Joe Murphy/Getty Images

Tennessee went on the road to hand Memphis its first loss.

Player of the Week: Dwayne Collins, Miami

By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

Last week: 26 points and 7 rebounds in a 96-95 win over Duke; 12 points and 6 rebounds in a 78-63 win over Maryland

Dwayne Collins isn't a household name. He didn't beat Duke and Maryland at home by himself. But his play in the post was monumental in helping the Hurricanes suddenly surge back into play as a possible NCAA team.

Collins exploited the Blue Devils' void inside with a powerful 26 points, making an efficient 12 of 14 shots, grabbing seven boards and picking up two steals in the 96-95 victory over Duke. Collins followed that up with a solid 12-point, 6-rebound effort in a win over Maryland.

Collins has had his lulls this season, scoring only two points in the last game at Duke and single digits in 15 games. But when Collins plays to his potential and when he is a presence in the post, the Canes have a chance to be an NCAA team.

He did just that during the homestand last week. As a result, Miami is 19-7 overall, 6-6 in the ACC. A road game at Clemson is on tap Wednesday, followed by home games against Virginia and Boston College before a road finale at Florida State. All are within reach for Miami to make a charge toward a berth. If Collins continues this kind of play, the Canes will get there by Selection Sunday.

Team of the Week: Tennessee Volunteers

By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

Last week: Beat Auburn 89-70; Won at No. 1 Memphis 66-62

OK, so how many teams knocked off the top-ranked and only remaining undefeated team in the country?

Tennessee pounded Auburn earlier in the week, then outlasted Memphis in a rocking environment at the FedExForum. The Vols will ascend to the top spot in the polls. They might last just a week if Vanderbilt beats the Vols on Tuesday in Nashville.

But last week, Tennessee did something it hadn't done before; it put itself in position to be the No. 1 team in the country. The Vols also are lined up for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Tennessee's ability to score in a variety of ways -- on the offensive glass, in transition, midrange -- and essentially make plays in the final minutes were enough to outlast the Tigers. The effort was outstanding. The composure by the Vols was professional, as much as can be expected by a college team.

Tennessee didn't wilt one time during the mayhem Saturday night. If the Vols can display similar poise throughout March, they have a real shot at being in San Antonio in April.

3-Point Shot

By Jay Bilas
ESPN

1. Two of many Tennessee didn't outshoot or outrun Memphis to win, the Vols out-scrapped the Tigers. Bruce Pearl's orange-clad crew packed its defense inside the 3-point line, took away drives, and outfought Memphis to rebounds and loose balls all night long. For Memphis, its warts were clear, but even missing 15 of 16 3-point shots down the stretch and clanging free throws as per usual, Memphis was just a single possession away from winning the game. The Tennessee-Memphis showdown featured the two top-ranked teams, but who says it featured the two best teams? Memphis and Tennessee are each just as capable of winning it all after the game as they were before it. This season has been an interesting one, and no single team has stood out among the crowd as being dominant. Whether it is UCLA, Memphis, Kansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Duke, Louisville or Georgetown, you can make a really good case for several teams to win it in March. All have looked unbeatable on certain days, and all have looked vulnerable and flawed on others. Which of these teams will be playing its best basketball in March and early April? The Tennessee-Memphis game was terrific, and it will be a thrill for Tennessee to be No. 1, but few will remember the game past this season. This Volunteer State battle was just a prelude. I can't wait.

2. Early losses The NBA draft's early entry option has had a profound impact on the college game. Last season's Final Four teams (Florida, Ohio State, Georgetown and UCLA) each lost players to the NBA draft, and all of them lost players early. UCLA lost junior Arron Afflalo; Georgetown lost junior Jeff Green; Ohio State lost freshmen Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook; and Florida lost juniors Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Taurean Green. It is no wonder that the Final Four teams that lost the least returned as the strongest, and the Final Four teams that lost the most returned as the weakest. For the two finalists, Florida and Ohio State, the NCAA Tournament is a dicey proposition. Right now, Ohio State and Florida are teetering on the edge of the NIT and need to win some games heading down the stretch to prove their worth.

