Auburn Solidifies No. 1 Seed Status; Kansas Stumbles
Auburn Dominates Alabama, Inches Closer to History
The highly anticipated in-state battle between No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Alabama lived up to the hype, as Auburn emerged victorious at Alabama’s raucous Coleman Coliseum. The Tigers’ impressive outing against a strong opponent further solidified their dominance and has many wondering if a top seed has already been secured.
Auburn’s resume is unparalleled, boasting a staggering 23-2 record and an 11-2 mark in SEC play. They have stacked up high-profile wins week after week and are on the verge of setting a new record for Quad 1 wins in a regular season. With 14 Quad 1 wins already under their belt, they have plenty of opportunities to add more.
The Tigers’ overwhelming body of work suggests that they are virtually locked in as a No. 1 seed. Their ability to consistently defeat top-tier opponents provides a strong indication that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA tournament.
Houston, St. John’s Close In on Conference Titles
In other conference news, Houston and St. John’s made significant strides towards securing regular-season championships. Houston’s gritty victory at Arizona, where they held the Wildcats to just 10 points in the final nine minutes, extended their lead in the Big 12. St. John’s bounced back from a loss to Villanova with a win over Creighton, giving them a two-game advantage in the Big East standings.
Both Houston and St. John’s have some challenges ahead, but the cushion they have built will be valuable in securing favorable seeding in the NCAA tournament.
Kansas’ Inconsistency Costs Them
The top 16 reveal saw Kansas, a team that has struggled with consistency, surprisingly ranked as a No. 4 seed. However, the Jayhawks squandered this opportunity with a disappointing loss to unranked Utah. Their lackluster performance against the lowly Utes suggests that Kansas may once again fall short of preseason expectations.
With a 3-4 record in their last seven games, Kansas now sits in a three-way tie for fifth place in the Big 12. Their remaining schedule includes tough matchups against Texas Tech, Houston, and Arizona, making it unlikely that they will improve their seeding significantly.
Hurley’s Taunt Backfires
Connecticut coach Dan Hurley found himself in hot water after taunting Creighton fans following a hard-fought victory. His celebration was met with criticism, especially considering his team’s poor performance against Seton Hall in their previous game. The Huskies’ unpredictable trend continued with a shocking loss to the worst team in the conference, extending their losing streak to two games.
Hurley’s post-game behavior, which included complaining to referees, has overshadowed his team’s accomplishments and serves as a reminder that he needs to focus more on coaching and less on confrontational antics.
Bubble Teams Face Painful Weekend
The window for bubble teams to make their case is narrowing, and the pressure is mounting. Several teams on the cusp of the tournament field suffered disappointing losses over the weekend. Georgia, Southern Methodist, Kansas State, Villanova, and Arkansas all fell to defeat, further complicating their tournament hopes.
With time running out, these teams need to string together some wins if they want to secure a spot in the Big Dance.
Richard Pitino Elevates New Mexico
While Rick Pitino has stolen the spotlight in the Big East, his son Richard has been quietly leading New Mexico to a successful season. The Lobos are now at the top of the Mountain West after defeating Utah State in a thrilling victory. Their impressive record and impressive play in conference play suggest that they are a team to watch out for in March.
As the regular season winds down, the top teams in college basketball are separating themselves from the pack. Auburn looks like a virtual lock for a No. 1 seed, while Kansas’ inconsistency has cost them dearly. On the bubble, time is running out for teams to make their case, while New Mexico continues to impress under the guidance of Richard Pitino.
