It's been an electrifying few days in college basketball, with top teams and players making their mark on the court. Let's dive into the action-packed world of hoops.
The past weekend saw some thrilling matchups, with No. 6 Tennessee outlasting No. 7 Texas A&M in a back-and-forth battle. The Volunteers' guard Chaz Lanier was on fire, scoring 22 of his team's first-half points and knocking down six of seven 3-pointers. Tennessee's clutch shots down the stretch sealed the deal, including Zakai Zeigler's dagger 3-pointer with 21 seconds left, securing an 8-point win and moving them above Texas A&M in the SEC standings.
Meanwhile, Oregon pulled off a gritty road upset over No. 11 Wisconsin, outlasting the Badgers 77-73 in overtime. Nate Bittle delivered in the clutch, scoring five of his game-high 23 points in the extra period. The Ducks capitalized on Wisconsin's mistakes, scoring 24 points off 17 Badger turnovers and controlling the paint with a 40-37 rebounding advantage.
Looking at the top performers, Ryan Nembhard from Gonzaga leads the nation in assists per game with an impressive 9.7 average. Braden Smith from Purdue follows closely with 8.8 assists per game, while Sean Newman Jr. from Louisiana Tech rounds out the top three with 8.3 assists per game[1].
In scoring, the SEC is packed with talent. Jaemyn Brakefield from Mississippi, Devin McGlockton from Vanderbilt, and Igor Milicic Jr. from Tennessee are all tied for the top spot with 10.9 points per game. Other notable scorers include Jaylen Murray from Mississippi and Miles Kelly from Auburn, both averaging 10.8 points per game[4].
As we approach the final weeks of the regular season, teams are gearing up for the NCAA tournament. The latest bracket predictions are out, and fans are eagerly anticipating Selection Sunday. With upsets and thrilling matchups happening every week, the road to March Madness is shaping up to be an exciting one.
In other news, the Big 5 Classic is heating up, with La Salle's 83-75 win over Drexel putting them into the championship game. The Explorers, led by coach Fran Dunphy, have shown impressive chemistry and toughness, controlling the glass and limiting turnovers. Their next matchup against Temple promises to be a thrilling contest[2].
As the season winds down, teams are fighting for every win, and the intensity is palpable. With top teams and players making their mark, the world of college basketball is more electrifying than ever. Stay tuned for more action-packed matchups and dramatic finishes as we count down to March Madness.