USATSI
Gather, boys and girls. It’s Sunday, which means it’s time to recap the week it’s been in college basketball by handing out our weekly report card. We’ll be evaluating some of the best and worst team performances over the past seven days during sports.
I’m an optimist at heart, so let’s start with the good. Kentucky bounced back from an “F” grade last week to earn a rare “A+” from me this week, not only snapping their two-game skid but doing so with back-to-back wins over Mississippi State and No. 10 Tennessee to revive its NCAA tournament hopes. Uk’s résumé is lacking, but the two-week wins and regular season win over the Vols at least bolster his bubble prospects. Maybe, just maybe, the tournament will include the Big Blue Nation after all.
Speaking of blue bloods with blue color schemes, #5 Kansas also got high marks from yours with one of six “A” grades or better on his report card this week. KU handled business on the road against red-hot Oklahoma State earlier in the week before showing grit on Saturday as he pulled from a 17-point deficit at home to No. 9 Baylor to win by 16. The Jayhawks extended their streak victories in four games and retained co-leader status in the Big 12 contest with Texas.
There has also been a lot of bad throughout the sport, so this week’s grades reflect as much as the good. The hurt was less evident but no less evident with Clemson, North Carolina and Ohio State leading the league this week for all the wrong reasons.
Let’s dive into this week’s report card. As always, keep in mind that the cycle runs from Monday to Sunday.