Roz’s Weekly Roundup: Big Blue, Ugly Uni’s, and the Tennessee Two-Step

Now that the dust has settled from rivalry week, two things stand out: 1) Kentucky is the favorite to cut down the nets in New Orleans, and 2) Nike’s platinum elite uniforms are an eyesore.

Going into the season, many looked Kentucky’s young but talented team on paper and saw a title contender.  After watching them play all year, I have no reason to label them any less than the favorite to win it all.  While they only go seven deep, their top six can all score at will.  But their best attribute is their defense, which will carry them deep into March.

Duke's Nike Elite platinum uniforms make us thankful that these games are broadcasted on the radio.

Kentucky is one of eight schools that has or will take the court donning Nike’s platinum elite uniforms.  I understand Nike prides itself on being the hip athletic apparel brand, but this is too much.  College basketball’s image relies on it’s iconic programs just as much as the players themselves. So when these jerseys walked onto to the college hoops scene, it makes us thankful for the radio.

Co-Teams of the Week:  Duke (21-4) and Kentucky (25-1)

Both of these teams played extraordinary basketball this week, so picking just one wouldn’t do the other justice.  Duke was down double digits in the second half at North Carolina on Wednesday and left for dead.  Thanks to Duke’s never-say-die attitude, Carolina’s poor perimeter defense, and Austin River’s ice-water veins, the Blue Devils stunned the Tar Heels 85-84.  Add a blowout win over rival Maryland on Saturday, and Duke is sitting pretty in the ACC.

The way John Calipari’s team has played this season, one could argue this is the best team he’s ever coached.  Kentucky is one step closer to running the table in SEC conference play; the first team since Big Blue in 2003.  Florida and Vanderbilt are still Kentucky’s biggest challengers to win the SEC, but the Wildcats beat knocked off both of them this week in impressive fashion.  After steamrolling an uninspired Florida team at Rupp Arena, they survived a difficult road test at Vanderbilt.

Other Teams that Impressed:

Tennessee (13-12):  Speaking of Florida’s struggles, how about giving some credit to the other team that beat them this week, the Tennessee Vols.  Cuonzo Martin’s defensive philosophy is finally starting to achieve results.  Coupled with the major win against Florida (their 2nd this year) in the O Dome, they beat South Carolina be 12.  This is easily their best week of the season, and they may only be scratching the surface.  If you look at their remaining schedule, the Vols two toughest games (Arkansas on Wednesday and Vanderbilt on March 3) are at home.  Also, congratulations to senior guard Cameron Tatum for notching his 1,000 career point against South Carolina.

Wichita State (22-4):  Two blowouts in two games, not a bad week.  The Shockers did just that to Creighton on Saturday, steamrolling them 89-68.  Creighton is not only the most efficient offensive team in the Missouri Valley, but they’re one of the best in the nation. Major kudos to Wichita for shutting down the Jays, especially Naismith hopeful Doug McDermott.

Syracuse (25-1):  The Orange have answered every challenge this year with flying colors.  Georgetown wasn’t intimidated by the Carrier Dome crowd.  For the first 28 minutes of Saturday’s game, neither was Connecticut (Both games drew over 30,000 fans).  However, Jim Boeheim’s squad squeaked by the Hoyas 64-61 in OT on Wednesday and wore out UConn 85-67 on Saturday.

Player of the Week:  Austin Rivers, Duke

Rivers is the biggest reason why the Blue Devils knocked off big-time rivals North Carolina and Maryland this week.  The fabulous freshman dropped 29 points in Chapel Hill including the game winning shot at the buzzer.  While he only scored 11 points against Maryland on Saturday, Duke was sluggish at the start of the game.  Rivers scored his points early to give the Blue Devils the boost they needed to overcome the Terps.

Honorable Mention:

Kris Joseph, Syracuse:  Guess the Orange found their go-to guy in crunch time.  Joseph dropped 44 points this week including 29  against Georgetown on Wednesday.  I still think he’s Syracuse’s best player, but Joseph was in a major shooting rut heading into the Georgetown game.  He answered his critics by shooting 9 for 15 from three this week, and sparking the Orange to two wins over rivals.

Jeff Withey, Kansas:  Usually when you think of a Kansas big man, Thomas Robinson is the first to come to mind.  However, T-Rob played second fiddle this week as Withey combined for 43 points, 25, boards and 10 blocks this week against Baylor and Oklahoma State.  He dominated the paint against Oklahoma State (18 points, 20 rebounds, 7 blocks), but the Cowpokes has no answer.

Shane Gibson, Sacred Heart:  Let’s show some love to a mid major, shall we.  While it’s a stretch to call Bryant a powerhouse program, but it’s safe to say Gibson has their number.  He dropped 64 points in two wins this week against the Bulldogs.

Top 25

Next Up: Wichita State, Temple, New Mexico, Iowa State, Vanderbilt

Dropped Out: 16 Creighton, 19 Harvard

What to Watch For this Week:

Monday

2 Syracuse vs. 21 Louisville – 7:00 PM EST on ESPN

Iowa State vs. 6 Baylor- 7:00 PM EST on ESPNU

10 Kansas vs. Kansas State- 9:00 PM EST on ESPN

Tuesday

8 Florida vs. Alabama- 7:00 PM EST on ESPN

3 Ohio State vs. Minnesota- 9:00 PM EST on ESPN

Wednesday

Northwestern vs. Indiana- 6:30 PM EST on Big Ten Network

New Mexico vs. 14 San Diego State- 10:15 PM EST CBS Sports Network

Thursday

22 Wisconsin vs. 13 Michigan State- 7:00 PM EST on ESPN

North Carolina State vs. 6 Duke- 9:00 PM EST on ESPN3

Bracket Buster Saturday

Drexel vs. Cleveland State- 11:00 AM  EST on ESPNU

Wichita State vs. Davidson- 12:00 PM EST on ESPN2

Buffalo vs. South Dakota State- 1:00 PM EST on ESPNU

14 UNLV vs. New Mexico- 1:00 PM EST on CBS

Akron vs. Oral Roberts- 2:00 PM EST on ESPN2

Nevada vs. Iona- 4:00 PM EST on ESPN2

13 St. Mary’s vs. 7 Murray State- 6:00 PM EST on ESPN

4 Ohio State vs. 25 Michigan- 9:00 PM EST on ESPN

Long Beach State vs. 15 Creighton- 10:00 PM EST on ESPN2

Sunday

2 Syracuse vs. Rutgers- 1:00 PM EST on ESPN