Top-Ranked Purdue, Houston Upsets on the Same Day Proves to Be a Rare Sight for College Basketball

College basketball took center stage on Tuesday, with the top two teams in the AP men’s college basketball list losing to unranked opponents. No. 1 Purdue fell to Nebraska 88-72, while No. 2 Houston lost its first game of the season to Iowa State 57-53. This was the first time since Feb. 6, 2016, that the top two teams in the poll lost to unranked opponents on the same day, and only the eighth time in the poll’s history.

Houston became the last team in men’s college basketball to lose a game this season, falling to Iowa State in the Cougars’ first conference road game as a member of the Big 12. Whereas Purdue becomes just the second team in AP poll history to lose multiple games as a No. 1 team to unranked opponents in consecutive seasons, the other being North Carolina in 1985-86 and 1986-87.

The top-tiers lost their crown on the same day

The unexpected upsets of both Houston and Purdue have sent shockwaves through the college basketball world. The Hilton Coliseum saw the Iowa State Cyclones dethrone college basketball’s last undefeated team. Houston turned the ball over 16 times, contributing significantly to their first half woes. The Cyclones got off to a hot 14-0 start that the Houston Cougars failed to overcome. The game ended 53-57 in Iowa’s favor last night. “It’s only the THIRD time in the last 40 years that No. 1 and No. 2 lost to unranked opponents on the same day,” wrote ESPN on Instagram.

Similarly, Purdue, known for its strong offense and disciplined play, struggled to keep up with Nebraska’s relentless attack. The Cornhuskers put on an impressive offensive display, shooting lights out from beyond the arc and dominating the boards. As Houston and Purdue regroup and analyze their performances, they will need to make adjustments to ensure they bounce back and regain their footing in the season.

Read More: Zach Edey’s No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers Collapse to Nebraska Cornhuskers in an Unexpected Upset

Purdue’s upsetting match

The Boilermakers entered the game on a seven-game winning streak, including victories over Arizona, Illinois, and Alabama. Nebraska matched them shot for shot in the first half and finished the first half on a 13-0 run to lead by 11 at halftime.

Purdue cut Nebraska’s lead to one within the first six minutes of the second half, but the Cornhuskers responded with a 14-2 run to take their biggest lead of the game with 11:53 remaining. Much like the Cougars, Purdue struggled with turnovers against Nebraska. They lost possession of the ball 14 times.

Even more disappointing was the Boilermakers’ defense. Zach Edey recorded the only 2 blocks for the team while Fletcher Loyer had Purdue’s only steal on the night. While the Cornhuskers also recorded just 3 blocks, they clamped up the Boilermakers with 9 steals.

These surprising outcomes will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the college basketball landscape. The rankings will need to be reshuffled, as these upsets have shown that no team can be taken for granted. It serves as a reminder that anything can happen in the world of sports, and the underdogs can rise to the occasion.

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