NCAA Update

Kansas Struggles in Big 12 Play:

The defending National Champion Kansas fell 7 spots in the AP rankings after last week’s games. The Jayhawks are now ranked 9th in the nation. They dropped 2 straight games for the first time this season. Kansas was not punished as severely as it could have been because both teams who defeated them were ranked in the top 15 in the country. Losses to TCU and Kansas State leave Kansas at 5-2, 2nd in the Big 12. 

Is UConn the Worst Ranked Team Right Now?

UConn somehow found a way to stay ranked despite dropping more conference games. The Huskies beat Butler on Sunday to end their 3 game-losing streak. They dropped consecutive games against St. John, Marquette, and Seton Hall last week to solidify themselves as the most fraudulent team in America. They entered all 3 games as the favorite as well as being the higher-ranked team. The Huskies spent 2 weeks ranked as the 2nd team in the nation. Over the past three weeks, they have dropped 17 spots in the national rankings. UConn is no longer the favorite to win the Big East. They will need a huge identity change in the locker room if they hope to bounce back from their recent struggles.

Small Schools Continue to Be Disrespected by AP Poll:

The Charleston Cougars continue to steamroll their competition in the CAA. Despite winning their games by an average margin of +20.3 points last week, the Cougars did not climb the rankings at all. The College of Charleston is having the same problems that TCU’s football program faced this season. They are an outstanding team thriving through a weak conference, but the committee does not respect them. They will likely remain stagnant until their next loss, which will plummet their ranking disproportionately to the actual importance of the game.

#1 Houston drops their first of the year to unranked Temple:

Over the past few years, Houston has been a powerhouse in the NCAA. This year they are ranked #1 in the country with only one loss to a very talented Alabama squad. Their rank has since changed after they were upset by Temple yesterday, 55-56. Temple has now knocked off Villanova and Houston this year. With this loss, Houston has since dropped to #3 in the AP rankings and now has a record of 18-2. Houston has a very talented team this year. Despite their most recent loss they look to get back into the win column on Wednesday as they go down to Florida to play UCF in an American Athletic Conference showdown.

Marquette continues their surge in the AP rankings:

Marquette took two more conference wins this week as they defeated Providence and Seton Hall. Marquette has been on a tear this season as they are now ranked #16 in the AP top 25. After their win-filled week, Marquette now has a record of 16-5 and is now 8-2 against the Big East. As they cross the mid-season mark, Marquette is looking to keep ranking up in hopes of having a good run in the tournament in March. They look to keep pushing their way up in the rankings as they face off against another Big East opponent, DePaul, on Saturday, January 28.