Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors wasn’t shocked a lot of the preseason consideration for the SEC was on three groups: South Carolina, LSU and Tennessee. However he thinks his 13-0 Razorbacks are able to get a number of the limelight.

“We have got to earn it,” mentioned Neighbors, whose staff debuts on this season’s ESPN ladies’s school basketball Energy Rankings, at No. 16. “However what I instructed our staff heading into this stretch of video games, even when we go 0-for-4, we’ll be higher for it. However you’ve got additionally bought the chance to go 4-0.”

To date in what might be 4 consecutive top-25 matchups, Arkansas is 1-0 after beating Creighton 83-75 Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska, behind Samara Spencer’s 26 factors. The Razorbacks go to the San Diego Invitational this week, the place they first face Oregon on Tuesday and may meet a fellow unbeaten staff, Ohio State, on Wednesday.

Arkansas, which misplaced within the first spherical of the 2022 NCAA event, begins SEC play at dwelling in opposition to LSU on Dec. 29 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2). The Tigers are 12-0 after successful the Maui Traditional in Hawai’i on Sunday and will not play once more till touring to Fayetteville, Arkansas.

UConn switch Saylor Poffenbarger (8.3 RPG) is Arkansas’ high rebounder. Spencer, a 5-foot-7 guard who was final season’s SEC freshman of the yr, leads Arkansas in scoring (16.5 PPG) and assists (4.4).

“What I like about (Spencer) most is how she prepares,” Neighbors mentioned. “She is aware of our scouting report earlier than we give it to her, and if we make a mistake on it, she’s correcting it. That is how devoted and assured she is.”

He acknowledges that he did not count on at this stage to be unbeaten together with South Carolina and LSU. He additionally thinks regardless of its struggles with a 7-6 report, Tennessee is “nonetheless one of many high groups.”

“I perceive individuals had lots of query marks about us,” Neighbors mentioned. “No one actually knew how good Saylor was. They most likely thought Sam would have a sophomore stoop. However I believe this staff has an opportunity to be one of many higher ones we have had.

“As for the SEC … it could be just a little top-heavy. However I do suppose there are there are nonetheless good groups all through the league. It is gonna be a enjoyable yr.”

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Angel Reese will get contained in the lane and attracts a pair of and-1 alternatives for LSU.

When your identify will get talked about with the likes of Sylvia Fowles and Maree Jackson (sure, Lauren Jackson’s mom) at LSU, you might be doing one thing actually good. In Reese’s case, her 25-point, 20-rebound recreation in a victory Sunday over the Oregon State Beavers within the Maui Traditional made her the fifth LSU ladies’s participant to have a 20/20 recreation. That checklist consists of Fowles, Jackson, Julie Gross and Cornelia Gayden.

Jackson did it 12 occasions in her LSU profession, Fowles 4 occasions. Fowles is the final participant to do it earlier than Reese did; within the 2008 ladies’s Last 4 semifinals in opposition to Tennessee.

Earlier within the Maui Traditional, Reese had 32 factors and 15 rebounds in a victory over Lamar, which was adopted by 30 factors and 12 rebounds in opposition to Montana State.

For the event, Reese had 87 factors and 47 rebounds whereas taking pictures 67.3% from the sector. We’d say she actually likes Hawai’i, however Reese has had a double-double in all 12 video games this season.

This system’s most famed coach, Billie Moore, died Wednesday after battling most cancers, prompting many tributes to the Naismith Corridor of Famer. Moore was the primary U.S. Olympic coach in 1976. Ann Meyers Drysdale — who performed for Moore on the Olympic staff and the 1978 AIAW championship staff at UCLA — mentioned Moore actually understood the persona and motivation of those that performed for her.

The night time after Moore’s dying, the Bruins beat cross-town rival USC 59-56. UCLA adopted that with a 75-47 victory over Cal State Bakersfield. After an injury-riddled 2021-22 season through which the Bruins went 18-13 however made the WNIT semifinals, this seems to be a staff able to be again within the NCAA event. The Bruins’ solely loss so far was at No. 1 South Carolina in November.

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Notre Dame Preventing Irish vs. Virginia Tech Hokies: Full Highlights

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Two weeks after their double-digit victory over visiting UConn, the Irish beat one other top-10 staff, this one on the street. Holding the Huskies to 60 factors and the Hokies to 52 exhibits how robust the Notre Dame protection might be. Virginia Tech shot simply 29.4% from the sector.

