College Basketball Is Wide Open, and Could Stay That Way

This college basketball season has been about much more than just the blue blood programs. The season has been wide open — four of the top five teams in the Associated Press Top 25 lost last week. Similar upsets are allowing several nontraditional names to step into the spotlight.

Things could very well stay that way all season.

Chris Beard will keep Texas Tech nationally relevant. The Red Raiders, who dropped out of the rankings at the beginning of December, again showed why they have become one of the toughest teams in college basketball since Beard became coach. Despite three consecutive losses and a leg injury to the star freshman Jahmi’us Ramsey, Texas Tech earned a signature victory last Tuesday over Louisville at Madison Square Garden. “It’s a confidence builder,” Beard said. “You’ve got to have success to validate what you’re doing every day.” Texas Tech, which made the national final last season before losing to Virginia, held Louisville to 34 percent shooting and 18 percent from 3-point range. It jumped to No. 24 in the A.P. poll on Monday, while Louisville dropped to No. 3.

Ryan Woolridge is Gonzaga’s unsung presence. The graduate transfer from North Texas has stabilized the Bulldogs’ backcourt after the losses of Josh Perkins and Zach Norvell from last season’s team. “He’s been our most valuable player,” Gonzaga Coach Mark Few said of Woolridge, who has averaged 9.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4 assists while defending against top players from other teams. In an impressive 4-point win over Arizona in Tucson on Saturday, Woolridge held Nico Mannion to just 7 points on 3-of-20 shooting.

North Carolina is officially facing a crisis. The Tar Heels are 6-4 after a home loss on Sunday to Wofford. North Carolina freshman Cole Anthony is also out indefinitely because of a knee injury. The 6-3 Anthony was averaging 19.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. The team’s supporting cast was in question before Anthony’s injury. No other player on North Carolina’s roster has made more than 10 3-point shots this season. The Tar Heels will next play Gonzaga on Wednesday in Spokane.

Source: The New York Times

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