The Top 10: NCAAM

This week, we had two (Utah and Kansas) teams that fell out of the top ten and one team (Louisville) that slipped four spots (#6 to #10) and barely holding onto a top ten ranking. With Utah and Kansas dropping out, that opened the door for two new teams to crack the top ten.  Notre Dame and Iowa State took advantage and jumped into the top ten this week.

In the review of the top ten, we are going to look at what they did last week (Monday, the 12 – Sunday, the 18th) and then what they have ahead of them this week (Monday, the 19th – Sunday, the 25th).

#1 Kentucky (17-0)

The Kentucky Wildcats were 2-0 this week to improve to 17-0 and they won both of their games in impressive manner. Both games were blow outs. On Tuesday, they blew out Missouri 86-37 and then on Saturday, they cruised past Alabama effortlessly 70-48.

Against Missouri: The Wildcats went back to the blue and white platoon system for this game. They had ten players that played between 18-23 minutes each. All ten of them scored. Aaron Harrison led the team with 16 points. However, the player of the game went to Karl Anthony-Towns with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Against Alabama: Defense was the key. Kentucky forced Alabama into 15 turnovers and out rebounded Alabama 28-19. The Wildcats also threw the ball around and made sure that everyone had the opportunity to contribute as they had eight players that shot the ball between four and seven times. The leader for them was Devin Booker who had 13 points and was 3 for 6 from the 3-point arch.

This Week: On Tuesday, they host Vanderbilt and on Saturday, they head out to Play Vanderbilt.

# 2 Virginia (17-0)

This past week, Virginia went 2-0 to improve their record to 17-0 as they keep pace with the Kentucky Wildcats. On Tuesday, they hosted Clemson and won 65-42. Then on Saturday, they headed to Boston College and won 66-51.

Against Clemson: With the win, Virginia pushed their home win streak to 20. Virginia held Clemson to 35% shooting and forced them into 11 turnovers. On the offensive side of the ball, Malcolm Brogdon led the way with 16 points on 6 of 9 shooting including 3 of 3 from beyond the arch.

Against Boston College: With the win, Virginia pushed their record to 17-0 and claimed their best start since 1980-81 season. Brogdon once again led the team in points. In this contest, he scored 20 and had seven of them from the charity stripe line. The story of the game was rebounds. Virginia out rebounded Boston College 33-18. Boston College held the game close; only down by 3 at half but Virginia turned the heat up.

This Week: They host Georgia Tech on Thursday and then they head to Virginia Tech on Sunday.

# 3 Gonzaga (18-1)

Gonzaga went on the road for two games this week and they went 2-0 to improve to 18-1. On Thursday, they survived against Pepperdine (78-76) and then on Saturday, they handled Loyola Marymount a 72-55 loss with a big second-half run.

Against Pepperdine: Gonzaga was tested big time and they survived. It was close, but they ended up with the W. They needed another great game from their star Kyle Wiltjer and a breakout performance by their freshman Domantas Sabonis who had 18 points (9 of 9 shooting) and 12 rebounds. The Zags tried to give the game away by shooting poorly from the free throw line. They were 14 of 33. The question of the night: “How can a top three team in the nation shoot 42% of the free throw line?”

Against Loyola Marymount: Four Gonzaga players scored double-digits as the game leader for the Zags was Byron Wesley. Wesley scored 14 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 5 assists. After a bad game from the free throw line against Pepperdine, they improved against Loyola and was 12 of 16. The Zags jumped out to a quick 20-2 lead and did not look back even though LM tried to make it a game at times; bringing it within seven points twice.

This Week: Two home games for Gonzaga this week. They play St. Mary’s on Thursday and Pacific on Saturday.

# 4 Villanova (17-1)

2-0 this week for the Villanova Wildcats. They beat Xavier (88-75) on Wednesday and Pennsylvania (62-47) on Saturday.

Against Xavier: Can you say 3? The Wildcats hot 15 3-pointers in their win against Xavier. Dylan Ennis led them with 5 of 8 shooting from the arch. He also played pressure defense. Along with the 3’s, the FT line was the difference maker. Villanova was 17 of 19 while Xavier was 8 of 12.

Against Pennsylvania: It took awhile, but Villanova finally got the ball rollin’ and took charge of the game. At half time, they were only winning 23-21. Daniel Ochefu (6’11” / 245#) was finally given the ball and he dominated inside. He finished the game with 21 points and 10 rebounds. 

This Week: At Georgetown (Monday) Hosting Creighton (Sunday)

# 5 Duke (15-2)

Duke was 1-1 this week that brought them to 15-2 on the season. They struggled mightily  against Miami (L 74-90) and then dominated Louisville (W 63-52) in Louisville.

Against Miami: Quinn Cook’s 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists could not propel Duke over Miami. Miami came into Duke’s home and ended Duke’s home win streak at 41. The Duke Blue Devils could not stop Angel Rodriguez or Manu Lecomte. They scored 24 and 23 points respectfully. The Hurricanes were hot; especially in the second half. They shot 67% from the floor after the break.

