College basketball’s biggest weekend kicked off with a bang, delivering the best regular-season performances so far this season. The top-ranked team in the country, Auburn, proved their dominance by beating Alabama 94-85. Bruce Pearl’s team showcased an impressive defense that took away the three-point line and held All-American guard Mark Sears to just 4-for-17 shooting.
Auburn’s Johni Broome continued his national player of the year candidacy with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. Denver Jones tallied 16 points, while Miles Kelly and Chad Baker-Mazara each had 15 points. The team’s potent offense was fueled by Chaney Johnson’s consistent elbow shots.
In other news, Houston joined the Big 12 in the 2023-24 season and is in the driver’s seat to win the regular-season title for a second consecutive year. The Cougars’ defense has been a strength all season, and their shot-making talent is on full display.
Tom Izzo passed Bob Knight as the Big Ten wins king with his 354th victory, leading Michigan State to a 79-65 win over Illinois. Greg Gard has reinvented Wisconsin’s offensive scheme, and it’s paying off in a huge way. The Badgers moved to 12-2 in their past 14 games behind John Tonje’s 32 points and Max Klesmit’s 17.
The Kansas and UConn teams are struggling this season, with Bill Self’s team losing six games in just two seasons for the first time in his career. UConn is virtually done in the Big East regular-season title race after a shocking overtime defeat at Seton Hall.
The bubble is very fluid this time of year, but Saturday’s big winners were Wake Forest, Texas, and BYU. The updated top 25 rankings have Auburn remaining No. 1, followed closely by Florida and Duke.
Source: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/college-basketball-rankings-auburn-remains-no-1-wisconsin-cracks-top-10