Six things we learned after a thrilling slate of men’s hoops

Six Things We Learned After a Thrilling Slate of Men’s Hoops

December 14 was a day college basketball fans had circled on their calendars for months. Even though some of the preseason hype was dulled by a few teams stumbling out of the gate, this past Saturday still delivered one of the most action-packed nonconference slates in recent memory. With 18 ranked teams hitting the hardwood, the day was brimming with drama, buzzer-beaters, rivalries, and upsets.

And boy, did it live up to the hype.

We saw jaw-dropping buzzer-beaters from Dylan Harper and Jordan Gainey. Rivalry games brought the heat, with Kentucky, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, and Rutgers all taking down their in-state foes. And let’s not forget the massive top-25 upset of the day: Dayton stunning Marquette. As conference play looms and storylines begin to take shape, here’s a breakdown of the biggest takeaways from this unforgettable weekend.

UConn’s Three-Peat Quest Is Still Alive

After the UConn Huskies took down Texas last weekend, head coach Dan Hurley had a message for the doubters. “Maybe the people with the shovels and the dirt, maybe they were too quick to grab the shovel and throw the dirt on us,” Hurley said. Fast forward to Saturday’s 77-71 win over Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden, and Hurley’s words are looking prophetic.

Since their rough showing at the Maui Invitational, where they dropped three games in three days, UConn has bounced back with four straight wins. This stretch includes victories over Baylor, Texas, and Gonzaga in just 10 days. The Huskies’ defense has tightened up on the perimeter, and freshman Liam McNeeley had a breakout game against the Zags, posting 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and zero turnovers. McNeeley’s second-half heroics suggest he could become a go-to player for UConn moving forward.

Looking ahead, UConn’s Big East schedule appears manageable for the next couple of months. They’ll likely be favored in every game through January, with road matchups against Villanova and Xavier posing the biggest challenges. By the time they face Marquette on February 1, don’t be surprised if the Huskies are back in the top five.

Kentucky’s Defense Could Be Its Achilles’ Heel

The Kentucky Wildcats continued their winning ways on Saturday, defeating rival Louisville 93-85. The return of Lamont Butler, who dropped 33 points on a perfect 10-for-10 shooting night, gave Kentucky a much-needed boost. With wins over Gonzaga and Duke already under their belt, the Wildcats are making a strong case for a top seed in the NCAA tournament.

Offensively, Kentucky is firing on all cylinders. They’re playing at a top-25 pace, hitting 37% of their three-point attempts, and showcasing a balanced attack with five different players leading the team in scoring across their 11 games. But their defense? That’s another story. Kentucky is ranked 45th in adjusted defensive efficiency on KenPom, and history isn’t on their side. No national champion since 1996-97 has finished a season ranked lower than 22nd in that category.

The Wildcats’ defensive struggles were evident against Louisville, as they allowed 85 points and forced just seven turnovers in a high-paced game. Kentucky’s defensive style doesn’t rely on forcing turnovers, which has left them ranked 340th nationally in opponents’ turnover rate. While their offensive firepower has masked these issues so far, even a slight improvement on defense could elevate this team to another level.

Arizona’s Season Is Spiraling

It’s only mid-December, but the Arizona Wildcats are already in trouble. After blowing a 13-point lead in the final 10 minutes against UCLA on Saturday, Arizona fell to 4-5. They didn’t score a single basket in the last 8:45, shot a dismal 2-for-16 from beyond the arc, and turned the ball over 22 times. Fifth-year senior Caleb Love continued to struggle in big games, finishing with just seven points on 3-for-10 shooting.

To make matters worse, Arizona will be without 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas indefinitely due to a lower leg injury. His absence puts more pressure on freshman Carter Bryant and redshirt sophomore Henri Veesaar to step up. With Big 12 play on the horizon, Arizona’s season is at a crossroads.

Purdue’s Big Ten Dominance Is in Question

The Purdue Boilermakers entered the season as the Big Ten favorites, but their third loss of the year on Saturday has opened the door for other contenders. Without Zach Edey, the first back-to-back Wooden Award winner in 50 years, Purdue’s defense has taken a hit. Their loss to Texas A&M highlighted these struggles, as the Aggies neutralized Purdue’s key players and forced costly turnovers.

Meanwhile, Illinois is emerging as a legitimate threat. Despite a narrow loss to No. 1 Tennessee on Saturday, Illinois showcased its defensive prowess, holding the Vols to their lowest offensive output of the season. Guard Kasparas Jakucionis is playing at an All-American level and could challenge for Big Ten Player of the Year honors.

Other Big Ten teams like UCLA, Michigan State, and Maryland are also making noise, setting up what should be a thrilling conference race.

Texas A&M Is a Sleeper to Watch

The Texas A&M Aggies are quietly building an impressive résumé. Their 70-66 win over Purdue on Saturday was a defensive masterclass, as they stifled Purdue’s top offensive threats in what was essentially a road game. Head coach Buzz Williams has his team thriving in gritty, hard-fought games, and their defensive prowess has led to wins over four top-50 KenPom teams.

While their offense remains a work in progress, the Aggies’ ability to neutralize opponents’ stars makes them a team no one wants to face come March.

Memphis Is Built to Last

After an embarrassing loss to Arkansas State last weekend, the Memphis Tigers bounced back in a big way, defeating No. 16 Clemson in overtime on the road. With wins over UConn, Michigan State, and Clemson, Memphis is proving it can compete with the best.

This year’s Tigers are the most offensively gifted team Penny Hardaway has coached, led by veteran shotmakers Tyrese Hunter, PJ Haggerty, and Colby Rogers. With a favorable AAC schedule ahead, Memphis is poised to make noise in March.