Dude…
I can already hear the March Madness theme song ringing in my ears. It’s less than a month away from today that the tournament will be unveiled and the greatest weekend will commence. Who is winning it all? Key matchups happened this past weekend. I am here to give you the latest results to potentially help you fill out your bracket come March.
Auburn, Alabama and Mizzou???- In a highly anticipated showdown, the No. 1 Auburn Tigers asserted their dominance over the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide with a decisive 94-85 victory in Tuscaloosa. From the opening tip-off, Auburn controlled the game's tempo, never relinquishing their lead throughout the contest.
Auburn's Commanding Performance: The Tigers set the tone early, utilizing sharp perimeter shooting to establish a double-digit lead in the first half. Their offensive efficiency was evident as they outshot Alabama 46.2% to 38.6% from the field. Auburn's prowess from beyond the arc was particularly noteworthy, connecting on 12 of 30 three-point attempts, while Alabama struggled, making only 5 of 26.
Standout Players and Shooting Percentages
Alabama's Defensive Woes Continue:Following the loss to Auburn, Alabama's defensive vulnerabilities were further exposed in a subsequent matchup against the No. 15 Missouri Tigers. The Crimson Tide fell 110-98, marking their second consecutive defeat. Missouri's offense overwhelmed Alabama, shooting an impressive 60.3% from the floor. Alabama's head coach, Nate Oats, acknowledged the defensive shortcomings, stating, "We have to get better on the defensive end. Allowing over 100 points is unacceptable and jeopardizes our goals as we approach March."
Missouri's Remarkable Turnaround:The Missouri Tigers' victory over Alabama underscores a significant turnaround from the previous season, where they failed to secure a single SEC win. Now boasting a 20-6 overall record and a 9-4 mark in conference play, Missouri has ascended to a top-four position in the SEC standings. Key to their resurgence is the stellar play of Mark Mitchell, who delivered a career-high 31 points against Alabama. His aggressive play and ability to draw fouls were pivotal in the Tigers' offensive strategy. As March approaches, Missouri's blend of offensive firepower and defensive tenacity positions them as a formidable contender. Their dramatic improvement from last season suggests they could be a dark horse capable of a deep tournament run. In summary, Auburn's authoritative win over Alabama highlights their status as a national title contender, while Alabama's defensive issues raise concerns about their postseason prospects. Meanwhile, Missouri's impressive transformation signals their potential to make significant waves in the upcoming tournament.
Rock Chalk Chicken Hawk- The Kansas Jayhawks' 2024-2025 basketball season has been marred by unexpected setbacks and underwhelming performances, leading to growing concerns among fans and analysts alike. A recent low point was the 91-57 drubbing by BYU on February 19, 2025, a defeat that matched the largest margin of loss in Head Coach Bill Self's tenure.
Offensive Struggles
Offensively, the Jayhawks have been lackluster. According to KenPom rankings, they stand at 164th in offensive efficiency, a stark contrast to their historical performance. Averaging 75.3 points per game, they rank 145th nationally, indicating a mid-tier offense that struggles against formidable defenses.
Player Performance
Hunter Dickinson: The transfer from Michigan was anticipated to be a game-changer for Kansas. While he has shown flashes of his potential, his impact has been inconsistent, echoing critiques from his tenure at Michigan where his individual stats often didn't translate to team success.
KJ Adams: Adams' offensive contributions have been underwhelming. His shooting percentage stands at 45.8%, a figure that reflects his struggles to convert scoring opportunities.
Beyond the statistics, there's a palpable sense of disengagement on the court. Observers have noted a lack of urgency and cohesion among players, raising questions about the team's morale and leadership.
As the NCAA Tournament approaches, projections suggest Kansas may enter as a lower seed, such as a 7, 8 or 9 seed. This forces them into potentially facing formidable opponents early. Without a significant turnaround in both performance and attitude, the Jayhawks risk an early exit, a scenario that seemed improbable at the season's outset as they were the preseason #1 team in the nation.
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