The storylines typically overshadow speak about groups which have quietly hit their stride at this stage of the season.
This week alone, Purdue and Kentucky each claimed they’d a “Massive Z” in Wood Award winner Zach Edey and new arrival Zvonimir Ivisic, respectively. DePaul fired Tony Stubblefield after his workforce’s 3-15 begin. Now, a brand new coach will attempt to rebuild DePaul and lead this system to its first NCAA match look in 20 years. Good luck.
Illinois’ Terrence Shannon Jr., who was arrested in December on a felony rape cost, returned to the courtroom after a federal choose granted his request for a short lived injunction on the varsity’s choice to droop him. And the South Carolina Gamecocks, who one yr in the past received simply 11 video games in Lamont Paris’ first season on the helm, is already effectively previous that variety of victories, highlighted by beating ranked Kentucky for the second yr in a row Tuesday.
However the North Carolina Tar Heels have not seen themselves talked about a lot in nationwide headlines in current weeks. The Tar Heels most likely do not care, although. They have not misplaced since Dec. 16 they usually’re one of the best defensive workforce within the ACC. In addition they lead the league in offensive rebounding charge. Then there’s DaRon Holmes II and Dayton, who’ve received 13 video games in a row and must be favored in each Atlantic 10 sport the remainder of the best way. Auburn in the meantime had not solely entered the week on a wild 11-game profitable streak, it additionally received each sport by a mean of 20.9 PPG earlier than its first SEC loss Wednesday at Alabama.
Proper now, a number of the finest groups in America are quietly marching towards the NCAA match whereas different groups get the headlines. Maybe that may make them much more harmful within the postseason.
All odds from ESPN Wager.
Friday, 8 p.m. ET, FS1
Tom Izzo mentioned the photographs would fall — finally. Following a loss to Duke within the Champions Traditional, Michigan State’s 3-point share by way of three video games (8-for-50) was this system’s worst begin in 25 years. A surprising flip for a squad that had made 39% of its 3-point makes an attempt (No. 3 within the nation) final season. However Izzo was proper. The photographs started to fall once more.
Getting into its highway sport at Wisconsin, Michigan State had made 40.5% of its 3-point makes an attempt in Massive Ten play. The Badgers (42% in league play) have been higher. However they’re going through a Spartans workforce that has received eight of its previous 10 video games. Greg Gard’s workforce crushed Michigan State in East Lansing earlier this season, however Izzo has defeated Wisconsin on the highway in 4 of their previous 5 conferences in Madison.
Medcalf’s decide: Michigan State, 78-75; Towards the unfold: Michigan State (-2.5)
Kansas State (14-4, 4-1 Massive 12) at No. 11 Houston (17-2, 4-2)
Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, ESPN
The season did not precisely begin out as deliberate for Jerome Tang. Desi Sills, Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell, three key gamers from the magical Elite Eight run final March run, moved on to pursue professional careers. Then, Nae’Qwan Tomlin (10.4 PPG final season) was suspended and subsequently faraway from the workforce after an incident at a bar. Nonetheless, the Wildcats entered the week with a 4-1 file in Massive 12 play, which was ok for a primary place tie with Texas Tech.
They’ve additionally entered, nevertheless, their most tough stretch, starting with Houston. The Cougars stumbled early of their new league with back-to-back highway losses at Iowa State and TCU this month, however have now received three in a row and sit at first in adjusted defensive effectivity on KenPom. 9 of their opponents this season have failed to attain greater than 50 factors towards them. Plus, L.J. Cryer (11-for-23 from the 3-point line over the previous three video games) is on hearth proper now.
Medcalf’s decide: Houston, 63-53; Towards the unfold: Unavailable at time of publication
No. 7 Kansas (16-3, 4-2 Massive 12) at No. 23 Iowa State (14-4, 3-2)
Saturday, 1:30 p.m. ET, CBS
At this level within the season, each coach within the nation hopes to solidify their rotations. Positive, eight or 9 guys might need performed in many of the video games in November and December. When you attain late January, nevertheless, it is time to establish the beginning 5 and one or two gamers who can come off the bench. The latter is usually the distinction between who survives in March and who goes dwelling early.
During the last week, each Kansas and Iowa State have discovered a spark of their rotation that has strengthened their postseason hopes. In 4 video games as a starter for the Jayhawks, 6-foot-9 Australian ahead Johnny Furphy has averaged 14.5 PPG and linked on 48% of his 3-point makes an attempt after changing four-star recruit Elmarko Jackson. In the meantime for the Cyclones, Curtis Jones has stepped up. On Saturday at TCU, with Tamin Lipsey (14.5 PPG, 5.6 APG) out attributable to a shoulder damage, the 6-4 guard completed with 17 factors and 7 steals within the 73-72 win. Each are promising developments for each groups.
Medcalf’s decide: Kansas, 83-81; Towards the unfold: Unavailable at time of publication
SEASON TOTALS
Medcalf’s picks straight up: 26-15
Towards the unfold: 19-22