3. Gonzaga (6-1)
It’s been quite the week for Gonzaga, who looked like the heavy favorites a few days ago only to come falling back to the earth by the weekend. After easily dispatching of Central Michigan, the Bulldogs took it to #2 UCLA in Las Vegas, winding up with an 83-63 win that wasn’t really that close. Still in Vegas, they fell for the first time in another big matchup, losing 84-81 to a very talented #5 Duke squad, a game in which foul trouble caused issues for the Bulldogs.
This Gonzaga club is still very talented and one of the favorites to win the national championship, equipped with the best offense in the nation. The Duke result proved that the Bulldogs are not invincible and that they won’t march to the title game unbeaten once again. Still, another intriguing matchup awaits them this upcoming week against Alabama and certainly a chance to bounce back against a top-level opponent. Don’t read too deeply into this Duke loss; Gonzaga is the real deal.
2. Purdue (6-0)
The Boilermakers have now trudged through six games and are still handling all of their opponents and making it look easy. This past week saw them first take care of a very talented Villanova squad in an impressive 80-74 victory. Friday’s game was much less dramatic, as they took care of Omaha in a 97-40 laugher, by far their best defensive effort of the season, albeit against quite an inferior opponent.
Purdue’s offense looks really good, and the combination of Zach Edey and Jaden Ivey gives the Boilermakers the best sophomore tandem in the nation. Purdue is scoring points at a high rate and doing enough defensively, as evident in their two big wins so far against North Carolina and Villanova. While they’ll stay at home this next week, upcoming matchups against Florida State and Iowa could pose intrigue, though the Boilermaker should be favorites to start the year 8-0.
1. Duke (7-0)
Suffice to say, it was a good week for Duke. Unchallenged since their opening night win over Kentucky, the Blue Devils got another easy win at home against The Citadel on Monday, but the big challenge came on Friday night in Las Vegas. In an unexpected outcome, the Blue Devils upset #1 Gonzaga 84-81, getting big performances from Paolo Banchero (21 points) and Wendell Moore Jr. (20 points).
Duke picks up the most impressive win of the season, as the Bulldogs looked pretty unbeatable earlier in the week against #2 UCLA. Duke’s offense is rolling, the defense has played hard, and young contributors like Banchero look like the real deal. The challenges are not finished for Duke, who gets a tough road game at Ohio State this week in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, but also another shot to make a statement on the national stage.