What’s Trending is a column examining the week that was in college basketball social media. Griffin Wong (@griffwong90) is your weekly host.
SEC/Big 12 Challenge
The midseason SEC/Big 12 Challenge took place last weekend, giving teams from both conferences a chance to prove themselves in a high-profile event. The highlight of the weekend was surely Oklahoma’s surge to beat LSU in overtime, as senior Buddy Hield poured in 32 points and pushed still closer to legendary 50-50-90 Club (50% 3FG, 50% FG, 90% FT). While Hield’s late flourish stole the show, it may have been Texas A&M that proved the most. Behind 20 points from guard Danuel House, the Aggies, lacking a signature win, cemented themselves as one of the best teams in the nation with a 10-point win over Iowa State. Overall, the Big 12 took the bragging rights with a 7-3 victory, and the event was a resounding success.
More Tragedy Strikes
Mercer senior Jibri Bryan was shot and killed last Tuesday while parked in a car outside a gas station. In what has seemed like a horribly tragic season of college hoops, it’s devastating to hear of even more despair. We wish all the best to the Mercer family and his loved ones.
Coach K Skips Trip to Georgia Tech
It was the first time Coach K had missed a game since the infamous 1995 season when his back problems forced him to miss much of the season. Many are poking fun at the connection between the ’95 team that ultimately missed the NCAA Tournament and this one, as Duke fell out of the Top 25 for the first time in nine years last week. The good news? College basketball’s all-time wins leader is reportedly already back in action.
Indiana is Hot
Not only are the Hoosiers scorching because they have won 14 of their last 15 games and sit atop the Big Ten standings, but also because of a blistering 28-0 run that buried Michigan on Tuesday night. Down 24-20 in the first half, Indiana held the Wolverines scoreless for over 10 minutes of game action, going on a ridiculous run that left Michigan left for dead. As the Hoosiers’ defense improves, its opponents get increasingly nervous.
It’s needless to say that Michigan fans weren’t happy.
Quick Hitters
-In trouble on Wednesday night against Illinois, Rutgers freshman Corey Sanders cleaned up his own miss and sends the game into double-overtime! Unfortunately for the Scarlet Knights, Sanders’ efforts weren’t enough, as his team fell to Illinois in triple-overtime.
-Buddy Hield stole the show for Oklahoma, but it was fellow guard Isaiah Cousins who sealed the deal in the Sooners’ comeback win over LSU.
-LSU freshman sensation Ben Simmons with the reverse!
-Texas A&M’s Danuel House. Oh my.
-What a way to score your first career three-pointer! Butler senior Roosevelt Jones with the first half buzzer-beater from three-quarters court!
-Louisville senior Damion Lee set the tone early with this slam in the Cardinals’ upset over North Carolina on Monday night.
-Kansas junior Wayne Selden with the monster jam against Kentucky in overtime!