2009-10 NCAA.com Division I Men's Basketball Blog

North Carolina vs. Syracuse: Live Blog

2009-11-20T22:01:43Z

(AP Photos)

It's all over. Syracuse is the 2009 2K Sports Classic champion after knocking off North Carolina, 87-71.

For more on this game, read here!

]]> Final Notes
Syracuse has had some magical tournament runs in Madison Square Garden, including one in the Big East Tournament last year, but winning the 2009 2K Sports Classic is certainly one of the best displays for the Orange in the Garden. As expected, coach Jim Boeheim was very impressed with his team's play.

"I have been coming down here for a long time," Boeheim said of Madison Square Garden. "I think the second half was one of the better halves we have played down here."

Syracuse, which trailed by two at half, outscored North Carolina 50-32 in the second half en route to an easy 87-71 win over the defending champs.

The Orange came into the semifinals as the only team not ranked in the AP Top 25. All they did was beat No. 13 Cal by 18 points and No. 6 North Carolina by 16 in back-to-back nights. It goes without saying that Syracuse will take a monstrous climb up the rankings this week.

Le Moyne who?

This tournament also served as the coming-out party for Wesley Johnson. Johnson pieced together another fine all-around game with 25 points and eight rebounds. He shot 10-for-17 from the floor and scored not only in the paint, but on the perimeter as well. He shot 4-for-8 from 3-point range. For his efforts - 42 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks in two games - Johnson was rightfully named tournament MVP.

Boeheim praised Johnson after the game, and called him "the nicest recruit he has ever recruited."

It was all smiles for the Orange, and it is obvious that Johnson is doing his part in replacing some of the talent that Syracuse lost to the pro ranks.

Senior guard Andy Rautins added 11 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. He was also named to the All-Tournament Team.

Sophomore forward Ed Davis led the Tar Heels with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

What I learned about Syracuse
- This team is good. Simple as that. Forget about the Le Moyne loss. They are good. They are long and athletic. They can run the floor and they can play in the half court. They have toughness inside and a Hall of Fame coach. Syracuse will not be overlooked the rest of the year.

-Johnson is the real deal. He is a bonafide star that can do it all. A future superstar.

-Syracuse has capable guard play. The Orange lost Johnny Flynn, Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris, but they have enough talent to fill those holes. Ratuins is a proven scorer and a proven leader. Freshman Brandon Triche and sophomore Scoop Jardine are also very capable of running the offense. And the "scooooop" chants by the fans never get old.

- Did I mention Johnson is the real deal? I can't say enough about this Iowa State transfer. Without him, Syracuse would be a different team. With him, Syracuse is among the Big East's best.

-Syracuse has balance. Against the defending national champs, eight Orange players scored at least eight points. That's a great luxury for a coach to have.

What I learned about North Carolina
- North Carolina has a frontcourt that not many teams, if any, can boast. The trio of Deon Thompson, Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller is a matchup nightmare. Thompson is the most experienced and has been putting up the best numbers of this young season. Davis is physically gifted and NBA scouts are raving about him. Zeller is the tallest, but he also has the most range.

- UNC will need Marcus Ginyard. Ginyard is their most polished player on the perimeter and his play helps set the tone for the younger guys. The senior was aggressive against Syracuse, scoring 15 points and gathering eight rebounds, and UNC will need that kind of effort all year.

- Will Graves can shoot. Any good team with a good frontcourt wants a guy on the outside that can hit a 3-pointer if the defense collapses. Graves is that guy for UNC. I will not be surprised if he makes more than a few big, momentum-changing buckets for the Tar Heels this year.

- Larry Drew II is still learning, but Roy Williams should feel confident with him with the ball in his hands. Lightly used until this season, the sophomore dished out 13 assists in two games against some great competition. He should only continue to improve.

- Being the defending champs is hard. Everyone is gunning for you, and the Tar Heels need to be ready to face a fired up team every time they suit up.

Final Thoughts
What a tournament and what a display by Syracuse. Not many people gave the Orange a shot, but the Orange were dominant and made a very strong statement The Big East has been put on notice.

All four teams in this tournament have a bright future ahead of them this season, and all four can be considered among the top contenders in their respective conferences.

All-Tournament Team
Wesley Johnson, Syracuse
Andy Rautins, Syracuse
Marcus Ginyard, North Carolina
Evan Turner, Ohio State
Jerome Randle, California

That's it from the Garden. It's been a pleasure being here to watch these four incredible teams.

-- It's all over here. Syracuse is the 2009 2K Sports Classic Champions. The Orange conclude their impressive tournament run with a victory over the defending champion Tar Heels, ranked No. 6 in the nation, Check back later for more details!

-- A steal by Rautins led to a fast break dunk by Kris Joseph that got the crowd out of its seats. Syracuse now leads 81-62 with just over three minutes to go. Looks like Syracuse is in firm control.

-- A big 3-pointer from Andy Rautins puts the Orange back up 15, 77-62. Under five minutes to go.

-- A 15-5 run by the Tar Heels has them within 10. The score is 67-57 with 7:25 remaning.

-- The Orange keep pouring it on. The most recent bucket being a nice drive and score by Scoop Jardine. We're at another timeout here. The Orange lead by 20, 62-42.

-- A Wesley Johnson 3-pointer from the top of the key has brought the Syracuse faithful to its feet and caused Roy Williams to call a timeout. Syracuse has climbed ahead, 57-40.

-- Syracuse has gotten off to a hot start in the second half and have held the Tar Heels to only one point. Orange lead 52-40

Halftime Notes
North Carolina weathered Syracuse's early barrage of 3-pointers and even took the lead heading into the locker room.

The stars of the game so far have been Syracuse's Wesley Johnson and North Carolina's Ed Davis. Johnson has 16 points and five rebounds, despite picking up two early fouls. Ed Davis has compiled 13 points and seven boards.

Keys for North Carolina
- Stay aggressive. UNC got to to the line 15 times in the first half and converted on twelve attempts.
- Keep feeding the post. Davis has shined, and Deon Thompson only has six points so far, but is capable of having a big second half.

