If you are interested in participating in our ATB2 feature, send in your submissions to rushthecourt@gmail.com. We will add to this post throughout the day as the submissions come in so keep on sending them.
Top 25 Games
- #13 Kentucky 78, Auburn 54: “This was one of those home games that went the way you expected to. One thing this Kentucky team has shown it can do is beat teams they are supposed to beat. That’s what they did tonight.” (A Sea of Blue)
- #14 Texas 83, Texas Tech 52: “The ‘Horns showed no signs of a hangover from the last second overtime loss to Connecticut last Saturday. Texas dominated the Red Raiders from start to finish, especially on the defensive end, and improved to 12-1 under Rick Barnes in conference openers.” (Burnt Orange Nation)
- Penn State 57, #15 Illinois 55: “Is it worse to be surprised by a let down loss, at the hands of one of the most exciting and murdersome players in Big Ten history, or is worse to have seen in coming from miles away, and been unable to stop it, screaming and flailing like a Cassandra in your living room. I think I can safely say it is worse to be the latter.” (Hail to the Orange)
Other Games of Interest
- UF 81, Tennessee 75 (OT): “It’s tempting and easy to pile on this Tennessee team, and to connect the dots between our previous losses and this one. And don’t worry, I’m getting ready to. But first, let me say congrats to Florida, and let’s all recognize that the Gators are a good basketball team that beat the Vols in overtime. In other years, there would be little shame in losing this game this way. But in this year, frustration compounds every night. The season is a marathon and conference play is a twice-a-week grind, but everyone associated with Tennessee – the players, the coaches (present and absent), and the fans – doesn’t look like they’re having any fun. This team is in a slide, and can’t play consistently enough to break out of it, for more than one game…or one possession.” (Rocky Top Talk)
Pre-Game Analysis
- #5 Pittsburgh at #19 Georgetown: The Hoyas are struggling and things won’t get any easier with the Panthers coming to visit them. (Casual Hoya)
- #2 Ohio State at Michigan: A set of video interviews from the Wolverines before the 2nd-ranked Buckeyes come to Crisler Arena. (UM Hoops: John Beilein and various players)
- Louisville at #7 Villanova: “The UK game I think freaked people out that against good teams, we just weren’t going to be able to compete because of the talent disparity. And while the WKU win was impressive, that team stunk. This will be the first real road test, against a top 10 team that defends the three well and rebounds well, with experienced guards who shoot free throws well. But, we could still win, maybe.” (Card Chronicle)
- Virginia Tech at UNC: “Coach Beamer talked a few weeks ago about how Virginia Tech needed to win a big game against a top five team. A few days later they laid a gigantic egg. Coach Greenberg pleads each year for why the Hokies deserve to be in the NCAA Tournament. Then they fail in their key games that would help clinch an invitation, such as losses to Kansas State, UNLV, and Purdue this year (and too many to name in past years). Well, the Hokies don’t have many opportunities to defeat a top team this year, but this is one of them and it is time to stop the talk, and walk the walk.” (Tech Hoops)
News/Analysis
- Louisville fans to get an early look at Wayne Blackshear: “It was announced Monday that Louisville commit Wayne Blackshear, the crown jewel of Rick Pitino’s class of 2011, will be playing some basketball in the Derby City a bit earlier than expected. Blackshear and his Chicago Morgan Park High School team will face Ryan Taylor and Western High School on Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. inside Eastern High School’s gym. Here’s hoping the game gets moved to a larger venue, otherwise you’re going to be hard-pressed to find a seat.” (Card Chronicle)
- Jared Swopshire “definitely out for the season”: It is official that the junior forward will be out for the season with a groin injury. (Card Chronicle)
- Kansas Jayhawk Film Study: 1-2-2 Press: Showing how the Jayhawks are employing the press this year. (Rock Chalk Talk)
- What is the most important factor to Kansas’s offensive success?: Using KenPom’s four factors to analyze the Jayhawks. (Rock Chalk Talk)
- College Basketball Power Rankings: Breaking down much of the top 25 into categories at this point in the season. (View from the Student Section)
- 5 Key Plays: Kansas at Michigan: Analyzing the plays that determined the OT game on Sunday. (UM Hoops)