The Sportsletter - Purdue's Poll Moment

BY JEFF YODER

DEC. 7, 2021  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  BROWSER VIEW

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Good Morning,

For the third time in as many weeks, there’s a new number one atop men’s college basketball. And this one made history...

Letter Rip!

NCAA

Purdue Peaks in the Polls

Photo: Justin Casterline / Getty Images

Purdue Boilermakers Claim First No. 1 Ranking in Program History

There’s a new number one in college basketball. Purdue (8-0) surged to No. 1 following wins over Florida State and Iowa last week. The Boilermakers have never held the top spot in the AP Poll despite their claim for the most Big Ten regular-season titles (24). Baylor (2) and UCLA (4) also climbed in the top-5 with another Gonzaga loss.

Men’s AP Poll

1. Purdue (8-0) | ↑1

2. Baylor (8-0) | ↑2

3. Duke (7-1) | ↓2

4. UCLA (8-1) | ↑1

5. Gonzaga (7-2) | ↓2

6. Villanova (6-2) | —

7. Texas (6-1) | —

8. Kansas (6-1) | —

9. Alabama (7-1) | ↑7

10. Kentucky (6-1) | ↓1

Full AP Top-25

Women’s AP Poll

1. South Carolina (9-0) | —

2. NC State (8-1) | —

3. UConn (5-1) | —

4. Stanford (5-2) | —

5. Baylor (8-1) | —

6. Arizona (7-0) | ↑1

7. Louisville (7-1) | ↑3

8. Maryland (8-2) | —

9. Tennessee (8-0) | ↑2

10. Indiana (5-2) | ↓4

Full AP Top-25

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: Purdue is No. 1 in AP Poll for First Time in History

NCAA: 8 Men’s College Basketball Programs That Have Surprisingly Never Been Ranked No. 1

NFL

Pats Prevail in AFC Showdown

Photo: Bryan M. Bennett / Getty Images

Patriots def. Bills (14-10) for 7th Straight Win Take Top Spot in AFC

A windy night in Buffalo and a rushing clinic for the Patriots. The Pats and Bills met on Monday night for AFC supremacy, and New England made NFL history with a bizarre plan of attack on offense. QB Mac Jones threw just three passes in the snow (2/3, 19 yards) while the Patriots ran the ball 46 times for 222 yards to avoid the windy conditions. The game saw just two field goals in the second half. Buffalo missed a field goal before an empty red zone trip down the stretch as the Pats’ defense held strong. One of the most bizarre offensive games of the season lifted the Patriots — once 2-4 to start the season — to 9-4 atop the AFC standings.

Watch: Pats Beat Bills in Snowy Monday Night Football Showdown (14-10)

AFC East Standings

Patriots (9-4)

Bills (7-5)

Dolphins (6-7)

Jets (3-9)

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Playoff Picture: Patriots Jump to 1st in AFC, Bills Fall to 7th

CBS Sports: Pats Go Heavy on the Run Game to Grind Past Buffalo for 7th in a Row

NBA

5 Stars: Embiid Powers Sixers

Photo: Adam Glanzman / Getty Images

Joel Embiid (43 Points) Lifts Philly Over Charlotte (127-124, OT)

A full slate of NBA action on Monday brought a showdown in Charlotte between the 76ers and Hornets where Joel Embiid stole the night (127-124, OT). Embiid had 43 points on a 75-percent shooting performance alongside 15 boards and 7 assists. Philly (13-11) has now won three of its last four after a rough stretch in November.

Watch: Embiid Erupts for 43 in Sixers Win

5 Stars of the Night

K. Oubre Jr. (CHA): 35 points

B. Beal (WAS): 34 points, 4 assists

K. Towns (MIN): 31 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists

S. Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): 30 points, 13 assists

N. Jokic (DEN): 17 points, 12 rebounds, 15 assists

All NBA Scores & Highlights

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THE STORYLINES

🏈 Did the CFP Committee Get It Right?

As is the case pretty much every year, the lingering question is Did the committee get it right? The answer is a bit more clear than in years past, but that doesn't mean there's ever a definitive "yes" or "no." (Bleacher Report)

🏀 5 Big Trades That Could Shape the Playoff Picture

More than 100 players who signed contracts this past offseason will become eligible to be traded on Dec. 15, giving teams more flexibility when working deals and matching salaries. (ESPN+)

🏒 NHL Power Rankings

After a couple weeks without much change at the top of the power rankings, we finally have some real movement. A few different teams have gotten hot and deserve more recognition. (CBS Sports)

📰 THE HEADLINES

Oklahoma Officially Hires Clemson Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables as Head Coach

(CBS Sports)

Miami Football Hires Oregon’s Mario Cristobal to Replace Manny Diaz as Head Coach

(ESPN)

Kentucky Derby Winner Medina Spirit Dies After Workout

(USA Today)

Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley Rematch Fight Set for Dec. 18

(Bleacher Report)

Flyers Fire Coach Alain Vigneault After 8 Straight Losses

(SI)

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