The best men's SEC-ACC, Big 12-Big East games to watch
The 2024 edition of Feast Week brought us the best week of November men's college basketball in recent memory: There were upsets, last-second shots and an endless supply of marquee games that led to an upending of the AP men's Top 25 poll.
Hope everyone is rested and recovered.
Because we already have entered another incredible stretch packed with games that will have an enormous impact on next week's rankings -- and the upsets already have started.
The SEC/ACC Men's Challenge and the Big 12-Big East Battle highlight the docket -- and the SEC got off to a roaring start on Tuesday, winning its first nine matchups. The ACC's lone victory didn't come until the 10th game -- the final one of the night -- but it was the most impactful result thus far. Clemson handed No. 4 Kentucky its first loss of the season.
And there's plenty more to come: On Wednesday, there will be four games involving Top 25 teams -- and two games matching up top-10 teams. ESPN's Myron Medcalf and Jeff Borzello are breaking down the best men's college basketball games this week.
Clemson Tigers70, Kentucky Wildcats66
This was a massive win on Tuesday for Clemson. Ian Schieffelin (20 rebounds) was fantastic on the glass, while Jaeden Zackery and Chauncey Wiggins both hit big shots in the second half. The Tigers have now won each of their past four games against AP top-five opponents; according to ESPN Research, they're only the third team ever to do so and the first sinceUTEPfrom 1985 to 1992.
So what went wrong for Kentucky? Put simply, its outside shots weren't falling. The Wildcats made three of their first six 3-pointers and then made just four the rest of the game. After making one trey on the first possession of the second half, they made just one over the next 19 minutes, a stretch that didn't end until Lamont Butler made one with two seconds left in the game. For an offense that leans heavily on its shooting prowess, things really became bogged down late in the contest in the half-court game. Otega Oweh tried to get his own shot, Jaxson Robinson tried to get his own shot and so did Andrew Carrand Butler. But none of those guys is meant to be a primary shot creator on a consistent basis. Brad Brownell's defense showed up, and Kentucky's shooters didn't respond.
The Tigers are coming off an Elite Eight appearance, but they didn't receive much hype entering the season. Now, they're 8-1, with the lone loss coming in a true road game atBoise State. They are pretty clearly a top-four team in the ACC, and this is the type of win that will have staying power come Selection Sunday.-- Borzello
No. 15 Baylor Bears at. No. 25 UConn Huskies
Big 12-Big East Battle | Wednesday | 6:30 p.m. ET | FS1
After three losses in three days at the Maui Invitational, UConn fell to 25th -- a drop of 23 spots -- in the latest AP poll. The conversation about that disastrous trip and Dan Hurley's antics have been the main themes around the program, but the Huskies are also desperate for a signature victory. This home matchup against a top-25 Baylor squad precedes a pair of games against Texas and Gonzaga. The Huskies need some good news. -- Medcalf
No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 20 North Carolina Tar Heels
No. 5 Marquette Golden Eagles at. No. 6 Iowa State Cyclones
Big 12-Big East Battle | Wednesday | 8 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Even after Marquette lost key pieces from last year's squad, including star Tyler Kolek, Kam Jones (19.6 PPG, 6.3 APG, 45 percent from beyond the arc) has emerged as the new leader and a potential Wooden Award winner for an undefeated team. But the only blemish on the resume of Iowa State, which has connected on 61 percent of its shots inside the arc thus far, is a two-point loss to Auburn in the Maui Invitational last week. Both programs deserve more acknowledgement as potential Final Four teams. -- Medcalf
No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks at Creighton Bluejays
No. 2 Auburn Tigers at No. 9 Duke Blue Devils
SEC/ACC Men's Challenge | Wednesday | 9:15 p.m. ET | ESPN
Auburn entered the week ranked first on KenPom and second in the first NET rankings from the NCAA. Adding a road victory over Duke would strengthen Auburn's case for the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press poll. Meanwhile, Johni Broome vs. Cooper Flagg is a battle between two national player of the year candidates. Flagg has had multiple mishaps toward the end of key games this season. He'll get another chance to prove he can carry his team to a victory against a top opponent. -- Medcalf
