Reviewing Week 3, and previewing the week ahead.
Week 3 Quick Hits
ACC – North Carolina (10th), and Duke (12th) are the only ranked teams. Pittsburgh (6-0), Stanford (6-0), and NCST (5-0) are all undefeated. Duke had a 14 point win at Arizona yesterday, with Cooper Flagg scoring 24. Pittsburgh is 14th overall in the KenPom rankings, with the 21st rated offense, and 13th rated defense.
Big 12 – There are six teams in the Big 12 which are ranked (Kansas 1st, Iowa State 5th, Houston 7th, Baylor 13th, Arizona 17th, and Cincinnati 18th). Kansas, Iowa State, Cincinnati, Colorado, and BYU are undefeated. Cincinnati destroyed Georgia Tech 81-58 yesterday. In the KenPom rankings, the Big 12 has 4 of the top 9 overall.
Big East – Four teams in the Big East (UConn 2nd, Creighton 14th, Marquette 15th, St. John’s 22nd) are ranked. DePaul, Marquette, Providence, Xavier, and UConn are undefeated. The Huskies, Red Storm, and Golden Eagles are all in the Top 13 of the KenPom rankings. Marquette followed up their win over Maryland with a 76-58 win over Purdue.
Big Ten – Five teams in the Big Ten (Purdue 6th, Indiana 16th, Wisconsin 19th, Rutgers 24th, and Illinois 25th) are ranked. Purdue is the top ranked Big Ten team in KenPom at 16th overall. The league does have 10 teams in the Top 36 of the KenPom rankings. Wisconsin, Oregon, Penn State, Indiana, and Rutgers are undefeated.
SEC – There are seven teams in the SEC which are ranked (Auburn 4th, Alabama 8th, Kentucky 9th, Tennessee 11th, Arkansas 20th, Florida 21st, Texas A&M 23rd). There are eight SEC teams which are undefeated (Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn, and Oklahoma). The SEC has 3 teams in the KenPom Top 10, and 6 teams in the Top 19.
Other
Gonzaga – Was 3rd overall in the latest AP Poll. Their 3rd overall in KenPom, with the top ranked offense, and 18th ranked defense.
VCU – Received 17 votes in the latest AP Poll, effectively ranking them 31st. They’ll drop after losing their last two games Seton Hall, and Nevada.
Memphis – Outside of Gonzaga, the Tigers are second highest ranked KenPom team which isn’t in the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, or the SEC. They are 30th overall, with the 45th ranked offense, and 24th ranked defense.
Boise State – The Broncos are 3-1 overall, and ranked 35th overall in the KenPom rankings.
Dayton – The Flyers are 5-0, and ranked 38th overall in the KenPom rankings.
Nevada – The Wolf Pack are 5-1, and ranked 39th overall in KenPom rankings. Number of decent wins on the resume already. The lone loss a 2 point game to Vanderbilt.
Scheduled Games Of Note This Week
All Percentages Are From ESPN’s Match-Up Predictor.
Pittsburgh vs. Wisconsin – The Panthers are a 55.7% favorite.
Memphis vs. UConn – Maui Invitational. UConn a 73.8% favorite.
Auburn vs. Iowa State – #4 vs. #5 in the Maui Invitational. Auburn a 62.6% favorite.
Dayton vs. North Carolina – Maui Invitational. UNC a 86.3% favorite.
Oregon vs. Texas A&M – Players Era Festival – Power Tournament. The Aggies are a 60.7% favorite.
Houston vs. Alabama – Players Era Festival – Impact Tournament. #7 vs. #8. Houston a 72% favorite.
Kansas vs. Duke – Vegas Showdown. #1 vs. #12. Duke a 69.8% favorite.
Texas A&M vs. Creighton – Players Era Festival – Power Tournament. The Blue Jays are a 51.4% favorite.
Rutgers vs. Alabama – Players Era Festival – Impact Tournament. Alabama a 81.8% favorite.
Arkansas vs. Illinois – Thanksgiving Hoop Showcase. #20 vs. #25. Illinois a 69.1% favorite.
Articles To Read
ESPN – Power Rankings
CBS Sports – Power Rankings
CBS Sports – 6 Breakout Surprises
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.