Top-25 college basketball matchups ruled the weekend

The GIST: Women’s college basketball jump-started conference play with two thrilling top-25 matchups, while the men’s side saw chaos in the non-conference slate this weekend. Is it too early to start the March Madness countdown?

🟢 No. 17 Michigan State women top 🟡 No. 21 Iowa: The 10-0 Spartans are off to their best start in school history, most recently beating Iowa 68–66 in a come-from-behind victory. Fifth-year senior Julia Ayrault’s 19 points, and Iowa’s 23 turnovers, helped the sparkling Spartans stay perfect.

🐝 No. 25 Georgia Tech women upset 👣 No. 14 North Carolina: Speaking of perfection, Georgia Tech is 11-0 after upsetting UNC 76–82 behind a 23-point effort from junior Tonie Morgan. UNC never gave up, outscoring Georgia Tech 31-16 (!!!) in the fourth quarter, but nothing could bring down that Yellow Jacket buzz.

🐺 No. 18 UConn men get a much-needed win over 🐶 No. 8 Gonzaga: UConn recorded their biggest win of the season, defeating Gonzaga 77–71 to hand the Zags their third loss of the season. Huskies freshman Liam McNeeley is proving to be the latest UConn star, finishing with 26 points and 8 rebounds. Yessir.

🥇 No. 1 Tennessee survives test from unranked 🟠 Illinois: Tennessee senior guard Jordan Gainey saved his team from disaster with a career-high 23 points and a buzzer-beating layup to stave off Illinois. The Vols are on a roll, winning their first 10 games for the first time in 25 years.