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NCAA Basketball: Duke rises in latest top 25 power rankings after crazy Saturday

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 26, 2022; Moraga, California, USA; Saint Mary's Gaels center Mitchell Saxen (10) celebrates with Gaels guard Tommy Kuhse (12) after the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at University Credit Union Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2022; Moraga, California, USA; Saint Mary's Gaels center Mitchell Saxen (10) celebrates with Gaels guard Tommy Kuhse (12) after the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at University Credit Union Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Bryson Williams Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Bryson Williams Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Texas Tech Red Raiders

The Red Raiders statistically have one of the best defenses in all of NCAA Basketball and their play in the Big 12 has proved it. Their season-low in points allowed was 40 against Omaha early in the campaign and they almost bested that last week, giving up just 42 points in a blowout win over Oklahoma. Davion Warren was the high scorer in that game, with Bryson Williams chipping in with 13.

A bigger matchup awaited them on the road against in-state foe TCU, a team currently on the bubble and was in need of a signature resume win. It looked as if Texas Tech was on its way to getting the big win but a second-half comeback by the Horned Frogs snapped a four-game win streak for the ranked team in a 69-66 loss. Williams had 21 points and the team shot 58% from the field but 20 turnovers committed didn’t help matters.

The good news for the Raiders is that they have two of the bottom-tier teams in the Big 12 coming up to end the schedule before the conference tournament. Even with the TCU setback, this team is still a likely 3 seed in the conference tournament, and if Kansas loses to TCU once this week, could slide up to the two spot.

11. Tennessee Volunteers

After a rough scoring output last week against Arkansas, the Vols got a nice rebound effort on the road at Missouri, winning 80-61. Kennedy Chandler led all scorers with 23 points, leading the team without much of John Fulkerson after a previous injury.

But the real test for them was against the No. 3 Auburn Tigers at home on Saturday. Tennessee was down for a good chunk of the game but they were able to mount a second-half comeback, scoring 42 points in the final 20 minutes to win, 67-62. Four players were in double-digits, led by 14 points from Santiago Vescovi. It was an elite defense effort by the Vols, with enough offense to get the massive top-3 win.

If Tennessee can get by Georgia on the road, the regular-season finale against Arkansas will be a potential top-10 matchup, with SEC Tournament seeding on the line.

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