A quick look at what went on last night and what to look out for Thursday.
Last Night’s Action
No. 2 Syracuse 72, Connecticut 67
It was a lot closer than just about anyone expected. UConn actually did a very good job against Syracuse’s 2-3 zone, but a questionable timeout granted to the Orange with 38 seconds left and poor execution on the Huskies final possession was the difference. UConn came ridiculously close to pulling off the big upset, coming back from 16 down in the second half to tie the game, but the Orange closed it out, despite being badly out-rebounded in the second half and not having a huge game from Andy Rautins or Wes Johnson. No moral victories for UConn. They needed this one badly and let a huge opportunity slip by.
No. 8 Duke 64, North Carolina 54
The top rivalry in college basketball was pretty competitive until the final few minutes. But Duke got itself a gritty road win because they dominated on the offensive glass and hit a bunch of threes – despite just shooting 31 percent. While Carolina was right in the thick of things, it was more of the same: Poor execution. Roy Williams had been critical about the Tar Heels’ effort the past few weeks, but I think he has to be happy with their effort Wednesday. Jon Scheyer led the way for the Blue Devils with 26 points while Kyle Singler added 17. Duke now gets set to host Maryland in showdown for first place in the ACC Saturday in Durham.
No. 15 New Mexico 76, No. 23 UNLV 66
The Lobos are now the top team in the MWC after a surprisngly easy win in the Thomas & Mack Center where the Rebels had only lost twice before this season. UNLV did get a double-digit deficit down to just two with 3:38 to go, but Darrington Hobson made sure the Lobos did not falter with his 16 points. 13 rebound performance. With the win, New Mexico assumed first place in the MWC, taking a half game lead over BYU while UNLV dropped to third.
Links
More turmoil in the A-10. League leader Charlotte lost to Dayton while Richmond picked up a huge road win at Rhode Island. We now have a three-way tie for first between Charlotte, Richmond and Xavier.
We know what Roy Williams was trying to say here before the Duke-UNC game, but he could have put it better. [WRAL]
The inside storyon the NCAA violations that Arizona committed. [SI.com]
The Dagger takes a look at some of the teams the Pac-10 should go after if they’re seriously expanding. [Yahoo.com]
Isiah Thomas has been having some trouble attracting fans to FIU games. Big trouble. [Miami News-Times]
Tonight’s Must See Games
You’re going to have to strain to find a game you absolutely have to watch Thursday, which is highly unusual. But if you want to stay up late, Saint Mary’s at No. 16 Gonzaga just might be the most entertaining game of the night. And probably the most important. Saint Mary’s actually leads the WCC with an 8-1 mark while the Zags sit a half game behind, but Saint Mary’s dropped the first matchup in the season series at home. Both teams like to score and happen to be ranked very closely in Ken Pomeroy’s efficiency ratings. Pomeroy is predicting a 4-point Gonzaga victory. Notre Dame and Seton Hall face off in a game neither can afford to drop in their quest for an NCAA Tournament berth while No. 18 Butler hits the road to face Youngstown State.