Against Louisville: Jahlil Okafor played another great game recording 18 points and 7 rebounds. However, let us put the spotlight on Amile Jefferson. Jefferson scored 19 points on 6-7 (FG) and 7-9 (FT). In addition to those great two performances, the Blue Devils pressure defense held Louisville to 29% shooting. Lousiville’s big downfall was their 3-point shooting (4-25). The Blue Devils finally put Krzyzewski within two wins of 1,000.

This Week: On Monday, Duke plays Pittsburgh and on Sunday, they play St. John’s.

# 6 Wisconsin (16-2)

Wisconsin played one game this week and they beat Nebraska 70-55. With their win and Louisville’s loss, they jumped one spot from #7 to #6.

Against Nebraska: Frank Kaminsky showed up once again. He is having a fantastic year. In this game, he simply scored 22 points on 7-11 shooting including 4 of 5 3-point line and 4-4 from the free throw line. He also grabbed 5 rebounds and recorded 2 blocks. With this game, Kaminsky eclipsed the 1,000 point mark. He became the 18th Badger to reach this milestone.

This Week: They play two games this week. On Tuesday, they play Iowa and on Saturday, they play Michigan.

# 7 Arizona (16-2)

Arizona went 2-0 this week. With the two wins, they improved their record to 16-2. They beat Colorado 68-54 on Thursday. Then on Saturday, they beat Utah 69-51.

Against Colorado: Arizona pushed their home win streak to 31 with their 14 point win against Colorado. The Wildcats played consistent ball to win the game. They were also able to withstand Askia Booker 30 point game. Stanley Johnson, Arizona’s best ball player came through with another fantastic performance: 22 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. The difference maker was rebounds 39-21. 

Against Utah: T.J. McConnell had a great shooting night (8-10) as he helped lead the Wildcats to a victory. He scored 16 points points right behind Stanley Johnson’s 18 points. Thus, the #10 Arizona Wildcats upset the #8 team in the nation. They did it in a dominant manner. 

This Week: Stanford (Thursday) and California (Saturday) are on the schedule this week for Arizona.

# 8 Notre Dame (17-2)

Notre Dame was 2-0 this past week as they won two very close games. On Wednesday, they went into Georgia Tech and won 62-59. Then on Saturday, they hosted Miami and won 75-70. With the wins, it propelled Notre Dame into the top ten.

Against Georgia Tech: Notre Dame goes on the road without their star, Zach Auguste and win. Notre Dame was led by six players who scores ranged from 9-12 points. Demetrius Jackson had a rough shooting day (3-9) but he ended the game with 9 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

Against Miami: Comeback kids were the theme of the night for Notre Dame. They were down by 12 points and came back to win. They were driven to the win by the play of Jerian Grant. Grant scored 23 points on 8-10 shooting. In addition to the 23 points, he dished out 8 assists. With the win, Notre Dame is off to their best start in thirty-six years.

This Week: They go on the road. They play Virginia Tech on Thursday and N.C. State on Sunday.

# 9 Iowa State (13-3)

Iowa State went 1-1 this week. They lost a heart breaker against Baylor on Wednesday (L 73-74) and then on Saturday, they beat Kansas (W 86-81).

Against Baylor: Iowa State fell down quickly 16-1 and fought their way back into the game and even took the lead. Iowa State was down by 14 points with nine minutes remaining and stormed back to take the lead. However, Kenny Cherry hit a jumper with 4.7 seconds remaining to help Baylor upset Iowa State. Iowa State was led by Naz Long who was 7-8 from the floor including 5 of 5 from the 3-point line. Once again, a team may have loss the game to poor free throw shooting (11-19 for 57%).

Against Kansas: Naz Long had another great game and his efforts helped lead the upset level against Kansas. Iowa State scored a back to back win against the Jayhawks for the first time in fourteen years. Even though Long led the team with 20 points, it truly was a tam effort as Iowa State had six players in double figures.

This Week: Iowa State plays two games. On Tuesday, they play Kansas State and on Saturday, they play Texas Tech.

# 10 Louisville (15-3)

Louisville Cardinals went 1-1 for the week. With the loss, it dropped them to 15-3 and the 15-3 record dropped them to the tenth place in the top ten; they are holding on for dear life. They were able to beat Virginia Tech (78-63) on Tuesday. However, on their home court, Duke dominated them and they loss 52-63.

Against Virginia Tech: Louisville used an early 15-0 reun early in the game and cruised to the victory. once again they rode the shoulders of Montrezl Harrell who scored 11 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. The Louisville Cards played team ball. They had 19 assist, 11 of them from Chris Jones. The Cards need to keep this tape on the tv’s because when they pass the ball, good things occur.

Against Duke: Duke dominated and the Louisville Cardinals quickly forgot about team ball as they only had seven assists for the game. The Cards were stiffed by the Duke’s defense as not only were they limited in assists, they shot a horrendous 27% from the floor. terry Rozier led the scoring for the Cards with 17 points, but it took him 16 shots to accomplish that task.

This Week: They play one game and they have an eight day break which they may need after the Duke loss. on Sunday, they play Pittsburgh.

See you next week ….