Keys for Syracuse
- Try to slow the tempo down. UNC loves playing an up-tempo style. It would be in Syracuse's favor if they could slow the pace a little.
- Get Johnson involved any way possible. Johnson is proving so far this tournament that he is a budding star. Good things happen when he has the ball.

Well, the second half is about to begin. We're 20 minutes away from crowning a champion.

-- North Carolina closed the first half with a nice lob pass to Ed Davis for an easy bucket to give the Tar Heels a 39-37 lead. Twenty minutes to go!

-- Syracuse timeout. The score is 33-30 with just under four minutes to go in the half.

-- We're at the under eight minute timeout and Syracuse leads 31-26. The Orange are playing an up-tempo game with the Tar Heels - and beating them at their own game. Syracuse has been hot from the perimeter, but UNC has been methodical inside. The Tar Heels will be shooting free throws the rest of the first half as they have already drawn eight Syracuse fouls.

-- 10:28 remaining in the first half. 27-22 Syracuse.

-- Johnson is off to a terrific start. He has 14 of Syracuse's 22 points, and he gives the Orange a 22-20 lead.

-- The Tar Heels come roaring out of the timeout. Another 3-pointer for Will Graves, followed by a three-point play for UNC give the Tar Heels a 13-11 lead.

-- Will Graves nailed a 3-pointer from the corner to get UNC within four, 11-7. We're at a timeout here with 15:59 to go. This up-tempo style is just the way UNC wants to play.

-- A 3-point bucket from Wesley Johnson and a three-point play from Rick Jackson give the Orange an early 6-0 lead.

-- We're underway here at the Garden. It's hard to decipher the "Lets go Tar Heels" chants from the "Lets go Orange" ones. A great atmospher for college basketball, and I'm here to bring you all the action.

-- An electric crowd is assembled here at the Garden and the fans are getting into the act as players are just going through their layup lines. It certianly has the feel of a tournament final. Seas of Carolina blue and Syracuse orange flood the arena, and there's as much, if not more, blue and orange here than your average New York Knicks game. The fans that traveled to see their team are in for treat. Syracuse. North Carolina. Next!

-- The consolation game is over as Ohio State topped California, 76-70. Not surprisingly, Evan Turner the way for the Buckeyes with 26 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Ohio State shot much better from the field than it did on Thursday night, and the trio of William Buford, Jon Diebler and David Lighty combined for 37 points. Also not suprisingly, Jerome Randle had another big game for California. He scored 26 points, and it never gets tired watching him play. UNC-Syracuse in next!

Pregame Notes
The winner of this game will immediately be stamped a Final Four contender. If UNC wins, the talk around the team should switch from the players it lost to the NBA, to the players it has now as the Tar Heels try to defend their title. If Syracuse wins, the exhibition loss to Le Moyne should be erased from everyone's minds.

These teams are very similar. Both have a lot of length and depth in the frontcourt and are slightly inexperienced in the backcourt. It certainly makes for some interesting matchups.

UNC's Deon Thompson, averaging 17 points and 9.3 rebounds a game, and Ed Davis, averaging 10.5 points and 7.8 rebounds, will likely square off against Syracuse's Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson. Syracuse forward Wesley Johnson has been stellar in his first games with the Orange and he will be a primary focus for Tar Heel defenders. Johnson has done it all - leading the team in points (14.7), rebounds (7.8), steals (3.3) and blocks (3.0).

In the backcourt, North Carolina sophomore Larry Drew II and Syracuse sophomore Scoop Jardine will be watched closely. Both had big games in the semifinals and their teams need them to continue that success. Freshman Brandon Triche will also handle the ball for Syracuse. Seniors Marcus Ginyard and Andy Rautins for UNC and Syracuse respectively, are the most experienced and polished players in the backcourt.

Throw in the coaching matchup of two legends - Roy Williams and Jim Boeheim - who haven't faced each other since they squared off in the 2003 NCAA Championship game when Williams was with Kansas and you have all sorts of intrigue.

The game is at 7 p.m. and I'll be there to cover all the action. Check back in at game time for more updates!

North Carolina vs. Ohio State: Game Notes

2009-11-20T02:32:28Z

A late Ohio State rally made it very interesting, but defending national champions North Carolina held off Ohio State, 77-73 to advance to play Syracuse in the final of the 2K Sports Classic.

For more on this game, read here.

]]> Final Notes
The final is set. North Carolina will face Syracuse tomorrow night. UNC got contributions from just about everyone on its roster en route to a 77-73 win. Ohio State came roaring back with a late run, but it was too little, too late.

Deon Thompson led the Tar Heels with 15 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, but UNC got contributions from everywhere. Four players scored in double figures and eight players played at least 12 minutes. Larry Drew II, who made two clutch free throws with 11.3 seconds left to go in the game, added 11 points and a game-high eight assists.

It wasn't the best shooting night for the Buckeyes. They shot 43 percent from the floor. They shot 6-for-21 from behind the arc, but a few of those came late in the game during their feverish rally. Evan Turner was stellar once again, amassing 23 points and 11 rebounds.

What I learned about North Carolina
North Carolina is deeper than you might think. Sure it lost a lot of key players to the NBA, but Roy Williams still has plenty of size and plenty of scorers to go to on the bench.

UNC's inexperience may have shown a little at the end of the game, but they are still capable of finishing off close games. That's a very good sign for Tar Heel fans.

Thompson is one of the best big men in the country. He has anchored the defending champs thus far, and the Tar Heels will lean on him heavily throughout the season.

Larry Drew II is not Ty Lawson, but he is good in his own right. Eight assists is an encouraging sign, and he did it against great competition. He has the potential to be a superb floor general for UNC.

What I learned about Ohio State
Ohio State has a lot of weapons on offense, and it will be near impossible to keep all of them quiet for an entire game. As a team, the Buckeyes shot poorly the majority of the night, but Turner, Jon Diebler and David Lighty provided a spark down the stretch. Those three, combined with William Buford, give the Buckeyes a solid quartet of scorers.

