18. 21. Get the latest NCAA basketball news, scores, stats, standings, and more from ESPN. The biggest question for Iowa as a potential Final Four team: will the defense hold up? Keyontae Johnson has the look of an All-SEC player and potential All-America candidate. Published: Oct. 26, 2020 at 2:52 PM EDT KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - ESPN announced that plans to hold early-season college basketball … NC State (3-0)Three blowout wins, all over inferior competition. Ruocco has worked with Lobo and Rowe on the network's WNBA coverage for … ESPN on YouTube features up-to-the-minute sports news coverage, scores, highlights and commentary for NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, College Football, NCAA Basketball, Soccer, … North Carolina (3-1)Early signs are positive that the Tar Heels have put last season behind them. The defense remains elite — but could still get better if teams stop knocking down 3-pointers against the Cavaliers (usually a Virginia strength) — and the offense is better than it was last year, if still not quite what Virginia is capable of. I joined the College Sports PR team in March 2016. College Basketball Power Rankings: Where Saturday's blowout leaves Texas, Kansas . Oregon (1-1)It usually takes Oregon a bit of time to jell with so many new moving pieces, but with Will Richardson out with an injury, it might take the Ducks a bit longer to reach their ceiling. 22. The program has won two NCAA titles, been to 13 Women's Final Fours and won 23 Pac-12 regular-season and 13 league tournament titles. But Duke has also shown flashes in its other two games of the kind of talent on hand in Durham. Once they get there, Tennessee could have two All-SEC candidates in John Fulkerson and Yves Pons, while 247Sports Composite five-star freshmen Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer fill out a deep and athletic group of wings. The Badgers are close to an undefeated start, with the lone blemish coming via a two-point loss to a solid Marquette team. 13. West Virginia (4-1)A 4-1 start with the lone loss coming to Gonzaga is a nice early-season résumé, particularly since Oscar Tshiebwe hasn't quite hit the ground running as a scorer yet. 24. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn. Some of that has to do with the fact that pretty much every formula includes some semblance of preseason expectations. Get the latest NCAA college football news, scores, stats, standings, and more from ESPN. Creighton looks dangerous, if only because the Bluejays are 15th nationally in effective field goal percentage despite having a slow start from behind the arc. A big part of that is how dominant the Red Raiders have been against overmatched teams—Texas Tech blasted Northwestern State, Sam Houston State, Troy and Grambling State by an average of 37.5 points per game. The attention surrounding the Liberty vs. Coastal Carolina football matchup is even greater following ESPN's announcement yesterday. While the 2020 college football season winds down with a national championship matchup set for a week from today, the 2020-21 college basketball season is in … 15. But the only time Texas Tech played a team ranked above 271st in KenPom’s standings was a clash with Houston, with the Cougars landing a 64-53 victory. He played the second-most minutes of any Wisconsin player against Marquette and looks set for a big role. It was always a dream of mine to work at ESPN, and here I am! Cutting down on the turnovers is a must. And with the willingness this year for the top teams to take on each other, almost every team in the sport has had a real test or two. on Wednesday morning to discuss the teams that could possibly be cutting down the nets this spring. Joey Hauser's outside shooting is a nice addition, and Rocket Watts showed what he's capable of with 20 points against the Blue Devils. Both 2021 UNC Basketball recruiting commits have moved up in the latest ESPN Top 100 rankings that were updated this week. Instead, he’s averaging 34.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, a career-best 2.7 blocks and doing it all while shooting 76% from the field, 62.5% from 3 and 80.8% from the free throw line. ESPN Networks Television Schedule (subject to change) As the men’s and women’s college basketball seasons have tipped off, key ESPN employees in programming and production spoke with Front Row about the approach and strategy for this unprecedented season.. From scheduling flexibility to game productions and calling games from home, here’s insight from ESPN Director of Programming and Acquisition, Dan Ochs; Vice President of … Ramey's block turns into a dunk for Texas (0:21) Texas guard Courtney Ramey elevates for a … play. 11 of the Nation’s Top 25 Included in Slate ; This week’s ESPN women’s college basketball schedule will feature 10 televised match-ups and more than 130 additional offerings across digital platforms. Games will be available across ESPN, ESPNU, ACC Network, Longhorn Network, SEC Network, ESPN+ and ESPN3. Houston (4-0)The Cougars could actually be underrated—by virtue of BPI, the Cougars' win over Texas Tech was the second-best win by any team this season. ESPN’s college basketball schedule will be announced in the coming days. Visit ESPN to get up-to-the-minute sports news coverage, scores, highlights and commentary for NFL, MLB, NBA, College Football, NCAA Basketball and more. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo could have something special with this year's Spartans, who look to be better than expected this season. 