Males’s Energy Rankings: UConn, Tennessee win large; Kansas, Duke fall

Kansas is monitoring to be one of many greater conundrums for the NCAA match choice committee. Extra instantly, it is monitoring to be one of many harder groups to fit within the Energy Rankings.

The Jayhawks have been close to the highest of the rankings and seedings all season, whereas the predictive metrics — KenPom, BPI, BartTorvik.com, EvanMiya.com — have been comparatively decrease for weeks, as a substitute rating them within the teenagers. From a résumé standpoint, the Jayhawks have one of the best assortment of high-end wins within the nation: in opposition to UConn, Tennessee and Kentucky, three groups ranked inside the highest 5 of this week’s Energy Rankings. These are considerably mitigated by unhealthy losses at UCF and West Virginia.

So, is Invoice Self’s squad nearer to the 1-seed it was projected as earlier than Saturday’s loss to the Mountaineers? Or will the metrics and unhealthy losses take away the Jayhawks from consideration? There’s nonetheless loads of time left for them to solidify their credentials, however there are some actual negatives value monitoring.

Who else falls into this bucket? Kentucky has been enjoying higher than Kansas in current weeks, so it is not as large of a speaking level, however the Wildcats have an incredible win over North Carolina … and never a lot else. There is a residence loss to UNC Wilmington, and the Wildcats’ rankings in most metrics are literally decrease than these of Kansas.

We have mentioned Houston and Auburn earlier than, however each are metrics darlings regardless of not having a lot heft to their profiles to this point.

The Cougars are No. 1 in predictive metrics with a traditionally good protection, although their finest wins this season are over Dayton and Texas Tech. Highway journeys to BYU and Kansas within the subsequent couple of weeks shall be telling.

In the meantime, the Tigers are prime 5 in each KenPom and BPI, although they do not have a single Quadrant 1 win, and their finest win is over Texas A&M at residence. February video games in opposition to Kentucky and Tennessee might make or break their 1-seed hopes.

On to this week’s awards and rankings …

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It was a comparatively mild week for candidates for this award, with the 2 largest wins of the week coming from groups (West Virginia and Pitt) that had been coming off double-digit losses. Groups that defeated two NCAA match groups had been few and much between, although, so the Huskies get the nod after dismantling Creighton in Storrs after which hanging on to beat Villanova on the highway.

The 62-48 win over Creighton was a defensive clinic. UConn restricted Creighton to 0.78 factors per possession, the Bluejays’ worst offensive efficiency in Huge East play in two years. It was the reigning nationwide champion’s finest defensive effort because the 2023-24 season opener in opposition to Northern Arizona — Creighton scored 18 factors within the closing seven minutes simply to get to 48 factors.

On Saturday, the Huskies confirmed a ton of resilience and a capability to win shut video games we have not seen a lot of this season given all their blowouts. They scored the primary 11 factors of the sport, however Villanova got here again to take the lead twice. The primary time, UConn responded with an 11-0 run. The second time, a 13-0 run. And late within the sport, each time Nova tied issues up, the Huskies had a solution from Tristen Newton (25 factors) or Alex Karaban.

Knecht introduced his arrival to high-major basketball earlier than the season formally began, with the Northern Colorado switch scoring 28 factors and searching like one of the best participant on the ground in a preseason exhibition sport in opposition to Michigan State. Except for an ankle harm that impacted him for a number of weeks, Knecht has barely slowed down since. However he is enjoying one of the best basketball of his season proper now.

The 6-foot-6 wing opened the week with 39 factors and eight rebounds in a 19-point win over Florida after which went for 25 factors and 4 boards in a 91-71 win over Alabama. Knecht made all 17 of his free throw makes an attempt throughout the 2 video games and shot 16-for-31 and 5-for-12 from 3-point vary. Over his previous 4 video games, he is averaging 32.0 factors and 5.5 rebounds, capturing 53.1% from the sector and 48.3% from 3.

The post-Bob Huggins period in Morgantown has been tough for interim coach Josh Eilert, who entered the weekend with a 6-11 general document and only one Huge 12 win. However after displaying some promise within the victory over Texas final weekend, the Mountaineers landed their largest win of the season by beating Kansas on Saturday. They got here up with large play after large play within the closing minutes, taking the lead on a Patrick Suemnick layup after which grabbing three offensive rebounds and hitting 9 free throws within the closing 40 seconds. The win snapped a six-game shedding streak for West Virginia within the head-to-head collection.