This team is resilient. Depsite facing a big deficit in the second half, this team never gave up - and they almost pulled off an improbable victory. This is most likely a product of their experience, and that will likely serve them well down the road.

Even Turner is the real deal. Hands down. He pieced together another good performance and another double-double. This wasn't his best outing of the year - he struggled with turnovers - but Turner is a star nonetheless.He has the ability to carry the Buckeyes far this year.

---

Halftime Notes
A strong first half for the Tar Heels as they head into intermission with a 38-24 lead. UNC was able to spread the ball around, and Ohio State never got into a rhythm offensively.

Nine different Tar Heels scored in the first half, led by Will Graves, who scored nine. UNC limited Ohio State's superstar Evan Turner to just six points, four rebounds and no assists. As a team, the Buckeyes shot only 29 percent from the field and made only five of its 10 free throws. They also shot 1-for-10 from 3-point range.

UNC was strong again in the paint. It outrebounded Ohio State 16-10 in the first half. Maybe even more impressive was Larry Drew II's ability to distribute the ball. He finished the first half with five assists in twelve minutes.

Ohio State's talented wingmen, David Lighty, Jon Diebler and William Buford, shot a combined 3-for-20 from the floor. They figure to improve in the second half, and if they can get it going, the Buckeyes can easily make a game of it.

The winner has a date with Syracuse. The next 20 minutes will decide it. Check back at the end of the game for all the details!

----

-Carolina blue has blended in with Syracuse orange here at Madison Square Garden as the Tar Heels are squaring off against Buckeyes. Check in at halftime for updates.

California vs. Syracuse: Game Notes

2009-11-19T21:04:48Z

Syracuse topped California, 95-73, in the first game of the night to advance to the championship game of the 2K Sports Classic on Friday night.

For more on this game, read here!

]]> Final Notes
Syracuse played an inspired second half and the outcome was never really in doubt. Syracuse beat Cal, 95-73, and will play the winner of the North Carolina-Ohio State game.

Syracuse's length and athleticism really was the key in this game. Syracuse outscored Cal 14-2 in transition and found many easy opportunities to score. The Orange shot 57 percent from the floor compared to Cal, which shot only 40 percent.

Scoop Jardine had a big game coming off the bench for the Orange, scoring a team-high 22 points. He called this performance on this stage a "dream come true." Wes Johnson added 17 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks, and his skill set brings a whole new element to this Syracuse team.

Jerome Randle led Cal with 25 points, including nailing five 3-pointers. Jamal Boykin scored 14 points despite some foul trouble and Patrick Christopher added 12.

What I learned about Syracuse
Syracuse is much better than it showed against Le Moyne earlier in the year, and it will once again be a force in the Big East. The Orange are long, they're athletic, and they're well-suited for Syracuse's trademark 2-3 zone.

Johnson is an incredible addition to this squad. He gives the Orange somebody who can score from any where on the court, grab rebounds and play defense. People wondered where the scoring would come from this year for the Orange - Johnson is one of the answers.

What I learned about California
California is a very good team and played valiantly in what was essentially a home game for Syracuse. It has a lot of players that can score, but if the injury to Theo Robertson is serious, that would be a big blow to the Bears. Robertson was seen on the sideline with a boot on one of his feet. Robertson will not play in the consolation game against Ohio State.

I also learned to love Randle. Randle can do it all and every time he touches the ball, something special can happen. He is very quick and explosive with the ball and he can penetrate with the best of them. He also has excellent range. He is regarded as one of the top guards in the nation - and he validated that tonight.

Check back later for more!

---

Halftime Notes
We're at halftime and Syracuse leads 44-33. Syracuse has been in control for most of the first half, but California has just the kind of shooters that can get it back in this game in a hurry.

The biggest story here is that the Orange have been the aggressors. They have been more active in transition and are manufacturing easy looks in the paint. They drew 10 fouls, compared to just five from California. The Orange have not made the Bears pay, however, as they have shot just 10-for-19 from the line.

Speaking of fouls, Cal's leading rebounder Jamal Boykin picked up two fouls in the first few minutes and that has hurt Cal in the post. Cal center Markhuri Sanders-Frison also has three fouls.

Syracuse has been solid in the post and forwards Wesley Johnson and Rick Jackson have combined for 18 points. Syracuse's leading scoring coming into the game, Arinze Onuaku, has been held to just three points.

The biggest sparkplug for the Orange has been Scoop Jardine, who is leading the Orange with 13 points, including a 3-pointer with under a minute to go in the half that drew an echo of "Scooooop" cheers from this pro-Syracuse crowd.

Cal's Jerome Randle leads all scorers with 14 points. The silky-smooth point guard struggled to find his shot early, but he nailed three buckets from behind the arc in the first half, and the Bears will need more of the same to get back in this game. At times, they seemed reliant on their perimeter jumpers, and they should look to be more aggressive in the second half.

It looked for a little that Syracuse could blow the game wide open, but Cal fought back. An 11-point deificit is by no means insurmountable, especially when you have Randle and Patrick Christopher, who was uncharacteristically held to only four first-half points.

Keys for each team:
Syracuse
-Stay agressive
-Make free throws
-Contain Randle and Christopher

California
-Don't settle for perimiter jumpers
-Stay out of foul trouble
-Silence the crowd early

Second half is about to begin. I'll be back at the end of the game for recap.

---

-Under seven minutes to go and Syracuse is still rolling. Cal's Jerome Randle and Syracuse's Wesley Johnson just traded 3-point baskets, but Syracuse still leads 33-21.

-After a little bit of a slow start, the Orange have been able to get some easy looks and some transition points. We're just under 13 minutes to play in the first half and Syracuse has a 17-11 lead.

-We're about to get underway here in the first semifinal game of the night. As expected, a pro-Syracuse crowd has showed up to cheer the Orange.

