February 1st, 2023 – College basketball fans experienced an early taste of March Madness on the first day of February as chaos reigned across the nation on Saturday. A staggering 11 AP-ranked teams fell, with eight of the top 15 succumbing to defeat. Among the top 10, teams like Iowa State, Houston, and Marquette all tasted home losses that left fans baffled.
In what had turned into a wild Saturday, Kansas State stunned Iowa State with an 80-61 victory. The Wildcats delivered a surprise home loss classified as Quad 3, further shaking up the rankings. Moreover, the Houston Cougars, who entered the day riding a 13-game winning streak, encountered trouble when they faced Texas Tech. Even after losing ambitious forward JT Toppin and coach Grant McCasland to ejections, the Red Raiders snatched an 82-81 overtime victory thanks to senior guard Chance McMillan’s clutch free throws.
Then there was Marquette, who faced a daunting challenge against a UConn team missing player Liam McNeeley. Marquette fell behind by 22 points at home, resulting in a loss that knocked them from the top 10 rankings. Similarly, Tennessee stunned fans by bouncing back effectively after losing key players Zakai Zeigler and Igor Milicic. They decimated a top-five Florida team by 20 points, showcasing their strong resilience.
Meanwhile, Kansas faced their own troubles. They experienced a major collapse, losing a 21-point lead against Baylor, and with it, they suffered one of the worst defeats in the team’s history since they allowed 60 points in the second half. This inconsistency could mean finishing outside the top three in their league for the first time in over 40 years.
As the tournament approaches, adjustments may come in the Top 25 rankings. Currently, Auburn leads at 20-1 after a win over Ole Miss, followed by Duke, who dominated UNC with a score of 87-70.
As NCAA basketball heads further into February, the expectations of fans and analysts alike rise. With surprises lurking in every game, it seems this season is poised to deliver even more excitement as teams battle for their place in March Madness.
