NCAA Basketball: BYU, Iowa State rise, Alabama, Memphis fall in top-25 power rankings
By Joey Loose
21. Wisconsin (5-1)
A week ago, Wisconsin wasn’t really on the radar, especially after losing a tough game at home to Providence. However, their performance this week at the Maui Invitational certainly puts them back on the map. The Badgers took care of Texas A&M 69-58 and then upset #12 Houston, holding on for a 2-point victory over the Cougars. In the title game, Wisconsin held on to beat Saint Mary’s 61-55 and claim the Maui Invitational championship, getting a total of 71 points from Jonathan Davis across the three games.
The Badgers played their best game of the season when they needed it most against Houston and are getting that defense in prime shape again this year. They haven’t allowed more than 63 in a game to this point, though there may be some early concerns about their outside shooting, which has been a struggle. Still, Wisconsin’s performance this past week helps salvage a Big Ten that has been mostly disappointing out the gates. Next week they get two more chances to prove themselves, heading to Georgia Tech on Wednesday and welcoming an upstart Marquette squad a few days later.
20. Seton Hall (4-1)
With their big moment of the season being a big win at Michigan nearly two weeks ago, it’s almost poetic justice that the Pirates would pick up their first loss of the season in their next game at the hands of Ohio State. Jared Rhoden had 29 points in their opening game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off, but the Pirates fell 79-76 in a fantastic game. Two days later, Seton Hall got some redemption, winning 62-59 over California to salvage their Florida trip, getting a 21-point effort from Rhoden.
The Pirates played fantastic defense to open the season, but it wasn’t quite as efficient in Fort Myers. They also really struggled shooting the ball from long-range, with nobody outside of Rhoden making a huge impact offensively. The Pirates have been a bit of an early surprise, and certainly have the best true road win of the early season, but there’s still plenty to prove for this team. They won’t get much of a shot ahead, with home dates against Bethune-Cookman, Wagner, and D2 Nyack College on the schedule.
19. Alabama (5-1)
This past week certainly isn’t going exactly how Alabama expected at the ESPN Events Invitational. After a 4-0 start, all at home against mid-major foes, the Crimson Tide fell 72-68 to Iona in a big upset in the tournament’s opening round. They didn’t particularly play horribly against the Gaels, but couldn’t ever pull away and let Iona take care of business down the stretch. On Friday, they took care of an upstart Drake team in an 80-71 win to redeem themselves.
Alabama looks like a great team and is a program in fantastic shape. The loss to Iona was unfortunate but it shouldn’t define this team by any means. They’ll get another chance for redemption against Miami FL in the consolation championship, but then the Crimson Tide will need all hands on deck, as a matchup with Gonzaga looms on Friday. Clearly, they’ll have to perform at their best to upset the Bulldogs and prove that the top 10 ranking wasn’t a fluke.