In a week where there was MTE after MTE and just great games all around, some great teams lost and some bad teams won. In terms of the Elam 15, some highly ranked teams dropped and some non-ranked teams jumped exponentially.
The focus of this week’s Elam 15 though is on the two teams that won the championships at the PK85 event in Portland, Oregon. UConn won the Phil Knight Invitational, and Purdue won the Phil Knight Legacy. Both teams were extremely dominant in all of their wins and have come into the top 10 of the Elam 15.
Purdue in my opinion is a top five team in the sport right now. They won their PKL games by a combined 49 points, with two of those wins coming over Gonzaga and Duke. Zach Edey is without a doubt a leader for National Player of the Year so far, and Matt Painter is a leader for National Coach of the Year.
The Big Ten race at the beginning on the season was all about Indiana and whether teams behind them could compete. Anything can happen of course, but Purdue was not really in those conversations behind Indiana. It was the likes of Michigan, Illinois and Michigan State that were being talked about. Well now, Purdue just dominated the PKL and is playing like the best team in the Big Ten and one of the best teams in the country.
In that same breath, UConn played insane at the PKI and won the title along with UConn winning the women’s title as well. In terms of winners of the PK85, and of the week in general, UConn is there right behind Purdue. Adama Sanogo has been dominant most of the season, but was a non-factor in the title game dude to a great performances from fellow bigs Alex Karaban and Donovan Clingan.
However, the fact UConn can still dominate like that against a good Iowa State team with their best player being a non-factor speaks to the type of team they are this season. They are top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency according to KenPom. They are 8-0 for the first time in Dan Hurley’s career and look to fight against Creighton for that Big East title when conference play comes.
Week three has concluded, and now we move onto week four that features the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Big East-Big 12 Battle, and a 2021 National Championship rematch of Baylor and Gonzaga on Friday. For now though, here is the updated Elam 15.
By the way, I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving.
ELAM 15 Version 4.0
1. Texas (5-0) | Previous: 3
No matter the opponent thus far, Texas has been dominant. Their 19-point victory over Gonzaga is their second lowest win margin on the season. The lowest is a 15-point win against UTEP in their first game.
2. Houston (6-0) | Previous: 1
The Cougars have struggled a little bit the past couple of games, only managing to beat Kent State by five. They will finish November off against Norfolk State, before an eight-game month of December that features Saint Mary’s, Alabama, Virginia, and UCF.
3. Virginia (5-0) | Previous: 6
After four days off, Virginia got right back to business beating MD-Eastern 72-45. They will play Michigan in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, before the matchup against Houston on Dec. 17.
4. Arizona (6-0) | Previous: 14
Arizona won the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, beating Cincinnati, San Diego State and Creighton in the process. Big guys Oumar Ballo and Azuolas Tubelis are playing extraordinary.
5. Purdue (6-0) | Previous: NR
Purdue was the biggest winner of the week. Zach Edey led his team to win the Phil Knight Legacy and won MVP. The Boilermakers got blowout wins over No. 6 Gonzaga and No. 8 Duke.
6. Creighton (6-1) | Previous: 10
Creighton is still a near top five team after almost winning the Maui Invitational. The Blue Jays are still the clear favorites in the Big East and are one of the best teams in the country. Five Creighton players are currently averaging 12.0 or more points per game.
7. Uconn (8-0) | Previous: NR
If Purdue was the winner of the week, UConn was a close second. The Huskies are the only team that currently stands 8-0 after winning the Phil Knight Invitational. Dan Hurley has his team rolling.
8. Arkansas (5-1) | Previous: 9
If Purdue and UConn didn’t perform so well at the PK85, Arkansas might be right up there with Creighton, as they only lost by three in the Maui semifinal. Anthony Black is a star, and Arkansas will be even better when Nick Smith Jr. returns from injury.
9. Baylor (5-1) | Previous: 12
Baylors lone loss is now to a consensus top 5 team, and every other game they’ve proven they’re elite. They face Marquette on Tuesday, followed by a national championship rematch against Gonzaga on Friday.
10. Indiana (6-0) | Previous: 11
Indiana won all three Hoosier Tip-Off Games by an average of nearly 30 points as they prepare for a game against North Carolina on Wednesday. Trace Jackson-Davis is shooting 76.0% from the field.
11. Kansas (6-1) | Previous: 2
The Jayhawks too a 14-point loss to Tennessee in the Battle 4 Atlantis championship game. They shot a bad 32.1% from the field and 23.8% from 3-point range. I’m still a believer in the Jayhawks, but they have some issues that need to be fixed.
12. Alabama (6-1) | Previous: NR
Alabama now is 6-1, its lone loss is to UConn by 15, with wins over Michigan State and North Carolina, as well as a true road win against South Alabama. Brandon Miller is one of the best freshmen in America.
13. Gonzaga (5-2) | Previous: 5
The Zags take a fall after an 18-point loss to Purdue in the PKL semis. They still have nice wins over Kentucky, Michigan State and Xavier but have two losses by a combined 39 points to now top 5 teams.
14. Illinois (5-1) | Previous: 13
Illinois has had one game since Main Event and it was a 33 point win over Lindenwood. The Fighting Illini still have an impressive win over UCLA and it’s lone loss is to Virginia. They now have a three-game stretch of Syracuse, Maryland, and Texas coming up.
15. Tennessee (5-1) | Previous: NR
If only Tennessee didn’t lose to Colorado. The Vols would most certainly be in the top 10 right now after a great win against Kansas to win the Battle 4 Atlantis. However, they have Maryland and Arizona in mid-December to prove themselves.
Dropped Out: North Carolina (4), Michigan State (7), Duke (8), Kentucky (15)
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