Monday Night NCAA Hoops Upsets: #15 Ohio State Loses Again, Creighton Defeats #4 Villanova

After winning 15 straight games, No. 17 Ohio State (15-4, 2-4) has now lost four consecutive ones after its Monday night 68-62 loss against Nebraska (9-8, 1-4). The Cornhusker’s Terran Petteway was a huge contributor to the win as he scored seven points in the game’s last 2:22. For the night, 13 of his 18 points came in the second half.

Terran Petteway

This was the first time Nebraska has defeated a Top 25 opponent since January 2012 and the team snapped a five-game losing streak that gave coach Tim Miles his greatest win in his two seasons on the home court. But it didn’t come easily as the Huskers gave up a first-half lead of 14 points, underwent 17 turnovers and then needed a late 16-5 run in the second half to turn things their way.

Making 13 of its final 16 free throws was also a difference maker as well as Shavon Shields scoring 18 points (nine rebounds) and Deverell Biggs adding 11 points.

For the Buckeyes, this was quite a turnaround from their Jan. 4 game against Nebraska when they defeated them by 31 points. They haven’t won since and have now endured their longest losing streak since the 2007-08 season.

On Monday, Aaron Craft led in scoring with 12 points; LaQuinton Ross contributed 11 and Lenzelle Smith Jr. added 10 for Ohio State.

Ohio State coach Thad Matta said of his team via the Associated Press, “When something doesn’t go well, we’re not able to answer the call. We don’t have the mental toughness to make the next play. We’re clinging on the mistakes. We’ve got to play forward.”

After its string of losses, Ohio State now sits in the eighth spot in Big Ten conference standings. It will look to end this losing streak on Thursday when the teams hosts Illinois (13-6, 2-4). Ohio State sits at 25/1 to win the 2014 NCAA Championship.

Creighton Upsets No. 4 Villanova

In Monday’s second upset of the night, Creighton (16-3, 6-1) brought its 3-point A-game and defeated No. 4 Villanova (16-2, 5-1), 96-68.

Creighton’s Ethan Wragge had seven 3-pointers (nine for the night, tying a school record) in just the game’s opening six minutes. For the game, the team’s 21 3-pointers set a Big East record. This enabled it to take a 40-point lead at one point during the night. The Wildcats came within 13 but really, Creighton dominated the entire time.

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott simply said via NBC Sports, “That was one of the more incredible things I’ve ever been a part of as a coach.” For the team, it was the first time they defeated a Top 5 team since January 1970 and its first ranked one since 2007.

But there’s more: according to Elias, Monday’s win by an unranked team on the road against a Top 5 team is the biggest one in 20 years.

Doug McDermott and coach Greg McDermott

On Monday, Wragge wasn’t the only one hitting 3-pointers as teammate Doug McDermott nailed five, scoring 23 points for the night. According to ESPN Research, McDermott is now No. 22 on list for Division I all-time scoring.

Jahenns Manigat added four 3s and scored 19 points for the night.

Rewind to Saturday’s game against Providence (13-5, 3-2), an 81-68 loss, and Creighton only had four 3-pointers throughout it.

For Villanova, Monday’s game represented the worst loss for coach Jay Wright in his 13 seasons with the program. This comes as the Wildcats’ No. 4 ranking is its highest one since Feb. 15, 2010.

Look for this to change on Monday.

These two teams will meet again this season on Feb. 16. Creighton sits at 50/1 to win the 2014 National Championship while Villanova is 16/1.

Tuesday’s Games

A look at Tuesday’s Top 25 games include the following:

Indiana at No. 3 Michigan State (-12) (7:00 PM)

Texas A&M at No. 14 Kentucky (-14.5) (9:00 PM)

Clemson at  No. 20 Pittsburgh (-10.5) (8:00 PM)

No. 22 Kansas State at Texas (-5,5) (7:00 PM)