Males’s Energy Rankings: Purdue loses, UConn distances itself as No. 1

By way of all of the upheaval and chaos of the lads’s faculty basketball Energy Rankings over the previous a number of weeks, there remained two constants: UConn and Purdue have been on the high of the pile. The Huskies have not misplaced since Dec. 20, and the Boilermakers hadn’t misplaced since Jan. 9 … till Sunday afternoon.

Purdue noticed its nine-game profitable streak snapped in beautiful style when it went to Ohio State and misplaced 73-69 within the Buckeyes’ first recreation since firing Chris Holtmann.

We have had UConn at No. 1 for weeks, however how far does Matt Painter’s crew drop from No. 2 with this loss?

The Boilermakers entered the day ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s energy of file and KPI, No. 2 in BPI and No. 3 in KenPom. They’re tied with UConn for essentially the most Quadrant 1 wins within the nation and forward of the Huskies for essentially the most Quad 1 and a pair of wins. They’ve marquee victories over Arizona, Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama and Illinois, all groups ranked on this week’s high 16.

For comparability’s sake, Houston — the No. 3 crew within the rankings — has elite metrics however would not personal a single win over a crew on this week’s high 16. (That might change this week in opposition to Iowa State at dwelling and at Baylor, nonetheless.)

So for now, Purdue stays at No. 2, regardless of the loss. However, the hole has widened between it and the No. 1 Huskies. And, No. 3 Houston is now proper on the Boilermakers’ heels.

On to this week’s awards and rankings …

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One week in the past, Kentucky was in disarray and going through questions on its NCAA event potential, coach John Calipari’s future and every little thing in between. Now, the Wildcats are coming off among the finest highway wins anybody has picked up all season, and enjoying themselves proper again into the Energy Rankings dialog. They opened with a house win over Ole Miss, closing the primary half with an prolonged run that saved the Rebels at arm’s size for a lot of the second half. After which got here the stunner: Kentucky went on the highway and handed Auburn its first dwelling lack of the season, 70-59.

The important thing for the Wildcats got here on the defensive finish, the place that they had struggled mightily for the reason that begin of the season, particularly for the reason that begin of their hunch in mid-January. After holding only one opponent to fewer than 65 factors from Nov. 10 to Feb. 13, they restricted each Ole Miss and Auburn to fewer than 65. Ole Miss scored simply 0.87 factors per possession, and Auburn clocked in at 0.88, two of Kentucky’s 4 finest defensive performances all season.

Pitt has performed itself into NCAA event rivalry over the previous month, profitable seven of its previous eight video games — together with highway wins at Duke and Virginia, and a house win over Wake Forest. Throughout that span, star Blake Hinson is averaging 21.5 factors and 5.3 rebounds and taking pictures 50.7% from 3-point vary. However the senior ahead additionally took his recreation up a notch this previous week.

He began with 27 factors within the big highway win in opposition to the Cavaliers, which included going 5-for-13 from 3 and making all six of his pictures contained in the arc. Eighteen of these factors got here within the second half. He adopted up that efficiency with 41 factors and 9 3s in a blowout win over Louisville. There, he notched 27 factors within the first half then went point-for-point with Louisville on his personal nicely into the second half.

The most important blowout of a top-five crew in convention play within the historical past of the AP ballot? Yep, that’ll clinch it. UConn’s 28-point win on Saturday was the largest-ever margin of a victory in a top-five matchup between convention opponents, in line with ESPN Stats & Data. Just some hours after the NCAA event choice committee revealed it had Purdue at No. 1 forward of UConn, the Huskies made their assertion that they are the perfect crew within the nation.

It was a aggressive recreation for the primary 10 minutes, with each groups tied at 18. UConn then completed the primary half on a 24-8 run and by no means trailed by fewer than 16 factors the remainder of the sport. Donovan Clingan led the way in which with 17 factors and 10 boards, lacking only one shot all recreation. Tristen Newton outdueled Tyler Kolek, going for 15 factors, 8 rebounds and eight assists. Maybe essentially the most exceptional crew stat: UConn assisted 24 of its 29 made baskets.

In the event you beat the No. 2 crew within the nation — and the general 1-seed within the NCAA event choice committee’s mock bracket — in your first recreation after taking on a program, you will win this class as a rule. Diebler had really taken over for Chris Holtmann for 2 video games beforehand due to sickness, together with earlier this season in opposition to New Orleans. He went 2-0 in these video games. However he was named interim head coach for the rest of the season following Holtmann’s firing Wednesday, and his first check got here in opposition to none apart from Purdue.