In the meantime, Pitt had essentially the most spectacular highway win of the week. The Panthers jumped out to an 11-point lead and by no means trailed by greater than a basket, with a Jaland Lowe 3-pointer with 43 seconds left placing them up 4 and basically clinching the sport. It was Pitt’s first win at Duke since 1979. Certain, the Blue Devils had been with out two starters, however the Panthers entered the sport 1-5 within the ACC, their solely win the previous month coming over Louisville. And, here is an incredible stat from ESPN Stats & Data: Jeff Capel is barely the second former Duke participant prior to now 70 seasons to win at Cameron Indoor Stadium as an opposing head coach, with the opposite one being Lefty Driesell.

Coach of the Week: Bucky McMillan, Samford Bulldogs

Since taking up this system in 2020, McMillan has slowly improved the Bulldogs, which incorporates profitable a share of the SoCon regular-season title final season. This season, he has his squad able to take the following step, and Tuesday’s win at Western Carolina proved it. The Catamounts hadn’t misplaced at residence all season and hadn’t misplaced a sport in any respect since Dec. 5, till Samford went into Cullowhee, North Carolina, and emerged with a 75-71 win.

The Bulldogs then took care of enterprise in opposition to Mercer, 87-80, to take care of their unbeaten SoCon document. They at present personal the nation’s longest profitable streak at 17 video games, and are 17-2 general (6-0 in league play). McMillan’s model — termed “Bucky Ball” — relies on fast-paced basketball, a deep bench and a variety of made 3s. All of which has put Samford in place to make noise in March — and McMillan in place to doubtlessly make noise on the teaching carousel across the similar time.

Three groups with questions

Miami Hurricanes: After reaching the Ultimate 4 final season and getting into November with top-15 expectations, the Hurricanes are in a little bit of a tailspin. They’ve misplaced 4 of their previous 5 video games to drop under .500 within the ACC, with residence losses to Louisville and Florida State in that stretch. They badly want to begin stacking wins.

Oklahoma State Cowboys: In a vacuum, shedding at residence to Kansas and at Kansas State is not the tip of the world. However the Cowboys at the moment are 0-5 within the Huge 12, and alternatives for wins outdoors of this weekend’s residence sport in opposition to West Virginia are slim. They may very well be headed for a last-place end within the league.

Missouri Tigers: Dennis Gates and the Tigers are struggling in 12 months 2, after surpassing all expectations in 12 months 1. They misplaced by 12 at residence to Florida on Saturday, their fifth SEC loss in a row. They’ve received only one sport since Dec. 4 — at residence in opposition to Central Arkansas — with losses in eight of their previous 9 video games general. It will not get simpler this week at Texas A&M and South Carolina.

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Energy Rankings

1. UConn Huskies (17-2)
Earlier rating: 1
This week: vs. Xavier (Sunday)

The return of Donovan Clingan got here on the good time for UConn, which wanted him in opposition to Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner and Villanova’s Eric Dixon. His dimension and shot-blocking capability convey a totally completely different dimension to the Huskies’ protection, whereas his capability to roll to the rim and end compelled Nova to make early changes. Clingan totaled 12 factors, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks in 40 minutes off the bench in his first two video games again. As his minutes enhance, the No. 1 group within the nation will solely get higher.

2. Purdue Boilermakers (17-2)
Earlier rating: 2
This week: vs. Michigan (Tuesday), at Rutgers (Sunday)

Zach Edey has been placing up otherworldly numbers the previous couple of weeks, and it is not being talked about practically sufficient. Because the loss at Nebraska on Jan. 9, he has averaged 31.0 factors and 17.3 rebounds, shot 62% from the ground and blocked 2.7 photographs per sport. He had 33 and 14 within the win at Indiana and adopted it up with 30 and 18 in opposition to Iowa. That this isn’t the largest story in school basketball is pretty much as good an indicator as any that Edey is a shoo-in to win the Picket Award for a second straight season.

3. North Carolina Tar Heels (15-3)
Earlier rating: 3
This week: vs. Wake Forest (Monday), at Florida State (Saturday)

Since Hubert Davis took over for Roy Williams, Carolina hasn’t precisely been recognized for its bench utilization. In his first two seasons on the helm, the Tar Heels ranked No. 348 and No. 360 in bench minutes, respectively, in accordance with KenPom. This season, they’re barely greater — and so they’re beginning to get stable manufacturing from Louisville switch Jae’Lyn Withers, who went for 15 and 10 in opposition to his former program, then scored 9 in opposition to Boston School on Saturday.

