Around the Top 25: Saturday’s Early Results

One of the reasons why I love this site is because I get to do massive rundowns of college basketball like this. God bless these Saturdays.

Part Two will be up by early tomorrow.

–UPSET–No. 22 Notre Dame 86, No. 16 Marquette 83

I’m still waiting to see what tonight brings, but this has to be the game of the day. ‘Gody had a huge one for the Irish (he really adds so much on the floor for them) and Marquette was able to hang around when it seemed that Notre Dame would put them away. Dominic James’ 3 went begging, and Notre Dame has now won a remarkable 34 games in a row at home. This is Notre Dame!

No. 1 Memphis 85, Central Florida 64

UCF kept it close until about the 8:00 mark, when Memphis started doing what you’d expect them to do. What else am I supposed to write here? Memphis’ isn’t worth making the news in the next two weeks unless it’s a loss, a close win, or a game against Tennessee.

No. 2 Duke 90, Boston College 80

Was rooting for BC to keep this one close (coming off that UNC win, Duke looked tired), but Duke had the legs, which was surprising to see. Could Duke completely swiftboat all of us and be among the three biggest favorites to win it all? What a sad, but familiar, world that would be.

No. 7 Tennessee 47, Louisiana State 45

The Tigers almost stole away a great game for the former coach, John Brady. Tennessee’s win was the best/most dramatic one of the day.

Have you seen the highlight? JaJuanuanaan (sorry, I tend to do that) Smith stole the ball in true pickpocket fashion and put it in the hoop on the breakaway with about :11 to go. Then LSU kind of…didn’t have….anything really drawn up…and a dunk from LSU’s Chris Johson was just beaten by the buzzer.

The 47-point-producing Volunteers (?) shouldn’t have won this game—Tennessee completely blew a 12-point lead in the second half in lackluster fashion—but then again, this is why Tennessee will be a No. 2 this year.

No. 12 Texas 71, Iowa State 65 (OT)

Stupid ABC didn’t switch from the blowout that was the USC/Wazzu game (see below) to bring me to an overtime/potential upset of a top 15 team in the country. Why? Who knows, but if there’s some sort of dumb law about it, let’s change it. As for the game, ABC’s updates were very helpful in getting my hand to my hair. So, as a result, I bring you a picture of Saturday’s pink-out: Rick Barnes kind of fits right in, doesn’t he?

No. 17 Washington State 74, Southern California 50

Derrick Low and Co. really needed to have this one after losing four of its past five. It was Kyle Weaver, who really jump-started this team in both halves, that was responsible for the rout. To me, Washington State is the quiet girl in the front of the classroom: She doesn’t knock you out, but there’s something there that makes you want to keep rooting for her.

No. 18 Texas A&M 77, Missouri 69

The lead from the AP: ” Every time he bends over to catch his breath, Donald Sloan sees “Not” on top of his left shoe and “Tired” on top of his right shoe.” I love those kind of antidotes. Don’t look now, but the Aggies have hit the 20-win plateau.

No. 19 Connecticut 80, Georgia Tech 68

Ga. Tech had the Huskies’ number in the early point of the game, but UConn keeps getting these wins that make you wonder, “How?” To me, it appears as though UConn is on a collision course with a 6 seed. I just KNOW I will be trapped into picking that 11 in that game because I’m not buying what they are selling; have to see a lot more from them, I guess.

Notable

Houston 66, Tulane 56. Just an update: Houston is 18-4, but the SOS is weak, so a win over Memphis on Wednesday would be more than optimal.

Miami (FL) 74, Virginia Tech 71. The Hokies’ chances for dancing officially end; ‘Canes are 16-7, yet still an unimpressive 3-6 in conference play.

Florida 77, Georgia 67. The Gators (ranked in the Coaches) should hop back into the AP Poll on Monday again.

Old Dominion 72, George Mason 64. The Patriots are now 9-4 in the weaker-than-recent CAA and will likely have to run the table to end the regular season in order to keep their Player’s card.

Texas Christian 68, San Diego State 62. Aztecs probably can’t recover from this loss to stake claim for an at-large berth.

Ohio 57, Western Michigan 54. Bobcats (16-7) remain relevant.

Colorado 72, Oklahoma 58. The Sooners lose and, in turn, make themselves quite the ultimate bubble case.