College basketball scores, winners and losers: Big 12 flexes muscle vs. SEC to win final challenge

Chaos reigned supreme throughout the school basketball panorama as seven ranked groups fell to unranked groups in a shakeup Saturday of stupendous proportions. 

No. 2 Alabama was the (unlucky) poster little one of such chaos because the Crimson Tide — No. 3 in scoring margin amongst energy convention groups headed into the weekend — acquired flattened by Oklahoma by 24 factors on the highway within the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. 

But Alabama wasn’t the one workforce to discover itself on the shedding facet of a blowout within the SEC/Big 12 Challenge as No. 12 Iowa State additionally slipped up on the highway, falling 78-61 to Missouri. 

Here’s how the final SEC/Big Challenge performed out:

SEC/Big 12 Challenge

Big 12 wins 7-3

Elsewhere, Big East-leading and Thirteenth-ranked Xavier additionally acquired pounded by unranked Creighton.

Oh, [Billy Mays voice] however wait, there’s extra! 

Monmouth — which had the fewest wins of all Div. I groups coming into Saturday — defeated North Carolina A&T by 15 factors as a double-digit underdog. Meanwhile, No. 18 Charleston — which had the most wins of all Division I groups coming into Saturday — misplaced in a stunner to Hofstra, ending what was the longest profitable streak in faculty basketball at 20 video games.

That’s however a sampling of the insanity that arose in faculty basketball from a wild day. Here is a take a look at the others with a number of the day’s largest winners and losers.

Winner: Tennessee will get sizzling

No. 4 Tennessee’s defensive repute is well-known — the Volunteers rank No. 1 nationally in adjusted defensive effectivity at kenpom.com — however their offense has been a supply of concern at instances this season. In an 82-71 win over No. 10 Texas, offense carried the day. The Vols shot 55.6% from the ground led by a career-high 27 factors from Olivier Nkamhoua and 22 from Zakai Ziegler. The win marked a little bit of revenge for Tennessee, which dropped a 52-51 thriller at Texas final season as coach Rick Barnes returned to the varsity the place he spent 17 seasons. The Longhorns have struggled to discover consistency since Barnes’ tenure ended whereas the Volunteers seem destined to be a No. 5 seed or higher within the NCAA Tournament for a fifth time in Barnes’ eight season with this system.

Winner: Kansas dominates offensive glass

No. 9 Kansas beat Kentucky at its personal sport in a 77-68 win inside Rupp Arena because the Jayhawks used an 11-0 benefit in second-chance factors to snap a three-game shedding streak. Kentucky entered the sport ranked No. 5 nationally in offensive rebounds per sport at 14 whereas Kansas ranked No. 145 in the identical class at 10.7 per sport. With the Jayhawks counting on an undersized heart in KJ Adams Jr. and the Wildcats boasting one of many sport’s prime rebounder in Tshiebwe, it appeared UK would have an apparent benefit on the glass. Instead, it was Kansas that dominated in that regard.

Loser: Kentucky goes chilly

The Wildcats entered their loss to Kansas on a four-game profitable streak that had modified the trajectory of their once-directionless season. However, a growing downside bubbled to the floor and haunted the Wildcats on Saturday as they hit simply 2 of 13 makes an attempt from 3-point vary. After taking pictures 35.4% from past the arc of their first 16 video games, UK is taking pictures simply 24.1% from 3-point vary over its final 5 contests. Unless Antonio Reeves and CJ Fredrick discover their perimeter stroke once more, the Wildcats threat shedding the progress they revamped the previous two weeks.

Winner: Arizona finds prime gear

No. 6 Arizona has appeared like an elite, well-oiled machine at instances this season and additionally had moments when it has appeared disjointed and susceptible. The Wildcats put the higher model of themselves on show in a 95-72 thrashing of Washington. Azuolas Tubelis scored 25 factors and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Arizona outscored the Huskies 57-36 within the second half for a fourth straight win. Arizona turned the ball over simply twice within the second half, made 7 of 16 makes an attempt from 3-point vary, hit 10 of 11 free throws and gained the battle of second-chance factors 10-0. It was a near-perfect half and it was a reminder of how scary the Wildcats will be when at their greatest.

