Saturday was a historic day for the game of basketball. For the first time in the history of college basketball, all of the top 6 teams in the AP Top 25 rankings all lost on the same day. It was also the first time ever that seven of the top ten teams all lost on the same day. All of the college basketball upsets that occurred could all have big implications in two weeks on Selection Sunday.
Recapping A Wild Saturday In College Hoops
#23 Saint Mary’s Controls #1 Gonzaga From Start To Finish
The first of the many college basketball upsets that happened yesterday came out west. Coming into Saturday night’s game against rival Saint Mary’s Gonzaga had not lost a game since December 4th. But that all changed that night. The Gaels controlled the game all the way from the opening tip-off to the final buzzer. SMC’s defense held Gonzaga to their worst scoring and shooting performance of the season. It was the first time this season the Bulldogs shot under 40% from the field in a game and the first time this season they scored less than 60 points in a game.
Colorado Blows Out #2 Arizona In Second Half To Win
In what was probably the biggest of the college basketball upsets yesterday was Colorado’s second-half domination of Arizona. The last time an AP top 2 team lost that badly to an unranked team? Virginia’s crazy loss to UMBC in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. The Buffaloes outscored the Wildcats by 21 points in the second half after being down five at halftime. Germany’s Tristan da Silva had 19 points to lead the four Buffs that scored in double figures. Jabari Walker had a 15 point 14 rebound double-double.
#3 Auburn Loses To #17 Tennessee In A Roller Coaster Of A Game
Both teams held double-digit leads during this game. While neither team played particularly well overall, it was a close game. The Vols out-rebounded the Tigers by a whopping 23 rebounds. Zakai Zeigler played well for Tennessee and was able to help neutralize Wendell Green Jr. It is the third loss in the last six games for Auburn and second in the last three.
#4 Purdue Falls In East Lansing
By the time the day was over, this game felt like it had weeks before, much less earlier on in the same day. Having lost three straight and five out of six coming into this one, Sparty was able to snap that streak and get back on track at the Breslin Center. Despite getting beaten badly on the glass, they were able to pull out a much-needed and revitalizing win. Also, Tom Izzo tied Bob Knight’s record for most wins at a Big Ten school by a men’s basketball coach with the win.
#5 Kansas Loses Nail-Biter To #10 Baylor
This game was another that was a bit of a roller coaster. Both teams took big leads at times. Kansas played really poorly down the stretch in this one though which is what caused them to end up losing the game to an undermanned Baylor squad, allowing them to get revenge for the 24-point loss they suffered in Lawrence earlier this month. Flo Thamba and Jeremy Sochan both came up big in this one.
#6 Kentucky’s Comeback Falls Short Against #18 Arkansas
These two teams have been playing better basketball than pretty much everybody recently. So you know it was going to be a good game. And that it was. In the end, Arkansas pulled out the close win behind 30 points from JD Notae and Jaylin Williams added 16 & 12. Wooden Award favorite Oscar Tshiebwe had another monster game, scoring 30 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. The Razorbacks have now won four straight games and thirteen out of their last fourteen.
#9 Texas Tech Upset By TCU
Jamie Dixon picked up one of his best wins yet as the head coach at his alma mater. Before the loss Texas Tech was another one of the hottest teams in the country, having won 9 of their last 11. Both teams played well but what it came down to in the end was the Horned Frogs taking advantage of too many Red Raider turnovers. TCU’s Mike Miles had another good game and lead all scorers with 26 points.
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