The Boilermakers scored the primary eight factors of the sport, which did not precisely portend a memorable day for Diebler. But, the Buckeyes completed the primary half on a 14-2 run and by no means trailed within the second. They led by as many as 12 factors, with the hole closing on a Lance Jones 3 with 1:39 left. Jamison Battle, who scored all 19 of his factors after the break, responded with 4 straight factors, and Bruce Thornton (22 factors) iced the sport with free throws.

Diebler, 37, was at Ohio State as video coordinator beneath Thad Matta after which returned as an assistant in 2019 beneath Holtmann. We have seen interim head coaches go on runs and switch them into the everlasting job earlier than. Rodney Terry did it final season, for one. Diebler won’t have sufficient time to take action, however Sunday was an unimaginable first impression.

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Three groups with questions

Indiana State Sycamores: It will be an uphill battle for the Sycamores to earn an at-large bid after dropping video games to Illinois State and Southern Illinois final week. That first recreation was a dreaded Quad 4 loss, whereas the second was a Quad 2 loss. One other loss within the MVC event might be a dagger for Josh Schertz’s crew.

Miami Hurricanes: Only one yr faraway from a Remaining 4 look, Miami goes to want to win the ACC event to go dancing once more. The Hurricanes misplaced to Clemson and Boston Faculty this previous week, operating their dropping streak as much as 4 video games. They’re now simply 4-9 of their previous 13 video games, falling to 6-9 within the ACC. That places them twelfth within the league standings.

Memphis Tigers: It is exceptional how rapidly the Tigers have fallen from the highest 10 — the place they have been ranked as not too long ago as Jan. 21 — to having no likelihood of receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA event. They misplaced to SMU by 27 on Sunday, three days after dropping at North Texas by 10. The defeats dropped Memphis right into a three-way tie for sixth within the AAC, and the Tigers are actually 3-6 of their previous 9 video games. It is auto bid or bust for Penny Hardaway’s program.

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Energy Rankings

1. UConn Huskies (24-2)
Earlier rating: 1
This week: at Creighton (Tuesday), vs. Villanova (Saturday)

We already addressed Saturday’s dominance, so let’s discuss Donovan Clingan’s influence on the Huskies, in addition to Hassan Diarra’s efficiency off the bench in opposition to Marquette.

First, Clingan. The distinction he makes on the defensive finish is extensively identified at this level (UConn is up there with Houston and Iowa State among the many elite defenses nationally with a wholesome Clingan), however he has now hit double-figure scoring in three of his previous 4 video games. As for Diarra, he stepped up with 14 factors and 6 assists in opposition to Marquette as Stephon Fortress struggled, which has been a uncommon incidence up to now two months.

2. Purdue Boilermakers (23-3)
Earlier rating: 2
This week: vs. Rutgers (Thursday), at Michigan (Sunday)

Sunday’s loss is greater than seemingly a blip in Purdue’s run to a second straight Huge Ten title and NCAA event 1-seed, but it surely’s price speaking concerning the Boilermakers’ defensive efficiency over the previous few weeks. They’ve allowed a couple of level per possession in 4 of 5 video games, together with in opposition to Minnesota (1.15 factors/possession) and Ohio State (1.17 factors/possession) final week. Purdue has additionally dropped to fifth within the Huge Ten in defensive effectivity in league play. Groups are merely discovering it too straightforward to get clear appears to be like in opposition to Purdue; Northwestern and Minnesota each made at the very least 12 3-pointers, whereas the Wildcats, Wisconsin and Ohio State all shot higher than 52% from contained in the arc.

3. Houston Cougars (22-3)
Earlier rating: 3
This week: vs. Iowa State (Monday), at Baylor (Saturday)

Houston has bounced again properly from its poor displaying at Kansas a pair weeks in the past. The Cougars have held three straight opponents under one level per possession, together with Texas (0.93) on Saturday. Kelvin Sampson’s crew restricted Max Abmas to seven factors in that recreation, the primary time he has been held to single digits since Dec. 19, 2022 — 47 video games in the past. Houston now enters arguably its hardest week since transferring to the Huge 12.

4. Arizona Wildcats (20-5)
Earlier rating: 5
This week: vs. Washington State (Thursday), vs. Washington (Saturday)

The NCAA event choice committee made it clear Saturday that there was a large hole between Arizona and the remainder of the sector for the ultimate 1-seed, and the Wildcats backed up the present of religion by pummeling Arizona State by 45 factors. The emergence of Jaden Bradley as a constant scorer the previous few video games has made Tommy Lloyd’s eight-man rotation even stronger. He had a season-high 14 factors the earlier weekend at Colorado, then topped that with a career-high 21 factors and 5 dimes in opposition to the Solar Devils.