Winner: Okay-State’s Johnson beats outdated workforce

The prospect of Keynotae Johnson enjoying faculty basketball once more appeared bleak within the months after he collapsed on the court docket whereas enjoying for Florida early within the 2020-21 season. The concept that he would sooner or later swimsuit up towards the Gators appeared much more inconceivable. But that is what occurred Saturday as Johnson and No. 5 Kansas State beat Florida 64-50. Johnson completed with 13 factors and 11 rebounds because the Wildcats jumped out to a 37-16 halftime lead and cruised to a stress-free win. 

Loser: Sky is falling on Ohio State

The sky fell on Ohio State throughout its 86-70 loss at Indiana. Literally. A chunk of steel fell from someplace above the court docket at Assembly Hall and narrowly missed hanging Ohio State freshman star Brice Sensabaugh at halftime. OSU coach Chris Holtman told reporters that he inquired a couple of delay or postponement of the sport. But to no avail. The Buckeyes dropped to 11-10 (3-7 Big Ten) with the loss, which was their seventh of the previous eight video games. At this charge, Ohio State ought to contemplate asking for a postponement of the remainder of the season. 

Winner: Clemson survives once more

Clemson trailed 81-79 at Florida State when Chase Hunter took an inbounds go on the alternative finish of the ground with 8.5 seconds left and took off with a full head of steam. Instead of in search of a go-ahead 3-pointer, he took FSU defender Matthew Cleveland to the basket off the dribble and banked in a contested lay-up. 

As the ball went by means of the basket, the whistle sounded. It was a foul name on Cleveland, which despatched Hunter to the road with an opportunity to put the Tigers forward. He drilled the free throw, and Clemson held on for one more dramatic victory. Last Saturday, it was Hunter Tyson who was the hero in a 51-50 win over Virginia Tech. 

This time it was Hunter because the Tigers improved to 18-4 (10-1 ACC) and maintained their edge within the ACC standings. Despite its gaudy file, Clemson entered as only a projected No. 10 seed in Jerry Palm’s Bracketology. A loss to the struggling Seminoles would have been a foul look. But thanks to their penchant for late-game heroics, the Tigers stayed within the win column for his or her tenth time up to now 11 video games.

Loser: Miami goes chilly in loss to Pitt

No. 20 Miami took a 68-60 on Pittsburgh lead with 2:26 remaining till catastrophe struck. The Hurricanes choked in epic trend because the Panthers closed on an 11-0 run for an inconceivable and much-needed 71-68 win. Pitt entered the day as one of many “Last 4 In” the projected NCAA Tournament subject in accordance to CBS Sports Bracketology Expert Jerry Palm. Pitt gained the battle of second-chance factors by a whopping 17-2 margin and has now gained 4 of its previous 5 video games, bettering to 15-7 (8-3) in what has been a redemption marketing campaign for this system below embattled fifth-year coach Jeff Capel.

Winner: West Virgina will get a bubble win

West Virginia entered the day as one of many “First 4 Out” of Jerry Palm’s Bracketology and emerged with a essential Quad 1 victory because the Mountaineers outlasted No. 15 Auburn 80-77. Erik Stevenson piled up 31 factors to lead the Mountaineers as he drilled 7 of 10 makes an attempt from 3-point vary in essential victory.

Winner: Baylor rounding into kind

No. 17 Baylor blew an 11-point lead and then got here again from an eight-point deficit in a 67-64 win over Arkansas that featured some wild momentum swings. Now, the entire sudden, the Bears are winners of six straight and sitting fairly at 16-5 total. Keynote George keyed Baylor with 24 factors and LJ Cryer added 20 because the Bears’ backcourt continued to appear like one of many nation’s greatest. This workforce light from the nationwide radar following a three-game shedding streak to start Big 12 play however seems to be rounding into kind with the potential return of huge man Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua looming as a risk sooner or later within the days forward.

Loser: VCU takes unhealthy loss

VCU entered the day as a projected No. 12 seed in Jerry Palm’s Bracketology however suffered a Quad 4 house loss by falling 61-58 towards a St. Bonaventure workforce that entered the day ranked No. 184 within the NET. The Rams (16-6, 7-2 A-10) entered on a six-game profitable streak that featured 5 double-digit victories however made simply 2 of 16 makes an attempt from 3-point vary and solely 10 of 18 free throws. Defense was additionally a problem within the second half as St. Bonaventure shot 56% from the ground and drilled 5 of 6 long-range makes an attempt after the break.

