Upsets Galore In Weekend College Hoops
Iowa State’s DeAndre Kane was injured in Saturday’s loss to Oklahoma.
Upsets were the theme of the weekend as college basketball’s best teams took to the hardwood to prove their billing.
Saturday saw a pair of ranked sides fall to so-called lesser opponents, while Sunday served up no fewer than three AP poll teams losing to unranked opponents in just six games.
The weekend’s first ranked side to suffer a loss to an unranked opponent came in the form of No. 9 Iowa State (14-1, 2-1 Big 12).
Having begun the season with a perfect 14-0 record, the Cyclones headed to Norman, Okla., to face an Oklahoma (13-3, 2-1 Big 12) side that had dropped two of the last three. It was the Sooners that got the better of a tight contest though, emerging as 87-82 victors and ending Iowa State’s school best 14-game winning streak.
Next up, No. 16 Duke (12-4, 1-2 ACC), looking for its first true road win of the year, came unglued against Clemson (11-4, 2-1 ACC) at Littlejohn Arena.
K.J. McDaniels (24pts, 10rebs), Jaron Blossomgame (14pts, 14rebs), and Landry Nnoko (10pts, 13rebs) each finished with a double-double for the Tigers, while Duke was outscored 13-2 in the final six minutes, having closed within two points of Clemson.
On Sunday, No. 15 Colorado (14-3, 3-1 Pac-12) was the first of two Pac-12 ranked sides to fall by the wayside.
The Buffaloes headed to the Pacific Northwest to take on a Washington (11-6, 3-1 Pac-12) that had failed to record a win over a ranked opponent in three tries this season. The Huskies put an end to that record as C.J. Wilcox hit seven three-pointers and tallied 31 points, leading his team to a comfortable 71-54 win.
Stanford (10-5, 1-2 Pac-12) also got in on the upset action, defeating No. 17 Oregon (13-3, 1-3 Pac-12) in Eugene, Ore. The 82-80 final marked the Cardinal’s first conference win of the year and sent the Ducks to a shocking 1-3 in league play. Expect Dana Altman’s side to freefall down the AP standing when they’re released later today.
On the fringe of the AP standings, No. 23 Illinois (13-4, 2-2 Big Ten) won’t be appearing on this week’s list. After losing to Wisconsin during the week, the Fighting Illini was defeated by Northwestern (8-9, 1-3 Big Ten) in a scrappy game Sunday. The victory marked the Wildcats first in-league success of the season.
On top of all of this, No. 3 Ohio State (15-2, 2-2 Big Ten) found its name in the losing column for the second straight game, thanks to a spirited performance from No. 20 Iowa (14-3, 3-1 Big Ten).
The lower-ranked Hawkeyes used a 22-9 run at the end of the game to emerge with a 84-74 victory over the hotly-tipped Buckeyes, a result that – combined with OSU’s loss to Michigan State earlier in the week – could see Thad Matta’s side slip out of the top 10.
All of the weekend’s results will have a big impact on the AP Top 25 poll, to be released later in the day.
It looks certain though that No. 1 Arizona (17-0, 4-0 Pac-12) and No. 2 Michigan State (15-1, 4-0 Big Ten) will stay at the top of the heap after both sides picked up wins over the weekend.
Can Coach K get the Blue Devils back on track?
Monday’s Top College Hoops
After succumbing to Oklahoma on Saturday, Iowa State will host Kansas on Monday night.
The Jayhawks put in a dominant performance Saturday, swatting away rivals Kansas State thanks to big outings for Andrew Wiggins (22pts), Wayne Selden, Jr. (20pts), and Joel Embiid (11pts, 9rebs).
The 86-60 final suggests Will Self’s side may finally be finding the form it’s been looking for all season. Monday’s game against the Cyclones, a bona fide opponent, will be a better measuring stick.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Iowa State Cyclones odds for 01/13/2014
Duke (12-4, 1-2 ACC ) will return to Durham looking to wash away another painful road loss, and what will in all likelihood be a drop down the AP poll.
The Blue Devils will host Virginia (12-4, 3-0 ACC), one of three team to remain unbeaten in ACC play. The Cavaliers cruised to victory in Raleigh Saturday, defeating North Carolina State 76-45. Can Tony Bennett’s side now take advantage of circumstances and pick up a rare road win at Cameron Indoor Stadium?
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Duke Blue Devils odds for 01/13/2014
Undefeated Syracuse (16-0, 3-0 ACC) avoided any slipup Saturday, handing North Carolina a 57-45 defeat at the Carrier Dome. Now the Orange will look to keep its winning streak alive on the road.
Syracuse will make the trip to Boston College (5-11, 1-2 ACC) Monday night as a heavy favorite. Can the Eagles imitate Sunday’s upset heroes and knock off the Orange?
Syracuse Orange vs. Boston College Eagles odds for 01/13/2014
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