washington turned up its protection down the stretch, holding Mark Few’s squad — which made simply one in all its closing 12 area objective makes an attempt — to 2 area objectives within the closing 11:40. Brooks led the staff in scoring with 17, however Wheeler hit a number of huge photographs late, and Kepnang held his personal down low with 14 factors, 7 boards and 5 blocks. That is an skilled staff with expertise. Might this week be a turning level for the Huskies?

A case may in all probability be made for Zach Edey to win this practically each week, however typically he places collectively a efficiency to remind America — and Canada — why he is the Wood Award favourite by a long way. The Toronto native was as dominant as ever within the Boilermakers’ win over Alabama on Saturday, ending with 35 factors and 7 boards whereas making all 11 of his free throw makes an attempt. The Crimson Tide merely had no reply for Edey, with each of their huge males fouling out.

And pretty much as good he was in opposition to Alabama, Edey was arguably extra spectacular offensively in Monday’s victory versus Iowa. He completed with 25 factors (9-of-10 from the sector), grabbed 12 boards (together with 9 on the offensive finish) and blocked 3 photographs.

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Terrence Shannon Jr., Marcus Domask every rating 33 vs. FAU

Terrence Shannon Jr. and Marcus Domask mix for 66 factors in Illinois’ 98-89 win over FAU.

Illinois practically pulled off one of the crucial spectacular weeks of anybody in faculty basketball this season. Regardless of the loss at Tennessee on Saturday, the Illini’s win over FAU within the Jimmy V Basic at Madison Sq. Backyard on Tuesday ranks as one of the best of the week. The Owls entered the week on a five-game profitable streak, had been totally wholesome and appeared just like the staff that received 35 video games final season. However the Illini performed like they wanted an announcement win — and so they received it.

Illinois used a 9-0 run within the first half and a 14-0 stretch within the second half to get some separation, and FAU merely had no reply for the duo of Terrence Shannon Jr. and Marcus Domask. Every participant completed with 33 factors, on a mixed 25-of-35 taking pictures. In accordance with ESPN Stats & Data knowledge, they had been the primary pair of Division I teammates to attain 30 factors apiece on 70% taking pictures since Marist‘s Thomas Kenney and Drew Samuels did so in January 1999. It was a really elite offensive efficiency from Shannon and Domask and a stellar offensive exhibiting from the entire staff.

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Grand Canyon Antelopes vs. Liberty Flames: Full Highlights

Grand Canyon Antelopes vs. Liberty Flames: Full Highlights

A sleeping big below Dan Majerle, Grand Canyon has became a perennial WAC championship contender and NCAA event staff below Bryce Drew. And this season, the Lopes might need their greatest staff but. This previous week was among the finest a mid-major squad has put forth to date. It began with a win over San Diego State on Tuesday, because the Lopes pulled away down the stretch for a marquee dwelling victory. GCU backed that up with a street victory on Saturday in opposition to Liberty, snapping the Flames’ 20-game dwelling profitable streak.

Drew’s complete beginning lineup is made up of transfers, however he has executed a masterful job ensuring all of the gamers match. Ray Harrison has been unbelievable for the second season in a row, whereas Tyon Grant-Foster is without doubt one of the most impactful transfers within the nation.

Three groups with questions

Michigan State Spartans: Tom Izzo’s staff hit all-time low Sunday evening, dropping at Nebraska to fall to 4-5, simply 5 weeks after opening the season ranked No. 4 within the AP ballot. In accordance with ESPN Stats & Information analysis, that’s tied for the worst begin by a preseason top-five staff over the previous 40 years and is the worst since 1980-81 Louisville started 2-7.

Florida State Seminoles: One of many eyebrow-raising outcomes on Saturday was South Florida dominating the Seminoles by 16 factors. USF had beforehand received twice all season, falling to the likes of Central Michigan and Maine. However FSU is now on a three-game dropping streak since beating Colorado, and a 3rd straight season with out an NCAA event look appears more and more probably.

