No. 1 stunned. Again.

Rutgers beats top-ranked Purdue for second straight season. So who's the best in the Big Ten? Plus, Oklahoma State closes out a win, Kansas' 2022 dominance, and a touching story about a Virginia legend.

Author

Mike Miller
January 03, 2023

We're thinking about Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin today. He remains in critical condition at a Cincinnati hospital after suffering cardiac arrest during their game last night against the Bengals. He made a tackle, stood up for a few seconds, then collapsed and needed CPR on the field.

It was unnerving to watch it happen on TV. Can't imagine what it was like for the players and coaches on the field.

Take a moment today and think about your loved ones. Hug 'em if you can. I know I will.

1. Rutgers shocks No. 1 Purdue (again)

New rule: Whenever Rutgers plays Purdue, it's automatically the game of the night. And if the Boilermakers happen to be atop the polls? Well, get ready for some magic.

For the second straight season, the Scarlet Knights beat No. 1. Last year, it was a half-court buzzer-beater at home. This year, it was a 3-pointer by Cam Spencer with 13.3 seconds left that did the trick. The result was a Rutgers 65-64 win at Purdue. (Apparently, the venue doesn't matter?)

It wasn't a surprise that Rutgers was able to push its opponent. After all, the Scarlet Knights (10-4, 2-1 in Big Ten) are a controversial buzzer-beater away from a 3-0 league start, and their four losses are by a combined 16 points. Their defense is elite, and their roster is loaded with experienced players. That tends to put you in a position to win games.

"We know what's coming. What Rutgers did tonight didn't shock us," Purdue coach Matt Painter said. "If we were going to war, we'd stop by New Jersey and pick them up."

This wasn't a fluke, either. Rutgers controlled the game throughout and led by as many as 13 in the second half. But Zach Edey, limited by foul trouble for much of the first half, picked up steam and finished with a team-high 19 points. With 4:45 left, the Boilers earned a 55-54 lead, and the teams traded baskets. When Purdue's Fletcher Loyer hit a 3 with 30 seconds left, it again pulled ahead. And even after Spencer's 3, it had two looks for a win.

Rutgers had three players in double figured, led by Paul Mulcahy's 16.

"You need everybody on a roster to win a game like this on the road," Scarlet Knights coach Steve Pikiell said. "Everyone was ready to kind of chip in and do that."

Pikiell is now 5-1 in his last six games against Purdue (13-1, 2-1). Rutgers is the first team in Big Ten history to beat the same No. 1 team two seasons in a row (H/T Jared Berson). The last team to do something like that was Butler against Villanova in 2016-17 and 2017-18. It also leaves New Mexico as college basketball's lone unbeaten team.

So, this begs the question: Is Purdue the Big Ten's best team? Is it actually Rutgers? The AFTER DARK crew debated it.

It's not an unreasonable take. Purdue's still got the Edey, the frontrunner for National POY, terrific balance, and a coach who has claimed a few Big Ten crowns. But while Rutgers doesn't have the same sparkling record, it is not far behind in predictive metrics (Purdue is 8th on KenPom and Bart Torvik; Rutgers is 16th and 14th). Its experience and defense will go a long way; you just worry about their offense, which scores about as efficiently as Dayton and Seton Hall.

So maybe it's another Big Ten team.

  • Ohio State (10-3, 2-0) boasts better metrics than Rutgers and probably has more overall talent. But the Buckeyes are young, and their remaining schedule might be the most formidable.

  • Indiana (10-3, 1-1) has perhaps the highest floor among any Big Ten team, but without point guard Xavier Johnson there are concerns about its offensive ability.

  • Penn State (11-3, 2-1) is in the mix thanks to their shooting (55.8 eFG%; 17th on KenPom) and lack of turnovers (tops in TO%), and Jalen Pickett may very well end up as Big Ten POY. (Coach Micah Shrewsberry stopped by AFTER DARK on Sunday to discuss his team.)

  • No clue what to make of Michigan State (9-4, 1-1) or Michigan (8-5, 2-0) right now.

  • Maryland (10-4, 1-2), Illinois (9-4, 0-2), and Iowa (8-6, 0-3) remain tough outs but seem to be in too much disarray.

That leaves Wisconsin (10-2, 2-0). Like in 2022, the Badgers aren't beloved by the predictive metrics, but they've continued their winning ways from last season's Big Ten co-champs. Maybe they're the team that somehow comes out on top...

