NCAA Basketball: Purdue, Kentucky, Memphis rises, Baylor and Gonzaga falls in latest top-25 power rankings
1. Purdue Boilermakers - 10-1 (1-1 Big Ten)
After a 92-86 win over Alabama last weekend, Purdue had six days to prepare for what ended up being another shootout. This time, the Boilermakers were the rare underdogs ranking-wise, taking on the No. 1 team in NCAA Basketball, the Arizona Wildcats.
Yet Purdue, who was ranked No. 1 itself earlier in the month, had a soaring start to the game. The sophomore guard duo of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer had their best games together, combining with Zach Edey to make a lethal trio that Arizona couldn't beat. The Boilermakers were up double-digits at the half and although the game got tight late, Purdue pulled out the 92-84 win.
It was another great performance from the National Player of the Year favorite, going for 22 pts and a career-high 5 asts. Loter had 27 pts, while Smith went for 26, with the guards combining to make nine three-pointers.
Coaches currently on the hot seat in December. Coaches currently on the hot seat in December. dark. Next
Although Houston is still winless, no one can match the resume that Purdue has created. And losing to Boo Buie on the road isn't the worst loss in the world, though their losing to Chicago State makes it look tough. Still, I had the Boilermakers at the top and there's no reason not to put them back there after the big win.