3. Rock the vote The vote for national player of the year is going to be an interesting one. To me, it comes down to Kansas State freshman Michael Beasley and North Carolina junior Tyler Hansbrough. Without reasonable debate, Beasley is the better prospect and has the better future in the NBA. But the vote depends upon how one defines "player of the year." Is it reserved for the best and most talented player? Or is it reserved for the best and most valuable player on a contending team? Hansbrough is having a spectacular season, and his workmanlike efforts night in and night out have been truly impressive. Beasley is a super-talented irresistible force who is putting up numbers that would make Kevin Durant's jaw drop. Whatever your definition of player of the year, the only thing that seems unacceptable to me is to vote for one because he is older or to withhold a vote for one because he might be a freshman. The game has changed, and these freshmen deserve a fair shake. If a freshman is the most worthy for player of the year, give him the trophy and shake his hand.

Upset Watch

By Reggie Rankin
Scouts Inc.

• Monday: Villanova over Marquette, ESPN, 7 p.m. ET
Junior point guard Dominic James can dominate a game in many ways. He is not only a double-figure scorer but the Golden Eagles' best defender and assist leader. Jerel McNeal can score in the open court and make opponents pay when he attacks off the dribble. Forward Lazar Hayward is a consistent rebounder with excellent skill that allows him to score inside as well as range that extends to the arc. Add versatile guard Wes Matthews, along with the 3-point shooting of David Cubillan and Dan Fitzgerald, and Marquette is solid in every area on the perimeter. The Wildcats will counter with leading scorer Scottie Reynolds, who has NBA range and the ability to finish in the lane off the bounce. Corey Fisher also can make deep jumpers to help Reynolds. Forwards Dante Cunningham and Casiem Drummond are the best inside threats and top rebounders. Villanova has good firepower on the perimeter, and if it can get some points in the paint from athletic Cunningham, the Wildcats might be able to get over the hump for a huge home win.

• Tuesday: Ohio State over Indiana, ESPN, 7 p.m. ET
Without coach Kelvin Sampson, the Hoosiers will attempt to maintain their focus on the job at hand of winning the Big Ten championship. Player of the year candidate D.J. White has been terrific with his powerful inside finishes and tenacious rebounding. Eric Gordon is a pro shooting guard right now, and Armon Bassett, Jordan Crawford and Jamarcus Ellis make the Hoosiers the league's most talented team. The Buckeyes will need a great performance from leader Jamar Butler, Kosta Koufos, Othello Hunter and Jon Diebler to be in the game. In the teams' first encounter, only Koufos and Diebler managed double figures. Ohio State will need to know Gordon's whereabouts in the matchup zone at all times and need to make the Hoosiers operate on a short shot clock by using the zone press after scores. The Bucks might be able to avoid the sweep if they can get off to a good start and make shots down the stretch in hostile Assembly Hall.

• Wednesday: Minnesota over Purdue, 9 p.m. ET
The young Boilermakers have answered the bell for coach Matt Painter all season. E'Twaun Moore, Robbie Hummel and Keaton Grant can all knock down 3s, rebound and pass. Their man defense has great intensity, and they make opponents work for every shot. The Gophers are in full transition mode under new coach Tubby Smith and have showed improvement from last season. Forward Dan Coleman has taken his game to the next level under Smith, and he leads Minnesota in scoring and rebounding. Lawrence McKenzie is an experienced guard with 3-point range, and wide body Spencer Tollackson can score with his back to the basket. Freshman point guard Al Nolen is an excellent ball handler and passer who has gained valuable experience in his first year in the Big Ten. Smith brings championship experience to the Minnesota sideline, and he will be motivating his new team to display toughness and aggressiveness in order to knock off Purdue in Mackey Arena.

