Ten Key Trends: An Upset Looming in the Big East DPOY Race

This week, key players and strategies are shaping the NCAA landscape, with notable trends in team performances and player impact.

1. Oregon Lineup Needs More Play
   Oregon’s defense is elite, and its trio of defenders — Bamba, Evans, and Bittle — is proving to be a crucial asset.

2. Big East DPOY Race Upset
   Ryan Kalkbrenner’s run might be challenged by Zuby Ejiofor’s impressive performance for St. John’s.

3. Pick-and-Roll Defenses to Avoid
   Tennessee’s Jahmai Mashack highlights defenses that are susceptible to the pick-and-roll.

4. Pick-and-Roll Defenses to Target
   Some teams like Vanderbilt are struggling against this offensive play, making them vulnerable.

5. Offenses Rising
   Teams like Louisville and BYU show significant improvements in their offensive strategies.

6. Offenses Falling
   Programs such as Marquette face challenges as their scoring metrics decline.

7. Defensive Trends
   Teams like Saint Mary’s excel defensively, pivotal as the tournament approaches.

8. Defense Slips for Some
   Illinois and Kentucky show declining statistics where defenses are concerned.

9. Consistency among the Best
   Maryland maintains solid performances, being almost unchanged in their rankings.

10. The Inconsistency of Others
    Some teams drastically drop in rankings, such as TCU as they fail to address offensive weaknesses.