Auburn continues to shine in college basketball, securing the top spot in the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the seventh consecutive week. The Tigers impressed voters with recent victories over Arkansas and Georgia. They also strengthened their lead in the SEC, now sitting two games ahead with only four games to go after a thrilling 110-98 victory over Missouri.
This win had ripple effects in the rankings, pushing Alabama down to sixth place from fourth, while Missouri jumped from 18th to 14th.
The Big Ten has become a tight race with the end of the season approaching. Michigan State grabbed first place by defeating Michigan 75-62 last Friday. Spartans guard Jase Richardson had an outstanding game, scoring 21 points and grabbing six rebounds.
Despite struggling with three-point shooting this season, Michigan State found their rhythm against the Wolverines, hitting 9 out of 22 attempts from beyond the arc. For Michigan, though, head coach Dusty May emphasized the importance of keeping a long-term perspective. The team is just half a game behind Michigan State, so winning their next four games is crucial for a shot at the conference title, especially with a rematch against the Spartans on March 4.
Michigan State now faces a challenging week against Maryland and Wisconsin. Both teams are right on their heels in the standings, so these games could significantly impact the title race.
In the Big 12, Houston is eyeing the No. 1 seed for the upcoming tournament. They hold a three-game lead over Texas Tech and Arizona, both of which suffered losses last week. Houston’s recent win against Iowa State eliminated the Cyclones from contention, as they now sit four games back with only four left in the schedule.
Last year’s championship matchup is fresh in the minds of Iowa State and Houston players. Cougars guard L.J. Cryer demonstrated this intensity by scoring a game-high 28 points against Iowa State. Despite missing their top two scorers due to illness and injury, the Cyclones managed to stay competitive, losing by less than ten points.
If anyone can challenge Houston, it might be Texas Tech, who hosts them soon. A Houston win there would solidify their chances for a fourth straight Big 12 regular-season title. The excitement in college basketball is building as teams race towards the finish line!