5. Tennessee Volunteers (19-6)
Earlier rating: 8
This week: at Missouri (Tuesday), vs. Texas A&M (Saturday)

Video games in opposition to Arkansas and Vanderbilt, the 2 worst offensive groups within the SEC, got here on the good time for Tennessee to get its protection again on monitor. The Volunteers have been nonetheless among the many finest within the nation at that finish of the ground, however that they had allowed 1.23 factors per possession in two of their earlier three video games. The Razorbacks and Commodores, nonetheless, mixed to attain 0.81 factors per possession. Rick Barnes’ crew is now only one recreation again of Alabama within the SEC race.

6. Iowa State Cyclones (20-5)
Earlier rating: 9
This week: at Houston (Monday), vs. West Virginia (Saturday)

In a season during which he has been among the finest transfers within the Huge 12, Keshon Gilbert had arguably his finest recreation in Saturday’s win over Texas Tech. He completed with 24 factors, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, going 4-for-7 from 3-point vary. Gilbert was significantly improbable within the second half, scoring 18 of his factors, together with two 3s popping out of the break and one other 3 to increase Iowa State’s lead after Tech had minimize the deficit with a 7-0 run halfway.

7. Marquette Golden Eagles (19-6)
Earlier rating: 4
This week: vs. DePaul (Wednesday), vs. Xavier (Sunday)

Marquette wanted a classic Tyler Kolek efficiency if it was going to beat UConn on the highway Saturday — and that may not have been sufficient anyway. However the All-American level guard ending with seven factors on 2-for-11 taking pictures to go along with three assists and 4 turnovers is the newest instance of Kolek’s dramatic splits in Marquette’s wins and losses. In 19 wins, he is averaging 17.1 factors and seven.7 assists, whereas taking pictures 53.1% from the sector and 46.7% from 3. In six losses, these numbers are 11.3 factors and 5.7 assists, taking pictures 32.9% from the sector and 25% from 3.

8. North Carolina Tar Heels (20-6)
Earlier rating: 6
This week: at Virginia (Saturday)

Within the ultimate three video games of January, Armando Bacot averaged simply 6.3 factors and 6.7 rebounds. Although the Tar Heels have been profitable, Hubert Davis wished extra, saying he wanted Bacot “to be a dude down low” forward of a rivalry showdown in opposition to Duke. In his previous 5 video games, Bacot has been precisely that, averaging 19.6 factors and 12.0 rebounds. He went for 25 factors and 12 rebounds in Saturday’s win over Virginia Tech.

9. Kansas Jayhawks (20-6)
Earlier rating: 7
This week: vs. Texas (Saturday)

Regardless of bouncing again from its historic 29-point loss to Texas Tech with a highway win at Oklahoma on Saturday, Kansas has now been held under one level per possession in 4 consecutive video games. Two of these got here with out Kevin McCullar Jr., and he seemingly wasn’t 100% wholesome for the others, but it surely’s a pattern price noting. In that stretch, in line with BartTorvik.com, Kansas ranks thirteenth within the Huge 12 (No. 259 nationally) in adjusted offensive effectivity, thirteenth within the Huge 12 (No. 356 nationally) in offensive rebounding proportion, twelfth within the Huge 12 (No. 261 nationally) in 2-point proportion and final within the Huge 12 (No. 349 nationally) in 3-point proportion.

10. Alabama Crimson Tide (18-7)
Earlier rating: 12
This week: vs. Florida (Wednesday), at Kentucky (Saturday)

Alabama has bounced again properly from its loss earlier this month at Auburn. In its two video games for the reason that defeat, the Crimson Tide averaged 104.5 factors and taking pictures 42.4% from 3-point vary, making 18 3s in every recreation. And with these 100-plus factors in opposition to LSU and Texas A&M, Alabama has now hit the 100-point mark eight occasions this season. Per ESPN Stats & Data, no different crew within the nation has accomplished it greater than 5 occasions this season.

11. Baylor Bears (19-6)
Earlier rating: 14
This week: at BYU (Tuesday), vs. Houston (Saturday)

Because it enters a brutal six-game ultimate stretch, Baylor’s offense is buzzing and is now ranked fourth nationally in adjusted offensive effectivity and first within the Huge 12 in factors per possession. The Bears scored 1.36 factors per possession in opposition to Oklahoma on Tuesday, taking pictures higher than 52% from 3-point vary. They then went on the highway and dropped 94 factors on West Virginia, regardless of not making a discipline aim for the ultimate 6:21. Jayden Nunn averaged 23.5 factors and hit 11 3s within the two video games.