2K Sports Classic Preview: Nov. 19

2009-11-19T17:03:04Z

What better setting than Madison Square Garden for some of the best games of this young, yet already exciting college basketball season. Four quality teams from four of the nation's top conferences descend on the Big Apple for the 2K Sports Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer. Not only will one team leave feeling really good about it season's prospects, but all four will be able to use this stiff competition as a measuring stick as to where it stands.

I'll be at the world's most famous arena Thursday and Friday and I'll be here to keep you updated on all the action. Want to know how Syracuse, California, North Carolina and Ohio State are doing? Here is the place to find out.

Before all the action begins, here is a primer of what to expect from these two phenomenal days of basketball, starting with Thursday's semifinal action.

No. 13 California vs. Syracuse - 7:00 p.m. - ESPN2
For Syracuse, this a chance for it to silence it critics after losing to Division II Le Moyne in an exhibition game earlier in the year. For California, this is a chance to justify its high preseason ranking.

Arinze Onuaku (AP)

Syracuse has an impressive frontcourt with Arinze Onuaku, Wesley Johnson and Rick Jackson. Onuaku leads the team averaging 14 points a game. Johnson, an Iowa State transfer, is right behind, scoring 13.5 points a game and nearly six rebounds a night. Jackson can also score and be physical around the basket.

Cal is known more for its guards, but a deep frontcourt will not make things easy for the Orange. The Bears are led by Jamal Boykin, who is averaging 7.5 rebounds a game this year. Centers Markhuri Sanders-Frison and Max Zhang will also contribute in the paint.

Speaking of Cal's wing play, Jerome Randle, Patrick Christopher and Theo Roberston are averaging a combined 53.5 points a game. They can light it up, and Syracuse's backcourt, which is dealing with the loss of Johnny Flynn to the NBA and Eric Devendorf to graduation, will certainly have its hands full. The Bears cannot sleep on Andy Rautins, however, who is a terrific outside shooter and can make any team pay if they collapse on the Orange big men. Rautins shot 7-for-10 from 3-point range en route to 22 points against Robert Morris.

Both these teams are 2-0 and both have high hopes for the year. If Syracuse can win this one, the Le Moyne loss will be a distant memory. If California can take this one, it can further solidify ifs position as one of the favorites in the Pac-10.

No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 15 Ohio State - 9:00 p.m. - ESPN2
If you want to see some of the nation's top players compete, you came to the right place. NBA scouts will be feverishly taking notes during this one as stellar group of athletes from both teams take the floor on this big stage.

None bigger than North Carolina's Deon Thompson and Ohio State's Evan Turner.
Thompson, UNC's lone returning starter, has gotten off to a tremendous start, leading the team with 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds a game. Turner opened the season by recording only the second triple-double in Ohio State history. Both are already being placed in the player of the year discussion.

The rest of the Tar Heels frontcourt has been sensational too, as expected. Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller are combining to average nearly 24 points and over 13 rebounds a night. Ohio State plays a smaller lineup and players like Kyle Madsen and Dallas Lauderdale will be asked to do a lot in the post. David Lighty, who is averaging 11 points and five assists a game, will likely be asked to guard bigger UNC players, and could also be matched up against UNC's terrific freshman forward John Henson.

In the backcourt, the Buckeyes are loaded and it starts with Turner, who is averaging a gaudy 19 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists a game in 2009-10. William Buford and Jon Diebler are also very reliable scoring threats. The Tar Heels have more question marks in the backcourt, and all eyes will be on Larry Drew II. Drew II is stepping in for Ty Lawson and his control running the offense will go a long way in determining UNC's success in this game and during the course of the year. How he performs against some of the nation's top competition will be one of the most intriguing subplots to this tournament. Senior Marcus Ginyard gives the Tar Heels experience in the backcourt. He will be relied upon heavily in this matchup.

You can't ask for a much more star-studded matchup of two teams, especially this early in the season. Turner and Thompson. Buford and Davis. It doesn't get much better than this. The winner of this game will immediately stamp itself a Final Four contender.

And I'll be there for every minute. Stay tuned for more coverage from the 2KSports Classic!

Tuesday Recap: Nov. 18

2009-11-18T13:47:35Z

After over 24 hours of consecutive college basketball, even the casual fan can get a little dizzy. Here is a glance at the biggest games - including the nation's No. 1 and No. 2 teams getting pushed to limit.

No. 1 Kansas 57, Memphis 55
These two teams squared off in an epic national championship game in 2008, and this finish didn't disappoint. Sherron Collins, who missed much of the second half battling leg cramps, managed to score Kansas' last three points as the Jayhawks were able to overcome late 3-pointers by Memphis' Doneal Mack and Elliot Williams. Williams, a raw, yet explosive offensive talent, had a shot at the buzzer to win it, but it hit of the back rim.

With Collins on the bench, Cole Aldrich stepped up with 18 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks as Kansas avoided being the first No. 1 team in the nation that Memphis has ever beaten.

Williams led all scorers with 21. Heralded freshman Xavier Henry added 11 for the Jayhawks.
Recap

No. 2 Michigan State 75, Gonzaga 71

Raymar Morgan (AP)

A gutsy performance by Gonzaga was only overmatched by an equally gutsy performance by Michigan State. Durrell Summers, who ended with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Kalin Lucas, who added 19 points, each made clutch baskets down the stretch as the Spartans avoided the upset at the hands of unranked Gonzaga.

Something tells me Gonzaga's days of being unranked may be numbered.

What the Bulldogs lack in experience, they make up for in talent, and Mark Few has to be excited by the potential of this team. Gonzaga led Michigan State by five at halftime.

Four Gonzaga starters scored in double figures led by center Robert Sacre and forward Elias Harris, who scored 17 apiece. Michigan State's Raymar Morgan scored 16 despite playing with an ankle injury.
Recap

No. 12 Connecticut 76, Hofstra 67
The Huskies are glad to have Jerome Dyson back. The senior guard scored 15 of his 23 points in the final eight minutes as the Huskies survived a scare from Hostra, which had a lead with under five minutes remaining. Hofstra's largest lead of the game was nine points.

