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
- #2 Ohio State 69, Penn State 66: “The Buckeyes continued their impressive start today, clearing the final hurdle in potenitally becoming the number 1 ranked team in college basketball when the new polls come out Monday, as Sullinger and Craft combined for 38. In front of an impressive sell out crowd at the Schott, Ohio State won 69-66 to move to 18-0 and set the mark for the third best start in school history, passing the 17-0 start by the 1990-91 team. It was the 14th straight time they have beaten Penn State.” (Eleven Warriors)
- #3 Kansas 63, Nebraska 60: “In a battle of two contrasting styles, defense ruled the day. The Huskers boast one of the top defenses in the country while the Kansas Jayhawks are one of the most efficient on the offensive end. Ask anyone which side might give and most would probably say the Huskers wouldn’t be able to turn back the Jayhawk offense. That just wasn’t the case.” (Rock Chalk Talk)
- #4 Syracuse 67, Cincinnati 52: “The good thing about watching an opponent with a hot-hand beyond the three-point line in the first half that is you know it’s going to be impossible for them to keep up that pace in the second half. So if you can withstand their hot streak and still have a lead at the half, you’re in good shape. Such was the case when the Bearcats came out ice-cold in the second half and the Orange cruised to a 67-52 victory.” (Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician)
- #7 Villanova 74, Maryland 66: “Jordan Williams extended his double-double streak to 11, but Maryland went over seven scoreless minutes, gave up a 17-0 run, and blew a 12-point lead as Villanova came back to defeat the Terrapins, 74-66.” (Testudo Times or Villanova by the Numbers)
- #16 Texas A&M 91, #11 Missouri 89 (OT): “Losses like this are the primary reason college football and college basketball are different. In football, a loss like this would linger for a week and potentially cost Mizzou any hope at a conference title and solid bowl revenue. In basketball, it’s just a missed opportunity for a resume booster. Mizzou fought well and lost, and now they have to fight hard some more.” (Rock M Nation)
- #13 Kentucky 82, LSU 44: “This was one of those games that was almost over before it started. The LSU Tigers took a 2-game SEC winning streak into Rupp Arena and came out bloody on the other side. It was a forgettable day for LSU, and a return to form for the Kentucky Wildcats.” (A Sea of Blue)
- #14 Texas 66, Oklahoma 46: “The Texas Longhorns pulled away from the Oklahoma Sooners early in the second half and cruised to a 66-46 victory. For the second straight conference game, the Texas opponent was clearly overmatched.” (Burnt Orange Nation)
- #19 Georgetown 74, Rutgers 65: “In an early season must-win game, the Georgetown Hoyas showed that they’re not ready to be counted out just yet, beating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 74-65. The Hoyas were led by Austin Freeman’s 25 points and a career high 9 rebounds. The Hoya Trinity of Freeman, Chris Wright, and Jason Clark combined for 53 points.” (Casual Hoya)
- Tennessee 67, #23 Vanderbilt 64: “The Tennessee Volunteers basketball team this season has been lured to dangerous places by the power of the switch. Up for Brevard. Down for Indianapolis. Up for a 7-game joy ride to begin the season, including absolutely huge wins over both Pitt and Villanova, two of the Big East’s best teams who’ve so far not lost to anyone else. Down for a somber extended-game backseat ride in the Hearse. Up for Memphis. Down for Arkansas. And today, down for the first half and up for the second, and the contrast could not have been more pronounced.” (Rocky Top Talk)
Other Games of Interest
- Indiana 80, Michigan 61: “This team badly needed a strong defensive performance. Tonight inside Assembly Hall, they brought just that — and more. From the onset, the Hoosiers displayed intensity, emotion and aggression on both ends of the floor, all of which snowballed throughout the game to their eventual victory.” (Inside the Hall: Part 1 and Part 2 also Player Interviews and Coach Interviews)
- Louisville 71, Marquette 70: “We’ve seen this before….an Epic choke job by MU today. No other way to say it. An 18 point lead with barely 5:30 to go is squandered as Marquette goes into a stall offense and forgets how to play defense. MU loses on a layup with 4 seconds to go as #17 Louisville escapes 71-70 at home.” (Cracked Sidewalks: Recap; Anonymous Eagle: Recap; Card Chronicle: Part 1 and Part 2)
- UCLA 67, Oregon 59: “The Bruins, with some help from Honeycutt and no help from Reeves Nelson, began to win the battle of the boards, and were able to hold off some late Oregon challenges to hang on to a 67-59 victory in Eugene.” (Bruins Nation)
- South Carolina 72, UF 69: “Yes, the Gators earned their first loss of the SEC season Saturday against South Carolina, losing 72-69, because they played the exact same way they have done numerous times in the last few years and in their losses to UCF and Jacksonville. The Gators (13-4, 2-1) were 12-22 at the line, missing six free throws in the second half, including an Erving Walker 1-and-1s late in the game that could have tied the score at 63-63 or taken the lead. South Carolina (11-5, 2-1) then went back up the floor, knocked down a three pointer and UF never got close enough again.” (Alligator Army)
- Virginia Tech 94, Wake Forest 65: “The Hokies won a game they absolutely had to win, and in convincing fashion. Virginia Tech, after a 7-0 Wake run to start the game from the Demon Deacons, absolutely dominated the game. I thought VT -19.5 was a high spread. Well, VT covered by then and then some.” (Tech Hoops)
News/Analysis
- State of the Kennel Club: A team blogger calls out the students at Gonzaga for their lack of passion. (The Slipper Still Fits)
- Kris Joseph Hurts Head, Status For Pittsburgh Game Unclear: Look at the impact the Syracuse star’s injury on the eve of their match-up against Pittsburgh. (Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician)