First of all, check out our Late Afternoon Snacks to see what happened while the sun was up. Then read what happened since then:
Games of the Night
No. 23 San Diego State 78, UCLA 69: A sign in the stands said “We Run Cali” It was held by an Aztec fan in red and black. Jamaal Franklin had 28 points for the Aztecs, who held the once-mighty Bruins at bay on a neutral court in Anaheim. Larry Drew II had an 11-assist game for the Bruins, but only freshman Jordan Adams (23 points) made his unselfishness worthwhile. I wonder how Shaka Smart would look in blue and gold?
No. 25 New Mexico 77, Indiana State 68 (OT): Larry Bird ain’t walking through that door. But the Sycamores threw one heck of a scare into the Lobos, who were visiting Terre Haute and probably wished they hadn’t. ISU Guard Jake Odum scored 25 in the losing effort. The good news for UNM is that Tony Snell only scored seven points. Yes, that IS the good news, because Kendall Williams took over, scoring 24 to lead all other starters into double figures. Snell became a marked man as the Lobos crafted their undefeated record, and it’s good to know that the other guys can pitch in when he has an off night.
UCSB 83, Santa Clara 80 (OT): Bronco Kevin Foster carpet-bombed the rim, scoring 28 points on 9-23 shooting, but Gaucho center Alan Williams did him one better, scoring 29 in a much more efficient manner. Williams was 9-13 from the floor, 11-15 from the stripe, and had 17 boards to salt away the road win.
Important Outcomes
No. 3 Michigan 74, Bradley 66: Most of the time, this game would have been a guarantee game played in Crisler. But the Wolverines stepped into a thrashing, howling mid-major lion’s den in Peoria instead. Bradley made it tough, with five players scoring in double figures. The usual figures played well for Michigan, but 6'6" freshman Nik Stauskas earned the game ball, knocking down 4-5 three-pointers on his way to 22 points. It was a stiff road test, and the Wolverines handled it with poise.
No. 11 Creighton 80, St. Joe’s 51: This is important because St. Joseph’s is a legit contender for the A-10 crown this season, and the Bluejays stomped a mudhole in them. Langston Galloway was the only Hawk in double figures -- barely -- with ten points. Greg McDermott and Gregory Echenique combined to score 39 points before taking much of the second half off, as the entire Bluejay bench got a chance to play.
Wyoming 76, No. 19 Colorado 69: Two undefeated teams entered the amusingly named Arena-Auditorium in Laramie, and only one came out umblemished. It was Larry Shyatt’s homestanding Cowboys who managed the feat, absorbing 24 points from Spencer Dinwiddie and 16 from Andre Roberson, but battling back with a balance scoring effort, led by Leonard Washington’s 22 and Larry Nance, Jr’s 14.
Starred
Kadeem Batts, Providence: The stat line says it all. 32 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks. Batts was a machine in a 73-63 win over Mississippi State.
Will Clyburn, Iowa State: The Cyclones turned on the Hilton Magic for their guests from Provo, and Clyburn pulled 32 points out of his... hat in an 83-62 domination of Brigham Young.
Struggled
Nicholls State: The poor Colonels were doubled up in every meaningful category except turnovers by the Michigan State Spartans. There, the visitors were very generous, giving the ball up 18 times to just 8 for the Spartans.
Askia Booker: The sophomore who performed so brilliantly in leading Colorado to a national ranking fell flat on his northern trip, scoring just six points and amassing a .154 shooting percentage on the night.
College basketball fans: The news that beloved coach Rick Majerus passed away at age 64 was a harsh blow to those of us who love the game. Majerus was a brilliant, self-deprecating man who made the game fun, and he will be missed.
