Villanova topples No. 1 KU
Jermaine Samuels spotted up, let the ball fly and — bang — the 3pointer swished, and some 20,000 delirious Villanova fans shook the arena. With time running out, the game on the line, Samuels was fearless.
“I just shot it unconsciously,” he said.
He did, and one more No. 1 got KO’d.
Kansas became the latest top-ranked team to fall in the wildest of basketball seasons, another week where it’s no fun at No. 1.
Samuels hit the winner with 20.5 seconds left to lead No. 18 Villanova (9-2) to a 56-55 victory on Saturday in Philadelphia, and the Wildcats became the only team to beat KU twice at No. 1 under coach Bill Self.
“The reason why No. 1 lost today is because they played a team that’s really good in their building,” Self said. “I don’t think it had anything to do with what anybody is ranked.”
Tell that to those who believe something is in the air at the top of the poll.
At this pace, the Big 12 Jayhawks (9-2) may get another run at No. 1. Kansas had moved up one spot to become the fifth team to top the poll this season. It is the first time the AP poll has had five different No. 1s before New Year’s Day; the record for an entire season is seven, set in 198283.
Get ready for a sixth when the Top 25 is released Monday.
“It’s just one of those years,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said. “There just isn’t one team that’s dominant.”
Barnes wins 700th: Jordan Bowden scored 19 points and Yves Pons tied a school record with six blocks on Saturday as No. 21 Tennessee (8-3) beat Jacksonville State 75-53 to give coach Rick Barnes his 700th career victory.
He’s the 22nd head coach to earn 700 career Division I wins and is the seventh active coach to reach that mark. The others are Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, North Carolina’s Roy Williams, West Virginia’s Bob Huggins, Coastal Carolina’s Cliff Ellis and Kentucky’s John Calipari.
But the news wasn’t all good for Tennessee.
After the game, fifthyear senior guard Lamonte’ Turner announced that he has thoracic outlet syndrome and will undergo season-ending surgery. Turner has been bothered by shoulder problems the last few years.
Also: Precious Achiuwa had 20 points and nine rebounds for No. 11 Memphis, which defeated Jackson State 77-49 . ... Isaiah Livers left with an apparent left leg injury, but No. 14 Michigan (9-3) rolled past Presbyterian 86-44 . ... Oscar Tshiebwe scored 19 points and Derek Culver added 15 as No. 25 West Virginia (10-1) overcame scrappy Youngstown State to secure a 75-64 victory.