Calhoun was his usual cranky self just minutes into UConn's game last night.
Last night was the big opening for college basketball: 126 games. Here’s my best attempt at not overreacting.
—UPSET—Rider 88, No. 18 Mississippi State 74. I am of the thought that a bad early-season loss or two should cost you a seed line or two come March. We’ll see what the Bulldogs do, but when you’ve got as much talent as they do, why is this happening? I know Renardo Sidney wasn’t playing, but still. From the AP story: “This is Rider,” Mississippi State forward Kodi Augustus”[We're] preseason ranked No. 18 [in the AP] in the country. We’re not supposed to lose our first game, home opener. Wow. It’s crazy.” Feel the fury! Jarvis Varnado had 22 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocks. He’s going to easily average more than four per game.
No. 1 Kansas 101, Hofstra 65. Xavier Henry goes for 27 in his first game. Jayhawks have won 42 straight at home, the longest streak in D-I.
No. 2 Michigan State 97, Florida Gulf Coast 58. Took a few minutes for the Spartans to wake up before running away. Gonzaga’s next.
No. 4 Kentucky 75, Morehead State 59. Actually watched the majority of this one. Remember how last season began for UK? A loss to VMI. Not so here. Eric Bledsoe looked very nice, as did Patrick Patterson.
No. 5 Villanova 84, Farleigh Dickinson 61. It was a 35-34 game at the half.
No. 7 Purdue 89, Cal State Northridge 64. Boilers roll easy without starting 1 Lewis Jackson, who broke a minor NCAA rule when he played in an “unsanctioned” event. He’ll be out of the Paradise Jam tournament in the Virginia Island in a few days, too.
No. 9 Duke 96, UNC Greensboro 62. Blue Devs are fine even though Mason Plumlee is out with a broken wrist and Nolan Smith is suspended two games for the same infraction Lewis Jackson is.
No. 10 Tennessee 83, Austin Peay 54. Vols have a very weak non-con schedge to open the season. Jury will be out on this group for awhile.
No. 12 Connecticut 75, William & Mary 66. Jim Calhoun was in mid-season form last night. Within 10 seconds of the second half starting, William & Mary had an offensive rebound on a foul shot and put it back for two points. Calhoun lost it. Sometimes, I think he needs to get out of his own way.
No. 14 Washington 74, Wright State 69. Sneaky score here. It took 30 from Isaiah Thomas to avoid a Mississippi State scenario. That and 27-for-35 from the foul line.
No. 20 Georgetown 74, Tulane 58. Greg Monroe goes for 18 and 11. If he’s not carefuly he’ll find himself way out ahead in the Big East Player of the Year race a month from now.
No. 24 Clemson 84, Presbyterian 41. What’s Clemson going to start as? 14-0? 16-0?
No. 25 Minnesota 87, Tennessee Tech 50. Tennessee Tech is terrible; this was a schedule-for-a-friend game Tubby Smith entertained. http://www.collegehoopsjournal.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=4927
Notable:
The Arkansas Assasin, Rotnei Clarke. Yeah, everything about this picture and name doesn't add up.
Arkansas 130, Alcorn State 68. Rotnei Clarke took full advantage of his playing time by throwing up 51 points and setting the bar pretty damn high for the rest of college basketball’s scorers. If you’re playing D-I talent, snagging a 50-burger is never, ever easy. Chalk it up to a weak opponent, but with all the turmoil surrounding the Hogs this week due to suspensions, rape allegations, etc., this was damn impressive. Clarke drilled an SEC-record 13 3′s, was 15 for 21 from the field and 8 for 9 at the line. Jemal Farmer and his 28 points must feel kind of lonely today.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christ 67, Oregon State 43. Seriously, could cost OSU a Tournament bid. What is with this score?
San Diego 77, Stanford 64. Going to be a long year for the Cardinal.
Arizona State 87, Western Illinois. 35. Most lopsided result of the night taht didn’t involve a 51-point performance.
Pittsburgh 63, Wofford 60. Nice wake-up call for the Panthers, who will most certainly take a big step back this year.
