If Grant Williams hadn’t fouled out during the Kansas game in late November, Tennessee might have maintained their undefeated record. His disqualification against the Jayhawks made it challenging for the Volunteers to perform in overtime, leading to their defeat. In the game against Gonzaga on Sunday, Williams fouled out again with just over two minutes remaining.
However, Admiral Schofield stepped up to ensure Tennessee seized the opportunity this time. He scored the final 11 points for Tennessee, including a game-winning 3-pointer in the last minute. This victory handed Gonzaga their first loss of the season, with a final score of 76-73.
How does this impact the power rankings?
Kansas retains the top spot, as Gonzaga’s potential win could have bumped them down to second. Michigan also remains a strong contender in the rankings. Gonzaga, having beaten Duke at a neutral site, could be considered one of the best teams in the nation, along with Tennessee, who defeated Gonzaga on a neutral court.
Currently, Duke moves up to the second spot due to their impressive performance, while Gonzaga stays ahead of Tennessee despite the head-to-head loss. Gonzaga’s wins against strong teams like Duke, Creighton, Arizona, and Washington hold more weight than Tennessee’s victories over Gonzaga and Louisville.
