March Madness Begins: SEC Shows Its Muscle
Ahhhhh, March! The glorious month of college basketball arrived on Saturday with a slate that was anything but ordinary. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has been flexing its collective muscles all season, and it sent a powerful reminder to the nation by giving us three top-20 matchups on the opening day. The most dramatic moment of the day came in Knoxville, where Tennessee’s Jahmai Mashack hit a 40-footer at the buzzer, securing a 79-76 victory over Alabama. Rick Barnes’ team rallied from a 76-72 deficit with just 36 seconds left, scoring the game’s final seven points in a wild finish that epitomized the unpredictable nature of March Madness. The SEC’s strong showing on the first day of March is a testament to its depth and competitiveness, with 13 teams on track to make the NCAA Tournament.
Auburn’s Unstoppable Run
Elsewhere in college basketball, Auburn and Duke reinforced their status as the nation’s top two teams. The Tigers displayed their dominance in a 94-78 win over Kentucky in Lexington, holding the Wildcats without a field goal for close to 11 minutes. Bruce Pearl’s squad claimed the outright SEC regular-season title, improving to 27-2 overall. Miles Kelly was a standout, drilling nine triples and scoring 30 points, while Chad Baker-Mazara added 22. Even with Johni Broome shooting just 3-for-9 and Denver Jones attempting only two shots, the Tigers’ offensive surge was relentless. Their defensive prowess and ability to answer every challenge make Auburn a generationally great team. The SEC’s elite performance this season, with Auburn losing just one league game, is a clear indicator of the conference’s strength and depth.
Duke’s Unassailable Wagon
Duke, too, continued its streak of dominance with a 100-65 rout of Florida State. The Blue Devils have now won six straight games, all by at least 18 points. A moment of concern arose when Cooper Flagg exited in the first half with an eye injury, but he returned in the second half to contribute 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Duke’s ability to maintain such a high level of play, even with key players like Tyrese Proctor (out with a knee injury) sidelined, underscores the depth and talent of Jon Scheyer’s team. It’s no surprise that Duke is ranked No. 1 in KenPom; their consistency and overall excellence make them a favorite to go far in the NCAA Tournament.
Florida’s Offensive Arsenal
While Auburn and Duke have led the conversation this season, Florida is quietly making a strong case for itself. The Gators’ 89-70 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday night was particularly impressive, thanks to their offensive firepower. Despite All-American guard Walter Clayton’s off-night, shooting 3-for-13 from the floor and 2-for-8 from downtown, Todd Golden’s team still managed to dominate. Senior guard Will Richard was the star, scoring 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting, while big man Thomas Haugh posed significant matchup problems for the Aggies, contributing 17 points on 7-of-10 from the field. The Gators’ 21 assists highlight their team chemistry and offensive balance. With such a versatile and potent offense, Florida is a team to watch as we approach the NCAA Tournament.
St. John’s Resurgence
The St. John’s Red Storm are more than just back—they’re champions. For the first time since 1985, the Johnnies clinched the outright Big East regular-season title with a 71-61 win over Seton Hall, led by RJ Luis with 21 points. The game was played in front of a third consecutive capacity crowd at Madison Square Garden, a testament to the renewed excitement around the program. Rick Pitino, at 72 years old, has written one of the best chapters of his Hall of Fame career by elevating St. John’s to a level not seen in four decades. Pitino is now the first college coach to win a regular-season conference title at five different schools, and with his 880th career win on Sunday, he surpassed Dean Smith for seventh all-time. The story of St. John’s resurgence is one of the most inspiring narratives of the season, and the team’s success is a reflection of Pitino’s coaching prowess.
Bubble Teams and Shifting Dynamics
The weekend also saw significant movement among bubble teams. Iowa State and Texas Tech made strong statements, with the Red Raiders securing a 15-triple victory at Allen Fieldhouse and the Cyclones avenging an earlier loss to Arizona. JT Toppin’s addition from the transfer portal has been a game-changer for Texas Tech, and Milan Momcilovic’s ability to create matchup problems with his 3-point shooting made a significant impact for Iowa State. Both teams are now in strong positions to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. On the flip side, Arkansas suffered a 19-point loss to South Carolina, a result that could push the Razorbacks out of projected tournament fields. Georgia, however, improved its prospects with a quality win over Florida and a dominant road victory at Texas. The Longhorns, despite their earlier success, now face an uncertain future, and head coach Rodney Terry’s seat is heating up. In the Big Ten, Indiana’s performance against Washington, led by Malik Reneau, and their upcoming game at Oregon will be crucial in determining their tournament fate. Nebraska’s recent loss to Minnesota has put them back on the bubble, while Xavier’s 22-point win over Creighton, with Zach Freemantle and Ryan Conwell combining for 43 points, has significantly bolstered their chances of making the NCAA Tournament.
Top 25 Teams: The Elite and the Contenders
John Fanta, a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports, provides his top 25 teams for the season. Auburn (27-2) and Duke (26-3) sit at the top, followed by Houston (25-4), Florida (25-4), and Tennessee (24-5). St. John’s (26-4) and Alabama (23-6) round out the top seven, with Michigan State (24-5) and Texas Tech (22-7) close behind. Clemson (24-5), Iowa State (22-7), Wisconsin (22-7), Louisville (23-6), Maryland (22-7), Memphis (24-5), Saint Mary’s (27-4), Missouri (21-8), Purdue (20-9), BYU (21-8), and Marquette (22-7) are also among the elite. The list concludes with Michigan (22-7), Kentucky (19-10), VCU (24-5), Vanderbilt (20-9), and UC San Diego (26-4). Each of these teams has shown moments of brilliance and resilience, making the upcoming NCAA Tournament a highly anticipated and competitive event.
John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in various capacities, from calling games on FS1 to hosting the BIG EAST Digital Network and providing insightful commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him at @John_Fanta for more great stories and analysis.
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