2. Cowboys corral a late win this time

For the second consecutive game, Oklahoma State ran to a big lead. But this time, it got a call that helped them close out a win.

The Cowboys (9-5, 1-1 in Big 12) paced West Virginia by 13 early in the second half. But the Mountaineers (10-4, 0-2) cut into that lead little by little because of a couple of things:

  • Cowboys center Moussa Cisse injured his ankle just before halftime. He continued to play but was clearly hobbled, which hurt them on the glass.

  • West Virginia guard Erik Stevenson heated up, hitting three 3-pointers in 88 seconds, the last of which gave the 'Eers a 53-51 lead.

Then...Stevenson was given a technical foul (for making a gesture to the crowd), and he fouled out barely a minute later. Without him and his game-high 17 points, West Virginia's offense stagnated.

The 'Pokes deserve some credit for their poise down the stretch, though, especially from big man Kalib Boone. He scored four of his 10 points in the final minutes, while Bryce Thompson led all Cowboys with 15.

More results to know

Florida Gulf Coast 84, Central Arkansas 79, OTLook, when this is how you start your game, you know it's gonna be your night.

Caleb Catto made all three of his shots from beyond the arc, but none were quite like that as FGCU improved to 12-3 overall and 2-0 in the ASUN. Andre Weir scored a team-high 22 points, while Isaiah Thompson added 19.

Liberty 77, Lipscomb 48Darius McGhee scored a team-high 19, leading four Liberty players in double figures. The Flames (11-4, 2-0 in ASUN) have won five straight and will be favored to win the rest of their regular-season games.

American 71, Loyola (MD) 55The Eagles (10-3, 2-0 in Patriot) got 21 points from Johnny O'Neil, as they're off to their best league start since 2013-14 when they went to the NCAA Tournament and best overall start since 1980-81 when Gary Williams was on their sideline.

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3. A Quad 1 snapshot from 2022

Nobody had a better year than Kansas. That's an obvious statement considering the Jayhawks won the NCAA Tournament (and swept the Big 12 regular-season and tourney titles).

But take it one step further. Courtesy of this @JGTrends graph, the Jayhawks won more Quad 1 games in 2022 than all but one other team played in total. Let that sink in as you stare at the graphic.

Let's go back to obvious statements for a minute because Kansas ran off a series of victories in March and April that accounted for seven of those 21 wins. But it's still a stark contrast to every other team. Kansas won 78 percent of its Quad 1 games. Next best? Arizona (71 percent, 10-4 overall.)

It speaks to Kansas' consistency and the number of opportunities it has for Quad 1 wins in the Big 12. Other things that jumped out at me:

  • Look away Kentucky fans. Look away.

  • Boise State is the top MWC team during the calendar year and was 5-3 vs. Quad 1 teams. Perhaps the most underrated program in America.

  • Wisconsin and Purdue are dead even in the Big Ten. Reinforces the thoughts on the Badgers from above.

  • Gonzaga was 12-5 vs. Quad 1 in 2022. Yup, definitely an overrated program that falters against top competition.

4. A must-read story on Terry Holland

If Virginia wins at Pitt tonight, coach Tony Bennett will be the school's all-time wins leader. At 326-119 in 14 seasons (he's 395-152 overall), he is set to pass Terry Holland in two fewer seasons, which is no small feat considering Holland's tenure in Charlottesville.

Holland, 80, took the Cavs to two Final Fours and won three regular-season titles from 1981-1983, which was peak North Carolina time, not to mention NC State. (The Heels made two NCAA Tournament title games in that stretch and won it in '82. The Wolfpack won in '83. You mighta heard about those.) Holland, who also coached at Davidson from 1969-1974, retired as the Hoos' coach in 1990 to become Davidson's AD at age 47, then returned to Virginia to be its AD from 1994-2001.

A former player at Davidson, he was quite the figure on the Virginia sideline. Tall and lean, Holland cast a shadow over every Virginia coach who followed, at least until Bennett. When Virginia won the ACC title in 2014 — its first since Holland — he was there, soaking it in. When a national title followed in 2019, Holland would sometimes receive standing ovations from the Virginia crowds.

All of this makes Holland's current struggle with Alzheimer's all the more difficult.

This wonderful feature from David Teel of the Richmond Times-Dispatch details Holland's life and times and how he has spent the last eight months in the memory care center at Westminster-Canterbury in Charlottesville. It's been a long, slow decline, something all too familiar to anyone who's ever had a family member or friend diagnosed with Alzheimer's. From Teel's story:

Terry Holland lives, but has, in many ways, departed.