12. Duke Blue Devils (20-5)
Earlier rating: 13
This week: at Miami (Wednesday), at Wake Forest (Saturday)

Jared McCain had among the finest particular person performances we have seen from a freshman all season, scoring 35 factors and taking pictures 8-for-11 from 3 in Saturday’s win at Florida State. He tied Zion Williamson’s program file for essentially the most factors in a recreation by a freshman. McCain’s line got here with Tyrese Proctor sidelined — the identical state of affairs that prompted his breakout stretch again in December. In 4 video games with out Proctor, McCain is now averaging 22.5 factors and taking pictures 60.7% from 3.

13. Auburn Tigers (20-6)
Earlier rating: 11
This week: at Georgia (Saturday)

After every week that included beating South Carolina by 40 then struggling their first dwelling lack of the season, to Kentucky, the Tigers are quietly simply 4-4 of their previous eight video games. The protection has struggled in sure video games over the stretch, but it surely has been the offense that has gone lacking too typically. Auburn has been held under 0.93 factors per possession thrice and is taking pictures simply 51.5% contained in the arc over the eight video games. It additionally shot a dismal 20.5% from 3 within the 4 losses.

14. Illinois Combating Illini (19-6)
Earlier rating: 15
This week: at Penn State (Wednesday), vs. Iowa (Saturday)

Earlier than Terrence Shannon Jr. was suspended in late December, he was enjoying at an All-American degree. After taking a couple of weeks to spherical again into type, it is honest to say he has regained that standing. He had 28 factors within the highway loss at Michigan State final week, then went for 31 in opposition to Michigan and completed up with 27 factors in Saturday’s highway win at Maryland. He is attending to the free throw line at an extremely excessive charge, taking 34 free throws within the three video games.

15. Creighton Bluejays (19-7)
Earlier rating: 16
This week: vs. UConn (Tuesday), at St. John’s (Sunday)

Baylor Scheierman is enjoying the perfect basketball of his season, tallying six straight double-doubles and 20-plus factors in 5 of his previous eight video games. He additionally notched a triple-double in final week’s win over Georgetown. Over the previous six video games, he is averaging 21.2 factors, 11.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists, taking pictures 55.1% from the sector and 37% from 3-point vary. Scheierman, like the whole Creighton offense, struggled within the first assembly in opposition to the Huskies, ending with 12 factors on 11 pictures, however he’ll get an opportunity at redemption Tuesday.

16. San Diego State Aztecs (20-6)
Earlier rating: Unranked
This week: at Utah State (Tuesday), at Fresno State (Saturday)

Outdoors of Kentucky, it is exhausting to argue anybody had a extra spectacular week than San Diego State. The Aztecs bounced again from an extra time loss at Nevada with two wins over NCAA event groups in Colorado State and New Mexico, beating each by double digits. Their protection was again to an elite degree, permitting simply 11 factors within the second half in opposition to the Rams, then holding the Mountain West’s finest offense (the Lobos) to 0.92 factors per possession and 35.5% taking pictures.

Dropped out: South Carolina Gamecocks (No. 10)

Within the ready room

Kentucky Wildcats: We talked about UK’s elite defensive efficiency earlier, but it surely’s price noting Ugonna Onyenso totally took over the middle place final week. With Tre Mitchell sidelined, Onyenso performed 36 minutes in opposition to Auburn, whereas Aaron Bradshaw performed three minutes and Zvonimir Ivisic noticed one minute. Onyenso had seven factors and 11 boards vs. the Tigers on Saturday after blocking 10 pictures in opposition to Ole Miss on Tuesday.

Dayton Flyers: DaRon Holmes II rebounded properly from his subpar efficiency in opposition to VCU with back-to-back dominant showings in wins over Duquesne and Fordham. He went for twenty-four factors and 11 boards in opposition to the Dukes, then adopted it up with 29 factors and 10 rebounds to beat the Rams. Richmond’s loss to UMass additionally put Dayton again atop the Atlantic 10 standings.

South Carolina Gamecocks: How will Lamont Paris’ crew reply after going through its first actual adversity of the season? The Gamecocks dropped two straight video games: the primary by 40 at Auburn after which at dwelling to an LSU crew that had misplaced six of seven getting into the weekend. Their protection, which had been their calling card all season, particularly in large wins over Kentucky and Tennessee, has allowed at the very least one level per possession in 5 straight video games.