Purdue’s reign atop the college basketball world continues, but there was a lot of movement just below the Boilermakers last week.
Here’s everything you missed in Week 6 of the season and the latest Associated Press men’s college basketball poll.
Houston recovers from Alabama loss, eliminates Virginia
Houston is back on track.
Just a week after the Cougars blew a 15-point lead and gave up their season opener against Alabama, Houston rallied for another top-five win on Saturday. The Cougars held on to beat No. 2 Virginia 69-61 Saturday in Charlottesville, taking them to 11-1 on the season and officially handing the Cavaliers their first loss of the year.
Kelvin Sampson’s veteran squad also looked very solid throughout the game. After a close first half that had them neck and neck at halftime, the Cougars opened up a double-digit lead almost instantly coming out of the break. They shot 50% from the field in the last 20 minutes and completely stopped Virginia – something everyone else has failed so far. Virginia couldn’t score more than four points in a row in the second half.
“I’m not sure we can do this without the Alabama experience,” Sampson said. “You know, guys, they all think they’re Superman. It’s not about being a Superman, it’s about playing on a super team.”
The Cougars, who fell to No. 5 in the nation after their loss to Alabama, rose to No. 5 in the nation. 3 in this week’s poll. Only Purdue, which took the top spot last week for the first time this season, and UConn are ahead of them. Virginia fell four places with its loss to No. 6.
Although their loss to Alabama was a big mistake, the Cougars have once again proven themselves to be a legitimate national title contender this season.
Arizona scores another huge win ahead of Pac-12 game
The Pac-12 may have to go through Tucson after all.
After their title shot in Hawaii and another big win over Indiana earlier this month, the Wildcats got another huge resume builder on Saturday night. Arizona held off a tough Tennessee team at McKale Center to claim a 75-70 win and move to 10-1 on the season.
Azuolas Tubelis was down 19 points and had nine rebounds in the win, and 7-foot center Oumar Ballo was a force inside with 18 points and eight rebounds. The Wildcats, after entering the break tied, used a pair of big second-half defensive supports – including a nearly five-minute streak where they held Tennessee to just one basket – to clinch the win in five. points.
“In the second half, I thought we were a little more methodical and not as panicked,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. And look, we have to improve. We have to improve offensively. I think it will be a great teaching tool for us, but teaching after a win over Tennessee is a very good problem.
Arizona jumped to No. 1. 5 in this week’s poll, up four spots. Tennessee fell two spots to No. 8.
Top 25 Full AP
the Full AP Top 25 poll from Monday, December 12. 19:
1.Purdue (11-0)
2.UConn (11-0)
3. Houston (11-1)
4. Kansas (10-1)
5.Arizona (10-1)
6. Virginia (8-1)
7. Texas (9-1)
8. Tennessee (9-2)
9. Alabama (9-2)
10. Arkansas (10-1)
11. Gonzaga (9-3)
12. Baylor (7-2)
13. UCLA (10-2)
14. Duke (10-2)
15. Mississippi State (11-0)
16. Illinois (8-3)
17. Wisconsin (9-2)
18. Indiana (8-3)
19. Kentucky (7-3)
20. TCU (9-1)
21. Virginia Tech (11-1)
22. Miami (11-1)
23. Auburn (9-2)
24. Marquette (9-3)
25. Arizona State (11-1)
Others with votes: Maryland 78, West Virginia 74, Xavier 71, Charleston 68, New Mexico 64, Memphis 59, North Carolina 36, Ohio State 33, Iowa State 26, Iowa 21, San Diego State 16, Utah State 10, Texas Tech 10, Michigan State 7, USC 7, Kansas State 5, Saint Mary’s 1
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