Louisville Cardinals: Nicely, they misplaced to DePaul on Saturday. That could be all that must be mentioned. With that defeat, the Cardinals stay winless away from dwelling within the season and a half below Kenny Payne.

Energy Rankings

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Oumar Ballo’s block units up the Caleb Love 3

Arizona goes up 18 as Oumar Ballo swats the AJ Storr layup, resulting in the Caleb Love 3-pointer.

1. Arizona Wildcats (8-0)
Earlier rating: 1
This week: at Purdue in Indianapolis (Saturday)

Arizona’s offensive efficiency in opposition to Wisconsin on Saturday was nothing wanting unimaginable. The Wildcats’ 98 factors had been essentially the most factors Wisconsin had allowed since 1994. Arizona shot higher than 58% from the sector, made a dozen 3s at a 46.2% clip, had 26 assists on 35 made baskets and turned the ball over simply seven occasions. 5 guys scored in double figures. And it’ll probably go unmentioned, however Arizona now has the No. 2 protection in faculty basketball, holding yet one more opponent to beneath 1.00 level per possession.

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Mizzou battles valiantly earlier than falling at No. 2 Kansas

Missouri begins and ends quick earlier than a rabid, hostile crowd, however the Jayhawks rule in between and lead by as many as 18 factors earlier than holding on for a 73-64 victory.

2. Kansas Jayhawks (9-1)
Earlier rating: 2
This week: at Indiana (Saturday)

Invoice Self has spoken publicly about his want for gamers exterior of his high 4 to point out some degree of consistency, however that was magnified throughout Saturday’s sport in opposition to Missouri. The Jayhawks performed solely 5 gamers for greater than seven minutes, with 4 of the 5 starters seeing no less than 35 minutes. Thankfully for Self, he did get some pop from his fifth starter, Elmarko Jackson. The freshman put up 11 factors in 26 minutes, this coming after he made some key performs within the shut win over UConn earlier this month. Self will want dependable depth sooner or later, nevertheless.

3. Purdue Boilermakers (9-1)
Earlier rating: 3
This week: vs. Arizona in Indianapolis (Saturday)

Purdue responded to its loss at Northwestern with two of its greatest offensive performances of the season this week. Zach Edey was his regular self, totaling 60 factors and 19 boards within the video games in opposition to Iowa and Alabama. However it was Braden Smith who made a distinction in opposition to the Crimson Tide within the second half of that matchup. After struggling late in opposition to the Wildcats and scoring solely two factors in opposition to the Hawkeyes, Smith had 27 factors and eight assists versus the Tide, hitting some huge photographs late within the contest.

4. Houston Cougars (10-0)
Earlier rating: 4
This week: vs. Texas A&M (Saturday)

Kelvin Sampson’s rotation has been pretty secure to date, though he reinserted Emanuel Sharp into the beginning lineup for the previous three video games instead of Damian Dunn, who began the earlier 4. And Sharp has responded. He scored in double figures in opposition to each Xavier and Rice then actually broke out in opposition to Jackson State over the weekend, making 5 3-pointers and eight free throws en path to a career-high 25 factors.

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Cam Spencer T’d up after nailing a 3

Cam Spencer T’d up after nailing a 3

5. UConn Huskies (9-1)
Earlier rating: 5
This week: at Gonzaga in Seattle (Friday)

Cam Spencer has emerged as among the finest portal transfers from the spring, a late addition to the Huskies after leaving Rutgers in late Could. Dan Hurley badly wanted some expertise and perimeter taking pictures, two issues Spencer has delivered to Storrs. He additionally brings an edge, as evidenced by his power in opposition to North Carolina. He was terrific within the Huskies’ two wins of the week, going for 23 factors and 6 assists in opposition to UNC then making 5 3s versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

6. Baylor Bears (9-0)
Earlier rating: 6
This week: at Michigan State in Detroit (Saturday)

Simply over a month into the season, Baylor ranks No. 1 in adjusted offensive effectivity at KenPom. The final time the Bears had been this good on the offensive finish was in 2021, once they received the nationwide championship. That was additionally the final time they ranked No. 1 nationally in 3-point share. That is precisely the place they rank proper now too, making higher than 46% of their exterior makes an attempt via 9 video games. They’ve drained 48 treys of their previous 4 video games.

