Merry Christmas and Completely satisfied Holidays to all you faculty basketball followers! The absence of sports activities in 2020 confirmed us how a lot of a present they honestly are, so ensure to not take them with no consideration and revel in them as a lot as you’ll be able to.
Loads of groups have a lot to be merry about this vacation season however in what order? Discover out that and extra under in our newest energy rankings and gamers of the week in faculty hoops!
1. Purdue (11-1)
The Boilermakers have appeared unstoppable to begin the season, outdoors of their home of horrors in Evanston. With wins over 4 groups ranked within the top-15, Purdue seems like an early favourite to chop down the nets in March, so long as they’ve discovered the best way to beat the double-digit seeds of their area.
2. Kansas (11-1)
It’s not yearly you discover a workforce who could make the argument for 2 first-team all-Individuals. The Jayhawks have that chance with Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar enjoying on the stage they’re at proper now. How the remainder of the position gamers step up will decide how far this workforce can go in 2024.
3. Houston (12-0)
How Houston prevented a ranked opponent till late January is past me, however the Cougars have dominated inferior competitors to earn their spot within the top-four within the nation. It begins with the protection, which confirmed out on Thursday, holding Texas State to 37 factors.
4. Arizona (9-2)
Taking part in within the sport of the yr is at all times thrilling. Till you’re the workforce going house with out an addition to the win column. That’s what occurred to the Wildcats on Saturday evening as they blew an early 14-point lead in a loss to FAU in Las Vegas. Don’t fret Cats followers, that is nonetheless probably the greatest groups within the nation and among the many elite contenders for a nationwide championship.
5. UConn (11-2)
With Donovan Clingan out for a couple of weeks, the Huskies shall be examined as Huge East play opens up. They already dropped their opener to Seton Corridor on Wednesday however sustained a late surge by St. Johns to select up their first convention win of the season on Saturday evening. It’ll be as much as some inexperienced massive males to maintain the season afloat in Clingan’s absence.
6. Kentucky (9-2)
Kentucky’s 95 factors at Louisville on Thursday broke a file for many factors by an opponent on the KFC Yum! Heart. Search for these Cats to proceed to interrupt offensive information with probably the most versatile and gifted guards within the nation, anchored by five-star middle Aaron Bradshaw who solely continues to enhance in his return from an damage.
7. North Carolina (8-3)
The Tar Heels got here up with a formidable response to back-to-back losses, dealing with beforehand unbeaten Oklahoma in Charlotte. If RJ Davis isn’t an all-American this season, I’ll be the primary advocate for locating a brand new voting system. He’s merely enjoying like the perfect guard in faculty basketball proper now.
8. Marquette (10-3)
UConn wasn’t the one top-10 workforce to go down within the Huge East this week. The Golden Eagles trailed for the ultimate 32 minutes towards Windfall as they acquired off to an 0-1 begin in convention play. A 30-point rout of Georgetown acquired them again on monitor heading into a significant showdown with Creighton on Saturday.
9. Tennessee (9-3)
The Vols are carried out till 2024 and must be happy with their non-conference efficiency up to now. All three losses got here to top-10 groups, and so they additionally boast a pair of Huge Ten wins in Wisconsin and in Knoxville towards No. 13 Illinois. Rick Barnes was additionally nominated as a finalist for the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame this week.
10. Illinois (9-2)
Talking of Illinois, the Preventing Illini are flying excessive after a blowout win within the Braggin’ Rights rivalry sport towards Missouri. Terrence Shannon dropped 30 within the win, extending his sizzling begin to the yr that his him rising up draft boards in a rush this Winter.
11. FAU (10-2)
Are there nonetheless folks on the market calling FAU’s run final March a fluke? Anybody? In what was nearly a highway sport towards the No. 4 workforce within the nation, the Owls pulled off the win of the yr within the sport of the yr towards Arizona. Dusty Could introduced everybody again and has his workforce prepared for one more deep run with elite guard play and a never-quit mindset.
12. Gonzaga (9-3)
The WCC had a revival in recent times, nevertheless it seems like it will likely be all Gonzaga as soon as once more when convention play begins in 2024. Unlocking their gifted guards, getting Graham Ike going and growing extra consistency would be the keys for the Zags as they put together for one more deep run within the NCAA Event.
13. Duke (9-3)
Even with out Tyrese Proctor, Duke picked up a much-needed signature win towards Baylor to construct some confidence heading into the brand new yr. The ACC is as a lot for the taking because it has ever been, so if the Blue Devils can get it rolling, the convention could possibly be theirs for the taking in 2024.
14. Baylor (10-2)
Whereas a loss to Duke is nothing to be ashamed of, it is likely to be time to pump the brakes on the Bears after their 9-0 begin to the yr. And not using a true signature win and a devastating Huge 12 schedule forward of them, Baylor might slip out of the nationwide highlight quicker than you assume.
15. Oklahoma (10-1)
Oklahoma loved a sizzling begin to the season, climbing to No. 7 within the AP Ballot, however issues are about to get a complete lot trickier for Porter Moser and the Sooners. A loss to North Carolina is only a signal of what’s to return within the aforementioned Huge 12 that already options six ranked groups with extra probably on the way in which.
16. Colorado State (11-1)
The Mountain West is likely to be the perfect convention west of Texas this season and Colorado State is an enormous motive why. With wins over Creighton and Colorado already, the Rams are off to a terrific begin and look poised to guide one of many high conferences in faculty basketball behind Isiah Stevens main the backcourt.
Subsequent 5: Texas, Creighton, Ole Miss, Memphis, Clemson
Gamers of the Week:
Kevin McCullar, No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks
McCullar scored 20 of his career-high 34 factors to stave off an upset bid by Yale to ship the Jayhawks into Christmas as joyful as they could possibly be. His return to school continues to appear like probably the greatest selections of the offseason as he reveals he’s a lot greater than only a 3-and-D wing.
Antonio Reeves, No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats
First it was Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley. Now it’s Antonio Reeves. I’m, after all, referring to the elite scoring guards from Kentucky who possess unstoppable floaters within the lane. Reeves used that, and 80% capturing from past the arc, to ship the Cats previous Louisville with a 30-point displaying on this bitter rivalry.
Terrence Shannon, No. 13 Illinois Preventing Illini
It is likely to be time to present Shannon a frequent flyer card on this listing with how usually he earns a spot as a participant of the week. This time it was for a 30-point, 11-rebound sport as he led the Illini to a beatdown of Missouri on Friday evening. Shannon’s inventory is hovering heading into 2024, so get on the hype prepare when you nonetheless can.
Johnell Davis, No. 14 FAU Owls
The most effective participant of the perfect sport this season must discover a spot on this listing. For FAU’s win over Arizona, it was Johnell Davis. Final season’s darling of the NCAA Event took over the sport with 35 factors in 49 minutes because the Owls took down No. 4 Arizona in double-overtime.
Jahmir Younger, Maryland Terrapins
One of many high returning guards in faculty hoops was feeling it as he added to UCLA’s issues with a 69-60 win over the Bruins. Younger was scorching sizzling from everywhere in the ground, scoring 37 factors on 13-19 capturing, together with 4-6 from past the arc. If the Terps are going to show issues round this season, it’ll begin with extra of Jahmir Younger operating the offense.
Play of the Week:
Rob Dillingham’s monster windmill slam was the exclamation level on an electrifying win for Kentucky over Louisville on Thursday evening. The freshmen class in Lexington is as thrilling as we’ve ever seen within the John Calipari period. This dunk is one among many the reason why you need to try the Wildcats if you wish to get pleasure from a 40-minute present.
Video Credit score: UK Sports activities Video
