TOP 25 ROUNDUP

Vols make case for No. 1 with 71-68 victory over Alabama

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Grant Williams scored 21 points, and No. 3 Tennessee rallied past Alabama 71-68 on Saturday for its 12th straight win and a chance to climb atop the AP Top 25.

After No. 1 Duke lost to Syracuse on Monday and No. 2 Michigan fell at Wisconsin on Saturday, the Volunteers (16-1, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) could lead the poll Monday for the first time since 2008.

After winning its first four SEC games by an average of 25 points, Tennessee had a much tougher time with the Crimson Tide. John Petty matched a career high with 30 points, and Alabama (11-6, 2-3) erased a 15-point deficit to lead late in the second half. But Petty also had a critical turnover in the closing seconds.

Wisconsin 64

(2) Michigan 54

MADISON, Wis. - Ethan Happ scored 26 points and had 10 rebounds as Wisconsin handed No. 2 Michigan its first loss of the season, breaking away in the final minute for a 64-54 victory Saturday.

Fans rushed the floor after the Badgers (12-6, 4-3 Big Ten) finished off the upset.

The Wolverines (17-1, 6-1) closed within 57-54 on Isaiah Livers' 3-pointer with just under a minute to play. Michigan put on a full-court press that the Badgers broke, and Ignas Brazdeikis was whistled for an intentional foul on Happ, who was across the court from the ball.

West Virginia 65

(7) Kansas 64

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Jermaine Haley hurried up the court and hit a layup with 8.5 seconds left, completing a late rally that lifted West Virginia over No. 7 Kansas 65-64 on Saturday.

West Virginia (9-9, 1-5 Big 12) scored the final seven points to break a five-game losing streak.

Dedric Lawson and Marcus Garrett made layups 29 seconds apart to give the Jayhawks (15-3, 4-2) their largest lead at 64-58 with 2:34 left. But Kansas didn't score again.

(9) Virginia Tech 87

Wake Forest 71

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 24 points and No. 9 Virginia Tech used a 14-4 first-half run to pull away from Wake Forest in an 87-71 victory Saturday.

Ty Outlaw added 14 points and Ahmed Hill 12 for the Hokies (15-2, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). Outlaw, Hill and Justin Robinson each made a 3-pointer during the burst, which turned a 17-all tie into a 31-21 lead with 4 minutes left in the half. The Demon Deacons didn't get closer than eight the rest of the way.

Brandon Childress scored 18 of his 28 points in the second half for Wake Forest (8-9, 1-4). Childress was 7 of 12 from the field and the rest of the team was 11 of 36. Wake Forest lost despite a 38-22 edge in free-throw attempts.

(12) Kentucky 82

(14) Auburn 80

AUBURN, Ala. - Tyler Herro made two free throws with 24 seconds left and Immanuel Quickley added another to help No. 12 Kentucky survive a big rally from No. 12 Auburn, 82-80 on Saturday.

The Wildcats (14-3, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) rebounded after losing a 17-point second-half lead to finish off a showdown between two of the league's top teams.

Auburn (13-4, 2-2) took an 80-79 lead on Jared Harper's contested 3-pointer over Ashton Hagans with 32 seconds left. Herro grabbed the lead back from the line, then Harper held onto the ball for what he hoped would be a game-winner.

(13) North Carolina 85

Miami 76

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Cameron Johnson scored 22 points, including 3-pointers on consecutive possessions in the closing minutes, and No. 13 North Carolina won a seesaw game Saturday against Miami 85-76.

The Tar Heels shot 55 percent, including 9 for 20 from beyond the arc, and showed why they're ranked second in the nation in rebounds by grabbing a 38-23 advantage on the boards.

North Carolina (14-4, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) earned its third road win in the league. The Hurricanes (9-8, 1-4) remained winless in three games against ranked teams this season.

(17) N.C. State 77

Notre Dame 73

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - C.J. Bryce scored 23 points and No. 17 North Carolina State withstood several second-half challenges from Notre Dame for a 77-73 victory Saturday.

(18) Mississippi 84

Arkansas 67

OXFORD, Miss. - Breein Tyree scored 22 points, Terence Davis added 18 and No. 18 Mississippi never trailed in an 84-67 victory over Arkansas on Saturday.

Ole Miss (14-3, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) pushed out to an 11-point lead by halftime and had a comfortable advantage through most of the second half. The Rebels had a 40-31 rebounding edge and helped force 17 Arkansas turnovers.

Ole Miss has won 11 out of its past 12 games.

Arkansas (10-7, 1-4) has lost four straight games since winning its conference opener. The Razorbacks were led by Keyshawn Embery-Simpson, who scored 16 points.

Purdue 70

(25) Indiana 55

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Carsen Edwards scored 20 points and backcourt mate Nojel Eastern had his first double-double Saturday to send Purdue past No. 25 Indiana 70-55 for the Hoosiers' fourth straight loss.

Eastern finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds while locking down Indiana star freshman guard Romeo Langford in this state rivalry. Langford had just four points on 2-of-10 shooting and committed three turnovers. He missed all four of his free throws and was dogged with "overrated" chants most of the game.

Both teams are now 12-6 overall, with Purdue fourth in the Big Ten and Indiana eighth.

Purdue used as 12-2 run at the end of the first half to go up by seven. The Boilermakers then made four of their first six 3-pointers in the second half to build a double-digit lead.

For the Hoosiers, Justin Smith had 15 points and Juwan Morgan 14. They were the only Indiana players in double figures, and they struggled to defend a combination of Purdue centers.

Purdue freshman Trevion Williams started but got in early foul trouble, resulting in extended minutes for Matt Haarms. Haarms finished with 12 points, four assists and four rebounds.