Other than Dyson, three other UConn starters scored in double figures. Charles Jenkins led Hofstra with 25 points.
Recap

No. 19 Georgetown 46, Temple 45
Greg Monroe saved the day for the Hoyas as he drained the game-winning bucket with 6.5 second left in what amounts to an ugly win, but a win nonetheless, for Georgetown.

Monroe finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. The Hoyas, which committed 16 turnovers, were led by Chris Wright, who scored 15. Forward Lavoy Allen has 12 points and 14 rebounds for Temple.
Recap

Cal State Fullerton 68, UCLA 65 (2 OT)
Aaron Thompson's career-high 22 points gave Cal State Fullerton its first win over UCLA in 10 tries. This is UCLA's first season-opening loss since 2002-03.

Michael Roll and Malcolm Lee each scored 17 for the Bruins, but it is apparent that the loss of Darren Collison, Jrue Holiday and Josh Shipp will be an obstacle for UCLA this season.
Recap

Wall Stars As Kentucky Survives Scare: Nov. 16

2009-11-17T02:35:04Z

How about this for a debut? Kentucky's John Wall, the nation's most hyped freshman, nailed a go-ahead jumper with .5 seconds to go to lead No. 4 Kentucky to a thrilling 72-70 win over Miami (Ohio). Wall's team-high 19 points came after he sat out the last two games while serving a suspension.

Patrick Patterson and fellow freshman DeMarcus Cousins each had a double-double for the Wildcats.

Miami (Ohio) was led by Nick Winbush, who scored a game-high 26 points. The RedHawks hit 15 3-pointers on the game.

The real story is Wall, however, as he capped one of the most spectacular debuts in recent memory. This dramatic performance certainly sets the tone for a year that is expected to produce fireworks for both Wall and the Wildcats (3-0).

Recap

Weekend Recap: Nov. 14-15

2009-11-17T01:12:00Z

The first weekend of college basketball is completed. Here's a glance at what happened across the country.

Saturday Games:
No. 11 Butler 73, Davidson 62
Butler trailed by two at half, but Gordon Hayward and the Bulldogs prevailed with a strong second half. Hayward had 17 points and Willie Veasley chipped in with 15.
Recap

No. 15 Michigan 97, Northern Michigan 50

Manny Harris (AP)

Manny Harris recorded only the second triple-double in Michigan history as the Wolverines cruised to a season-opening win. Harris finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
Recap

No. 21 Georgia Tech 100, Florida A&M 59
Sophomore Iman Shumpert scored 18 points and prized recruit Derrick Favors added 10 points and eight rebounds in Georgia Tech's season opener.
Recap

Other top 25 games:
No. 14 Washington 96, Belmont 78 | Recap
No. 17 Oklahoma 95, Mount St. Mary's 71 | Recap
No. 18 Dayton 90, Creighton 80 | Recap

Sunday Games:
No. 6 North Carolina 88, Valparaiso 77
It wasn't easy, but the defending champs improved to 3-0. Deon Thompson lead UNC with 20 points and eight rebounds and his efforts allowed the Tar Heels to fend off a second-half Valparaiso rally, which included the Crusaders shooting 7-for-10 from 3-point range.
Recap

North Carolina will play No. 15 Ohio State on Thursday in the 2k Sport Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer. Stay tuned to this blog for more coverage, including a live blog from the game!

Other top 25 games:
No. 3 Texas 89, UC Irvine 42 | Recap
No. 8 West Virginia 83, Loyola (MD) 60 | Recap
No. 14 Washington 111, Portland State 55 | Recap

News and Notes:

Northwestern: Unfortunate news out of Northwestern today as it announced that it's leading returning scorer, Kevin Coble, will miss the 2009-10 season as he will undergo foot surgery. Coble, a senior, averaged 15.5 points last season. To make matters worse, fellow senior Jeff Ryan will also miss the entire season with an ACL tear.
For more, read here

Arkansas: On Friday, Arkansas' Rotnei Clarke set a SEC record with 13 3-pointers en route to a 51-point performance as Arkansas topped Alcorn State 130-68.
Recap

Friday Night Recap: Nov. 13

2009-11-15T01:22:53Z

Fourteen ranked teams were in action on Friday night, the first major night of college basketball. Most teams justified their high rankings, but there was one upset. Here is a rundown of all the action.

Rider 88, No. 18 Mississippi State 74
The lone upset of the day and first of the season, Rider used a 10-for-16 perfomance from behind the arc to knock off Mississippi State. Mike Ringgold and Novar Gadson each scored 21 points as the Broncs spoiled the Bulldogs' SEC Tournament Championship ring ceremony.

Mississippi State came into the season with high hopes after returning all five starters from last year's squad. Bulldog center Jarvis Varnado was impressive with 22 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocked shots.
Recap

No. 1 Kansas 101, Hofstra 65
We know all about Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich. On Friday, the Jayhawks unveiled another weapon - Xavier Henry. Henry's much anticipated debut did not disappoint as the freshman hit five 3-pointers and set a school freshman record with 27 points.

Collins poured in 23 points and Aldrich added 11 points and eight rebounds.
Recap

No. 2 Michigan State 97, Florida Gulf Coast 58
Much like last year, Michigan State used a balanced scoring attack as six different Spartans scored in double figures. Kalin Lucas led Michigan State with 21 points and Durrell Summers added 17.

Draymond Green had 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Recap

No. 4 Kentucky 75, Morehead State 59
With freshman point guard John Wall serving a suspension, another Kentucky freshman shined in the season opener. Eric Bledsoe, in the starting lineup for Wall, scored a game-high 27 points as the Wildcats successfully opened the John Calipari era in Lexington.

