Crazy upsets did not happen at an alarming speed this past week so that’s different. We learned a lot about the Big Ten and San Diego State is still undefeated, so as this season seems headed for another crazy March Madness, let us take a look at the past week in college basketball.
1) Who should be number one?
I think the choices are obvious with Baylor, Gonzaga, and undefeated San Diego State being the three teams with a claim. The only one in a major conference, of course, is Baylor and the Bears own some big-time wins. Gonzaga’s non-conference schedule was tough but the WCC is far from stiff. San Diego State has some good wins but overall I think Baylor should be the clear number one. I would not be surprised to see Gonzaga and Baylor standing at the end and San Diego State is surely at least a Final Four contender.
2) The Big Ten is a beast
The only bad team is Nebraska and they are not as bad as a last place team will usually be. The best three teams as of right now seem to be Maryland, Iowa, and Illinois, with Michigan State still under-achieving but they looked great at Minnesota on Sunday. Indiana beat Michigan State and blew a golden opportunity to put themselves in the conversation as the best team in the Big Ten when they lost a late lead to Maryland. With all that being said, a Hoosier win at Penn State this week could put them strongly in the mix for at least a top-6 seed come March Madness time.
3) Kansas and Kansas State coaches need to be dealt with
The “Brawl for it All” in Kansas should see the coaches get suspensions also. The reason I say that is they are the guys that recruit these kids to their respective programs and they need to be held accountable for those player’s actions, not just the players.
4) Florida State is the best team in the ACC
The ACC is down this year, but the Noles are athletic and talented and are now on a ten-game winning streak and sit atop of the ACC with a 7-1 record. I think in the end they will be pushed by Louisville for the top spot in the conference but don’t be surprised if they are still at the top in the ACC when the smoke clears.
5) The Dayton Flyers ARE a National title contender
Obi Toppin seems to be a double-double machine and the Flyers got a big road win at Richmond. With the wins they had early in the season the Flyers have a shot at a number one or two seed.
6) Kentucky vs. Texas Tech, the game of the week
The Wildcats were lucky to escape Lubbock. Coach Beard, even with losing seemingly everybody from last year’s team, has built a team capable of pulling an upset or two during this year’s tournament. Beard can flat-out coach and Kentucky looks like a team ready to be upset when March rolls around.