Winner: Creighton turning nook

Following a meltdown of surprising proportions on the finish of November and the beginning of December, preseason top-10 Creighton is slowly however certainly rounding into kind with the look of a top-10 workforce within the sport. The Bluejays pounded Big East-leading and No. 13-ranked Xavier 84-67 on Saturday for his or her fourth consecutive win to transfer to inside 1.5 video games of the convention’s prime spot within the regular-season race. The gap they put themselves in early with a 3-3 begin in convention play could also be too troublesome to overcome for a league title, nevertheless it’s clear this gifted roster is discovering its confidence and appears to be rolling into the stretch a part of the season full steam forward.

Entering an 82-67 win at Portland, Gonzaga‘s Julian Strawther owned a career-high of 23 factors. Strawther matched that complete within the second half alone because the 6-foot-7 wing exploded for 40 complete factors. He drilled 8 of 12 photographs from 3-point vary because the No. 14 Zags improved to 18-4 (7-1 WCC).

Loser: BYU suffers one other crushing loss

Speaking of Strawther, he was the primary participant to rip BYU’s coronary heart out with a game-winning shot again on Jan. 12 when his deep 3-pointer to raise Gonzaga to a 75-74 win over the Cougars. Saint Mary’s guard Aidan Mahaney turned the second to do it on Saturday evening as he drilled a jumper with 0.3 seconds left to raise the No. 22 Gaels to a 57-56 win. Saint Mary’s improved to 18-4 (7-0) with the win as Mahaney continued an illustrious freshman marketing campaign.

Loser: Charleston’s profitable streak ends

The longest energetic profitable streak in faculty basketball got here to an unceremonious finish on Saturday as No. 18 Charleston fell at house as a 9-point favourite to Hofstra 85-81. The loss, which moved Hofstra to inside one sport of the CAA’s regular-season No. 1 spot, was Charleston’s first in additional than two months after falling to North Carolina in its second sport of the season, solely to reel off 20-straight within the win column since. 

Winner: FAU takes Charleston’s place

What was Charleston’s loss (actually) was FAU’s win (additionally actually!) as Florida Atlantic with a 70-63 win over Western Kentucky prolonged its profitable streak to 20 video games and took Charleston’s spot because the workforce with the longest profitable streak within the sport. No. 21 FAU improved to 21-1 on the season and remained excellent in Conference USA play with an ideal 11-0 league file.

Loser: Georgia Tech struggling below Pastner

Year 7 for Josh Pastner at Georgia Tech went from unhealthy to humiliating in an 86-43 house loss to Duke because the Yellow Jackets suffered their seventh straight loss and fell to 8-13 (1-10 ACC). Georgia Tech shot simply 30.9% from the ground and acquired manhandled 44-12 in paint factors. Of the Yellow Jackets’ 10 league losses, 9 have come by double digits, and it is a close to certainty that the season will conclude with Pastner nonetheless missing an NCAA Tournament victory on the college. The 2021 workforce that gained the ACC Tournament — although it performed solely two video games within the occasion due to COVID-19 points with different groups — purchased Pastner some goodwill. But after a 12-20 marketing campaign in 2021-22 and this horrendous clunker of a season, the explanations for Georgia Tech to proceed with Partner are working skinny.

Winner: NC State lastly will get one other Quad 1 win

NC State made simply 8 of 17 free throws and by some means managed to choose up a Quad 1 highway victory anyway because the Wolfpack outlasted Wake Forest 79-77. D.J. Burns led NC State with 31 factors on a whopping 14 of 26 taking pictures, and the large man would have scored much more if he’d made greater than 3 of 8 makes an attempt from the charity stripe. Nevertheless, the win was enormous for the Wolfpack because it marked simply their second Quad 1 victory. NC State entered the day as a projected No. 7 seed in Jerry Palm’s Bracketology and wanted a bit of meat on the resume to give itself margin for error. Saturday’s win offered it.

Winner: Bethune-Cookman wins it to cap chaotic week

With Bethune-Cookman’s soccer program in the news the last week for all the wrong reasons, the basketball workforce took it upon itself to present a optimistic spotlight. And boy did it ship precisely that to cap what should have been an exhausting week for Wildcats basketball coach Reggie Theus, who can be the B-CU athletic director and accountable for coping with the problems within the soccer program.

