Arizona took out Washington in a high-scoring affair in Tucson Thursday night.

A pet peeve of mine: crowds chanting “over-rated!” Shouldn’t you, as a school, be happy that your team is defeating an opponent that’s considered to be high quality? But by proclaiming the team is overrated, you are, by default, insulting your own team, claiming it is beating an opponent who isn’t all that great to begin with. Minnesota, Gonzaga and Arizona’s fans did this last night.

—UPSET—Washington State 65, No. 14 Arizona State 55. On the road, no less. The 12-8 Cougars, who are a shadow of the team they wre the past couple of years, go take one in Tempe. I didn’t see any of this one, but glancing at the box score, I see more of what I worry about with this team: Harden’s the only one doing anything. The sophomore stud had 26, while no other Sun Devil hit double figures. He can’t do it on his own. Someone fax this to Sendek.

—UPSET—Arizona 106, No. 23 Washington 97. The Huskies played a furious tempo, and while watching this game, which was happening at the same time as the set-back-the-basketball-world-50-years contest between Minnesota and Illinois, it was rather startling to see how different major Division-I college athletes can be. Arizona has a long way to go before it can hope to be relevant in the Pac-10 again, but this was a nice win to get at home.

Minnesota 59, No. 19 Illinois 36. Not an upset, but I’ll put it up with the other two. No matter what happens Saturday in its game against Iowa, I will not be putting Illinois in my top 25 come Monday. Thirty-six? Are you kidding me? How is this possible with a shot clock and 3-point line? I puked a little while trying to sit through this during the Arizona-Washington television timeouts. Hilariously, Illinois’ leading scorer, Trent Meacham, had an overwhelming seven points. Illinois shot 29 percent from the floor, but only committed nine turnovers! The bench matched the starters, both groups scoring 18. It was the first time in almost a decade that Minnesota took down its southeastern foes. Why am I still writing about this.

No. 20 Gonzaga 69, No. 22 Saint Mary’s 62. The atmosphere in Spokane looked to be rather giddy, then Patty Mills damaged his right hand shortly before the first half ended, and the Bulldogs had the control. The Gaels’ nation’s-best 15-game winning streak is over. Looking forward to the rematch in California in February. When word about Mills’ status is known, I’ll post it.

No. 9 Michigan State 71, Iowa 56. “I’m kind of on this team right now because I still don’t think we have the focus you need every day, every practice.” Those are Tom Izzo’s words, and he’s been repeating them a lot this season. At what point does it become more a white-noised nuisance than a tool for motivation? Izzo, your team is pretty good and lucky to be playing in a down year for the Big Ten. Perhaps it could use a little more encouragement.

No. 12 Clemson 86, Virginia Tech 82. Another close one Seth Greenberg can make an excuse for. The Hokies could learn a lesson from the Tigers, who are very much not the same team as two years ago, the one that blew that 17-0 start to an NIT bid. A very impressive win on the road from Clemson last night. Va. Tech controlled the tempo — or at least tried — but Clemson was never knocked out of it.

No. 17 UCLA 81, California 66. Bruins pulled away even before the first half came to and end. Collison led all Bruins scorers with 18, but five hit double digits.

Notable:

Southern California 70, Stanford 69. Perhaps the game of the night, Lawrence Hill’s tough fadeaway jumper rolled around the rim before decided to roll out and give the Cardinal its third consecutive one-point loss on the road. Southern Cal continues to win at home; it’s lost just one this season. Stanford’s senior class has never won in Los Angeles.

Utah State 72, Nevada 61. Aggies remain perfect in Big West.

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