4. Tennessee Volunteers (14-4)
Earlier rating: 5
This week: at Vanderbilt (Saturday)

UT’s improved offense has acquired loads of plaudits this season, however keep in mind, that is nonetheless a very elite defensive group, because it has been for 4 years in a row below Rick Barnes. Saturday was a superb reminder of this. Alabama is ranked No. 1 in adjusted offensive effectivity, and the Tide had been held to a season low in factors per possession (0.92), a season excessive in turnover share (28.5%) and a 4-for-19 capturing efficiency from 3.

5. Kentucky Wildcats (14-3)
Earlier rating: 6
This week: at South Carolina (Tuesday), at Arkansas (Saturday)

How can we discuss something apart from Zvonimir Ivisic? Cleared lower than six hours earlier than tipoff in opposition to Georgia on Saturday, the 7-2 Croatian freshman had one of many extra exceptional debuts we have seen. He completed with 13 factors, 5 boards and three blocks, nevertheless it was the opening five-minute stretch the place he scored 11 factors (together with three 3s), grabbed 3 boards, racked up 2 assists and blocked 2 photographs that actually opened eyes round school basketball. Huge Z is a reputable ceiling-raiser for Kentucky.

6. Houston Cougars (16-2)
Earlier rating: 7
This week: at BYU (Tuesday), vs. Kansas State (Saturday)

After struggling its first two losses of the season, Houston acquired again on monitor with two blowout wins and two elite defensive performances, holding Texas Tech and UCF to a mixed 96 factors. The 57-42 win over UCF was a masterclass at that finish of the ground. The Knights shot 15.9% from the ground and 13% from contained in the arc. Their seven made area objectives and three made 2-pointers had been the fewest in a Division I sport this season. That 15.9% capturing share was additionally the worst in Huge 12 historical past.

7. Auburn Tigers (16-2)
Earlier rating: 8
This week: at Alabama (Wednesday), at Mississippi State (Saturday)

This can be a assertion week for Auburn. The Tigers have barely been pushed since they misplaced to Appalachian State on Dec. 3, then received 11 in a row by double digits. (All 16 of their wins this season have been by no less than 11 factors.) They handed their two earlier convention highway assessments in convincing trend, however the Tide and Bulldogs this week are a step up in weight class.

8. Arizona Wildcats (14-4)
Earlier rating: 9
This week: at Oregon State (Thursday), at Oregon (Saturday)

Arizona practically suffered a shocking upset by the hands of UCLA, however the Wildcats erased a 19-point first-half deficit and a 17-point second-half deficit for the comeback win. A loss on Saturday would have raised severe considerations, as it could have put them at 5-5 since opening the season 8-0. Even with the win, nevertheless, there are some points, notably their protection contained in the arc. After not permitting any of their first eight opponents to shoot higher than 48.4% from 2, eight of their previous 10 opponents have shot no less than 51% on 2s.

9. Kansas Jayhawks (15-3)
Earlier rating: 4
This week: vs. Cincinnati (Monday), at Iowa State (Saturday)

KU suffered an enormous upset by the hands of West Virginia on Saturday, however this time we will not blame it on the dearth of a fifth or sixth man to make performs — each Johnny Furphy (13 factors) and Nicolas Timberlake (12 factors) made photographs. This time, there was a little bit of variance (WVU shot 12-for-21 from 3) and a extreme lack of defensive rebounding late within the sport. The Mountaineers rebounded 34.6% of their misses, their finest offensive rebounding share in virtually two months and the very best share Kansas has allowed since November.

10. Marquette Golden Eagles (13-5)
Earlier rating: 16
This week: at DePaul (Wednesday), vs. Seton Corridor (Saturday)

In Marquette’s first two video games with out Sean Jones, and with Chase Ross already out, Shaka Good badly wanted Tyler Kolek to regain his type. And Kolek did, bouncing again from his dismal two-game stretch in losses to Seton Corridor and Butler with performances harking back to his incredible play final season: 21 factors, 5 rebounds and 11 assists in opposition to Villanova, adopted by 15 factors, 6 rebounds and 11 assists in a one-point highway win at St. John’s.

11. Illinois Combating Illini (14-4)
Earlier rating: Within the ready room
This week: at Northwestern (Wednesday), vs. Indiana (Saturday)

With Terrence Shannon Jr. again within the fold after a federal choose granted his request for a brief restraining order — permitting him to rejoin the group after he was suspended indefinitely following his December arrest on a felony rape cost — Illinois is again within the Rankings. Shannon did not begin in opposition to Rutgers on Sunday however performed 27 minutes off the bench and completed with 16 factors and 4 assists. The continued stellar play of Justin Harmon can be value mentioning: he had 18 factors and eight boards off the bench Sunday, the fifth time in seven video games he has hit double figures in scoring.

