The past few days in college basketball have been nothing short of thrilling. Let me take you through the highlights.
It all started with a shake-up at the top. No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Duke both suffered unexpected losses on Saturday, sending shockwaves through the men's basketball landscape. Duke's loss was particularly dramatic, with Clemson pulling off a stunning comeback. The Tigers took the lead with a go-ahead layup from Hunter and sealed the win with free throws, marking their fifth straight victory over an AP top-five opponent.
Meanwhile, other teams were making their mark. Creighton continued its winning streak, taking down No. 11 Marquette in a Big East battle. Steven Ashworth led the Bluejays with 22 points and six 3-pointers, while Ryan Kalkbrenner added 19 points and seven rebounds. This win marked Creighton's ninth consecutive victory, showcasing their dominance in the Big East.
Kansas State also made headlines with an impressive win over in-state rival No. 16 Kansas. The Wildcats extended their win streak to a season-high five games, thanks to a 3-point shooting clinic that saw them sink 11 of 27 from beyond the arc. David N'Guessan led the way with 20 points, reaching at least 20 points in back-to-back games.
In another close match, No. 10 Texas A&M edged No. 15 Missouri in a dramatic 67-64 victory. The Aggies led at halftime but Missouri mounted a strong comeback in the second half. However, Texas A&M managed to hold on, securing a crucial win in the SEC.
On the individual front, some players are making their mark. Ryan Nembhard from Gonzaga is leading the nation in assists per game with an impressive 9.8 average. Braden Smith from Purdue and Sean Newman Jr. from Louisiana Tech are also among the top assist leaders.
In terms of scoring, players like Kam Jones from Marquette and Hunter Dickinson from Kansas are showing their prowess. Jones scored a game-high 27 points against Creighton, while Dickinson led Kansas with 21 points against Kansas State.
As we look ahead, these recent games have set the stage for an exciting stretch in college basketball. With top teams facing challenges and underdogs pulling off upsets, the landscape is more unpredictable than ever. Stay tuned for more thrilling matchups and standout performances. The world of college basketball is heating up, and you won't want to miss it.