Patrick Patterson picked up from where left off last season with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Recap

No. 5 Villanova 85, Farleigh Dickinson 61
Corey Stokes shot 5-for-10 from 3-point range and scored 20 points to lead the Wildcats.
Recap

No. 7 Purdue 89, Cal State Northridge 64
Robbie Hummel appeared healthy and as always he filled up the stat sheet. He ended with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks for the Boilermakers.
Recap

No. 9 Duke 96, UNC Greensboro 62
Duke was missing two starters, but Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer combined for 38 points in the easy victory.
Recap

No. 10 Tennessee 83, Austin Peay 54
Scotty Hopson hit four 3-pointers and scored 16 points to lead the Volunteers.
Recap

No. 12 Connecticut 75, William & Mary 66
Jerome Dyson gave Connecticut fans something to cheer about as he scored a game-high 27 points in his first game back since missing the end of last season due to a knee injury.
Recap

No. 14 Washington 74, Wright State 69
Isaiah Thomas scored a career-high 30 points to pace the defending Pac-10 champs to a five-point victory.
Recap

No. 20 Georgetown 74, Tulane 58
Greg Monroe had a successful Louisiana homecoming as he accumulated 18 points and 11 rebound for the Hoyas.
Recap

No. 23 Illinois 96, SIU-Edwardsville 69
The Illini shot 55 percent from the field, and freshman Brandon Paul had a stellar debut with 22 points.
Recap

No. 24 Clemson 84, Presbyterian 41
Clemson hit 14 3-pointers and forced 26 turnovers as it cruised to a season-opening win.
Recap

No. 25 Minnesota 87, Tennessee Tech 50
Lawrence Westbrook scored 22 points in 22 minutes to fuel Minnesota to victory.
Recap

Chapel Hill Bound

2009-11-14T00:48:24Z

In yet another chapter of the storied rivalry between North Carolina and Duke, Harrison Barnes, considered by many to be the top high school recruit in the nation, announced this afternoon that he will attend UNC. Barnes' choice reportedly came between North Carolina and Duke, although Kansas, UCLA, Oklahoma and Iowa State were all in play.

Barnes, a 6-foot-8, 210 pound forward, made the announcement from the Ames (Iowa) High School gymnasium. He was Iowa's Gatorade Player of the Year as he led his team to an unblemished 26-0 record.

Barnes just adds quality to an already stellar class for the defending champs. Earlier in the day, UNC announced two more higly touted signees in Reggie Bullock and Kendall Marshall. To read more about those two, click here.

Tulsa Feature: A Golden Opportunity

2009-11-12T21:05:34Z

Photo Courtesy of Tulsa

Overshadowed by Memphis' deep NCAA Tournament runs, gaudy winning streaks and NBA lottery picks sits another Conference USA team that quietly has won 70 games the past three seasons, including 25 in each of the last two.

That's the way things have gone for Tulsa lately - excellence in near silence. But this year, with Tulsa returning almost all of its key contributors, and Memphis perceived to take a hit with the loss of four key starters and its figurehead coach, the 2009-10 season could be the perfect storm for the Golden Hurricane

Read the full story here!

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Ben Uzoh

The Golden Hurricane return five of their top six scorers and have two seniors on the preseason all-conference team, in center Jerome Jordan, the C-USA Preseason Player of the Year, and guard Ben Uzoh. Throw in the fact that the C-USA Tournament will be played in Tulsa this year - as opposed to Memphis the last two seasons - and you can tell why expectations are high.

"I don't know if we have gotten any more [hype] than what we deserve or don't deserve," Tulsa Head Coach Doug Wojcik said. "I think we're on the radar which I think we do deserve. The expectations are the way the program has been built and to some degree it comes with the territory."

When you look at years past, it's hard to understand how Tulsa hasn't received this level of recognition. In conference play last year, the Golden Hurricane went 12-4. Three of those games were lost by a combined four points, including a one-point heartbreaker to Memphis when Antonio Anderson, now graduated, scored at the buzzer for the Tigers.

"It's hard to be perfect," Wojcik said.

The only other loss came at the hands of - you guessed it - Memphis. Tulsa, and the rest of the C-USA for that matter, hopes that this year will be a different scenario.

"I think every team in the league is pumped up for Memphis," said Uzoh, who with the rest of this senior class has yet to beat Memphis. "They haven't been beaten. They set the bar of where everyone else wants to get. It's definitely a game that you look forward to."

Tulsa has added motivation - as if it needed any more - when it faces Memphis, since it lost to the Tigers in the last two C-USA Tournament finals. In retrospect, the Golden Hurricane needed to win those games, which were played in Memphis, to make the NCAA Tournament. This year's conference tournament is being played in Tulsa and the Golden Hurricane are aiming for a different result if they can make it that far.

"Hopefully we'll get a few more fans this year," Jordan joked.

The losses in the C-USA finals kept the Golden Hurricane from an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. It got them a bid to the CBI Tournament in 2007-08, which they won, and a bid to the NIT last year. But improving and finally reaching the NCAA tournament this year would be what coach Wojcik called the "natural progression of the program."

If there was ever a year for Tulsa to make the leap, it's this year. Everything appears to be falling into place and the team knows that.

"This year the newcomers and returning guys all came in with a different mindset that this year we're really going to try to do something special," Jordan said. "It has really paid off. We're moving in the right directions right now."

Still, Memphis looms over C-USA like the 7-foot Jordan does over opponents. And, if Tulsa expects to dethrone Memphis, Jordan is going to be a vital asset. Jordan averaged 13.8 points and 8.6 rebounds last year. He was first in the conference in blocked shots and shooting percentage, and second in the league in rebounding.

"He's been working hard he's been getting better each and every year," Uzoh said. "It's been like day and night with him. He's just becoming a student of the game. He's picking things up quick. His IQ is really, really strong and he encourages everyone and makes everyone better."

Jordan mentioned that he is working on a more well-rounded offensive game. He is trying to extend his range and improve his moves when facing the basket. He wants to do this to avoid constant double teams in the post. But, if he does get double teamed, he does have another weapon on the wing and that's Uzoh.

For his career, Uzoh has averaged 13.2 points and over five rebounds a game. He was selected to the C-USA second team last year, but his greatest contributions may come as the floor general.

"He's developed so much since he got here his freshman this year just in terms of his leadership skills," Jordan said of Uzoh. "He's always been able to score and do all the little things for us to help us win games, but he's really turned into a point guard for us. He's vocal on the court and he helps all the players around him get better."

