DENVER – The Denver Pioneers hockey team ranks No. 6 nationally in both the USCHO.com and USA Hockey/The Rink Live polls, which were released on Monday. Denver achieved this ranking after going 1-0-1 against the Omaha Mavericks over the weekend. The teams faced off on Friday night, ending the game tied 3-3, but the Pioneers came back strong on Saturday to win decisively, 11-2. This remarkable win not only secured four points for Denver but also tied the NCHC record for the most goals scored in a league game.
The Pioneers’ performance over the weekend showcased their strength and resilience. While they lost the end-of-game shootout on Friday after 16 rounds – the longest shootout in NCHC history—Denver's strong showing on Saturday switched the momentum back to their favor. The Pioneers now sit at No. 8 overall in the Pairwise rankings, which play a significant role in determining the NCAA Tournament field.
Meanwhile, Boston College maintains its position as the No. 1 team nationally, receiving 48 out of 50 first-place votes from the USCHO.com poll and 33 out of 34 from the USA Hockey/The Rink Live rankings. Following Boston College, Michigan State ranks at No. 2, Minnesota No. 3, Western Michigan at No. 4, and Maine at No. 5. The NCHC continues to demonstrate its prowess by placing five teams within the top 20 rankings.
Next up for Denver is a highly anticipated matchup against the No. 12 Arizona State Sun Devils, which will take place this weekend at Mullett Arena. The Pioneers' first game against the Sun Devils is set for Friday, at 7 p.m. MT, and will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network. Saturday’s rematch will kick off at 5 p.m. MT, available regionally on Altitude 2 and online at NCHC.tv.
Looking at the women’s college basketball scene, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have also seen success, climbing three spots to No. 17 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 Poll released on Monday. With an overall record of 18-4 and 6-4 within Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play, Georgia Tech is poised for strong finishes as they head toward the remaining eight games of the regular season. The Yellow Jackets recently secured victory against the Miami Hurricanes, triumphing 77-66.
This win was particularly impressive, as it marked Georgia Tech’s 16th victory by double figures this season, showcasing their offensive depth with multiple players reaching double-digit scoring. Kara Dunn and Zoesha Smith led their team, each contributing 16 points, and freshman Chit-Chat Wright shone through with three three-pointers.
Dunn remains the standout player with averages of 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, closely followed by Dani Carnegie and Morgan, who average 14.9 and 12.9 points, respectively. The Yellow Jackets have made significant strides within their conference, joining six other ACC teams currently ranked, which include Notre Dame at No. 3 and Duke at No. 10.
Historically, Georgia Tech has seen significant achievements over the years, making it to the NCAA Tournament 11 times and producing nine WNBA draft picks. Notably, the program is celebrating 50 years of women’s basketball on campus this season, marking its first year of competition back in 1974-75. They have witnessed remarkable growth, consistently achieving postseason play under the leadership of head coach Nell Fortner.
On the men’s side, Auburn University and Duke University remain at the forefront of college basketball, holding onto the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, respectively, in The Associated Press Top 25 rankings for another week. Bruce Pearl’s Tigers (20-1) continue their impressive streak as the unanimous choice for first place. They held 246 out of 248 first-place votes, asserting their dominance within the tough Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Auburn's only loss this season was against Duke, who is currently riding the nation’s longest winning streak at 15 games after defeating rival North Carolina. The top rankings haven't changed much, with Alabama at No. 3 and Tennessee at No. 4 following closely behind.
This week’s poll saw significant movement as Maryland made its return after nearly two years, ranking at No. 18 following four consecutive victories. The new additions to the poll include Arizona at No. 20 and Michigan at No. 24, creating renewed excitement and competition as teams head toward the conclusion of the season.
Overall, the NCAA team rankings are just getting more intense, with schools preparing for title pursuits as March Madness approaches. The combined success of both men’s and women’s programs highlights not only the competitive environment but also the evolution of college athletics and its impact on the community ever since Georgia tech began its program. A bright future shines on the horizon for these teams as they build momentum through their respective seasons.