Sunday’s recreation at Blacksburg, Virginia, was one other showcase for Olivia Miles, who led Notre Dame with 16 factors, 13 rebounds, seven assists and 5 steals.

From 1995-2007, Theresa Grentz went 210-156 and made 5 NCAA event journeys and 5 WNIT appearances at Illinois. However within the final 15 seasons beneath three completely different coaches, the Illini have struggled, getting a successful report simply thrice. Nancy Fahey, a profitable Division III coach, went 42-99 total and 7-77 within the Massive Ten over the past 5 seasons at Illinois. Twenty years have handed for the reason that Illini’s final NCAA event berth in 2003.

However thus far, Inexperienced — 127-50 in six seasons at Dayton with 4 NCAA event appearances — has introduced a brand new power to the Illini (10-2). Their solely losses: by three factors to Delaware in Daytona Seaside, Florida, and by 4 factors at top-five Indiana.

Sunday, they received 76-66 at Missouri. Illinois has only one remaining nonconference recreation, this week in opposition to Florida Atlantic. Then we’ll see how the Illini do with the remainder of their Massive Ten schedule. If their efficiency in opposition to Indiana is a sign, control the Illini.

Energy Rankings

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South Carolina defeats Charleston Southern to stay undefeated on the season.

1. South Carolina Gamecocks (11-0)
Earlier rating: 1
This week: vs. Coastal Carolina (Wednesday)

Notable in wins final week over South Dakota State and Charleston Southern: Zia Cooke led South Carolina in scoring. She has scored in double figures in all however two video games this season.

2. Stanford Cardinal (11-1)
Earlier rating: 2
This week: vs. Creighton (Tuesday), vs. California (Friday)

Tennessee made Stanford work for it within the groups’ annual matchup Sunday. However the Cardinal’s “massive three” — Cameron Brink, Haley Jones and Hannah Leap — took over, combining for 59 of Stanford’s factors in a 77-70 win. Brink additionally had 17 rebounds and 6 blocked photographs. Not many foes may have solutions for all of that.

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Cameron Brink elevates for the bigtime stuff

3. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0)
Earlier rating: 3
This week: vs. South Florida (Tuesday), vs. Arkansas/Oregon (Wednesday); each video games at San Diego Invitational

The Buckeyes remained unbeaten with an 82-57 win over Albany on Friday, however might be examined in San Diego this week. Injured guard Jacy Sheldon has not performed since Nov. 30 at Louisville. However gamers reminiscent of freshman Cotie McMahon and sophomore Taylor Thierry, each forwards, have raised their degree of play.

4. Indiana Hoosiers (11-0)
Earlier rating: 4
This week: vs. Butler (Wednesday)

The Hoosiers cruised over Morehead State by 63 factors Sunday and 10 Indiana gamers scored. It might look quite a bit the identical in opposition to Butler this week earlier than Indiana heads into the vacation break undefeated and prepared for Massive Ten season.

5. Notre Dame Preventing Irish (9-1)
Earlier rating: 5
This week: vs. Western Michigan (Wednesday)

We talked about Miles and the Irish protection in opposition to Virginia Tech within the “win of the week” above. However kudos additionally to inside gamers Maddy Westbeld and Lauren Ebo, who mixed for 25 factors and 14 rebounds in beating the Hokies.

6. NC State Wolfpack (11-1)
Earlier rating: 6
This week: No video games

Steadiness is what the Wolfpack are all about. After cruising previous Davidson final week, NC State opened ACC play beating Clemson 77-59. Madison Hayes had 20 factors in opposition to Clemson, the seventh completely different participant to guide the Wolfpack in scoring this season.

7. North Carolina Tar Heels (9-1)
Earlier rating: 7
This week: vs. Michigan (Tuesday)

The Tar Heels cruised over South Carolina Upstate final week. Their matchup with Michigan is a part of the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte, North Carolina, and shall be their fourth recreation in opposition to a ranked staff. It is also their final nonconference recreation; they start ACC play Dec. 29 in opposition to Florida State. Junior guard Kennedy Todd-Williams already has made 22 3-pointers — she had 25 final season — and is taking pictures 43.1% from behind the arc.

