Will we ever get a chance to trust Georgia Tech this season? (AP)
No. 10 Duke 86, No. 21 Georgia Tech 67. Game No. 900 at Cameron, this was. Duke and Kyle Singler responded in the exact opposite way they did nearly a month ago when G-Tech owned the Blue Devils in Atlanta. The career-high 30 points and eight three-points for Singler was a big part of it all, of course. Singler’s a strange cat to me. He seems capable to put up three out of every five games if he wants to, but I feel he doesn’t want to. When the Oregonian commits himself, Duke is better by six to eight points on the whole. And Jon Scheyer had 21 and 7 assists. For all the options Duke has, when those two are clicking, they’re nearly Final Four good. Hey, I’m serious! Where is everyone going?!
No. 8 Purdue 78, Indiana 75. Tom Crean’s team has learned enough lessons this season to last another three. Last night, the missed free throws were the slow death for the Hoosiers. Crimson and Cream had a desperation 3 chance to send it to overtime. Would you believe it if I told you these two teams put on one of the best intra-conference games I’ve seen in the past month? It’s true. Boilers get their first win in Bloomington in 11 years. What is Purdue doing giving u nearly 50 points in a half? Seems they could be a “stock is falling” kind of club. I won’t bail, though.
No. 14 Tennessee 59, Louisiana State 54. Given the fact LSU only scored 16 points in the first half, this was a pretty game effort from the Bayou Bengals in the second 20 minutes. Is it possible LSU doesn’t win a game in the SEC this season? I’d consider it more impressive than DePaul’s bagel last year.
No. 17 Gonzaga 76, Portland 48. There was a time and that time was November. In November, we thought Portland might challenge the Zaga in the WCC. Uh, hell no. John Stockton was on hand to catch this blowout. You may have heard: He attended Gonzaga. I know! Crazy! Early reports also indicate Peyton Manning grew up near or around the New Orleans area.
No. 23 Butler 63, Detroit 58. It’s scores like this that just make me hesitant with Butler this season. Detroit’s not garbage, but only a five-point win at home? Gah, I’m overthinking it. I’m going to be wrong about Butler, I just know it.
Notable:
Virginia Tech 74, North Carolina 70. For those talking about UNC still deserving an at-large because of wins over Ohio State and Michigan State, it seems that version of UNC was overrated. It turned the ball over way too much and never cherished a lead. I’ve got a post up on UNC right now at The Dagger.
Maryland 71, Florida State 67. Huge road win for Maryland. I didn’t think it would get it. I was wrong. I have no problem admitting it. What is this? A Gary Williams team with a desire to prove itself? Well, I’ll be damned.
Notre Dame 83, Cincinnati 65. Holy schnykees (sp?), Luke Harangody went for 37 and 14. I may have to relent on him, too. Jeez, I’m just filling up with humble pie this morning. The 16-7 Irish don’t leapfrog the 14-8 Bearcats with this win, though, because the two have now split the series this season. And with all the talk of Lance Stephenson being the Big East freshman of the year, he took the opportunity last night to only put up eight points and be a non-factor while Harangody demonstrated what players of consequence do in big games.
Washington 81, Arizona 75. As it stands, there is a four-way tie for first place in the Pac-10. There could be a five-way tie for first place if the Pac-10 plays out in bizarre fashion come Saturday. And you know that’s totally happening. By the way, Arizona would’ve been 7-3 in the Pac-10 with the win, but it falls and now has to go play Washington State, which is no gimme. UW is 15-1 at home this season.
Arizona State 81, Washington State 70. Derek Glasser shakes off injury and comes up big for the Sun Devils, not missing a field goal and scoring 15 points.
Murray State 76, Tennessee State 54. The Racers are now 21-3. Still won’t have them on the better side of the bubble later today.
Florida 66, Alabama 65. Just wanted to point out that the Gators barely escaped yet another one. Don’t fall for these frauds, should they strong-arm their way into The Tournament.
At some point Purdue has to stop a 3 point shot right? giving up 47 to Indiana in a half is plain ol embarrassing. I’m not sure how Painter is going to fix that, but if it keeps happening what’s the point of having Kramer on the floor? He gives you zero offensively and the other team is still shooting lights out from the perimeter.
Purdue’s awful perimeter D makes it the most likely team to be knocked off the 1st weekend that’s a protected seed.