25. 19. When it comes to picking the best teams in college basketball, the numbers can occasionally disagree with the eye test. Like Michigan, the Buckeyes have taken care of business against teams they should. Please note: Due to the ongoing changes related to the college basketball season, ESPN will unveil TV and digital schedules on a week-to-week basis. Like Oklahoma, the Wolfpack have been terrific behind the arc so far this season, with a four-out attack featuring Jericole Hellems at the four (who has made 5-of-7 from deep so far). ESPN's Basketball Power Index (BPI) — the twin to the network's popular Football Power Index (FPI) — attempts to answer that question. Here's how BPI has the nation's top teams ranked. Upcoming Live Events and Commentators (by sport), James Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content, ESPN and Southeastern Conference Reach a New 10-Year Agreement, Play-by-play duties will be handled by a number of commentators, including, Fans will continue to see familiar faces as, ACC Network coverage will include analysts, Longhorn Network will surround the network’s exclusive Texas men’s basketball games with studio programming that includes. ESPN Events ESPN Events NCAAM Basketball Scoreboard Top 25 Division I A 10 ACC ASUN Am. The Wolverines have won their first four games, all by double digits, though 1) that includes an overtime win over Oakland and 2) none of their opponents are in KenPom’s top 100. 1 and pushes one of those two teams almost out of the top five. Syracuse isn't in the top 25 on either major statistics site, KenPom or BartTorvik. Facebook Twitter Flipboard uproxx.it. The UConn-Baylor rivalry is underappreciated, but Thursday's matchup (8:30 p.m. And while there are some canceled or postponed matchups that would have further helped separate the wheat from the chaff, BPI offers a different — and unbiased — look at the at which teams are standing out early on this season. A former mid-major coach himself, Vitale tries to find … At the same time, the Jayhawks have shown flashes — particularly in five-guard lineups with Jalen Wilson at the five — of a strong team. 1 and Baylor No. Interestingly enough for a team where the lack of a true center was a concern heading in, the Buckeyes lead the nation in 2-point percentage defense. Hailing from the great Garden State, I graduated from Seton Hall University (Go Pirates!) Do most coaches think we should be playing college basketball right now? But ESPN's BPI likes the Orange at a wholly different level, despite a strength of record that ranks 60th nationally. Yep, the No. The first big game for Creighton comes Tuesday, at Kansas. We asked other coaches where they stand in the debate about playing during the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. 25 in KenPom. Covers college basketball Joined ESPN.com in 2011 Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato. The college basketball season is a couple weeks old. Freshman Cam Thomas has been as advertised, averaging 22.3 points per game. ESPN’s college basketball coverage will be enhanced by the best voices in the sport, with commentators bringing their knowledge, experience and analysis across all ESPN platforms. 20. Duke awaits Tuesday. Texas (4-1)The Longhorns pulled off a clutch win over North Carolina to win the Asheville version of the Maui Invitational, then showed well in a four-point loss to Villanova. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; … And unsurprisingly, there are some fairly big changes from the polls. Ohio State (3-0)Like Michigan, the Buckeyes have taken care of business against teams they should. ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale has never been afraid to praise mid-major teams. Even so, Wisconsin appears to have found an immediate impact newcomer in freshman Johnny Davis who could add an extra element to the Badgers on down the line. So which teams are standing out as college basketball's best? © 2005-2021 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Duke (2-1)The Blue Devils weren't ready for their close up at Champions Classic against a deep and more physical Michigan State team. 2. Caleb Love and RJ Davis makes for a fun backcourt, and few teams can match North Carolina's four big men on the glass. Add in the way Creighton takes care of the ball, and you're looking at one of the nation's best offenses. ACC/Big Ten Challenge Presented by Continental Tire, Media contact: Anna Negrón at [email protected] or 860-256-1757; @ItsAnnaNegron. Illinois (3-1)The Fighting Illini started off the season with two blowout wins before collecting a close victory over Ohio and getting out-slugged in a 13-point loss against Baylor. Coach K has argued for the season to be paused. Schedule changes will be reflected here, as well as @ESPNPR. And with the willingness this year for the top teams to take on each other, almost every team in the sport has had a real test or two. NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN is turning to a familiar face to women's basketball fans for its top college broadcast team.Ryan Ruocco is joining Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe for the lead announcing team this season. Derek Culver has been terrific, and Deuce McBride makes for a nice scorer out of the backcourt. Penn State on Sunday represents the biggest challenge so far. 16. 