7. Marquette Golden Eagles (8-2)
Earlier rating: 7
This week: vs. St. Thomas (MN) (Thursday)

The loss at Wisconsin on Dec. 2 actually did not linger, with the Golden Eagles hammering Texas by 21 then cruising by Notre Dame this week. Shaka Sensible needed to make his first lineup change of the season in opposition to the Preventing Irish, with Stevie Mitchell out on account of a hamstring damage. Chase Ross earned the beginning in his place and produced eight factors, eight boards and a pair of 3s. That efficiency got here after Ross had 12 factors off the bench versus the Longhorns.

8. Creighton Bluejays (8-1)
Earlier rating: 11
This week: at UNLV (Wednesday), vs. Alabama (Saturday)

It got here in a 45-point blowout win, so the numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt, however regulate Isaac Traudt following his 18-point breakout efficiency. The 6-foot-10 Virginia switch got here out of highschool with a status as a shooter, and he’s now as much as 51.6% from 3 on the season after making 5 treys in opposition to Central Michigan. Mason Miller had 17 factors of his personal versus the Chippewas, so his beginning spot is probably going not in peril, however Traudt offers an intriguing dimension for the frontcourt.

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Aaron Bradshaw has a imply rejection vs. Penn

Aaron Bradshaw will get air for an enormous block in opposition to Penn.

9. Kentucky Wildcats (7-2)
Earlier rating: 13
This week: vs. North Carolina in Atlanta (Saturday)

It is protected to say John Calipari is completed easing in freshman huge man Aaron Bradshaw. After lacking the primary seven video games on account of damage, Bradshaw performed simply 13 minutes within the loss to UNC Wilmington in his debut. Towards Penn, although, it did not seem he had any restrictions. He got here off the bench to play 29 minutes, ending with 17 factors, 11 boards — 5 on the offensive finish — and three blocks. Kentucky has sorely missed a presence like his at each ends of the ground to date.

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Jonas Aidoo will get the and-1 to fall

Jonas Aidoo will get the and-1 to fall

10. Tennessee Volunteers (6-3)
Earlier rating: 15
This week: vs. Georgia Southern (Tuesday), vs. NC State in San Antonio (Saturday)

Jonas Aidoo is enjoying one of the best basketball of his Tennessee profession in latest weeks, averaging 14.7 factors and 6.3 rebounds up to now three video games. He had 17 factors (together with two 3s), 8 boards and 4 assists within the victory in opposition to George Mason then completed with 14 factors and seven rebounds within the win over Illinois. Aidoo was essential in opposition to the Illini, defending the rim and continually attacking the offensive glass to maintain possessions alive.

11. North Carolina Tar Heels (7-2)
Earlier rating: 10
This week: vs. Kentucky in Atlanta (Saturday)

North Carolina’s offense wasn’t the difficulty in its loss to UConn final week, because the Tar Heels ended up with their worst defensive efficiency since February 2022, in accordance with KenPom. The Huskies scored 1.23 factors per possession, hurting UNC on the offensive glass and on the rim. Registering the 2 greatest offensive outings in opposition to the Heels this season, Tennessee and UConn had a ton of success within the paint. The Vols shot 74.3% from 2 versus UNC, whereas UConn made 68.6% of its 2s.

12. Gonzaga Bulldogs (7-2)
Earlier rating: 8
This week: vs. Mississippi Valley State (Monday), vs. UConn in Seattle (Friday)

There are some clear similarities within the Zags’ two losses, to Purdue and Washington: They’re the one video games this season by which they scored fewer than 1.00 level per possession. Most obvious, nevertheless, is the perimeter taking pictures. Gonzaga was 6-for-32 from behind the arc in opposition to the Boilermakers and 5-for-18 in opposition to the Huskies. On the season, Gonzaga is taking pictures higher than 35% from 3. It is also honest to say this staff has a little bit of a turnover drawback in opposition to stiffer competitors. The Zags have had extra turnovers than assists in 4 video games this season, all in opposition to high-major opponents.

