Week 6 is over! The rankings are here, and history says they might give a hint at who’s headed for the national championship. Over the past 20 seasons, the average Week 6 ranking of the eventual national champion has been 4.8. Basically, Week 6 is usually the best barometer for who’s going to cut down the nets in April, with one major exception.

The only time a team outside the top 12 made a championship run was in 2003-04 Syracuse. So, Tennessee, Auburn, Iowa State, and Duke look pretty solid. And as for Kansas, well, they had a rough week, losing two straight after a winning streak. Tough break, but there’s still plenty of season left. Overall, we can say that it’s been an interesting week. So, do you want to know the major headlines from this week? Let’s get into it! 

Liam McNeeley shines again as BIG EAST Freshman of the Week

First up, Liam McNeeley, UConn’s 6’7 freshman forward, has been on a roll lately and just earned BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors for the second time this season. He had a standout week, averaging 12.0 points and 8.5 rebounds, helping the Huskies secure big wins over No. 15 Baylor and Texas. 

The hooper’s performance included a 17-point, eight-rebound effort in a tight win against Baylor and seven points and nine rebounds in his home state against Texas. Now, he ranks second among BIG EAST freshmen with 12.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. On top of that, his 83.8% free-throw percentage is top-10 in the league. 

But what sets him apart is his consistency. Because this isn’t McNeeley’s first time earning accolades. Back in November, he was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week after an impressive performance against Le Moyne, scoring 15 points.

Even before the regular season, he was named the 2024-25 Preseason BIG EAST Freshman of the Year. All this recognition and honors have led to him being one of the top freshmen in the country and he is expected to be a lottery pick in next June’s NBA Draft. 

While McNeeley is stealing the spotlight as UConn’s freshman sensation this year, another baller who could be the next big thing in college hoops has big news.

AJ Dybantsa commitment date announced

The No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, AJ Dybantsa, is ready to make his college decision, and we’re all in. The 6-foot-9 forward from Hurricane (Utah) Prep will announce his commitment live on ESPN’s First Take on Tuesday, December 10, at 10:30 AM. So, who’s in the running? 

Dybantsa has narrowed it down to four schools: Alabama, BYU, Kansas, and North Carolina. While BYU has been the favorite for a while, things have gotten interesting lately, with Alabama and North Carolina closing the gap. As of now, 247Sports analyst Travis Branham still has BYU as the top contender.

Even a source close to BYU told Pete Nakos that the school was “prepared to pay” Dybantsa between $4 million and $4.5 million. But we never know. Anything can happen. And well all the eyes are set. By any chance, if you’re thinking, why is he such a big deal, you must know that this prodigy is the full package. He’s got the size, athleticism, and skill to dominate on the court. 

He’s been one of the best scorers in high school basketball. It’s no surprise he is even likely a one-and-done player and a top pick for the 2026 NBA Draft. Moreover, the no. 1 recruit is expected to land some impressive lucrative NIL deal, with some reports saying it could be worth between $3-$4 million. So, you know, wherever he lands, he’s going to make an instant impact.

Duke Blue Devils move up in rankings, but are they really better than Kentucky?

In the good news, the Duke Blue Devils performed like true blue bloods this week. The team is now ranked #4 in the latest AP Poll, jumping up 5 spots after their win against Auburn. But why is it controversial? 

Because Kentucky, who beat Duke on a neutral floor just a few weeks ago, dropped a spot to #5. That means, Blue Devils are ranked higher than the Wildcats despite losing to them. That doesn’t quite add up. Duke, with a 7-2 record, has had some solid wins this season. 

They’ve taken down Arizona, Auburn, and Louisville. But, they also lost to Kansas (ranked #19 now) and, obviously, Kentucky (who’s currently ranked #5). You would think Duke’s two losses would count against them, especially since one of those was against a Kentucky team that’s still boasting an impressive record. But here we are.

It is also quite the talk because, as we already discussed, week 6 is always a big deal. By now, the major tournaments are behind us, and we’ve got a better sense. So, as the season goes on, it’ll be interesting to see how Duke’s impressive performances continue. Do they rise from here, sustain, or fall? Let’s see and stay tuned for next week’s updates!