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UConn pulls off the win vs. Florida State, 85-77

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8. UConn Huskies (8-2)
Earlier rating: 9
This week: vs. Seton Corridor (Wednesday)

With gamers’ accidents and coaches’ sicknesses, it has already been a making an attempt season for the Huskies. However with coach Geno Auriemma not feeling properly and never on the sidelines, UConn nonetheless defeated a Florida State squad that has one of many nation’s high freshmen in guard Ta’Niya Latson. She had 24 factors Sunday, however UConn had Dorka Juhász (15 factors) and Nika Mühl (12 assists) again from harm in an 85-77 win.

9. Virginia Tech Hokies (10-1)
Earlier rating: 8
This week: at Excessive Level (Wednesday)

The Hokies had an opportunity to make a press release in opposition to their first ranked foe this season, with Notre Dame visiting Sunday. It did not occur. Aside from heart Elizabeth Kitley and guard Georgia Amoore, who mixed for 36 of the Hokies’ 52 factors, Virginia Tech had little to supply offensively. Contemplating how good the Irish are, although, the Hokies keep within the Energy Rankings high 10 for now.

10. LSU Tigers (12-0)
Earlier rating: 12
This week: No video games

Everybody has been ready for the Tigers to face a Energy 5 opponent for the primary time this season, which they did in opposition to Oregon State on the Maui Traditional. It was shut for 1 / 4, then LSU took management. An 87-55 victory will not quiet all of the critics of LSU’s schedule, however the Tigers aren’t fearful about that. Subsequent cease: SEC season.

11. Iowa Hawkeyes (9-3)
Earlier rating: 10
This week: vs. Dartmouth (Wednesday)

The in-state rivalry video games in Iowa might be tough: The Hawkeyes needed to go to time beyond regulation to beat Drake in November. However they defeated Iowa State by 13 on Dec. 7, after which Sunday topped Northern Iowa by 14. If you happen to guessed Caitlin Clark led Iowa in factors (26), rebounds (8) and assists (7) — properly, in fact she did.

12. Iowa State Cyclones (8-2)
Earlier rating: 11
This week: vs. Drake (Thursday)

Talking of state of Iowa rivalry video games, the Cyclones end theirs this week with Drake. They go into it feeling good after an necessary win in opposition to Villanova within the Basketball Corridor of Fame Girls’s Showcase in Connecticut on Sunday. After shedding to North Carolina and Iowa, the Cyclones actually wanted a win over a ranked staff and bought it, led by double-doubles from Ashley Joens (17 factors, 10 rebounds) and Emily Ryan (16 factors, 10 assists).

13. UCLA Bruins (11-1)
Earlier rating: 14
This week: vs. Fresno State (Tuesday)

Senior Charisma Osborne and freshman Kiki Rice have been main the best way for the Bruins. But additionally control sophomore ahead Emily Bessoir, who led UCLA in scoring final week in wins over USC and Cal State Bakersfield. Bessoir missed final season with a torn ACL however had some massive video games as a freshman in 2020-21.

14. Utah Utes (10-0)
Earlier rating: 13
This week: at Weber State (Tuesday), vs. Southern Utah (Thursday)

Utah bought its first Pac-12 win of the season with an 85-58 romp over Colorado, then blew out UC Riverside 92-45. After two in-state rivalry video games this week for the Utes, we’ll see what they will do with the remainder of the Pac-12 schedule.

15. Oregon Geese (9-1)
Earlier rating: 16
This week: vs. Arkansas (Tuesday), vs. Ohio State/South Florida (Wednesday); each video games at San Diego Invitational

The Geese dominated Japanese Washington and Charleston final week however ought to be challenged in San Diego this week. Phillipina Kyei, a 6-8 sophomore, is main Oregon in rebounding at 11.2 RPG and will play a key function.

16. Arkansas Razorbacks (13-0)
Earlier rating: NR
This week: vs. Oregon (Tuesday), vs. Ohio State/South Florida (Wednesday); each video games at San Diego Invitational

Neighbors mentioned the Razorbacks performed their most cohesive recreation this season of their win at Creighton final week. It was additionally useful to have senior guard Makayla Daniels again after she had missed three video games with harm. She actually helps make their offense run smoother.

Fell out: Creighton