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Javian McCollum exhibits off the vary on trey

Javian McCollum exhibits off the vary on trey

13. Oklahoma Sooners (9-0)
Earlier rating: Within the ready room
This week: vs. Inexperienced Bay (Saturday)

Oklahoma rolled to a different pair of wins this previous week, knocking off high-major opponents Windfall and Arkansas. Siena switch Javian McCollum continues to be the catalyst. He had 19 factors, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in opposition to the Friars and adopted it up with 20 factors, 5 boards and 4 assists versus the Razorbacks. McCollum may also be a spark defensively, racking up three steals in opposition to Windfall.

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Ian Schieffelin will get the and-1 financial institution shot to go for Clemson

Ian Schieffelin makes a fast transfer to create house, then he rises to knock down the and-1 financial institution shot.

14. Clemson Tigers (9-0)
Earlier rating: Within the ready room
This week: at Memphis (Saturday)

Clemson handed each of its opponents their first lack of the season this previous week, felling South Carolina on Wednesday and TCU on Saturday. Ian Schieffelin continues to emerge as a constant possibility for Brad Brownell, going for 14 factors, 9 boards and 5 assists in opposition to the Horned Frogs. He’s averaging 10.2 factors and 12.4 boards over his previous 5 video games. That is helpful when one of many huge three — Joseph Girard III, PJ Corridor, Chase Hunter — has an off day, as Hunter did in opposition to TCU.

15. Colorado State Rams (9-1)
Earlier rating: 9
This week: vs. Colorado State Pueblo (Sunday)

Colorado State’s personnel absences lastly caught as much as it on Saturday, with the Rams struggling their first lack of the season, at dwelling to Saint Mary’s. Josiah Sturdy, who began the primary eight video games, is out for a number of weeks after sustaining a damaged wrist, whereas Jalen Lake, the staff’s sixth man, will miss just a few weeks on account of a damaged finger. The Rams had their worst offensive efficiency of the marketing campaign in opposition to the Gaels, scoring beneath 1.00 level per possession, making simply 5 3s and taking pictures 41.9% contained in the arc.

16. Illinois Preventing Illini (7-2)
Earlier rating: Unranked
This week: vs. Colgate (Sunday)

They could not comply with their spectacular win over Florida Atlantic with a street victory versus Tennessee, however that the Illini had been within the sport regardless of the taking pictures woes of Terrence Shannon Jr. and Marcus Domask (who mixed 7-for-27 from the sector and 1-for-11 from 3) in Knoxville is a optimistic signal. Brad Underwood may use a dependable and constant third possibility, nevertheless. Shifting ahead, will Quincy Guerrier be the participant who scored 4 factors in opposition to FAU or the participant who put up 22 in opposition to Tennessee?

Dropped out: Florida Atlantic Owls (No. 12), BYU Cougars (No. 14), Wisconsin Badgers (No. 16)

Within the ready room

Florida Atlantic Owls: The strides Vladislav Goldin has taken since final season must be promising for FAU come NCAA event time. The 7-foot-1 huge man has scored in double digits in all however one sport this marketing campaign, notching three double-doubles within the first month. He additionally has had a few of his largest video games in opposition to the Owls’ hardest competitors, together with going for 23 factors within the loss to Illinois throughout the week.

BYU Cougars: BYU suffered its first loss on Saturday, falling on the street to Utah. It was by far the Cougars’ worst offensive efficiency, as their first sport scoring fewer than 1.05 factors per possession. They merely could not make photographs. They made simply seven 3s at a 23.3% clip, after draining double-digit treys and taking pictures no less than 34% from 3 in every earlier outing.

Virginia Cavaliers: Tony Bennett’s staff has turned issues round since dropping by 24 to Wisconsin final month with 4 consecutive victories after shoring issues up on the defensive finish. The taking pictures of sophomore guard Isaac McKneely has been a lift offensively; throughout his previous two video games, he has averaged 22.0 factors and shot 12-for-16 from 3.