Tuesday evening introduced essentially the most eye-popping results of the 2024-25 males’s basketball season: Florida 73, Tennessee 43.
The Volunteers, who entered the sport as the one group within the nation with out a loss, gave up the primary 12 factors and have been primarily by no means within the recreation. Florida did not even play its A-game — and ran Tennessee out of the constructing.
Auburn was already No. 1, so the highest did not change. It does appear there is a prime tier growing, with the Tigers adopted by Iowa State and Duke — none of these three has suffered something resembling a 30-point loss but this season and so they have persistently regarded a minimize above over the previous month.
Tennessee continues to be 14-1 with highway wins at Illinois and Louisville, a neutral-site win over Baylor and a house blowout over Arkansas, so the Volunteers cannot drop too far. But that efficiency in opposition to the Gators on Tuesday can be a tough spot on their résumé all season — and will come up in dialogue on Selection Sunday.
Previous rating: 1
Auburn had its closest win since November on Tuesday, when it received at Texas by 5 regardless of leaping out to a 21-point lead. Texas scored 42 factors within the ultimate 12:30 to get inside three, however Auburn made clutch free throws down the stretch. It was the Tigers’ worst defensive efficiency because the loss to Duke and their second-worst defensive efficiency of the season. Texas took 30 free throws and shot 50% contained in the arc.
Next seven days: at South Carolina (Jan. 11), vs. Mississippi State (Jan. 14)
Previous rating: 3
After permitting multiple level per possession within the Big 12 opener in opposition to Colorado, Iowa State’s typical protection has returned. The Cyclones restricted Baylor to 29.7% capturing from the sector and 24.1% from 3, holding the Bears to only 25 first-half factors. Baylor scored lower than 0.85 factors per possession, as did Utah on Tuesday evening. Iowa State compelled the Utes into related struggles, however this group additionally turned them over 18 instances.
Next seven days: at Texas Tech (Jan. 11), vs. Kansas (Jan. 15)
Previous rating: 4
Duke moved into the No. 1 spot at KenPom after the Blue Devils’ blowout of Pitt on Tuesday evening, and so they now occupy the highest spot at each KenPom and in ESPN’s Men’s College Basketball Power Index. Jon Scheyer’s group is unlikely to be examined all that incessantly in ACC play, so let’s simply watch Cooper Flagg‘s dunk a few more instances.
Next seven days: vs. Notre Dame (Jan. 11), vs. Miami (Jan. 14)
Previous rating: 6
When it involves assertion victories, it is laborious to think about a much bigger one than taking down the beforehand unbeaten No. 1 group within the nation by 30, holding it to 43 factors. Florida had regarded the half all season, however it wanted a marquee win to again it up — and that is what the Gators acquired in opposition to Tennessee on Tuesday. Perhaps essentially the most spectacular half? They did it regardless of main scorer and All-America candidate Walter Clayton scoring simply seven factors.
Next seven days: at Arkansas (Jan. 11), vs. Missouri (Jan. 14)
Previous rating: 5
Mark Sears‘ November struggles seem to be a distant reminiscence, because the All-American guard is again to enjoying his finest basketball. He scored 22 factors in every of Alabama’s first two SEC video games, additionally totaling 16 assists. Since scoring 11 factors and capturing 3-for-14 in a loss to Oregon on Nov. 30, Sears is averaging 21.4 factors, 3.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists in his previous seven video games, capturing 48.4% from the sector and 41.5% from 3.
Next seven days: at Texas A&M (Jan. 11), vs. Ole Miss (Jan. 14)
Previous rating: 2
Tennessee must hope Tuesday was a blip, because the Volunteers’ loss to Florida will go down within the document books. According to ESPN Research, Tennessee’s 30-point margin of defeat was the third-most all time by an unbeaten AP No. 1 group and essentially the most since Houston in 1968. The Vols’ 43 factors have been additionally the third-fewest factors scored in a recreation by an AP No. 1 group within the shot clock period.
Next seven days: at Texas (Jan. 11), vs. Georgia (Jan. 15)
Previous rating: 9
Marquette was pushed to the brink by Georgetown on Tuesday, however the Golden Eagles erased a 14-point deficit to maneuver to 5-0 within the Big East. And this time, the hero wasn’t All-American guard Kam Jones. Chase Ross scored a career-high 27 factors, hitting 4 3-pointers, whereas additionally racking up six steals. Jones struggled to complete for a lot of the evening, with Thomas Sorber inflicting points on the inside, however Ross stepped as much as lead the comeback win.
Next seven days: at DePaul (Jan. 14)
Previous rating: 10
The Aggies have already stacked wins over Purdue, Texas Tech, Texas and Ohio State this season, however Wednesday’s victory at Oklahoma might need been essentially the most spectacular. The recreation was in Norman. The Aggies did it with out guard Wade Taylor, who was out due to an harm. The Sooners led by as many as 18 factors within the second half and obtained an otherworldly capturing efficiency from Brycen Goodine (9 3s off the bench). But A&M fought again for a two-point win behind Zhuric Phelps‘ 34 factors — together with the profitable 3-pointer with underneath 20 seconds to go.
