NCAA Men’s basketball action is at a fever pace and every game counts as we begin the stretch run towards March Madness. The best teams from every major conference are fighting for a top seed come tournament time and the rest of the nation’s Division 1 teams are battling it out for an invitation to the dance. The following is a brief review of the top two or three teams in each of the major conferences along with a few teams to watch from the Mid Majors.
ACC
With big wins last week over Georgia Tech (86-67) and Boston College (66-63) Duke is still the team to beat in the ACC with an overall record of 19-4 and a 7-2 record in the conference. They are currently ranked #7 in the Coaches poll and are in first place with a ½ game lead over Maryland (16-6, 6-2). The only other ranked team in the conference is Georgia Tech at #20. The Yellow Jackets (17-6, 5-4) dropped one spot after the loss to the Blue Devils and a 73-71 win over N.C. State.
Big 12
Kansas remained #1 in the country with a 75-64 win over Nebraska and an 80-68 win over Texas. The Jayhawks are now 23-1 overall and 9-0 in the conference. Kansas State broke into the top 10 at #9 after beating Nebraska 76-67 and Iowa State 79-75. They are now 19-4 overall and 6-3 in conference play. #14Texas continues to drop in the polls after losing to Oklahoma 71-80. Last night’s loss to Kansas dropped them to 5-4 in the Big 12 and 19-5 overall.
Big East
In the midst of a 10 game winning streak, Syracuse finds them self tied with Villanova at 10-1 on top of the Big East. At 21-1 overall the Orange are now ranked #3 in the country. The #5 Wildcats (21-2 overall) bounced back from a tough 90-103 loss to #8 Georgetown with a huge 82-75 win over #4 West Virginia in Morgantown on Monday night. The Hoyas are 8-4 in conference play and 18-5 overall while the Mountaineers are now 8-3 and 19-4 overall. Pittsburgh (18-6, 7-4) dropped two spots to #23 despite wins over Seton Hall and Robert Morris.
Big 10
With #10 Michigan State losing 64-76 to Purdue last night, their third loss in a row in the conference the Big 10 race has suddenly tightened up. The Spartans (19-6, 9-3) are now tied atop the Big 10 with unranked Illinois (17-8, 9-3). #6 Purdue (20-3, 8-3) and #16 Ohio State (18-6, 8-3) are just a ½ game back. The Boilermakers have won six games in row and the Buckeyes have won six out of their last seven. #13 Wisconsin is a game back at 8-4 and is 18-6 overall.
PAC 10
California currently has a one game lead in the PAC 10. They are 15-8 overall and 7-4 in the conference. After losing to USC 63-66 they bounced back with a 72-58 win over UCLA. The PAC 10 title is completely up for grabs as there are five teams currently tied for second place at 6-5, just one game back.
SEC
Kentucky beat LSU 81-55 and Alabama 66-55 to go to 8-1 in conference play, 23-1 overall and remained ranked #2 in the country and in first place in the SEC. Vanderbilt (18-5, 7-2) moved into second place with a convincing 90-71 win over #12 Tennessee. The Commodores are currently ranked #24 and should move up in the polls with a win over LSU this Saturday. With the loss, the Volunteers fall to 6-3 in the conference and 18-5 overall.
Mid Majors
At #11, Gonzaga is now the highest ranked school from a mid major conference. With wins over Portland (76-49) and Memphis (66-58) they are now 19-4 overall and 7-1 in the WCC. #15 Butler has won 13 games in a row and is 21-4 overall and 14-0 in the Horizon Conference. BYU (22-3, 7-2 in the MWC) fell from #11 to #17 after losing to UNLV 74-88. #18 Northern Iowa is 21-2 overall and 12-1 in the MVC. New Mexico is ranked #19 and is 21-3 overall and 7-2 in the MWC. Temple is currently 19-5 overall, 7-2 in the A-10 and is ranked #21. Cornell (20-3, 6-0 in the Ivy Leagues) has won eight straight and is now ranked #22. UNLV broke into the top 25 at #25 and is 19-4 overall and 7-2 in the MWC.
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