The curse of the No. 1 ranked men’s college basketball team continues as Kansas becomes the latest team to lose as the top team in the country. It was Villanova doing the honors in the Wells Fargo Center as they defeated the Jayhawks 56-55. Kansas becomes the fifth No. 1 team to lose which is already a record.
FINAL: Villanova 56, Kansas 55
Five No. 1 teams have lost so far this season — the most such losses in a single season in the poll era, per @ESPNStatsInfo. Michigan State, Kentucky, Duke, Louisville, now Kansas.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) December 21, 2019
Villanova had the lead for most of the game but Kansas kept it close throughout. For the first half, Kansas had a seven point lead and then the Wildcats had an eight point lead before the Jayhawks closed the spread. At the end, it was Jermaine Samuels who came up huge to sink the winning three with 20.5 seconds.
JERMAINE. SAMUELS.@J_Swizz23 hits the CLUTCH three to put @NovaMBB on top 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/S8eKVaFiWe
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 21, 2019
Kansas did scare Villanova at the buzzer. A jumper from Devon Dotson was no good and Villanova fans were celebrating on their home court.
Kansas came THIS CLOSE to hitting the winner against Villanova 😬 pic.twitter.com/dpt8ekjw9X
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 21, 2019
The carousel at the top will now have a new team and that looks to be Gonzaga, who already have one less in the season. They play Eastern Washington later today so if Gonzaga wins, they should be the new No. 1.