12. Wisconsin Badgers (14-4)
Earlier rating: 10
This week: at Minnesota (Tuesday), vs. Michigan State (Friday)

Whereas the Badgers’ offense is their finest since earlier than Greg Gard took over, their protection is their worst within the KenPom period. That hasn’t been a lot of a consider current weeks, however they allowed 1.22 factors per possession in back-to-back video games in opposition to Penn State and Indiana this previous week, with each groups capturing 40% or higher from 3-point vary. The offense is so good that it will not matter most nights, nevertheless it’s one thing value monitoring.

13. Oklahoma Sooners (15-3)
Earlier rating: 15
This week: vs. Texas (Tuesday), vs. Texas Tech (Saturday)

It was an necessary week for Oklahoma to care for enterprise, and the Sooners responded to their two-game shedding streak by beating West Virginia at residence after which occurring the highway to beat Cincinnati. Take note of the current play of Jalon Moore. He had 9 factors and 10 boards in opposition to Cincinnati after going for 16 factors and 5 rebounds in opposition to West Virginia. He is averaging 11.0 factors and seven.4 rebounds in his previous seven video games after placing up 8.4 factors and 4.8 boards in his first 10.

14. Dayton Flyers (15-2)
Earlier rating: Within the ready room
This week: at La Salle (Tuesday), at Richmond (Saturday)

DaRon Holmes II continues to carry out at an All-American stage for Anthony Grant. He went for 29 factors, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks in a win over Saint Louis, then completed with 21 factors, 6 rebounds and three blocks in Saturday’s blowout over Rhode Island. He is now averaging 23.8 factors, 8.4 rebounds and a couple of.0 blocks, capturing 58% from the sector and 44.4% from 3-point vary, in 5 Atlantic 10 video games.

15. Duke Blue Devils (13-4)
Earlier rating: 11
This week: at Louisville (Tuesday), vs. Clemson (Saturday)

Duke must get absolutely wholesome once more. The Blue Devils ought to have been capable of beat Pitt at residence on Saturday regardless, however additionally they struggled to take down Georgia Tech with out Mark Mitchell after which could not beat the Panthers with out Mitchell and Jeremy Roach. Jon Scheyer does not have a lot dependable depth even at full energy, as evidenced by 4 starters enjoying no less than 35 minutes in opposition to Pitt. After Tuesday’s sport, the schedule stiffens up with the sport in opposition to the Tigers after which journeys to Virginia Tech and North Carolina.

16. Baylor Bears (14-4)
Earlier rating: 13
This week: vs. TCU (Saturday)

Baylor hasn’t been nice on the highway this season, shedding by 24 to Michigan State in Detroit, struggling to beat Oklahoma State in early January after which shedding to Kansas State and Texas final week. These final two losses had been by a mixed six factors, although, so there isn’t any must ring any alarm bells. The defeat to Kansas State did characteristic Baylor’s worst offensive efficiency of the season, and the loss to Texas was the Bears’ worst defensive efficiency of the marketing campaign. One stat of observe: Baylor is No. 1 within the nation in 3-point share for the season at 42.1% — however in Huge 12 play the Bears are eleventh, at 30.6%.

Dropped out: Memphis Tigers (No. 12), Utah State Aggies (No. 14)

Within the ready room

Creighton Bluejays: Greg McDermott’s group could not get something going in opposition to UConn final week, producing its worst offensive efficiency in a Huge East sport since 2021-22. The Bluejays shot simply 6-for-26 from 3 and turned it over 14 occasions. However they bounced again with a triple-overtime victory at Seton Corridor. Ryan Kalkbrenner dominated with 28 factors, 9 boards and seven blocks.

Iowa State Cyclones: ISU rebounded from its loss at BYU with a formidable highway win at TCU, a house court docket that claimed Houston and Oklahoma as victims only a week in the past. The Cyclones beat the Horned Frogs with out Tamin Lipsey, who was out with a shoulder harm. T.J. Otzelberger will hope he’ll be out there for large residence video games in opposition to Kansas State and Kansas this week, however Curtis Jones stepped up in his first begin of the season, ending with 17 factors, 4 assists and seven steals.

Utah State Aggies: A defensive collapse in opposition to New Mexico on Tuesday noticed Utah State enable 99 factors. For the second straight sport, the Aggies additionally allowed the opposition to attain no less than 1.25 factors per possession. After they wrestle to protect, it is largely contained in the arc. The Lobos shot 69.4% from 2, whereas earlier opponent UNLV shot 53.8% in its one-point loss. For the season, the Aggies rank No. 286 nationally in 2-point protection. It is even worse in Mountain West play: Utah State ranks tenth, permitting groups to shoot 56% contained in the arc.