On Monday, December 21st, the NCAA Men's Basketball Top 25 was released. TheAOSN.com takes a look at the top ten, with a look at their previous week, and a preview of what each team faces in the upcoming week.
# 1 – Kentucky (12-0)
The Kentucky Wildcats are the unanimous # 1 team in the nation, receiving all 65 #1 votes. This past week, they only played one game, but what a game it was. Against the UCLA Bruins last Saturday in Chicago, the game was literally over in the first few minutes. UK scored the first 24 points and absolutely dominated the Bruins from the opening tip to the final buzzer. After the astonishing start, the Wildcats cruised to a 41-7 halftime lead and then put it on cruise control to win 83-44.
The 24 straight points to open the game was not a record, however. Connecticut holds that record with 32 points against New Hampshire which occurred in 1990. The 34-point lead at halftime was impressive but not a record either. Ironically, the Bruins hold that record (48). The Wildcats holding the Bruins to seven points, though, was a record, the lowest point total ever at halftime by UCLA, shooting 3-of-37 in the first half.
Once again, the Wildcats were extremely balanced and there was not one player who dominated. The leader in minutes was Aaron Harrison with 23 minutes played. In those 23 minutes, he scored 15 points, and on the defensive end, he added 3 steals.
Take Away: Every win for the Wildcats has been by double digits and they seem to have adjusted to Alex Poythress, one of their best players, going down for the season.
This Week: The Wildcats only have one game this week but it is a huge game against their in-state rival and #4 team in the nation, the Louisville Cardinals.
# 2 – Duke (10-0)
The Duke Blue Devils played two games this past week. They played Elon on Monday and won 75-62, and on Thursday defeated UConn by the score of 66-56.
Against Elon, the Blue Devils won on an amazing effort from birthday boy Jahil Okafor. He had a 20/20 night, with 25 points (on 10-14 shooting) and 20 rebounds that were split evenly on the offensive and defensive side of the court (10 each). His effort did help the Blue Devils overcome the following three shortcomings:
- 17 turnovers
- 14 of 27 from the free throw line
- 3 of 16 from the three point line.
However, give credit to Duke for playing a “bad” game and still winning comfortably.
In the game against UConn, it was freshman guard Tyus Jones who led the way, scoring 21 points while grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists. UConn tried to close the gap a few times; but the closest that they were able to get to was six points (62-56) with 2:00 to go.
Take Away: Okafor had a season-high 25 points and set a school freshman record with 20 rebounds in the Blue Devils’ 75-62 victory over Elon on Monday night.
This Week: Duke is off. They will play three games the following week, and begin ACC conference play on Saturday, January 3 against Boston College.
# 3 – Arizona (12-0)
The Arizona Wildcats played two games last week. They played Oakland on Tuesday and had a cakewalk with a 101-64 win. Following that, they played UTEP on Friday and squeezed by with a 60-55 win.
Arizona started fast and furious against Oakland. They capitalized on a quick start (which they have been struggling to do) and played aggressively. They were led by freshman sensation Stanley Johnson with 18 points, even though five of the Wildcats were in double figures and eleven of them scored.
The Wildcats struggled most of the night against UTEP, but they took the lead at 48-41 following a late 10-1 run, and never looked back. Once again, Johnson played a great game and was helped immensely in this game by the play of T.J. McConnell. He had a well rounded game with 9 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds.
Take Away: The Wildcats need to secure the ball more; they had 17 turnovers against UTEP and coach Sean Miller said, “seventeen turnovers are way too many”. To beat the “big boys”, they have to have fewer TOs.
This Week: They play one game this week against UNLV on Tuesday.
# 4 – Louisville (10-0)
Louisville played one game last week against Western Kentucky. They won the game 76-67, with the only real hiccup of the game their star player, Montrezel Harrell losing his cool and throwing a punch, earning a one-game suspension. Thankfully for the Cards, it will be against CSU-Northridge and not Kentucky. With Harrell out of the game, Terry Rozier stepped up his game, finishing with 32 points and 5 rebounds to propel the Cards to the win.
Take Away: Harrell was tossed from the game with 38 seconds remaining in the half. He apologized to his team mates at halftime and encouraged them to play hard in his absence. They will be thankful for the scheduling department not taking a break before their big game against Kentucky.
