John Fanta
University basketball issuer and journalist
What an unbelievable college basketball weekend, which was prefigured for the drama by which we’re in March.
Just once you thought you knew that Auburn and Duke had been the 2 finest groups within the nation, sport reminded us that all the pieces can occur on a given day. That’s why the NCAA WIN-O-GO-HOME match is one of the best in sport.
The tigers and Blue Devils introduced a profitable sequence mixed with 30 video games in Saturday’s motion. You can say goodbye to these stripes, with Auburn falling residence from a crew in Florida, 90-81, whereas the Blue Devils made their first defeat since November, leaving a call of 77-71 to Clemson.
So what occurred in each these video games that exposed one thing about tigers and blue devils?
Let’s begin with Auburn. First of all, the tigers misplaced a legit context of the nationwide championship within the Gators. Now, Florida has slightly volatility for what they do, and confirmed final weekend in a lack of burst in opposition to Tennessee, however the Gators have the perimeter arsenal to beat anybody in sport and their finest was uncovered on Saturday within the jungle. If you propose to beat Auburn, you must make Johni Broome work for what he will get offensively and you must overcome the tigers past the arch. While the nationwide participant candidate of the yr scored 18 factors, including 11 rebounds and 6 assists – it took 19 photographs to do it. Coupled it with the protection of Florida, holding AuBurn to three out of 12 from over the arch within the second half, and the younger Denzel Aberdeen who shot down two triples key of the second half when the tigers had been about to understand the momentum, and the Todd Golden crew He discovered a crew.
The American Guard of Florida, Walter Clayton Jr., was distinctive and in management on this recreation. So many occasions this yr, the tigers overwhelmed the Bocci. Saturday afternoon, Clayton was the attacker, ending with 19 factors, 9 assists and 6 rebounds. Inside, the nice second yr man Alex Condon has introduced his superstar within the nation. Saturday was probably the most environment friendly large man, providing 17 out of seven factors by capturing from the ground with 10 rebounds and 4 assists.
Should Auburn be fearful or fearful about one thing? At all. But credit score to the Gators, who’re 20-3 and confirmed per week after an approximate efficiency in Tennessee who’re nonetheless able to pursue the primary 4 finals of this system since Billy Donovan has led them to consecutive titles in 2006 and ’07.
As for the Blue Devils, for 35 minutes of Saturday afternoon, Cooper Flagg had the worst efficiency of his college profession. Note that Flagg had been underneath the time this week, however began the sport 2 out of 11 from the ground.
While Flagg fought, Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor united for eight triples and Duke shot 12 out of 24 from the middle.
But Clemson imposed his will bodily and gained this recreation with the clutch performs alongside the stretch. The switch of Cincinnati Viktor Lakhin scored 22 factors with capturing 9 out of 12 from the ground, whereas the Senior Chase Hunter guard had 14 factors and 7 rebounds. The tigers had been +13 on the glass and handed the Blue Devils 40-22 within the paint.
Clemson’s victory marked the very best victory of this system for the reason that tigers beat the #1 of the North Carolina in 2001. Furthermore, he stretched the sequence of Clemson at 5 consecutive victories on the primary 5 opponents, a lot of the nation. Brad Brownell’s crew was not categorised by the Associated Press however was in my survey. You noticed why Saturday.
So, leaves us with this dilemma: Auburn or Alabama?
Well, guess what? Tigers go to Crimson Tide on Saturday. Nate Oats’s crew has improved 20-3 within the season with an 85-81 victory at Arkansas. In what marked the seventh road recreation that Alabama has reached 85 factors, the tide exceeded John Calipari’s group 56-36 within the paint and used a 31-11 benefit within the bench factors, fed by 14 factors by Mouhamed Dioda, to carry the pigs.
I’ll give Auburn a passage for a loss. The tigers are nonetheless n. 1 to Kenpom, n. 2 in Torvik and have a document of 12-2 better of the nation in opposition to the quad 1 opponents. You are allowed to lose a recreation within the second century traditionally large. I do know that the rankings are a snapshot, however I nonetheless consider that Auburn is one of the best crew of the nation, so they’re at #1 for me.
My rankings have a showdown n. 1 in opposition to n. 2 Saturday in Tuscalosa, and my first three groups are all from the identical convention, which should be a primary one.
With this, here is a take a look at my full prime 25:
1. Auburn (21-2)
2. Alabama (20-3)
3. Florida (20-3)
4. Duke (20-3)
5. Tennessee (20-4)
6. Texas a & m (18-5)
7. San Giovanni (21-3)
8. Houston (19-4)
9. Purdue (19-5)
10. Iowa State (18-5)
11. Memphis (20-4)
12. State of Michigan (19-4)
13. Arizona (17-6)
14. Texas Tech (18-5)
15. Wisconsin (19-5)
16. Missouri (17-6)
17. Creighton (18-6)
18. Michigan (18-5)
19. Clemson (19-5)
20. Kentucky (16-7)
21. Ole Miss (18-6)
22. Kansas (16-7)
23. Marquette (18-6)
24. Maryland (18-6)
25. Uconn (16-7)
John Fanta is a National College basketball station and author for Fox Sports. He covers sport in a wide range of capability, from name video games on FS1 to function the principle host on the Big East digital community to supply feedback on the sphere of 68 media networks. Follow him to @John_fanta.
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