Another weekend of upsets and shockers in NCAA hoops
The GIST: Another weekend, another slate of jaw-dropping scores on the hardcourt. The NCAA heard you can’t wait for March, so they’re delivering early. How’s that for a Galentine’s Day gift?
The men: Nine of the Top 25 teams lost this weekend, with seven falling to unranked opponents. Toss out any rankings-based expectations for the rest of this absurdly tumultuous season — this year is more unpredictable than a gift from Leslie Knope.
- The most shocking upset? The unranked Northwestern Wildcats downed the country’s best team, No. 1 Purdue, in a 64–58 rout yesterday. This marks the ’Cats’ first win over a No. 1 team in program history and Purdue’s second loss in three games. Flippin’ out.
- Also rocking the basketball world? A cold-blooded buzzer beater from guard DeAndre Gholston lifted his Missouri Tigers to an 86–85 win over No. 6 Tennessee Saturday, handing the Vols their second straight one-point loss to an unranked squad.
The women: No. 1 South Carolina silenced any doubters yesterday after demolishing the No. 3 LSU Tigers 88–64. By humbling the weak-scheduled Tigers with their first season loss, the 31-game win-streaking Gamecocks are now the only undefeated team in Division I basketball — women’s or men’s.
- While Player of the Year candidates Gamecock Aliyah Boston and Tiger Angel Reese posted just 14 points each, South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso stole the show with the game’s only double-double, putting up 18 points and 13 rebounds off the bench.
What to watch: Call the April Ludgate to your Leslie Knope because tonight No. 13 Ohio State will try to take revenge on the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers, aka the catalyst of the Buckeyes’ recent tailspin. See if Indiana can keep turning up the heat at 7 p.m. ET on BTN.
- Over on the men’s court, an upsetter takes on an upsettee. Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET on FS1 No. 20 Providence, who fell 73–68 to St. John’s on Saturday, hosts No. 23 Creighton, who earned a thrilling dub over No. 21 UConn the same day. Game on.
