News now :Reflections on the AP poll: Duke’s men’s basketball team drops to the 11th spot, while North Carolina advances to the 4th position.

Reflections on the AP poll: Duke’s men’s basketball team drops to the 11th spot, while North Carolina advances to the 4th position.

With the ACC regular-season title potentially up for grabs, Duke narrowly missed staging a comeback in front of its home crowd at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The eagerly awaited rivalry game showcased two top 10 teams, with North Carolina ranked 7th and the Blue Devils in the 9th spot. Despite Duke’s recent impressive victory over N.C. State with a score of 79-64, the Tar Heels demonstrated superior readiness, seizing an early advantage in the first half and maintaining their lead throughout the game.

Senior guard RJ Davis and graduate center Armando Bacot, who are likely well-known adversaries for the Blue Devils, were overshadowed by Notre Dame transfer Cormac Ryan, who played a pivotal role in North Carolina’s notable victory. Ryan achieved a season-best performance, scoring 31 points while shooting 66.7% from the field and hitting 6 out of 8 three-point attempts. As Duke intensified their pressure in the closing minutes of the game, it was Ryan who calmly sank a crucial three-pointer and converted two free throws, effectively quieting the Cameron Crazies.

Despite several members of the Blue Devils squad delivering subpar performances throughout the game, sophomore center Kyle Filipowski proved to be a consistent force, particularly in crucial moments. Hailing from Westtown, New York, Filipowski led his team with 23 points and made two significant three-pointers in the latter half of the game. Despite Duke outscoring the Tar Heels 48-44 in the second half, their late surge was insufficient to overcome the early deficit. Ultimately, North Carolina secured the victory, completing a season sweep. Heading into the ACC Tournament, Duke slipped to the 11th position in the AP Poll, while North Carolina surged back into the top five, securing the 4th spot.

Changes within the SEC

During a week packed with fierce rivalries, the Wildcats traveled to Rocky Top aiming for an upset. No. 15 Kentucky managed to extend its winning streak to five games by defeating then-No.4 Tennessee on Saturday. Senior guard Antonio Reeves and freshman guard Reed Sheppard led the charge for the Wildcats, each contributing 27 points. Reeves, the team’s top scorer, had an impressive 60% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc and went 8-of-16 from the field. Similarly, Sheppard, a rookie representing his home state, showcased his talent by making 7-of-10 shots from 3-point range off the bench. Meanwhile, senior guard Dalton Knecht put up a season-high 40 points for the Volunteers, keeping them in the game. Despite Knecht’s efforts, Kentucky emerged victorious with an 85-81 win. Consequently, the Wildcats rose to No. 9 in the AP rankings for the week, while Tennessee maintained its position in the top 5, holding onto No. 5.

Houston cements its position as the leader.

After securing the Big 12 regular-season championship, the Cougars affirmed their status as the nation’s top team this week. Despite Kansas emerging victorious in their previous encounter on Feb. 3, Houston asserted its dominance in their latest showdown, outclassing the Jayhawks with a commanding 76-46 win. Senior guard Jamal Shead led the Cougars with 13 points, supported by fellow senior guard Damian Dunn, who contributed 12 points off the bench. Notably, Houston’s bench players accounted for 27 of their 76 points, effectively stalling any momentum for Kansas and ensuring a sustained lead throughout the game. With Kansas already trailing 40-21 going into the second half, their leading scorer Kevin McCullar did not return to the game due to a knee injury. Additionally, transfer center Hunter Dickinson, a key contributor for Kansas, was limited to just 11 points and suffered a shoulder injury in the second half. Despite these setbacks, Houston maintains its stronghold at the top, while Kansas finds itself ranked at No. 16 for the week.

Complete standings.

• Houston
• UConn
• Purdue
• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Arizona
• Iowa State
• Creighton
• Kentucky
• Marquette
• Duke
• Auburn
• Illinois
• Baylor
• South Carolina
• Kansas
• Gonzaga
• Utah State
• Alabama
• BYU
• Saint Mary’s
• Washington State
• Nevada
• Dayton
• Texas Tech

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