This Week: The Cardinals play two games this week. On Tuesday, they play CSU-Northridge and then on Saturday, they play #1 Kentucky, in a game that will prove a lot for both teams.
# 5 – Virginia (11-0)
The Virginia Cavaliers played two games this past week. In their first game, they played Cleveland State on Thursday and they won 70-54, and on Sunday, they played Harvard. They won 76-27 in a devastating performance.
Against Cleveland State, the Cavaliers secured the win when they held Cleveland State scoreless for 10 minutes. On the offensive side of the court, they were led by Justin Anderson, with 16 points and 5 rebounds. His play in the second half especially spurred the win, when he scored the first 8 points. The eight points came on two lay ups and a 4-point play.
When the Cavaliers played Harvard, there was no contest, winning by. In this game, Mike Tobey shined. The 7’0″ big man scored 15 points and 10 rebounds. He played tough ball and at times, something that has been lacking from the Cavaliers in general and Tobey in particular.
Take Away: Virginia is 11-0 for the first time since the 1992-93 season. They also held Harvard to an NCAA record-tying one field goal in the first half, and that solitary field goal came at the 16:31 mark of the game.
This Week: The Cavaliers are off as they are on break and preparing for ACC play.
# 6 – Wisconsin (10-1)
Last Week, the Wisconsin Badgers were off. This is the first team one-loss team in the top 10, though it was definitely a quality loss (to Duke).
Frank Kaminsky continues to lead the team in four categories: Points (16.0), rebounds (7.6), steals (1.2), and blocks (1.9).
Wisconsin forward Frank Kaminsky dunks against Nicholls State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Take Away: Wisconsin looks poised to make a run at the Big 10 championship.
This Week: Monday, the Badgers play California. Then on Sunday, they play Buffalo.
# 7 – Villanova (11-0)
Last week, Villanova played one game, an 82-77 OT win against Syracuse.
The game was a tough fight for the Wildcats. They never led until overtime. However, they still believe that they can win the National Championship, and this was the type of game that showed that they have a legitimate chance. In this game, they had dual leaders in JayVaughn Pinkston (25 points, 10 rebounds) and Darrun Hillard (23 points).
Take Away: Villanova showed gut, and this victory will help them when they are on the ropes in another game.
This Week: They have one game and it is on Tuesday against NJIT, the team that has already upset Michigan this season.
# 8 – Gonzaga (11-1)
Gonzaga played two games last week, defeating Texas Southern 94-54 and Cal Poly 63-50.
In the Texas Southern game, Gonzaga relied on Kyler Wiltjer’s 21 points and they extended their home win streak to 32 games. Angel Nunez played a solid game with 9 points and 8 rebounds and his slam dunk got the crowd in the celebratory mood.
They struggled against Cal Poly but still ended up winning by 13 points, in spite of 16 turnovers. Przemek Karnowski powered them to the win with 16 points and 8 rebounds.
Take Away: Gonzaga is ready for WCC play.
This Week: Thay have one game on Saturday against BYU.
# 9 – Texas (10-1)
Texas played twice last week. They played Lipscomb on Tuesday and beat them handily 106-61. Following that, they played Long Beach State on Saturday and won 78-68.
In the game against Lipscomb, Myles Turner scored 26 points and grabbed 9 rebounds to help them secure the win. With the game in hand, everyone saw game time and all fourteen players for Texas scored.
When they played Long Beach State, the Longhorns relied on reserve Javan Felix for the win. He scored 17 points and had 3 assists to lead the way.
Take Away: The bench came alive for the Longhorns and they will need the bench if they want to secure the Big 12 title.
This Week: Texas plays one game this week, on Tuesday against Stanford.
# 10 – Kansas (9-1)
The Kansas Jayhawks played just once last week, against Lafayette on Saturday, winning handily 96-69. Kelly Oubre received the nod for the start and he played extremely well. He scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. He received the start because of Brannen Greene missing a weight lifting session.
Take Away: Kansas shot 50% and looked good with ball movement and securing 22 assists off of their 38 field goals.
This Week: Temple on Monday.
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