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NCAA Basketball: North Carolina, Gonzaga tumble on latest top 25 power ranking

By Joey Loose

Dec 2, 2022; Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA; Baylor Bears forward Caleb Lohner (33) drives on Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) in the first half at Sanford Pentagon. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2022; Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA; Baylor Bears forward Caleb Lohner (33) drives on Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) in the first half at Sanford Pentagon. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Virginia Cavaliers guard Isaac McKneely Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Virginia Cavaliers guard Isaac McKneely Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Virginia (7-0)

We know what to expect out of Virginia and Tony Bennett teams: great defense and sometimes some sluggish offense. Both of those aspects were on display this week, but it really didn’t matter much. The Cavaliers picked up their first road win of the season and held on to avoid upset in their other outing, getting the season off to an unblemished 7-0 start.

On Tuesday night, the Cavaliers got their toughest win of the season, clawing back from an 11-point halftime deficit to win 70-68 at Michigan. Playing as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the Cavaliers locked down defensively in the second half and got 18 points from Reece Beekman and 16 points from Kihei Clark. They were down at the half again on Saturday, this time to a much weaker Florida State squad, but pulled out a 62-57 win over the Seminoles, with Clark’s 18 points leading the way.

Already boasting wins over Baylor and Illinois, Virginia’s resume got a nice boost again this week with that first true road win. However, this team certainly looks more vulnerable, especially with how they played in these last two first halves. The defense still looks solid, but the offense was really scuffling on Saturday against the Seminoles. The Cavaliers will go to war with a feisty James Madison squad next week.

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