Tulsa also returns senior guard Justin Hurtt who averaged 9.6 points a game and shot 39 percent from 3-point range last year. Throw in senior Bishop Wheatley, junior Glenn Andrews and sophomore Steven Idlet and Tulsa has an experienced nucleus to go along with freshman guard Donte Medder and guard-forward Bryson Pope. Wojcik says both freshmen should make an "immediate impact."

And as things fall into place more and more, those goals of winning the C-USA and making the NCAA tournament seem to be in reach. As a result, Tulsa's getting noticed.

"None of us have been there yet so we don't deserve anything more than we've gotten, but there is a better awareness of us than there has been in the past," Wojcik said. "But just like any conference, unfortunately in today's world, that's non BCS, we need to look at ourselves and see if we're getting a second team in the tournament."

If everything goes the Golden Hurricanes' way this year, they won't have to worry about being the second team - and they'll have stepped way, way out of the shadows.

Wednesday Night Recap: Nov. 11

2009-11-12T17:20:37Z

Three more games from the 2K Sports Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer took place on Wednesday night. Here is how some of the nation's top teams fared.

No. 4 North Carolina 98, North Carolina Central 42
North Carolina's seniors continue to step up. This time it was fifth-year senior Marcus Ginyard, who led the team with a career-high 17 points. Fellow senior Deon Thompson added 13 points and seven rebounds.

North Carolina Central was led by C.J. Wilkerson with 16 points.

Theo Robertson

Full Recap | Box Score

No. 12 California 95, Detroit 61
Theo Robertson and Jerome Randle scored 22 points apiece as Cal pulled away from Detroit fro the victory. Patrick Christopher chipped in with 18 points and five rebounds.

Chase Simon led Detroit with 17 points.

Full Recap

Syracuse 100, Robert Morris 60
Syracuse looked like, well Syracuse on Wednesday night. A barrage of seven 3-pointers by Andy Rautins, who finished with a game-high 22 points, paced the Orange. All other Syracuse starters also scored in double digits.

Velton Jones led Robert Morris with 15 points.

Full Recap

Monday Night Recap: Nov. 9

2009-11-10T14:07:18Z

The first night of college basketball is in the books. Four games at four different sites kicked off the 2K Sports Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer. Here is a look at what happened.

Deon Thompson

No. 6 North Carolina 88, Florida International 72
Much of the hype surrounding North Carolina this year was about its incoming freshman and younger players stepping into larger roles. In this one, it was a familiar face that made his impact felt the most. Senior Deon Thompson, the most experience returnee, led the Tar Heels with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

UNC was dominant down low as expected. Ed Davis chipped in with 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Tyler Zeller added 12 points. The Tar Heels outrebounded FIU 42-21.

Larry Drew II, who took over for Ty Lawson at the point guard position, had seven points, six assists and only two turnovers. Marvin Roberts led FIU with 18 points in NBA legend Isiah Thomas' coaching debut.

Full Recap | Box Score

Syracuse 75, Albany 43
The Orange were good when it counted the most and in the process they earned coach Jim Boeheim his 800th career win. Syracuse was coming off an exhibition loss to Division II Le Moyne, but it rebounded nicely in its first game of the regular season. Boeheim now joins Bob Knight, Dean Smith, Adolph Rupp, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Phelan, Jim Calhoun and Eddie Sutton as part of the exclusive 800-win club.

Senior center Arinze Onuaku, who led all scorers with 14 points, was one of five Syracuse players to score in double figures. Transfer Wes Johnson added 12 points and eight rebounds.

Will Harris led Albany with 14 points.

Full Recap | Box Score

No. 13 California 75, Murray State 70
Cal, which entered the season with high expectations, fought off an early scare and was able to hold on for a tight victory over Murray State.

Evan Turner

The Golden Bears were led by Jerome Randle who scored a game-high 18 points despite shooting only 4-for-12 from the field. Patrick Christopher, Randle's counterpart in Cal's talented backcourt, added 13 points.

Ivan Aska led Murray State with 17 points. B.J. Jenkins also had 16 for the Racers.

Full Recap | Box Score

No. 16 Ohio State 100, Alcorn State 60
Evan Turner turned in only the second triple-double - and first since 1986 - in Ohio State history as the Buckeyes dismantled Alcorn State. Turner's stat line consisted of 14 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists.

Turner is a big reason why the Buckeyes are ranked so high, but they also got good production from William Buford, who added 19 points on 8-for-14 shooting.

Alcorn State was led by Jonathan Boyd who hit six 3-pointers on his way to a 20-point effort.

Full Recap | Box Score

2K Sports Classic Benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer Preview

2009-11-05T17:23:42Z

The start of the college basketball regular season is only days away and as far as I'm concerned, it's about time. The first action of the year will come in the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Defending champs North Carolina will be joined by California, Ohio State and Syracuse. Those four teams will automatically advance to the finals in Madison Square Garden on Nov. 19 and 20, where I will be in attendance covering it with a live blog. But first, we will get a sneak peak at these four highly touted teams from four of the nation's best conferences in regional play, which tips off November 9th. Here is what to look out for from this tournament.

Syracuse Regional
Schedule of Games:
11/9 - 9 PM ET: Albany at Syracuse - TV: ESPNU
11/11 - 7 PM ET: Robert Morris at Syracuse -TV: ESPNU

What To Watch For:
The regular season opener for Syracuse certainly carries a little more importance this year than most as the Orange are coming off an exhibition loss to Division II Le Moyne. The Orange will attempt to silence the critics and get on the right track. If they can, they will earn Jim Boeheim his 800th career win as a head coach. The legendary coach now has 799 wins in his 33-year coaching career.

Syracuse fans will pay extra attention to junior transfer Wesley Johnson and senior center Arinze Onuaku - but for different reasons. Johnson was a bright spot against Le Moyne. He scored a game-high 34 points and showed why the staff is excited to have him aboard. The staff, on the other hand, is hoping to get more out of Onuaku, their 6-foot-9 senior center. Onuaku, who averaged double-digits in scoring the last two years, only netter three points against Le Moyne.