Next seven days: vs. Alabama (Jan. 11), at Kentucky (Jan. 14)
Previous rating: 8
Kentucky’s protection is value exploring. The Wildcats’ unbelievable offensive output in opposition to Florida on Saturday masked that they gave up 100 factors and 1.40 factors per possession within the win, together with 81% capturing contained in the arc. Georgia then scored 82 factors and hit 1.09 factors per possession. Kentucky has now allowed seven of its previous eight opponents to exceed one level per possession — it did not enable any of its first seven opponents to hit that mark.
Next seven days: at Mississippi State (Jan. 11), vs. Texas A&M (Jan. 14)
Previous rating: 23
Illinois obtained powerful harm information earlier than Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to Penn State, with star freshman Kasparas Jakucinois dominated out due to a left forearm harm. Without him, the Illini went beat Penn State by 39. Ben Humrichous (21 factors and 9 boards) and Tre White (20 and 7) stepped up, however the story was freshman large man Morez Johnson. In by far the most effective recreation of his profession, he got here off the bench to complete with 20 factors and 11 boards.
Next seven days: vs. USC (Jan. 11), at Indiana (Jan. 14)
Previous rating: 10
Kansas has actually turned up the defensive depth since shedding at dwelling to West Virginia on New Year’s Eve. The Jayhawks beat UCF by 51 over the weekend, limiting the Knights to 48 factors and 0.62 factors per possession — together with 18.4% from contained in the arc. And after Arizona State scored 42 factors within the first half Wednesday, Kansas held the Sun Devils to 5 made discipline targets and 13 factors after halftime. Shakeel Moore‘s insertion into the beginning lineup has made an enormous distinction at that finish of the ground.
Next seven days: at Cincinnati (Jan. 11), at Iowa State (Jan. 15)
Previous rating: 14
It’s formally assertion time for Chris Jans’ group. The Bulldogs are off to a 14-1 begin, with the lone loss coming to Butler again in late November. They personal a snug highway win at Memphis and have simply three wins by single digits. But that schedule is about to get much more troublesome. Over the following two weeks, the Bulldogs face Kentucky, Auburn, Ole Miss and Tennessee. A break up would show Mississippi State has what it takes to stay close to the highest tier of the league — and inside the highest 15 nationally.
Next seven days: vs. Kentucky (Jan. 11), at Auburn (Jan. 14)
Previous rating: 7
Oregon had an fascinating week, getting obliterated by Illinois at dwelling Thursday earlier than bouncing again to beat Maryland on Sunday. The Ducks hit a season-high 12 3s in opposition to the Terrapins, probably saving them from a 3rd straight Big Ten defeat. But it was additionally their second consecutive recreation the place they struggled defensively. Illinois scored 109 factors and nearly 1.40 factors per possession, hitting 16 3s within the course of, whereas Maryland scored nearly 1.20 factors per possession and shot 43% from 3.
Next seven days: at Ohio State (Jan. 9), at Penn State (Jan. 12)
Previous rating: 16
Houston continues to be but to notch a win over a surefire NCAA event group, however these possibilities will come — at Kansas on Jan. 25 jumps off the web page fairly rapidly. And within the meantime, it is fairly clear that Houston’s protection is as dominant as ever. The Cougars have now held all three Big 12 opponents to 55 factors or fewer, forcing a mean of 16.0 turnovers per recreation. It’s additionally value noting that Milos Uzan has totaled 15 assists to only three turnovers in these three video games, whereas additionally notching at the very least two steals in all three video games.
Next seven days: at Kansas State (Jan. 11), vs. West Virginia (Jan. 15)
Previous rating: 17
Memphis acquired by means of two of its hardest AAC video games prior to now week, profitable at Florida Atlantic by 28 after which escaping at dwelling in opposition to North Texas. And with the halfway level of the season right here, it is time to make the case for PJ Haggerty as a first-team All-American. He’s averaging 22.2 factors, 5.7 rebounds and three.3 assists, capturing 50% from the sector and practically 45% from 3-point vary. Haggerty has had some turnover points, however he has made up for it with at the very least one steal in each recreation. Doing all this for a top-20 group (a rating that ought to rise within the coming weeks) places him within the dialog.
Next seven days: vs. East Carolina (Jan. 11)
Previous rating: 11
UConn escaped in opposition to Providence in its first recreation with out Liam McNeeley, scoring 60 factors within the second half to erase a 14-point deficit and get the win. But the Huskies’ eight-game profitable streak was snapped Wednesday evening at Villanova, with Alex Karaban lacking the potential go-ahead free throws with three seconds left. While the group’s offense wasn’t the identical with out McNeeley, the protection in its previous two video games has been a problem, permitting 1.28 factors per possession to Providence and 1.16 to Villanova.
Next seven days: at Georgetown (Jan. 11)
Previous rating: Unranked
Michigan’s outcomes are lastly catching as much as its metrics, which now have the Wolverines inside the highest 10 at each KenPom and Torvik. A 19-point highway win at UCLA helped the trigger. In the Los Angeles highway swing, it was as soon as once more Dusty May’s dominant large man duo that led the way in which. Danny Wolf went for 21 factors, 13 boards, 7 assists and 6 blocks in opposition to USC, whereas Vladislav Goldin had 36 factors and 7 rebounds within the win at UCLA.
