College basketball teams around the country competed in the SEC/ACC and the Big 12/Big East challenges from December 3rd to December 8th. These challenges provide a good measuring stick for the strength of each conference. They are also a good opportunity for these schools to have a competitive game on their early schedule.
The SEC dominated the ACC in their challenge with a record of 14-2. Only Duke and Clemson came out on top in their matchups, beating arguably the two top teams in the SEC in Auburn and Kentucky. “The ACC is the worst power conference in basketball.” Harris Camp (10). The SEC is the clear best conference in the country this season and is having a historically great year. The Big 12 and Big East challenge was closer. The Big 12 won 6-5 despite some of the top teams underperforming. Kansas lost to Creighton, Cincinnati lost to Villanova, and BYU lost to Providence. The Big 12 has been the top-ranking conference for a while, although this seems to be a bit of a down year. Many of the top programs are performing under their standard.
Some players that rose to the occasion were Iowa State’s Keshon Gilbert, Alabama’s Mark Sears, and Creighton’s Pop Isaacs. Keshon Gilbert starred in Iowa State’s big win over Marquette where he had twenty-four points and seven assists. Mark Sears had twenty points and seven assists as Alabama destroyed struggling North Carolina. Pop Isaacs scored twenty-seven points, seven rebounds, and four assists as Creighton upset no. 1 Kansas at home.