23. But it’s interesting that BPI has Baylor ranked higher at this point; KenPom has Gonzaga No. Penn State on Sunday represents the biggest challenge so far. Syracuse's defense has been excellent—the Orange rank in the top 60 nationally in each of KenPom's four factors (shooting, turnovers, rebounding, and free throw rate), and the Orange have been playing at a faster-than-usual tempo offensively. Big 12 Now on ESPN+ 2020 college football quotes of the year that almost wasn't. The Virginia Cavaliers have been flirting with disaster just a bit so far; part of why Virginia has dropped all the way to No. Visit ESPN to view men's NCAA basketball team stats, schedules, rosters and more ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg went on Get Up! As with any formula at this point, preseason expectations are still a part of which teams are ranked at the top. Bringing the best players, matchups and stories to viewers, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ABC, ESPNEWS, SEC Network, ACC Network, Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and Longhorn Network will air hundreds of games each week, including digital platforms ESPN3, ESPN+, SEC Network+ and ACCNX. 11. ESPN networks are expected to present nearly 2,500 men’s college basketball games across 27 conferences during the 2020-21 season. Tennessee (0-0)The only team to rank this high in BPI without playing a game so far, we're all still waiting to see the Volunteers on the court. 17. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer doesn't hesitate to give much of the credit to her players as she is on the verge of becoming the Division I leader in women's college basketball victories. Wednesday brings a date with Michigan State and a better look at what Virginia is capable of, but it could be a tough matchup for a team with a loss to San Francisco and a near-miss against Kent State. 1 team in BPI already has a loss. ESPN Events ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of 35 collegiate sporting events nationwide. NEW YORK -- ESPN is turning to a familiar face to women's basketball fans for its top college broadcast team.. Ryan Ruocco is joining Rebecca Lobo … To welcome back the sport and kickoff the new season, this year’s tip-off marketing campaign showcases the best of college hoops on ESPN featuring Jay Bilas. Kansas (4-1)It's tough to decide what exactly to make of the Jayhawks, who were largely outclassed in a 12-point loss to Gonzaga and trailed with under two minutes left against a winless North Dakota State team. The college basketball season is a couple weeks old. Follow on Twitter. The college basketball world was robbed of a delicious matchup between Gonzaga and Baylor on Saturday. 14. And now, it will be robbed of seeing the Bulldogs for the foreseeable future. "After speaking with our team doctors and medical staff, I'm confident that Chris will make a quick and full recovery," head coach Mick Cronin said. Michigan (4-0)The Wolverines have won their first four games, all by double digits, though 1) that includes an overtime win over Oakland and 2) none of their opponents are in KenPom’s top 100. 2021 Basketball Class Rankings 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 … Villanova wrapped up the weekend with a win over Texas, one of the biggest wins of the season from a metric standpoint. Best Voices in the Sport In a college football season unlike any other, there were plenty of inspiring athletes who spoke out, from Mississippi State RB Kylin Hill to Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller. Before joining ESPN, I served as a Public Relations Associate for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. East American Big 12 Big East Big Sky Big South Big Ten Big West C-USA CAA Horizon Ivy MAAC MAC MEAC MVC Mountain West NEC OVC Pac-12 Patriot SEC … CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. (Photo: Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports). If the Orange can shoot from the outside at the level they're capable of, Syracuse could exceed expectations. But the Bears are a worthy top team after three wins by 13 or more points, including an 82-69 victory over Illinois. ET, ESPN) … The next big challenge could come on Dec. 17, when Texas Tech opens its conference slate against Kansas. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; UCLA senior Chris Smith will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee during the Bruins' win over Utah on Thursday, the school announced Saturday. ESPN has plenty of good people broadcasting college basketball. Other than that, Wisconsin has largely done what it’s supposed to do. The Bears’ defense and physicality has been impressive so far, and it would have been fun to see Davion Mitchell and Mark Vital try to become the first team to shut down the ‘Zags. (Photo: LSU Athletics - Athletics' Eye Photography), (Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski, USA TODAY Sports), (Photo: Jeffrey Becker, USA TODAY Sports), (Photo: David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports). And some of it has to do with the fact that already this year, there aren’t many teams who 1) have tested themselves and 2) emerged unscathed. Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; The transition to college basketball is always difficult for freshmen, but the learning curve has steepened even more this season with limited offseason time, shortened preseasons and a choppy first month and a half of the season that saw dozens of games canceled or postponed. For a team with this kind of outside shooting potential — Creighton returns most of its key pieces from a team that shot 38.7% from 3 in Division I games last year — the Bluejays currently rank 133rd nationally in 3-point field goal percentage, but are shooting a blistering 66.3% from inside the arc. Interestingly enough for a team where the lack of a true center was a concern heading in, the Buckeyes lead the nation in 2-point percentage defense. This is a team that's shooting an incredible 44.2% from behind the arc and claimed its first Big 12 win against TCU. Kai Jones has been excellent, averaging 20 points per 40 minutes while mostly playing off the bench. Gonzaga has paused its team activities through Dec. 14 after positive COVID-19 tests, meaning the next scheduled time the Bulldogs will take the court for a game will come on Dec. 19 against Iowa. ESPN networks are expected to present nearly 2,500 men’s college basketball games across 27 conferences during the 2020-21 season. Alabama's Nate Oats wants to play on. This is the biggest difference of all the top five teams. LSU (3-1)This still looks like Will Wade's most talented team on the Bayou, though it took a loss to one of the nation's better mid-major teams for this season in Saint Louis. ESPN College GameDay is … But now there's some on-court evidence to add in, with some teams passing their early tests and others not quite stepping up to the fore. ESPN cancels college basketball bubble events in Orlando, Vols impacted The Orlando tournaments were supposed to be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and run through the first two weeks of the season beginning on Nov. 25. Sunday brings a big conference matchup against Texas. With a more loaded roster around him, the thought was that his production could drop off a bit from that mark. Get in depth college basketball recruiting class rankings, ranking trends, and more on ESPN. All games will be available in the ESPN App. While the two polls have anointed Gonzaga and Baylor at the top of the nation (in differing orders), BPI has a different No. In a loaded year for Big 12 teams, Texas Tech stands out as the league’s second-best squad, per BPI. The UNC Basketball program has two … And college football coaches still said some pretty weird stuff. Four of Villanova’s games have come against teams in KenPom’s top 85 so far, and the Wildcats have won three of them, with the lone slip up coming against Virginia Tech in overtime. Dan Shulman is a personal favorite. ESPN’s College Basketball Bubble Tournaments In Orlando Will No Longer Happen. Houston's backcourt is certainly in the conversation among the nation's best and deepest, and Brison Gresham has held up well defensively at the center spot for a team that has been tough to score on. Danny Manning, all-time leading scorer at the University of Kansas and former Wake Forest head coach for the past six seasons, brings playing and coaching experience to the network as he joins ESPN’s commentator roster. Wisconsin’s defense has been excellent, the offense has been efficient and the Badgers have looked like a team that fields five senior starters. About a month into the college basketball season, fans have gotten a pretty solid look at which teams could be separating as the sport's best. Robby Kalland Twitter Senior Sports Writer. Some wondered how Luka Garza’s encore season after winning Sporting News’ National Player of the Year honors last year would go. 12. with a degree in sport management, where I not only sang the National Anthem at games, but was also a member of the Seton Hall Sapphires Dance Team and a student reporter for Pirate Sports Network. Saturday's tangle with Florida State should provide a clearer look at this year's Gator squad, which is playing significantly faster and with more confidence this year. October 26, 2020. Why UConn-Baylor is the best rivalry in women's college basketball. Bringing the best players, matchups and stories to viewers, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ABC, ESPNEWS, SEC Network, ACC Network, Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and Longhorn Network will air hundreds of games each week, including digital platforms ESPN3, ESPN+, … (KY3) By Alivia Harris. 17 on KenPom. Texas has tremendous depth, and its experience in the backcourt has paid off so far this season. Florida (3-0)Were all the predictions for Florida's success just a year off? Don't sleep on Michigan State's ability to play multiple, and different, post players depending on what they need to match up with their opponents, either. Oklahoma (2-0)The Sooners are one of the surprise picks here, though they've also climbed to No. It’s a shame college basketball fans didn’t get to see Baylor take on Gonzaga on Saturday. He’ll face his first legitimate frontcourt on Tuesday, when Iowa hosts North Carolina and one of the deepest group of post players in the country. The ‘Zags have shown plenty to be ranked this highly (or higher) so far, scoring 62 paint points against Kansas and 60 against West Virginia in strong wins over two of the Big 12’s best teams, sandwiched around a 23-point win over Auburn. Matthew Hurt has scored 20-plus points in two of Duke's three games, while Jalen Johnson has had his moments. Michigan State has big-time depth and legitimate defensive potential, and the Spartans showed that in out-toughing a Duke team that was favored to beat Michigan State at Champions Classic. Even Kansas' top victory, over Kentucky at Champions Classic, appears overvalued at this point. Biggest surprises and disappointments of the 2020-21 college basketball season.