(Wikimedia Commons)
Here’s a look at what you missed in major sports this past week:
We are now down to merely three undefeated teams following #6 BYU’s loss to unranked Kansas. With just two weeks remaining in the season, there is more drama than ever before thanks to the new 12-team playoff format. Every game matters, and with so many top teams having one or two losses these last two weeks, things are shaping up to be pure cinema. Looking back on this past week. Georgia solidified its playoff chances with a convincing win over Tennessee, Oregon squeezed by Wisconsin 16-13, LSU’s playoff hopes were eradicated following a loss to Florida, and Ohio State celebrated a 31-7 victory over Northwestern at Wrigley Field. The Buckeyes take on #5 Indiana next weekend at home for Big Noon Kickoff.
In the NBA, all the focus has been on the Cleveland Cavaliers, who remain undefeated at 14-0, good for the third best start to a season in NBA history. The Cavs have looked dominant in all facets of the game, and Donovan Mitchell looks like an MVP candidate. They are in steady control of the East, who, besides the Celtics, has no team looking like championship caliber. Perhaps the worst of the bunch is the Milwaukee Bucks, who were projected to be title-favorites, but instead sit at a measly 4-10. This hasn’t been due to Giannis Antetokoumpo and Damian Lilliard’s play, as the duo have been smashing records in the early part of the season. The West has been much more tight, with the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder currently tied for first place, both with a 9-2 record. The first MVP power rankings were released, with reigning winner Nikola Jokic rising to the top, followed by Donovan Mitchell. It is no shock to see Jokic on top, as he has won the award three times in the last four years. This week also saw the beginning of the annual In-Season Tournament, in which teams compete in a group stage before advancing to a single-elimination bracket. These games all count towards the teams’ regular season record, and while the winner doesn’t really receive any prize or glory, iy contributes to a much needed increase in intensity during early season games.