The NET rankings have a new team in the top-five.
On Friday morning, Illinois shot up the rankings from No. 10 to No. 5 with a massive win over Oregon on the road. The Ducks fell all the way from No. 11 to No. 23 with the loss.
Illinois dominated Oregon in Eugene, winning 109-77 to advance to 10-3 on the season and 2-1 in Big Ten play. The Illini took a seven-point lead into the half, and then dominated Oregon 64-39 in the second half to run away with the win. Brad Underwood’s squad shot 58% from the field and 55% from three-point range in the win.
Illinois is ranked No. 22 in the AP Poll, while Oregon is ranked No. 9.
Six different Illini players scored in double figures, led by Tre White, who contributed with 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting and also grabbed 11 rebounds for a double double. Kasparas Jakucionis filled the stat sheet for Ilinois, posting a 16-point, 6-rebound, 6-assist stat line. Transfer Ben Humrichous added 18 points, hitting four three pointers in the winning effort. Kylan Boswell also hit four three pointers, and finished with 15 points and four assists. Jake Davis and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn both went 5 for 6 from the field and finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
This win was Illinois’ first win away from home over a top-ten team since the 2021 season.
Pitt opened December in that No. 5 spot in the NET rankings, and now sits at No. 13. While Illinois owns three Quad 1 wins already, the Panthers have two — one over West Virginia at home, and one over Ohio State on the road.
West Virginia, Ohio State Helping Pitt with Strong Seasons
The Panthers took down West Virginia 86-62 at home back on Nov. 15, 2024 in the beginning of the season. Pitt then beat Ohio State on Black Friday 91-90 on a game-winning three from Zack Austin.
Since then, both the Mountaineers and Buckeyes have continued to win games. West Virginia has won six-straight games and is now 10-2 under first-year head coach Darian DeVries. The Mountaineers have some of the most impressive wins in the country under their belt. WVU has defeated No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 24 Arizona, and No. 7 Kansas so far this season. The win over Kansas came on New Year’s Eve in dramatic fashion.
Pitt Knocks Out West Virginia Early in Brawl, 86-62
Ohio State is now 9-4 on the year with wins over No. 19 Texas, No. 4 Kentucky, and others. Ohio State will now play against No. 18 Michigan State on Friday night.