Albany, which returns its top two scorers from last year's team that finished an injury-ravaged 15-16, and Robert Morris, which returns three starters from a team that won the NEC and went to the NCAA Tournament, round out the field.

Chapel Hill Regional

Larry Drew II

Schedule of Games:
11/9 - 7 PM ET: FIU at North Carolina - Gametracker - TV: ESPNU
11/11 - 9 PM ET: North Carolina. Central at North Carolina - Gametracker - TV: ESPNU

What To Watch For:
All eyes will be on the defending champs in this region and how they will look after the departure of four NBA draft picks in Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green. Overall talent won't be the problem in Chapel Hill, but seasoning could be. It will be very interesting to see Larry Drew II play his first significant minutes as the floor general for the Tar Heels. What Lawson brought to the table was irreplaceable, but Drew II has shown promise in his own right, and if he can run this offense and establish the tempo that coach Roy Williams likes, then the Tar Heels shouldn't skip much of a beat.

Ed Davis and Deon Thompson are also stepping into the spotlight. Thompson was a starter last year - a productive one at that - but he was overshadowed by the overwhelming star power on last year's squad. A consistent double-double threat, his name should be known much more readily by season's end. And, Ed Davis will have a chance at major minutes. Some are already calling Davis a potential lottery pick in next year's NBA Draft, so now is the time for him to put his skills on display.

This region also is the site of NBA legend Isiah Thomas' coaching debut. Thomas is now the head coach at Florida International so there is naturally a buzz surrounding that program. FIU will be anxious to see the debut of junior college transfer Marvin Roberts, who was the nation's Juco leader in scoring last year.

North Carolina Central, coming of a 4-27 season, rounds out the Chapel Hill region.

Columbus Regional
Schedule of Games:
11/ 9 - 7 PM ET: Alcorn State at Ohio State
11/12 - 7 PM ET: James Madison at Ohio State

What To Watch For:
Ohio State is loaded with returning talent and is primed to be one of the best teams in the Big 10. A big reason for that - Evan Turner. Turner could have been a first-round draft pick if he opted to go pro after last year but he decided to stay in Columbus. Coach Thad Matta has moved Turner to the point - last year he primarily played on the wing - and seeing how he handles that transition will be the most interesting subplot for Ohio State early in the year. Regardless of position, Turner is one of the best in the Big Ten.

The Buckeyes not only return their entire starting five, but they also get the services of David Lighty back. Lighty was averaging nearly ten points and six rebounds a game before an injury cut short his season after only a few games last year. Seeing him back in scarlet and gray will be a welcome sign for Buckeye fans.

James Madison had one of its best years ever in 2008-09, winning 21 games. With much of their nucleus back, the Dukes have high hopes for 2009-10. Alcorn State, which went 6-25 last season, will be Ohio State's other opponent.

Berkeley Regional

Jerome Randle

Schedule of Games:
11/9 - 11 PM ET: Murray State at California - Gametracker - TV: ESPNU
11/11 - 11 PM ET: Detroit at California - Gametracker - TV: ESPNU

What To Watch For:
Cal is being pegged as one of the favorites to win the Pac-10. It can begin to live up to that hype in these early matchups. As long as Jerome Randle is on the floor there should never be a dull moment for the Golden Bears. Randle averages over 18 points and five assists a game and also shoots 46 percent from behind the arc. His skill set makes him one of the most exciting players in the nation.

Cal, which went 22-11 last season, also returns All-Pac-10 guard Patrick Christopher. Randle and Christopher combined for nearly 33 points a game last year, and certainly give Cal one of the nation's best - and most entertaining - backcourts

Murray State, coming of a 19-win season, returns its entire starting five. Detroit from the Horizon League completes the Berkeley region.

Shocker In Syracuse

2009-11-04T14:42:09Z

It was only an exhibition game, but it still has to raise some eyebrows.

Syracuse, a perennial Big East power that finds itself in the other receiving votes category of the AP Poll, lost to Division II Le Moyne, 82-79, on its home court on Monday night.

Le Moyne, which is also located in Syracuse, NY, was paced by Christopher Johnson, who scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half.

Andy Rautins

Three of those 22 came on a game-clinching 3-pointer from the wing with nine seconds left when the Dolphins trailed by one.

On the bright side for Syracuse, Iowa State transfer Wesley Johnson was as good as advertised. The junior forward led all scorers with 34 points and was 3-for-5 from behind the arc.

The Orange showed why they are expected to be strong in the post with Arinze Onuaku, Rick Jackson and Kris Joseph all grabbing eight rebounds. Senior guard Andy Rautins chipped in with 13 points.

It's not time to panic yet for the Orange, and they will have a chance to get back on the right track in the in the opening game of the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic on Nov. 9 vs. Albany. Orange head coach Jim Boeheim will be attempting to win his 800th game as a head coach in that matchup.

In the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, Syracuse will then play Robert Morris on Nov. 11. After that, it will travel to Madison Square Garden to face off against Pac-10 foe California, ranked No. 13. For extensive coverage of the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, including a live blog from Madison Square Garden for the semifinals and finals, stay tuned to this blog.

Kansas Pair, Harangody Headline Preseason All-American Team

2009-11-03T00:49:13Z

Their names are becoming inseparable. Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins that is.

Cole Aldrich (left) and Sherron Collins

They were the lone significant holdovers from Kansas' national championship team two years ago. The duo carried an inexperienced Jayhawk team to within a win of the Final Four last year. Now, they're both members of The Associated Press' preseason All-America team.

Aldrich, a junior forward, and Collins, a senior guard, are joined on the team by Notre Dame senior Luke Harangody, Kentucky junior Patrick Patterson and Duke junior Kyle Singler.

Harangody, also named Big East Preseason Player of the Year, was the leading vote getter.

Aldrich and Collins, who finished second and third in the voting respectively, are only the sixth teammates ever selected for the preseason team, which began in 1986-87. No wonder there are high expectations in Kansas this year.

For more information, click here.