NEW YORK (Sporting Alert) — The top five teams in the NCAA men’s basketball top 25 all picked up wins in action on Saturday, Jan. 17.
No. 1 Kentucky, No. 2 Virginia, No. 3 Gonzaga and No. 4 Duke all secured victories in their respective fixtures.
The top ranked Wildcats improved to (17-0) on the season with a comfortable 70-48 win over Alabama (12-5) in a Southeastern Conference fixture.
Devin Booker scored 13 points off the bench, while Tyler Ulis and Dakari Johnson each added 11 points in reserve roles as well to lead the way for Kentucky, which picked up its fourth win in league play.
Second ranked Virginia (17-0) also stayed undefeated this season with a battling 66-51 victory over Boston College (8-8), which dropped all four of their Atlantic Coast Conference outings so far this season.
Malcolm Brogdon scored 20 points and Anthony Gill collected 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Cavaliers pulled away in the second half for the win.
“We don’t knock people out,” Virginia coach Tony Bennett said. “We’re not a knockout team.
“It’s knowing you’re going to have to stay in there and hang in there against their stuff.”
The Cavaliers are the only men’s basketball program in the country that is ranking in the top 10 in offensive and defensive efficiency, this according to ESPN stats.
Olivier Hanlan scored 18 points and dished six assists and Patrick Heckmann ended with 15 points in the defeat for the Eagles.
Third ranked Gonzaga (18-1) raced out to a commanding lead, meanwhile, on its way to beating Loyola Marymount 72-55 for their 11th straight win since losing to Arizona in overtime on Dec. 6.
Gary Bell Jr. led four Bulldogs in double figure scoring with 17 points, with Kevin Pangos adding 16 points and six assists, Bryon Wesley finishing with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals and Kyle Wiltjer 12 points in the victory.
In a top 10 matchup, No. 4 Duke (15-2) used a positive first half to setup a 63-52 win over No. 6 Louisville (15-3) to stop a two game losing streak.
Amile Jefferson finished 19 points and star center Jahlil Okafor added 18 points and seven rebounds for the Blue Devils, who recovered from losing back-to-back games against NC State and Miami (FL).
Terry Rozier led the Cardinals with 17 points and Montrezl Harrell had 10 points and 14 rebounds in the defeat.
Both teams struggled from behind the arc, with Duke going 26.7 percent and Louisville shooting 16.0 percent.
Elsewhere on the day, No. 5 Villanova beat Pennsylvania 62-47, 10th ranked Arizona finished 69-51 winner over No. 8 Utah, while No. 11 Iowa State stunned No. 9 Kansas, 86-81 and Ole Miss upset 19th ranked Arkansas, 96-82.
NCAA Top 25 Men’s College Basketball:
See ESPN Box Scores
(1) Kentucky 70 (17-0), Alabama 48 (12-5)
(2) Virginia 66 (17-0), Boston College 51 (8-8)
(3) Gonzaga 72 (18-1), Loyola Marymount 55 (5-14)
(4) Duke 63 (15-2), (6) Louisville 52 (15-3)
(5) Villanova 62 (17-1), Pennsylvania 47 (4-9)
(10) Arizona 69 (16-2), (8) Utah 51 (14-3)
(11) Iowa State 86 (13-3), (9) Kansas 81 (14-3)
(12) Notre Dame 75 (17-2), Miami (FL) 70 (12-5)
(13) Wichita State 61 (16-2), Evansville 41 (13-5)
(14) Maryland 75 (17-2), Michigan State 59 (12-6)
(17) VCU (15-3) – Duquesne 64 (6-10)
(18) Oklahoma 82 (12-5), (24) Oklahoma St 65 (12-5)
Ole Miss 96, (19) (11-6), Arkansas 82 (13-4)
(20) Texas 77 (13-4), (16) West Virginia 50 (15-3)
Kansas State 63 (11-7), (22) Baylor 61 (13-4)
(25) Wyoming 70, (16-3, Fresno St 65 (9-10)
