And then there was one.
A single Division I NCAA basketball team remains unbeaten as we approach March.
Some may think it is the number one team in the country standing alone at the top. However, it is a team most people may have never even heard of, Miami (OH).
The Mid-American team stands alone ranked No. 23 in the country, but holds a title most teams can never accomplish, the perfect season.
Miami (OH) has been on a 24-game winning streak this season, and they only have seven games left to play making this perfect season in reach.
After No. 9 Kansas defeated No. 1 Arizona on Feb. 9. The top ranked Wildcats finally fell for the first time. They were 6-0 against ranked opponents this season, including monstrous wins over BYU, UConn, Alabama and UCLA. All of these were also on the road.
Another top five shakeup happened in the Big East when No. 3 UConn fell to rival No. 22 St. John’s on the road. This game brought every bit of intensity with eight lead changes and six ties. The Johnnies pulled away in the final minutes, but UConn will prepare for their next matchup against them at Peoples Bank Arena on Feb. 25.
The first game of the “Battle of The Blues” took place in Chapel Hill, N.C. in an instant classic. Duke held the lead for the whole game, until the final .4 seconds. UNC climbed back from a 13-point deficit to stun the top ranked Blue Devils. In a last second shot, UNC guard Seth Trimble drilled a corner three-pointer to secure the win. Leaving .4 seconds on the clock, Duke forced a desperation throw that never hit the basket.
While the calendar says Valentine’s Day, the bright lights remain on the hardwood with multiple top 25 matchups this Saturday.
The ACC has No. 4 Duke taking on No. 20 Clemson. Clemson has won 14 consecutive road games dating back to last season, which ties the second longest streak in ACC history. That history will be tested on the road as they face a Blue Devils team hungry for a win after the buzzer beater loss in Chapel Hill.
After Kansas’s big win against No. 1 Arizona, they will look to continue the streak on the road against No. 5 Iowa State. The Jayhawks handed the Cyclones their first loss of the season in January 84-63.
Kansas first-year guard Darryn Peterson did not play against Arizona on Feb. 9 and could make things harder for Kansas. Despite this, they are coming off a huge win and showed they can take on any opponent.
Arizona will host Texas Tech in a Big 12 matchup. This is the only meeting of the season between these two successful programs and should be a high-scoring game with these offenses.
After coming off their first loss of the season, the way Arizona responds will be crucial as we approach the biggest month in the college basketball season. Arizona also has two more ranked opponents following this matchup, and a slip-up here could hurt their March ranking.
The final top 25 matchup takes place in the home of the defending “chomps.”
The Florida Gators will host Kentucky after the Wildcats season sweep against Tennessee. Florida has not been that national championship team they were last year, but they have shown they know how to fight, and it puts them in the top spot in the SEC. Kentucky is right behind them and can switch places with a win on the road.
As conference standings tighten, this week brings top seeded teams to the hardwood. Every possession is important as the clock winds down to March.
Love is in the air, but the tension on the court could not be higher.