Saturday kicked off with six winning college basketball teams ready to keep their spotless records.
By the end of the day, only five remained undefeated.
The shift occurred as Wisconsin, a 19.5-point underdog against No. 2 Michigan, conjured an upset in Ann Arbor, trumping the Wolverines 91-88 and handing them their first loss since last season’s Sweet 16.
Meanwhile, four other unbeaten teams were in action (with Miami Oh. winning on Friday) and they delivered impressive performances. No. 1 Arizona, favored on the road, dismantled TCU; No. 11 Vanderbilt, playing at home, defeated LSU; and No. 3 Iowa State, a heavy favorite on their home turf, emerged victorious over Oklahoma State.
What stood out on Saturday was the gritty performance of No. 10 Nebraska, who erased a daunting 16-point deficit to clinch an 83-77 win against Indiana. As a 4.5-point road underdog, they solidified their unbeaten status with a hard-fought victory.
Nebraska, now at 16-0, has achieved their best start in program history.
A toast to you, Huskers fans. This season has been remarkable, and you deserve the recognition.
Below is a roundup of the winners and losers from the college basketball scene on Saturday.
Auburn dominates Arkansas for its first SEC win in John Calipari’s second-largest loss as Razorbacks coach.
Loser: Kansas struggles again
Darryn Peterson scored 23 points with six rebounds and two assists, but Kansas fell short with an 86-75 loss to West Virginia, further muddying their inconsistent season. This loss dropped No. 22 KU to an 11-5 record, marking their second worst start in the last two decades under Bill Self. The defeat also put them at 1-2 in Big 12 play, tying for their worst conference start since the 2005-06 season.
“We’re not playing well right now,” Self commented post-game. “We have to turn this around.”
Kansas will get a shot at redemption on Tuesday when No. 3 Iowa State visits Lawrence. The Jayhawks have bested Iowa State in their last seven encounters at Allen Fieldhouse. — Kyle Boone
Winner: Houston dominates Baylor despite shooting struggles
No. 7 Houston didn’t shoot well, making just 28% from three-point range in a Big 12 rivalry clash, yet still achieved a stunning 77-55 victory over Baylor. Their defensive prowess shone through as they controlled the boards with an impressive 23 offensive rebounds. The Cougars held Baylor to just 35 points during the first 34 minutes, shedding light on the tenacity that marks Houston as a potential contender for the National Championship. — Isaac Trotter
Loser: Michigan suffers its first defeat against Wisconsin
Michigan appeared nearly invincible for much of the season, racketing up 11 wins by 14 points or more and excelling against ranked teams. However, Wisconsin’s exceptional second-half performance led to a surprising 91-88 defeat for the No. 2 Wolverines. The number of unbeaten Division I teams has now dwindled to five following their loss. Cameron Salerno
Winner: Nebraska’s perfect season continues
Nebraska showcased resilience by overcoming a 16-point second-half deficit, securing an 83-77 win against Indiana, keeping their dream season intact. Featuring stellar performances like Jamarques Lawrence’s 27 points, they now boast a school-best 16-0 record. As they continue to make history, the future looks bright for the Cornhuskers. — Boone
Winner: Kentucky bounces back in significant win
A slow start had Kentucky trailing Mississippi State by 12 points, but they regrouped and delivered a stellar performance to win 92-68. Facing a potential 0-3 start in the SEC, the Wildcats demonstrated their capability with Otega Oweh leading the way with 22 points. However, the victory came at a cost as starting point guard Jaland Lowe hurt his shoulder early in the game.
Winner: UConn has a strong Big East start
No. 4 UConn is enjoying its most successful start in almost two decades, improving to 16-1 after defeating DePaul 72-60. With a 6-0 start in the Big East, this is their first such record in 24 seasons under coach Dan Hurley. — Boone
Loser: Tennessee struggles at Florida
Florida decisively defeated Tennessee with a 91-67 score, underlining their improvement after a rocky start. Using turnovers to their advantage, the Gators amassed a 30-8 edge in points off turnovers, exacerbating Tennessee’s woes. The Volunteers have now lost nine of their last 11 games at Florida, indicating a troubling trend. — Cobb
Winner: Perfect Big 12 teams maintain flawless records
As the list of undefeated teams shrank, the two remaining in the Big 12 held strong. Iowa State edged out Oklahoma State while No. 1 Arizona convincingly took care of TCU. That solid performance keeps them undefeated alongside Nebraska and Vanderbilt. — Boone
Loser: Alabama suffers an unexpected defeat
Texas upset No. 13 Alabama, taking a narrow 92-88 victory that broke the Crimson Tide’s 23-game home winning streak against unranked teams. Alabama’s slow start was exacerbated by Texas’s impressive play; Jordan Pope stood out with 28 points, showcasing why they shouldn’t be underestimated. — Cobb
Winner: Miami shines under new leadership
Miami produced a strong 91-81 win against Georgia Tech with a 52% shooting percentage under first-year coach Jai Lucas. Tre Donaldson led with a career-high 27 points and 10 assists, demonstrating the improvement since last season. The ‘Canes look poised to make a run at the NCAA Tournament this year. — Cobb
Winner: NC State dominates Florida State
The Wolfpack dominated Florida State in a stunning 113-69 victory, marking their highest total against an ACC opponent since 1991. Their explosive offense left Florida State searching for answers. — Boone
Winner: St. John’s showcases depth
St. John’s overwhelmed Creighton 90-73, revealing strength through their balanced scoring. The team has shown potential under Rick Pitino, climbing to a 4-1 record in conference play, positioning themselves as serious title contenders. — Trotter
Winner: Vanderbilt matches historic start
No. 11 Vanderbilt maintained their 16-0 record with a narrow 84-73 victory over LSU, tying for the best start in the program’s history. Tyler Tanner’s performance was a crucial factor in their success. — Trotter
Winner: SMU shows promise in tough loss to Duke
Even while missing key players, No. 24 SMU put forth a strong effort against No. 6 Duke, falling just shy in an 82-75 contest. Jaden Toombs emerged as a standout with a 23-point showing, reflecting SMU’s potential for a brighter future. — Trotter
Loser: Chicago State delivers another dramatic loss
Chicago State added to its history of misfortune with an 85-82 overtime defeat against Stonehill in a gut-wrenching fashion. Their choice to call a timeout with hardly any time left led to a crucial technical foul, altering the game’s outcome despite having victory seemingly in hand. — Cobb
Winner: Kyle dazzles with a highlight reel dunk
Syracuse secured an 83-72 win against Pitt, but it was William Kyle’s spectacular dunk that stole the show. With 33 dunks this season, he’s demonstrated his athleticism in a way that leaves fans cheering. — Trotter
Winner: Northwestern State’s winning moment
With time winding down against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Northwestern State guard Micah Thomas pulled off a remarkable one-legged game-winner as time expired, securing a thrilling 79-78 victory. He was the game’s top scorer, providing a fitting, exhilarating finish. — Boone
Winner: Braden Smith leads Purdue
Purdue star point guard Braden Smith, now the all-time assist leader in the Big Ten, elevated his performance to new heights with 26 points and 14 assists against Penn State, solidifying his legacy. With seven consecutive wins, Purdue is in strong form and looking ahead to future victories. — Salerno
