Gonzaga is off to a rough start in 2022-23, at least by their standards. Their 5-3 record only has losses to top-ten teams (Texas, Purdue and Baylor), but three is the most losses they have had after eight games in 11 seasons. In 2011-12, they finished 25-10 and were dealt an 11-seed in March Madness. In the ten seasons since then, Gonzaga has picked up five 1-seeds, a 2-seed, a 4-seed and three seeds that were 7 or lower. At this point, even if the Bulldogs win out, a 1-seed looks unlikely, unless other teams melt down as well. After all, Gonzaga only has three games left against teams ranked in KenPom’s top 85 – Alabama on December 17, and two meetings with St. Mary’s (CA) in West Coast Conference play. The Bulldogs have also beaten some top teams (Kentucky, Michigan State and Xavier), so they are still candidates for a deep run – but a top seed looks remote. Check out this week’s AP Top 25 rankings in NCAA men’s basketball as well as some insights that could influence your College Basketball betting this week.
NCAA News: College Basketball Top 25 Rankings & Betting Opportunities
#1 Houston Cougars
#2 Texas Longhorns
#3 Virginia Cavaliers
#4 Purdue Boilermakers
#5 Connecticut Huskies
#6 Kansas Jayhawks
#7 Tennessee Volunteers
#8 Alabama Crimson Tide
#9 Arkansas Razorbacks
#10 Arizona Wildcats
#11 Auburn Tigers
#12 Baylor Bears
#13 Maryland Terrapins
#14 Indiana Hoosiers
#15 Duke Blue Devils
#16 Kentucky Wildcats
#17 Illinois Fighting Illini
#18 Gonzaga Bulldogs
#19 UCLA Bruins
#20 Iowa State Cyclones
#21 Creighton Bluejays
#22 San Diego State Bearcats
#23 Mississippi State Bulldogs
#24 TCU Horned Frogs
#25 Ohio State Buckeyes
The Maryland Terrapins were picked 10th by the Big Ten media in their unofficial pre-season poll (remember, the Big Ten has 14 teams). Last year, Maryland went 15-17, and the team was coming in with a new coach (Kevin Willard) and without its two best scorers from a year ago. So far, they have soared above expectations, with wins over Saint Louis and Miami (FL) on neutral courts. They also won at Louisville – by 25. They opened Big Ten play by knocking off Illinois at home, 71-66, using a 17-2 run during the first half to give themselves a solid start. This is a team with experience and size, and they have a defensive guru as a head coach.
In case you’re tired of seeing Baylor in the Top Ten, Marquette made you smile this week. Shaka Smart’s pressure game helped the Golden Eagles run the Bears out of the gym, 96-70, and Baylor has veteran guards. The Golden Eagles led by 26 at the half – their largest intermission lead over a top-25 school in 25 years. Baylor suffered its largest loss to an unranked team in 15 years. Marquette forced 20 turnovers, and Tyler Kolek dealt out 11 assists in a ball-movement clinic.
New Mexico has not been much of a factor in recent years since the since-disgraced Dave Bliss had them in NCAA tournaments somewhat regularly, but having Richard Pitino as their coach is paying dividends. Pitino is in his second season now, and the Lobos, started the season 6-0 and almost beat Saint Mary’s on the road. The Gaels aren’t really elite this season, but they almost beat top-ranked Houston on a somewhat neutral floor in North Texas. Pitino has transfers from Wichita State, Arizona State and Minnesota to have his team rolling.
Purdue continues to get huge nights out of center Zach Edey. The Boilermakers saw Minnesota on Sunday, and Edey just abused the Golden Gophers for 31 points and 22 rebounds (including 8 offensive boards). He has 20 or more points in seven straight games and double-doubles in five of those contests. Freshman guard Fletcher Loyer has also been terrific, putting up 15.8 points and 4.3 assists per game over the last four contests.
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