Next seven days: vs. Washington (Jan. 12)
Previous rating: 18
For Michigan State to hit its ceiling this season, Jaden Akins needed to develop into the group’s go-to man on the offensive finish, filling the footwear of Tyson Walker. And whereas he hasn’t fairly hit the scoring numbers of Walker, he has taken his recreation to a distinct degree and is having essentially the most environment friendly offensive season of his four-year profession in East Lansing. Over his previous 5 video games, Akins is averaging 15.8 factors and capturing practically 46% from the sector and 36% from 3-point vary.
Next seven days: vs. Washington (Jan. 9), at Northwestern (Jan. 12), vs. Penn State (Jan. 15)
Previous rating: 21
Braden Smith is within the midst of an otherworldly stretch of manufacturing, cementing his place within the All-America dialog. After going for 22 factors, six rebounds and 7 assists in opposition to Northwestern, Smith is now averaging 25.3 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 9.7 assists and a couple of.0 steals over his final three video games — whereas additionally capturing 43.8% from 3-point vary on practically 11 makes an attempt per recreation.
Next seven days: at Rutgers (Jan. 9), vs. Nebraska (Jan. 12), at Washington (Jan. 15)
Previous rating: Unranked
Chris Beard’s group has rebounded properly from its blowout loss at Memphis to finish 2024, profitable back-to-back video games to open SEC play. The Rebels’ perimeter protection has been a spotlight, with Georgia and Arkansas combining to shoot 7-for-41 from behind the arc within the two video games. Malik Dia‘s emergence in opposition to the Razorbacks might be a serious constructive; he had 21 factors and eight rebounds, by far his finest recreation in an Ole Miss jersey.
Next seven days: vs. LSU (Jan. 11), at Alabama (Jan. 14)
Previous rating: 19
After shedding to UCLA and struggling to place away Pepperdine on the finish of December, Mark Few went again to the beginning lineup that introduced the Zags a lot success within the first two video games of the season. Michael Ajayi to the bench, Ben Gregg into the lineup. Whether it is the rotation tweak or just week, Gonzaga’s capturing has improved because the change — and Gregg went for 23 factors and shot 3-for-3 from behind the arc in Wednesday’s win over San Diego.
Next seven days: vs. Washington State (Jan. 11)
Previous rating: 12
After beginning the season with 13 straight wins, Oklahoma has now dropped its first two video games in SEC play. The first defeat was comprehensible; it ran right into a buzzsaw in Tuscaloosa. The second one can be tougher to swallow. The Sooners led Texas A&M by 18 factors within the second half and have been nonetheless up double-digits with simply over eight minutes to play. But they made simply two photographs the remainder of the sport missed possibilities to win the sport within the ultimate minute. Brycen Goodine did rating 34 factors off the bench, although, going 9-for-11 from 3.
Next seven days: at Georgia (Jan. 11), vs. Texas (Jan. 15)
Previous rating: Unranked
Written off after a loss to UCLA in Phoenix a month in the past, Arizona has now received 5 straight video games — together with back-to-back highway tilts at Cincinnati and West Virginia. What have been the keys to the Wildcats’ turnaround? Tommy Lloyd shuffled his rotation after the 4-5 begin, transferring Anthony Dell’Orso into the beginning lineup and shifting KJ Lewis to a sixth man function. He has additionally expanded the roles of Henri Veesaar and Carter Bryant. Veesaar has been notable; in his previous seven video games, he’s averaging 9.1 factors and 5.7 rebounds.
Next seven days: vs. UCF (Jan. 11), vs. Baylor (Jan. 14)
Previous rating: 25
Utah State may be the most effective group within the Mountain West, and there is a sturdy case to be made for Mason Falslev in Player of the Year within the league speak. After making an impression as a freshman, Falslev is now averaging 16.8 factors, 6.3 rebounds and three.4 assists, whereas capturing 47.5% from 3-point vary. He had a few of his finest video games in Utah State’s hardest matchups, scoring 28 in opposition to North Texas and going for 25 and 12 in opposition to Iowa.
Next seven days: vs. Boise State (Jan. 11), at UNLV (Jan. 15)
Previous rating: Unranked
Georgia picked up its greatest win of the season Tuesday, protecting Kentucky at an arm’s size for the ultimate 25 minutes en path to an 82-69 victory. The Bulldogs now personal wins over each the Wildcats and St. John’s, with enormous alternatives arising: vs. Oklahoma, at Tennessee, vs. Auburn, at Arkansas, at Florida. Freshman ahead Asa Newell, who had 17 factors and 7 rebounds in opposition to Kentucky, is now averaging 15.5 factors and 6.9 rebounds.
Next seven days: vs. Oklahoma (Jan. 11), at Tennessee (Jan. 15)
Dropped out: UCLA Bruins (No. 13), Dayton Flyers (No. 20), Baylor Bears (No. 22), West Virginia Mountaineers (No. 24)
