What’s up with Houston?
First No. 1 ranking since Phi Slama Jama’s dunking days. This team’s offense rang the grandstands and rims. The 6-0 Cougars lead the nation by allowing 47.3 points per game and 29.1 percent shooting. Houston opponents have missed 120 of 150 3-pointers. The Cougars’ previous win before going to No. 1 was a 49-44 ugly duckling over Kent State in which they shot 32% and had 23 turnovers. Another ragged Houston verse. Coach Kelvin Sampson: “Many teams can’t win if the ball doesn’t go in.”
Now they can deal with the mixed bag of top ranking: recognition and becoming the largest target. December will bring Alabama and Virginia. That could be the defensive game of the decade.
Because of questions, we must embrace it, added Sampson. “Don’t flee from your success.
“We didn’t apply online and wait for a reply. Remember, it’s a rental. You’re renting it because someone else will be No. 1 someday.
Houston has arrived. Why a vacancy?
What’s up with North Carolina?
The Tar Heels won’t have it easy. They won five games against weaker opponents but never looked like a top-ranked powerhouse. Expected to discover another gear. Not in Portland.
Iowa State upset them 70-65 after they blew a seven-point lead. Sunday’s four-overtime loss to Alabama was North Carolina’s first since 1976. The Tide enjoyed a commanding advantage in bench points, 47-14. Four Tar Heels played at least 48 minutes each. Caleb Love’s 36 shots were the most by a North Carolina player in 58 years. Michael Jordan scored fewer.
Defense is a worry. North Carolina is 302nd in the country with 75 points allowed per game. Coach Hubert Davis noted both teams’ late shot clock execution.
“I’m upbeat. Davis said, “I’m positive.” “We finished 1-2, but I’m not dismayed by how we performed. To assume this was a disappointment would be negligent. It’s still November. We have much to go.”
What happens now that they’re No. 18? They’re tired yet can’t go home to rest. Look who’s next on Wednesday: the Midwest.
What’s up with Indiana?
No. 10 Indiana is 6-0 and rolling. Their 55.9 shooting percentage is second in the nation, and their 29.5 average winning margin is best among Power Five teams. All-American 76 percent shooter Trayce Jackson-Davis averages 19 points. Indiana’s bench outscored its starters 218-73. The Hoosiers’ only real test, an 81-79 win at Xavier, looks even better after the Musketeers beat Florida and pushed Duke and Gonzaga in Portland.
Indiana is great. “We’ll know by Wednesday,” said coach Mike Woodson.
The Hoosiers aren’t even Indiana’s hottest team.
What’s up with Purdue?
It was a wonderful weekend for Purdue athletics. Saturday’s win over Indiana clinched the team’s first Big Ten Championship Game berth. The Portland Blazers.
Thursday, they led for all but 23 seconds, winning 80-68. Friday, Purdue beat Gonzaga 84-66 with 32 points in 9:22. They beat Duke 75-56 on Sunday, holding them scoreless for the final 7 minutes. First team since UCLA in 1968 to win back-to-back neutral site games against top-10 opponents by 18 points. Three quality opponents, 49-point wins. No wonder Purdue rocketed from unranked to No. 5.
This season, Purdue replaced its backcourt. Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith both average 21 points, five assists, and three steals. Last season’s bench player Ethan Morton recorded 19 assists and one turnover in three Portland games. Purdue’s paint tower is shaking up collegiate basketball stars. Zach Edey, 7-4, averages 22 points, 12 rebounds, and can impact play on both ends in under 30 minutes a night. He scored 23 against Gonzaga’s Drew Timme and 21 with 12 rebounds against Duke.
Duke’s Jon Scheyer called him “the most distinctive player” “He’s hard to prepare for since he’s unique.”
Edy’s coach knows. Matt Painter said, “Face him.” “They can converse, scheme, and do much more. You don’t see that kind of skill and physical strength in college basketball, according to his defenders.
Purdue is now a top-10 team with a player-of-the-year candidate. Two recent Edey Effect victims…
What’s up with Gonzaga?
Three of the last six seasons, the Zags have one or two losses. In November, they lost by 19 to Texas and 18 to Purdue and had to rally from eight down to beat Xavier. The offense sputtered against Purdue, shooting 40.3% and getting outrebounded 46-31. Xavier outscored them 42-30 in the paint and Texas scored 93.
They fell out of the AP top-10 for the first time in 85 polls, landing at No. 14.
Unease? No. Timme can’t carry Gonzaga. Several Zags are adjusting to new positions with more responsibility, and Mark Few says this may be Gonzaga’s hardest non-conference schedule. The Zags have played Michigan State, Texas, Kentucky (by 16), Purdue, and Xavier. Baylor, Kent State, Washington, and Alabama will reenact the 2021 national title game. Nine teams have a 45-12 record.
Xavier’s return could represent a crossroads. Gonzaga went 6-for-6 from the field and 9-for-12 from the line in the final 6:09 to win 88-84. About the Zags: We’ll.
What’s up with Duke?
Not shooting percentages. In losses to Kansas and Purdue, the Blue Devils shot 5-for-40 from 3-point range and missed 13 shots. Purdue dominated the boards 42-31. Kyle Filipowski said, “They outtoughed us.”
Injury has prevented Scheyer from putting his new players on his first team. Even at Duke, talent doesn’t guarantee success. Not like another blueblood…
What’s up with Villanova?
Not advised for extending a honeymoon. Villanova hasn’t had a 2-5 start in 31 years under Kyle Neptune. Closer inspection reveals other problems. The Wildcats have been down double digits in six straight games, including Portland and Delaware State, and have led for only 12:32 of 160 minutes during their four-game losing streak.
They’ve tried firing at the outback. It failed. In four straight losses, Villanova has attempted 137 3-pointers. Wildcats have missed 97, making just 29%.
The devout are shocked. Villanova averaged 5.9 losses each season under Jay Wright. In November, they’re close.
It could be worse.
What’s up with Louisville?
Or maybe that should be, how far down can it go? The Cardinals are 0-6 for the first time in over 80 years. Texas Tech beat them 70-38, their lowest point total since 1948. Louisville has 105 turnovers and 46 assists.
First-year coach Kenny Payne remarked, “I can be pessimistic, but I have to figure out a way to get this club better and win.” The ACC/Big Ten Challenge and a resurgent opponent are next.