• Thursday: Wright State over Butler, ESPNU, 9 p.m. ET
Wright State used tenacious defense and a balanced scoring attack to give the Bulldogs their first loss, a 43-42 low-scoring battle Dec. 8. The Raiders paid special attention to sharpshooter A.J. Graves, making him shoot contested shots and mixing in the double team that forced him to give up the ball. Graves finished 2-for-11 and manufactured only six points. Mike Green also was held to six points, on 2-for-12 shooting. Butler shot 32 percent for the game, and the Raiders knocked down 47.4 percent of their shots. Expect Green and Graves to play better in this Horizon rematch. But if the Raiders can get offensive production from leading scorer Vaughn Duggins to go along with Todd Brown and Scottie Wilson, the Wright State motion offense could cause problems for the packed-in defense of Butler. Add another gutsy performance on defense, and the result might be the same in Hinkle Fieldhouse with the Horizon League regular-season title on the line.

• Saturday: Kansas State over Kansas, ESPN, 9:00 p.m. ET
Allen Fieldhouse will be rockin' when the Wildcats come to Lawrence in hopes of a sweep. Darrell Arthur and Darnell Jackson must lead the charge against Michael Beasley, who burned them for 25 points, followed by Bill Walker's 22 points. Clent Stewart and Jacob Pullen will have to take care of the ball against the pressure of Mario Chalmers and Russell Robinson. Brandon Rush must be aggressive on offense from the tip, as he will need to be in double figures for the Jayhawks to be successful. If the Wildcats handle the atmosphere and Beasley goes crazy again, K-State has a great chance at a huge road win.

• Saturday: Gonzaga over St. Mary's, 8 p.m. ET
The Gaels have everything in place heading down the homestretch. They play tough defense and have a terrific point guard in Patty Mills, a versatile forward in Diamon Simpson and a post scorer in Omar Samhan. After winning the first game 89-85 at home in an overtime thriller, St. Mary's has confidence against the Zags, who have dominated the West Coast Conference in years past. The rematch in Spokane should be a treat to watch. Matt Bouldin and Jeremy Pargo will look to shoot the 3 and attack off the dribble. Austin Daye is a skilled wing with a scoring mentality who can catch fire on offense with range beyond the arc. Forward Josh Heytvelt can score in the lane, and guards David Pendergraft and Micah Downs can knock down the open 3. The Zags' size and depth, along with their motivation to avenge the loss from Feb. 4, give them the upper hand.

This Week

By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

Here's what I'm looking forward to this week:

• Marquette at Villanova, Monday (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET): Nova is back in the discussion as an NCAA team. Beat Marquette and it's more than a conversation.

• Texas at Kansas State, Monday (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET): The Wildcats have a rough week with this game, then KU, and the Longhorns are one of the hottest teams in the country.

• BYU at New Mexico, Tuesday: The Lobos are a legit NCAA-bid contender if they win this game and top UNLV later in the week.

• Tennessee at Vanderbilt, Tuesday (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET): The Vols are No. 1, and the Commodores are in a different mind-set since the last time these two met in a one-sided affair in Knoxville.

• Miami at Clemson, Wednesday: If the Canes win this game, the noise to be an NCAA team becomes even louder.

• Notre Dame at Louisville, Thursday (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET): Two of the hottest teams in the Big East meet.

• USC at Arizona, Thursday (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET): The Wildcats pulled a surprise by beating Washington State. Taking out the Trojans likely would cement a bid.

• UCLA at Arizona State, Thursday: The Sun Devils got hammered when they last faced the Bruins. I'd be surprised if the same occurred this time.

• Washington State at Cal, Thursday: The Bears might have to win this game to get a bid.

• Georgetown at Marquette, Saturday: The Eagles can be a spoiler for the Hoyas' chances to win the Big East.

• Washington State at Stanford, Saturday: The Cougs might need to get a split out of the Bay Area if things go awry at Cal.

• St. Mary's at Gonzaga, Saturday: The WCC title is on the line.

• Kansas State at Kansas, Saturday (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET): The Jayhawks will be looking for a little revenge after the last game the two teams played, in Manhattan.

• Kentucky at Tennessee, Sunday: Revenge seems to be the theme this week.

• UCLA at Arizona, Sunday: The last time the two teams played, Kevin O'Neill shattered a grease board in the visitors locker room.