CBB weekend winners, losers: Big Ten battles take center stage

The Razorbacks shot just 21% from 3-point range and fell to fourth in the conference standings. If this game proved anything, the SEC is still a jumbled mess.

Winner: Illinois Fighting Illini

For a second straight week, No. 9 Illinois is a winner. The Fighting Illini stormed into Pinnacle Bank Arena and handed No. 5 Nebraska its second consecutive loss Sunday afternoon.

Freshman Keaton Wagler impressed again, scoring 28 points and efficiently getting to the free-throw line. Illinois dominated the boards, outrebounding the Cornhuskers 40-27.

It’s the first time Illinois has beaten consecutive top-5 opponents on the road, and the Illini are well-positioned to make a late-season push for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Loser: Georgia Bulldogs

After wins over Auburn and Arkansas, Georgia appeared to be a contender in the SEC. However, the Bulldogs just dropped their third straight game, this time at the hands of conference-leader Texas A&M.

The Aggies sprang out to an early lead using a 20-0 run, creating an insurmountable deficit. Georgia also struggled from 3-point range, shooting just 7 of 28.

The schedule doesn’t ease up anytime soon, so if the Bulldogs don’t turn things around, they may fall out of NCAA Tournament contention.

Winner: Saint Louis Billikens

No. 21 Saint Louis has quietly put together a spectacular season. The Billikens defeated Dayton by 31 points Friday night to improve to 21-1.

Guard Trey Green shot 7 of 10 from beyond the arc and finished with 23 points, matching his season high. Saint Louis holds the third-longest active winning streak in the country.

Looking ahead, the Billikens have a showdown at George Mason to close the regular season, which will likely decide the top seed in the A-10 tournament.

Loser: Any team playing at Utah State

Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in Logan, Utah, is known as the best home-court advantage in the west, and for good reason. Utah State has lost only six home games over the past four seasons.

From unique chants to wearing latex gloves to clap louder, the Aggies’ student section — known as the HURD — turns opposing teams’ trips into nightmares. San Diego State was the latest victim, falling 71-66 Saturday, moving Utah State into first place in the Mountain West.