The biggest problems for the top 25 teams in college basketball
Kansas needs to limit its turnovers, Kentucky must improve its perimeter scoring, and more of the biggest issues facing the nation's top teams.
2020 ScheduleAll times ET
2020 Schedule
1st in Mountain West
- 11/5
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/8
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/12
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/15
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/18
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - TBD
- TBD
- 11/29
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 12/4
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 12/7
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 12/14
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - TBD
- 12/21
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 1/1
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 1/4
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 1/7
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 1/11
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 1/18
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 1/21h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 1/25
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 1/28
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 2/1h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 2/5h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 2/8h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 2/11h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 2/15h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 2/19h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 2/29
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - Full Schedule
ACC, Big East, Pac-12 place four each in Way-Too-Early Top 25
Three leagues make up roughly half of our updated Top 25 representation, including the resurgent Pac-12.
Biggest recruiting needs for Way-Too-Early Top 25 schools
With Peach Jam taking center stage in the summer recruiting drama, here's what college hoops' top teams most desire.
Florida makes big move in Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2019-20
Florida and Kansas added key transfers, helping them ascend in our early stacking of the 2019-20 college hoops pecking order.
Oregon up, Arizona down in Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2019-20
The shifting sands of the Pac-12's preseason pecking order are a prominent feature of the latest Way-Too-Early Top 25.
Kansas up, Michigan down in Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2019-20
NBA draft decisions and some critical prospect commitments have altered our emerging snapshot of the 2019-20 college hoops season.
College basketball's winners and losers of the NBA draft deadline
Wednesday was the deadline for player entry in the 2019 NBA draft. Here are the college teams with bigger (or fewer) worries.
College basketball's biggest remaining offseason decisions
These NBA draft decisions, transfer decisions and recruiting commitments will have a lot to say about college basketball's pecking order heading into 2019-20.
UNC a big mover in Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2019-20
North Carolina secured the services of Cole Anthony, and makes a big move up the college basketball preseason rankings for 2019-20.
Loaded Michigan State leads Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2019-20
The Spartans have nearly everyone back from their Final Four team and project as next season's team to beat.
Washington makes successful return, beats Utah State 78-61
Noah Dickerson had 20 points and 12 rebounds, and ninth-seeded Washington made a successful return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eight years, beating Utah State 78-61 on Friday.
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Senior Writer
Washington used its trademark defense (21 turnovers forced), strong perimeter shooting, Noah Dickerson (20 points) down low and a second-half boost from Naz Carter (13 points) to surge past Utah State and into the second round. Led by Matisse Thybulle, the Huskies defense flustered Utah State's Sam Merrill (6 turnovers) and Neemias Queta (4-of-12 shooting). After the Aggies closed to within a point, Washington finished the game on a 24-8 run. The Pac-12 regular-season champs are moving on
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Senior Writer
Led by Pac-12 defensive player of the year Matisse Thybulle, Washington smothered Utah State in the first half, forcing 11 turnovers and holding Sam Merrill scoreless. Merrill, the Mountain West player of the year, came in averaging 21.2 points per game but has missed all three of his shot attempts. Washington has been good both on the perimeter (four 3-pointers) and inside (14 points from Noah Dickerson on 6-of-8 shooting).
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Senior Writer
Not surprisingly, defense will be a theme in this game, as Utah State and Washington already have combined for 13 turnovers. Washington already had a stretch featuring three blocks -- Matisse Thybulle nearly put Abel Porter into the Huskies bench -- and a steal. Utah State is rebounding well against Washington's zone with five offensive boards already.
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Senior Writer
Starting lineups and officials for Utah State-Washington. Utah State: G Sam Merrill, G Abel Porter, G Brock Miller, F Quinn Taylor, C Neemias Queta Washington: G David Crisp, G Jaylen Nowell, F Matisse Thybulle, F Hameir Wright, F Noah Dickerson. Officials: John Higgins, Michael Irving, Justin Porterfield, Greg Evans (standby)
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Senior Writer
Utah State guard Sam Merrill, whose parents both attended the school, on what it means having the Aggies back in the NCAA tournament and looking for their first tournament win since 2001.
2019 NCAA tournament bracket projection for Utah State Aggies
ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi and his team of bracketologists examine the 2019 NCAA tournament outlook for the Utah State Aggies.
North Carolina, Kentucky lead the way in Midwest (4:52)
Utah State beats San Diego State, wins Mountain West title
Sam Merrill scored 24 points, Neemias Queta had 17 points and eight rebounds, and Utah State won its first Mountain West Conference championship with a 64-57 victory over San Diego State on Saturday.
Porter puts the sauce on defender, sinks step-back 3 (0:15)
Porter lobs to Queta for monster dunk (0:18)
Merrill lifts Utah St. over Fresno St. 85-60 in MWC tourney
Sam Merrill had 22 points as Utah State easily beat Fresno State 85-60 in the Mountain West Conference Tournament semifinals on Friday night. Diogo Brito added 20 points for the Aggies. Brito also had seven rebounds for the Aggies.
Merrill's 23 lifts Utah St. over Lobos 91-83 in MWC tourney
Sam Merrill had 23 points as Utah State beat New Mexico 91-83 in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference Tournament on Thursday night.
Paul Sabin ESPN Analytics
According to espn.com/bpi, these are the bubble teams with games today where a W could swing their tournament chances by at least 50 percent compared to an L: Nebraska Utah State Indiana Ohio State Ole Miss Seton Hall Baylor St. John's TCU
Merrill leads Utah St. past Colorado St. 100-96 in OT
Sam Merrill had a career-high 38 points as Utah State stretched its winning streak to seven games, narrowly beating Colorado State 100-96 in overtime on Tuesday night.
2018-19 Mountain West Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 15-3 | - | 29-5 |
| Utah State | 15-3 | - | 28-7 |
| Fresno State | 13-5 | 2 | 23-9 |
| San Diego State | 11-7 | 4 | 21-13 |
| UNLV | 11-7 | 4 | 17-14 |
| Air Force | 8-10 | 7 | 14-18 |
| New Mexico | 7-11 | 8 | 14-18 |
| Boise State | 7-11 | 8 | 13-20 |
| Colorado State | 7-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
| Wyoming | 4-14 | 11 | 8-24 |
| San José St | 1-17 | 14 | 4-27 |
Team Stats
Points Per Game78.759th
Rebounds Per Game40.129th
Assists Per Game17.117th
Points Allowed67.158th
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Tournament History
| Final Fours | 0 |
| Tournament Record | 6-22 |
| Championship Seasons | None |
| Tournament Appearances | 20 |