Around the Top 25 (College Basketball): Week 10
This week in college basketball features six ranked-on-ranked matchups, as the AP Top-25 goes on its own merry-go-round. A revolving door at the No. 1 spot, plenty of intrigue in the Big-12, and an incredible comeback by the Jayhawks at home.
The first notable game of the week came Wednesday night, as the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide took on an SEC rival, No. 15 Arkansas. The Crimson Tide came in on a four game winning streak, including three straight wins in conference; knocking off strong opponents in Mississippi St. and Kentucky.
After the two teams entered halftime tied at 33 apiece, Alabama took over. The red and black outscored the Razorbacks 51-36 in the second frame, led by a resounding performance from junior guard Mark Sears. Sears dropped 26 points, going 50% from three and 10-for-10 from the free throw line.
Another intriguing matchup came later Wednesday evening, as No. 6 UConn traveled to take on No. 25 Marquette. The Huskies, after starting off 14-0, had lost two of their last three entering their battle against the Golden Eagles.
Marquette took advantage, downing UConn 82-76, powered by an incredible second half performance where they outscored the Huskies by 10.
Sophomore forward Oso Ighodaro was the difference, putting up 19 points (11.9 season average), going 7-for-16 from the field and 5-5 from the line.
Wednesday ended with a bang, as the No. 17 TCU Horned Frogs took on their intrastate rival, the No. 10 Texas Longhorns. It seemed that an impending upset was in the balance, as the underdog Frogs led 42-29 at half.
Texas stormed back, outscoring TCU 50-33 in the second half. The Longhorns defended their home court, having four players reach double digits, including senior Sir’Jabari Rice having his best game of the season — 15 points off the bench.
After a wild Wednesday, and a lackluster Thursday and Friday slate of games, we look towards the weekend — which features three more ranked-on-ranked contests.
No. 17 TCU hosts No. 11 Kansas State, hoping to bounce back from a stunning upset given up to Texas earlier this week. Junior guard Mike Miles Jr. will be the difference maker, averaging nearly 20 points per game this season, and leading TCU to a 13-3 record.
The Wildcats have playmakers of their own, including senior forward Keyontae Johnson, who is putting up 18.4 points per game. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives TCU a 67% chance of victory, hoping to defend their home court.
The next Big 12 matchup on Saturday’s slate features a true juggernaut, as No. 2 Kansas hosts No. 14 Iowa State. Kansas came back down late in the fourth quarter to unranked Oklahoma last time out, and will look for a more decisive win this time around.
The Jayhawks are led by superstar guard Jalen Wilson, who is averaging 20 points and nine rebounds per game this season. The Cyclones sport a more balanced offensive attack, with four players averaging over nine points per game on the year.
The final showdown of the week comes from the Big East, as No. 25 Marquette takes on No. 12 Xavier. The Musketeers are hot, riding high on a nine-win streak, while Marquette is feeling good after their upset over UConn.
Xavier guard Souley Boum leads the team in scoring with over 17 points per game, while forward Zach Freemantle is a menace on the boards, notching over eight rebounds a game. The Musketeers have been given a 64% chance of victory according to ESPN, and look to stay undefeated in Big East conference play.
Parker Silverman is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email pws5405@psu.edu.
