NCAA Basketball: Top 10 player performances from Saturday's loaded slate

When the season schedule was released, December 14th was the date every CBB fan circled. There were plenty of big games, including top teams having to go on the road and some key neutral site matchups with importance. Based on the results, here's a look at the 10 biggest individual performances from that day.

10. Skyy Clark (UCLA) - 15 points in 57-54 win over Arizona

Clark came into the game averaging under five points a contest but not only tripled that production, but he also played great defense in limiting Arizona to no made field goals in the final eight minutes of the slugfest victory. It was easily the best-scoring game of the season for the Louisville transfer, and it happened at the right time.

9. Zeke Mayo (Kansas) - 26 points in 75-60 win over NC State

Rylan Griffen, David Coit, and AJ Storr combined for just seven points on 3/10 FG. But the former Summit League POY guard more than made up for it with a season-high point total, including 5/9 from three-point range.

8. Nate Santos (Dayton) - 12 points and 13 rebounds in 71-63 win over Marquette

Nine of the senior’s 12 points came in the second half, including six in the final couple of minutes to seal the win for the Flyers. While it was far from the gaudiest of statistical performances, Santos helped deliver arguably the most important win from any team on Saturday, giving Dayton a signature victory for its resume.

7. Mark Sears (Alabama) - 27 points and 4 assists in 83-75 win over Creighton

Efficiency had been something the All-American guard has struggled with early this season, but that wasn’t the case on Saturday, shooting 8/15 from the field (4/7 from deep) to produce a season-high point total in a good home win over a quality Creighton squad.

6. Tyrese Hunter (Memphis) - 23 points in 87-82 OT win over Clemson

With few opportunities left for Memphis to get quality resume wins, they landed a Quad 1 road win at Clemson, thanks to five made three-pointers from Hunter, helping offset a rare off-game from PJ Haggerty. Honorable mention also goes to Colby Rogers, chipping in with 22 points for the Tigers.

5. Lamont Butler (Kentucky) - 33 points in 93-85 win over Louisville

Kentucky led Louisville the entire game, but the Cardinals always remained within reach. The Wildcats could answer them every time thanks to Butler, who dropped a game-high total with six made three-pointers. Think it’s safe to say he’s healed from his previous ankle injury.

4. Dylan Harper (Rutgers) - 24 points in 66-63 win over Seton Hall

The stud freshmen duo of Harper and Ace Bailey (21 points) carried Rutgers to a big home rivalry win but Harper gets the credit, thanks to a game-winning shot to avoid overtime.

3. Johni Broome (Auburn) - 21 points, 20 rebounds, and 6 assists in 91-53 win over Ohio State

It was the top statistical performance of the day, with Auburn destroying Ohio State by around 40 at one point. The senior big man stated his case for being the National Player of the Year favorite, but the game's lopsidedness drops him down a bit here.

2. Liam McNeeley (UConn) - 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists in 77-71 win over Gonzaga

In a game where the Huskies shot poorly and had no other starters in double figures, the 6’7 freshman wing picked the perfect time to have his best game of the season. His 10 early points gave UConn the early lead, and his baskets towards the end broke the 55-55 tie in the second half, which sealed the big victory for them.

1. Jordan Gainey (Tennessee) - 23 points in win over Illinois

Chaz Lanier has been the star for the Vols all season but he had 17 points on 5/17 FG versus Illinois. The star for them was Gainey, who posted a season-high 23 to keep Tennessee in the win column, including the game-winning basket at the very end.

When you’re the reason why a team is No. 1 in the next AP top-25 poll, that’s a good case to have the top performance on the day.