Big tests loom for remaining unbeaten teams NO. 6 GONZAGA (13-0) Why they started hot: Nigel
As conference play starts, there are but a few unbeaten teams in college basketball. Previously undefeated No. 2 UCLA fell Wednesday, thanks to a three-pointer from Oregon’s Dillon Brooks.
Two of the five remaining teams without a loss meet Saturday in a New Year’s Eve showdown as defending national champion Villanova (13-0) visits Creighton (13-0) in a matchup between the Big East’s best teams. The Bluejays have been one of the young season’s biggest surprises and figure to give the Wildcats a tough test on a sure-to-be-raucous CenturyLink Center home court.
Of the remaining undefeated teams, here’s an outlook on how they’ve excelled and when each could be dealt its first loss:
NO. 1 VILLANOVA (13-0)
Why they started hot: The Wildcats have simply found ways to win, starting with a three-point victory against Purdue (Nov. 14), a narrow escape against Notre Dame (Dec. 10) and finally a victory against unexpectedly tough DePaul on Wednesday. The formula has been what it usually is for Jay Wright’s teams: great guard play and hot shooting (50.4% to rank 12th nationally).
Loss forecast: Obviously, playing on the road against the likely top Big East challenger in front of 17,000-plus fans adds to the difficulty in remaining undefeated. If Villanova survives Creighton, it doesn’t get any easier — next up is Butler, on the road, on Jan. 4 — though returning home helps in games vs. Marquette (Jan. 7) and No. 17 Xavier (Jan. 10).
NO. 4 BAYLOR (12-0)
Why they started hot: More than anything, Baylor has been efficient, ranking in the top 10 in field goal percentage (50.6% from the floor) and scoring defense (ninth, limiting opponents to 58.7 points a game). Scott Drew’s team takes good care of the ball, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.55, and that’s a large credit to point
guard Manu Lecomte (11.6 ppg, 5.4 apg). Meanwhile, Johnathan Motley (16.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg) has asserted himself as a key member of the frontcourt.
Loss forecast: It gets tough right away, with a matchup on the road at Oklahoma on Friday. Home games vs. Iowa State (Jan. 4) and Oklahoma State (Jan. 7) are easier — if there is such a luxury in the Big 12.
Williams- Goss (14.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.8 apg). The transfer from Washington has given coach Mark Few a crafty point guard to steer the offense, and he has been a perfect fit. One key statistic: Gonzaga is fourth nationally in field goal percentage defense, limiting opponents to 36.1% shooting. Yes, defense.
Loss forecast: The obvious answer here is Jan. 14 against Saint Mary’s, a viable West Coast Conference challenger that beat Gonzaga twice last season en route to the regular-season crown. But if the Bulldogs — who got past Pepperdine 92-62 on Thursday night in their league opener — take their foot off the gas, three consecutive upcoming road games — Pacific (Saturday), San Francisco (Jan. 5) and Portland (Jan. 7) — could do them in.
NO. 9 CREIGHTON (13-0)
Why they started hot: The offense has been spectacular; the Bluejays are averaging 89.8 points per game — led by Kansas State transfer Marcus Foster (18.8 ppg) — and rank second nationally in field goal percentage (54%). Mau- rice Watson Jr. leads the nation in assists with 9.1 a game.
Loss forecast: Luckily, the Bluejays draw Villanova at home. This game will feature two teams with fantastic backcourts, so the team that excels in the frontcourt could come out on top. Even if Creighton wins, two difficult road games (Jan. 4 at St. John’s and Jan. 7 at Providence) are on tap.
NO. 22 SOUTHERN CAL (13-0)
Why they started hot: Every year there seems to be an unbeaten team around this time in the season that has been the beneficiary of a relatively weak schedule. The Trojans have beaten decent teams — Texas A&M, Southern Methodist and Brigham Young — but not great teams. That said, Andy Enfield’s team is playing well. Six players are averaging near or above double figures, starting with Elijah Stewart (15.0 ppg).
Loss forecast: Friday at Oregon could be the first loss, given the Ducks’ momentum. Home games vs. Stanford (Jan. 5) and California (Jan. 8) are winnable, but games at Utah and Colorado will be challenges.