The Wildcats gained 64-62 on a last-second shot over Alabama State at house and did so in trend whereas overlaying the 1.5-point unfold to boot. 

Loser: UCF‘s fall continues

After a 107-104 win over Memphis on Jan. 11, UCF stood at 13-4 (4-1 AAC) and ranked No. 35 within the NET. The Golden Knights have been on the fitting facet of the NCAA Tournament bubble and appeared to be constructing momentum forward of subsequent season’s transition to a much more troublesome life within the Big 12. But over the past two weeks, actuality has come crashing down on UCF, which dropped its fourth straight with a 77-70 additional time house loss towards Temple on Saturday. The Owls entered the day at No. 125 within the NET however have all of the sudden gained 4 straight, together with a highway win over Houston final Sunday. But this one will probably be onerous to swallow for UCF, which led by 10 within the first half. The Golden Knights’ soccer program is on agency footing and ought to be aggressive within the Big 12, however the final couple weeks have been a reminder that the varsity could possibly be in for a impolite awakening on the hoops facet.

Loser: TCU’s damage luck

With large man Eddie Lampkin Jr. out, TCU’s damage luck went from unhealthy to worse on the highway vs. Mississippi State as star guard Mike Miles Jr. hyperextended his knee and reserve guard Shahada Wells briefly left the sport with an damage earlier than returning. Miles didn’t return to the sport and Lampkin is sidelined indefinitely, and including insult to the accidents, the No. 11 Horned Frogs got here out on the shedding finish of an additional time effort, falling 81-74 on the highway.

Winner: Fordham matches greatest win complete in 17 years

Fordham basketball appeared to have lastly discovered a coach price protecting when former Villanova assistant Kyle Neptune led the Rams to a 16-16 file final season, marking this system’s first season with a .500 file since 2015-16. Then, Neptune left to exchange Jay Wright at Villanova. But after selecting to elevate affiliate head coach Keith Urgo to head coach, Fordham has multiplied the momentum that Neptune sparked. The Rams improved to 17-4 (5-3 A-10) with an 85-70 win over George Washington on Saturday to match this system’s greatest win complete of the previous 17 seasons. With two extra wins, Fordham can have its most victories for the reason that 1991-92 season. The subsequent step for Fordham could also be hanging on to Urgo, who has assistant teaching stops at Villanova and Penn State below his belt and is a candidate for Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year.

Loser: Alabama will get pummeled by OU

For many of the season Alabama has been ganging up on inferior opponents and not simply profitable, however profitable large; its scoring margin coming into Saturday was third-highest amongst all main convention groups. But towards unranked OU on the highway, it was Alabama on the receiving end of a butt-whoopin’ as the Sooners won 93-69, handing them their largest loss by margin of the Nate Oats period. (Its final loss by 20 or extra got here in 2018-19 when it fell to rival Auburn by 21 factors.)

“I thought the guys kept on bouncing back. I’ve seen some crazy runs by Alabama [this season],” stated OU coach Porter Moser. “We had some good offensive possessions, good defensive possessions. That was the key to stopping their runs, and they didn’t really have any against us.”

Winner: Marquette ties for Big East lead

The Big East coaches picked Marquette to end ninth within the convention earlier than the season. After an 89-69 win at DePaul and Xavier’s loss at Creighton, the No. 16 Golden Eagles at the moment are tied for first. David Joplin exploded for a career-high 28 factors on 8 of 11 taking pictures from 3-point vary and Tyler Kolek added 24 as Marquette racked up 56 factors and 11 made 3-pointers within the second half. The Golden Eagles have gained eight of their final 9 and now sit at No. 1 nationally in offensive effectivity, per Kenpom.com. In simply his second season as coach, Shaka Smart has revitalized the Marquette program and his personal repute as a coach.

Loser: Wisconsin‘s season slipping away 

After an 11-2 begin to the season for Wisconsin with wins over USC, Marquette and Iowa and a detailed OT loss to reigning nationwide champion Kansas, the Badgers appeared like a formidable power within the Big Ten and past. Fast ahead three weeks and some change and the momentum they carried into 2023 has all however completely dissipated with its 61-51 loss to Illinois, its sixth loss in seven video games. Wisconsin has been a constant winner below Greg Gard, Bo Ryan’s successor, nevertheless it matches the worst seven-game stretch below Gard since he took over this system in 2015.