Week 12 of the college basketball season didn’t deliver any upsets for the nation’s unbeatens-and that’s not just rare, it’s historic. Arizona, Nebraska, and Miami-OH all went 5-0 on the week, pushing their perfect records to a sparkling 20-0.
That’s a milestone we haven’t seen since Gonzaga’s 30-0 start back in 2021. But this time, we’re not talking about one team chasing perfection-we’ve got three.
Arizona, Nebraska, Miami-OH: The Unbeaten Trio
When you’re 20 games into the season and still have a zero in the loss column, you’re not just hot-you’re a legit contender. Arizona continues to look like a well-oiled machine, Nebraska is proving that their early-season dominance wasn’t a fluke, and Miami-OH is turning heads with each passing week.
The deeper we get into conference play, the more every game becomes a test of focus, stamina, and depth. These teams are passing with flying colors.
Purdue Takes a Hit
Purdue, meanwhile, hit a rough patch. The Boilermakers were sitting at 17-1 heading into the week but stumbled hard with back-to-back losses.
First came a heartbreaker in Los Angeles, where UCLA nailed a go-ahead three late to steal the win. Then came Illinois-and more specifically, Keaton Wagler.
The Illini freshman exploded for 46 points in a performance that sent Purdue tumbling eight spots in the rankings. It was a reminder that in the Big Ten, there’s no such thing as a breather.
Alabama Slides, St. John’s Sneaks In
Alabama also saw some turbulence. They barely edged out Oklahoma, then couldn’t hold serve at home against Tennessee.
That stumble cost them a few spots in the poll. Georgia, meanwhile, fell out of the top 25 entirely, making way for St.
John’s to slide in at No. 25.
It’s a well-earned spot for the Red Storm, who’ve been quietly building momentum.
Tar Heels Back on Track
North Carolina bounced back in a big way this week. After some recent bumps, the Tar Heels looked sharp in a dominant home win over Notre Dame and followed it up with a gritty road victory at Virginia.
Next up: Georgia Tech and Syracuse-two more chances to build confidence before their first clash with Duke on February 7. That game’s already circled on every college hoops fan’s calendar.
Arkansas Heating Up in SEC Play
The Razorbacks are starting to find their rhythm in SEC play. They dismantled Vanderbilt 93-68 early in the week, then fended off a scrappy LSU squad to complete a 2-0 homestand.
This week brings a road trip to Oklahoma and then what might be their biggest test yet: hosting Kentucky. If Arkansas wants to make a serious run in the SEC, this is the kind of week where you make a statement.
Nebraska’s Big Ten Gauntlet
If Nebraska wants to keep that perfect record intact, they’ve got their work cut out for them. A road trip to Michigan on Tuesday, followed by a home showdown with Illinois on Sunday, is about as tough as it gets in the Big Ten.
But if they survive that stretch? You could start making a serious case for them as the No. 1 team in the country.
Texas Tech’s Statement Win
Texas Tech made some noise of their own this week, and they did it in a big way. The Red Raiders dropped 55 points in the first half alone against Houston-against a defense that usually doesn’t give up that many in a full game.
They held on for a 90-86 win that vaulted them into second place in the Big 12. It was a statement performance, the kind that can change the trajectory of a season.
What to Watch in Week 13
Circle these two matchups: #5 Nebraska at #3 Michigan and #3 Michigan at #7 Michigan State. Both feature Michigan, both have major implications for the Big Ten race, and both have the potential to shake up the top of the rankings. We’re entering the stretch where every game feels like March-and it’s not even February yet.
The pressure’s building, the stakes are rising, and the games just keep getting better. Buckle up.