The NCAA is considering expanding the March Madness tournament to 72 or 76 teams as soon as 2026, marking a significant shift from previous indications that expansion was unlikely, driven by financial and traditional considerations.
Indiana Hoosiers are set to face Miami (OH) RedHawks at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, with Indiana leading the historical series 22-3. Miami, led by standout players like Peter Suder and Kam Craft, has shown strong performance, particularly in 3-point shooting. Indiana, favored to win by KenPom and Bart Torvik, needs to focus on limiting turnovers and improving defensive communication to secure a victory. Both teams prefer a fast-paced game, and Indiana aims to build on their recent win against Sam Houston State.
In a night of upsets in college basketball, unranked Creighton defeated No. 1 Kansas 76-63, marking their second win over a top-ranked team in less than a year. Pop Isaacs led Creighton with 27 points, while Ryan Kalkbrenner added 17 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, No. 9 Duke overcame No. 2 Auburn 84-78, with Cooper Flagg scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds. Additionally, No. 25 UConn beat No. 15 Baylor 76-72, and No. 6 Iowa State handed No. 5 Marquette its first loss of the season, 81-70.
Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team lost to Florida Gators 87-69, marking their third blowout loss of the season. The Cavaliers struggled defensively and with turnovers, issues that have plagued them against top-tier teams. Andrew Rohde's performance highlighted the team's difficulty against athletic opponents. Despite these challenges, Virginia may perform better in ACC play due to the conference's current mediocrity, but an NCAA Tournament bid remains uncertain.
The Wisconsin Badgers suffered their first loss of the season, falling 67-64 to the Michigan Wolverines. Despite leading 32-24 at halftime, Wisconsin struggled defensively in the second half, allowing Michigan's big men, Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin, to dominate. The Badgers' offense also faltered, with key players like Max Klesmit missing crucial shots in the final minutes. Wisconsin's inability to finish strong, a contrast to their usual second-half comebacks, resulted in a tough defeat.
The Virginia Cavaliers secured a 67-41 victory over Holy Cross, marking a strong performance by players Andrew Rohde and Dai Dai Ames, who have been key offensive contributors this season. Despite the win, concerns remain about the team's frontcourt shooting and floor spacing. The Cavaliers are encouraged to give more playing time to freshmen Ishan Sharma and Anthony Robinson in less competitive games. Upcoming matches against Florida and SMU will test Virginia's progress. Additionally, the team's new throwback uniforms have been well-received by fans.
The Florida Gators basketball team secured a 75-58 victory over Wake Forest in the ESPN Events Invitational, marking their seventh consecutive win this season. Despite a slow start, Florida's strong performance in the second half, led by their backcourt trio, ensured the win. The Gators will face Wichita State next in the tournament.
The Auburn Tigers have emerged as a top contender in college basketball after winning the Maui Invitational, defeating high-ranked teams like Iowa State, North Carolina, and Memphis. Johni Broome, Auburn's standout player, delivered exceptional performances, averaging 21.7 points, 15 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 4 blocks over three games, earning him the Maui Invitational MVP. Auburn's success is attributed to their deep roster and strong defense, positioning them as a potential top seed for March Madness. Coach Bruce Pearl praised the team's unity and resilience, highlighting their potential for a successful season.
The Oregon Ducks continued their trend of second-half comebacks, defeating No. 20 Texas A&M 80-70 at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Despite a poor shooting first half and being down by 10 with 10 minutes left, Oregon went on a decisive 16-0 run to secure the win, improving their season record to 6-0. Key players included TJ Bamba with 18 points and Jackson Shelstad with 16 points and 4 assists. Oregon's upcoming schedule includes challenging games against San Diego State and USC.
The 2024 Battle 4 Atlantis basketball tournament kicks off with eight teams, including Gonzaga, Indiana, and Louisville, competing over three days in the Bahamas. Indiana, making its debut in the event, faces Louisville in the opening game. Gonzaga enters as the favorite, while teams like Arizona and Oklahoma aim to make strong non-conference statements. The tournament will be broadcast on ESPN networks, with games scheduled from November 27 to 29.
The Maui Invitational's first day delivered thrilling basketball with epic comebacks and intense matchups, marking one of the best opening days in the tournament's history. Auburn's dramatic win over Iowa State and North Carolina's comeback against Dayton highlighted the action. UConn's loss to Memphis featured coach Dan Hurley's fiery sideline antics, adding drama to the event. Michigan State's victory over Colorado was the least surprising of the day. The tournament's return to the Lahaina Civic Center after disruptions due to COVID and wildfires added emotional significance to the event.
The latest AP Poll Top 25 college basketball rankings for the 2024-25 season have been released after Week 3, with Kansas maintaining the top spot following a win over UNCW. UConn, Gonzaga, Auburn, and Iowa State round out the top five, all remaining undefeated. Notable upcoming matchups include Kansas vs. Duke and UConn vs. Memphis. Tennessee made a significant jump to 7th after a win over Baylor, while Marquette climbed to 10th. The rankings reflect early season performances, with several teams facing challenging schedules ahead.
Indiana Hoosiers are set to face UNC Greensboro Spartans in a non-conference basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Indiana, off to a strong start this season, is favored to win with a 94% chance according to KenPom, largely due to their advantage in the paint. Greensboro, led by coach Mike Jones, will rely on their three-point shooting to stay competitive. The game serves as a precursor to Indiana's participation in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament next week.
Marquette defeated Purdue 76-58, ending Purdue's 39-game nonconference regular-season winning streak. Marquette's Kam Jones achieved a triple-double, the first for the team since Dwyane Wade in 2003. Coach Shaka Smart praised Purdue's program despite the loss. Marquette rose to No. 8 in the CBS Sports rankings, while Purdue dropped to No. 9.
The Wisconsin Badgers narrowly defeated UT Rio Grande Valley 87-84, with John Blackwell leading the team with a career-high 30 points. Despite the win, Wisconsin struggled defensively, allowing 52 points in the first half and showing vulnerabilities against ball screens and rotations. The Badgers adjusted their lineup to counter the Vaqueros' pace, using smaller rotations and relying heavily on their wings and bench depth. Wisconsin's defense needs improvement for sustained success in future games.