Bobby Stokes, Ricky’s older brother, knows the distinction all too well. He was a freshman on the ’76 ACC championship team, and in a providential and poignant confluence has been Terry and Ann’s primary care physician since 2019.

“I was honored [when they asked],” Stokes says. “[but] it was tough, because we always say you don’t treat family. I just felt a pull ... and that I really wanted to be his doctor, and he told me, ‘I’m the patient and you’re the doctor. That’s the way it’s going to be.’”

As Ann struggled with the decision to move Terry from their apartment to the memory center, Stokes assured her it was for the best. He listened more than advised, allowing her to vent when necessary and preparing her for what might transpire next.

Stokes also had frank discussions with his coach after the Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

“In the beginning, when he was more himself, he understood,” Stokes says. “He never questioned. He never said, ‘Why me?’ He would just kind of say, ‘OK,’ and we’d go from there. It was really tough, but we got through it together. ...

“It’s hard to separate the physician from your heart sometimes. The last time I saw him not too long ago, it was definitely a decline from the month before. I don’t really think he knew who I was and didn’t carry on much of a conversation whatsoever.”

It's not what you'd call a delightful read but one worth your time for the care and tenderness with which Holland is treated. Take a few minutes to read it, then call someone you love.

5. Insert obligatory "Something's Bruin' headline

UCLA's climb back into the AP Top 10 took longer than it should've — voters docked the Bruins 11 spots way back in Week 3 for losing to Illinois and Baylor, a classic overreaction — but there they are, back where they should be among college hoops' elite.

The predictive metrics never gave up on the Bruins (13-2, 2-0 in Pac-12). They're currently 4th on KenPom, 2nd on Bart Torvik, and 5th on EvanMiya, and with good reason. They've been throttling opponents. Friday's 1-point win against Washington State was only their second single-digit victory this season, and they, along with UConn, are the only team with a Top 10 offense and defense on KenPom.

Perhaps most important is the development of freshman big man Adem Bona, who dominated Washington on Sunday with a career-high 18 points, along with three boards and two blocks.

“It takes us to another level, you know?” coach Mick Cronin told the LA Times. “We tend to forget Adem’s a freshman, a young kid — I know he doesn’t look like it at times when he’s playing with strength and flying around above the rim, but he’s still improving.”

Bona will continue to have games where he struggles (like Kentucky on Dec. 17), but as long as he can stay on the court, it ensures senior forward Jamie Jaquez doesn't have to do all the work inside and gives UCLA more balance.

For now, circle Jan. 21 as the day to check back on Bona's development. That's when UCLA heads to Arizona and faces the frontcourt duo of Ažuolas Tubelis and Oumar Ballo. No greater test awaits in college hoops for a big man.

Appointment viewing

There are only 24 games on Tuesday night. There are some compelling matchups (Can New Mexico stay unbeaten? How does LSU fare at Kentucky? Will Marquette and St. John's both score 100?), but the game of the night, like many nights between now and March, is in the Big 12. Kansas (12-1, 1-0 in Big 12) is coming off a nail-biting win against Oklahoma State. But that was in the friendly confines of Allen Fieldhouse. Playing in Lubbock is decidedly different, with one of the country's most raucous crowds. Perhaps Texas Tech (10-3, 0-1) isn't quite at the same level as a year ago when they beat the Jayhawks, but one can imagine it'll be ready to throw everything at Bill Self's squad. (9 pm ET, ESPN2)

  • Marquette (11-4, 3-1 in Big East) at St. John's (11-4, 1-3), 6:30 pm (FS1)

  • LSU (12-1, 1-0 in SEC) at Kentucky (9-4, 0-1), 8 pm, ESPN

  • Virginia (10-2, 2-1 in ACC) at Pitt (10-4, 3-0), 9 pm (ACC Network)

  • Kansas State (12-1, 1-0 in Big 12) at Texas (12-1, 1-0), 9 pm (Longhorn Network)

  • New Mexico (14-0, 2-0 in MWC) at Fresno State (5-8, 1-1), 11 pm (CBS Sports Network)

Who can handle it in Lexington?

Let's say Kentucky's season continues to underwhelm. And let's say John Calipari either decides to take another job or is bought out of his contract (both would need quite a few things to happen first). If he's no longer coaching in Lexington, who steps in?

Rob Dauster and Jeff Goodman have some thoughts about who would calls, who would get offers and who would actually be a good fit.

Links as you already ignore those New Year's resolutions.

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