The fragility of Houston’s spot atop the AP men’s college basketball rankings became apparent this past week, as Alabama beat the Cougars. Purdue, already the top school in several power rankings lists, moved to the top. Connecticut might be the next team to take the top slot, as the Huskies are now 11-0, with all 11 victories came by double digits. Their closest outcome has been a ten-point win over Oklahoma State, although Connecticut led by as many as 20 points in the second half. Five of those wins have come against high-major opponents, including a 15-point win over Alabama on a neutral court. The Huskies have also stopped Oregon and Iowa State. Let’s take a look at the updated Top 25 as well as some insights for your NCAA Basketball betting consideration.
NCAA News: College Basketball Top 25 Rankings & Betting Opportunities
#1 Purdue Boilermakers
#2 Virginia Cavaliers
#3 Connecticut Huskies
#4 Alabama Crimson Tide
#5 Houston Cougars
#6 Tennessee Volunteers
#7 Texas Longhorns
#8 Kansas Jayhawks
#9 Arizona Wildcats
#10 Arkansas Razorbacks
#11 Baylor Bears
#12 Duke Blue Devils
#13 Kentucky Wildcats
#14 Indiana Hoosiers
#15 Gonzaga Bulldogs
#16 UCLA Bruins
#17 Mississippi State Bulldogs
#18 Illinois Fighting Illini
#19 Auburn Tigers
#20 Maryland Terrapins
#21 TCU Horned Frogs
#22 Wisconsin Badgers
#23 Ohio State Buckeyes
#24 Virginia Tech Hokies
#25 Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Alabama is another team that should make noise in March. They went to Houston and found themselves down by 15 in the second half, but they came back and beat the Cougars, 71-65, on a day when their top scorer, Brandon Miller, was held without a field goal. Houston just could not pull away down the stretch, and the Tide took advantage, thanks to terrific defense from Nimari Burnett, who put the clamps on Marcus Sasser. Noah Clowney hit some clutch shots, and Miller did put the game away late with some free throws. Over the last 16:20 of regulation, Alabama put up 42 points. The most points Houston had permitted in an entire game to that point was 56. Alabama is now just the second team in the history of the AP poll to beat two top-ranked teams before January 1, and the other was Duke, way back in 1965-66.
Illinois also deserves mention after the Illini took down then-#2 Texas in New York City at the Jimmy V Classic. Texas had already beaten Gonzaga and Creighton, but the Illini were able to snag the victory late. Matthew Mayer came out of a long slump to guide the Illinois offense in the first half, but the Longhorns had a two-possession lead going into the last minute of regulation. However, they coughed the ball up too many times, and Illinois sent the game to overtime. Terrence Shannon Jr had struggled for the Illini for much of the night, but he had 12 of his 16 points in the extra frame, and Illinois left with the W.
Florida is not doing all that well in Todd Golden’s first season. They got routed by Connecticut and West Virginia, and they have not beaten a team in KenPom’s top 135 in four tries this season. SEC play is looming, and the Gators could have a long stretch ahead of them if things don’t get any better. Vanderbilt is Jerry Stackhouse’s crew, and they bounced back well after losing at home to Southern Miss in the early days of the season. However, Grambling State came to Nashville and got a win on Friday, dropping the Commodores to just 5-5. They could also have a grueling tour of the SEC if they aren’t careful.
Virginia lost Reece Beekman to a hamstring pull in the first few minutes of the Cavaliers’ game against James Madison. His ankle had already been bothering him, but he may not be able to play against Houston on Saturday. If he has to miss, expect freshmen Ryan Dunn and Isaac McKneely to contribute. The Cavaliers have only scored 117 points in their last two games, against Florida State and JMU.
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