Frank Mason III's game-winning shot with under 2 seconds to play lifted Kansas by No. 1 Duke last Tuesday.
College basketball is back, and social media was buzzing during this exciting opening week of action. With every dunk, game-winner, mind-blowing upset and dancing fan, the internet was ready to respond with plenty of emojis and exclamation points. Here are the best moments from the opening week (and a half):
Game of the Week
In an opening week packed with great games, one clearly stood above the rest. Tuesday night saw a matchup between the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils and the No. 7 Kansas Jayhawks that went down to the wire. Duke played well and looked every part the equal of the Jayhawks despite the absence of its three marquee freshmen, thanks in large part to 22 points from sophomore sharpshooter Luke Kennard.
But down the stretch it was Frank Mason of Kansas who took the game over and kept his team ahead, scoring 17 of his 21 points in the second half. Duke's comeback was capped with a three-pointer from Frank Jackson, tying the game with just 8.2 second remaining. Then it was Mason once again, who put the finishing touch on Kansas' 77-75 victory.
Play of the Week
Before we get to this week's play of the week, I have to mention an incredible runner-up. It comes from freshman Kevin Huerter of Maryland, whose game-winning block saved the game against Georgetown, leading to an early-season dance party in the Maryland locker room.
We run the D[M]V! https://t.co/lVQMUzRZOw
— Maryland Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) November 16, 2016
The block was great, but it couldn't beat out this game-winning shot from South Carolina that lifted them over Monmouth in overtime. Half alley-oop, half chest-pass to the basket. All money. Despite having just 6 points in the game, it was PJ Dozier who will be remembered as the hero this week.
GAME WINNER!! Watch PJ Dozier's buzzer beater on the assist from Duane Notice tonight in overtime vs. Monmouth! #Gamecocks pic.twitter.com/Wsleeok9yt
— Gamecock MBB (@GamecockMBB) November 16, 2016
Individual Performance of the Week
While there may have been players who put up better statistics than Miles Bridges of Michigan State, no one came close to topping the love that he received on social media in this opening week. College basketball fans were introduced to one of the most exciting athletes in the country with each thunderous throw-down. It's impossible to fit all of the highlight dunks he had in just this first week on one vine, but here's one vines-worth of Bridges' dunks, all from the Spartans' opening game against Arizona.
Funniest Moment of the Week
This Villanova fan. There are no words. Or shame.
When you beat Wake Forest to move to the #CharlestonClassic Championship @NovaMBB pic.twitter.com/cOVWhS1ufK
— ESPNU (@ESPNU) November 18, 2016
Dunk of the Week
While most might expect one of Miles Bridges' monstrous dunks to be a lock for the dunk of the week, that honor goes this time to UCLA freshman Lonzo Ball. Ball has been impressive for the Bruins, averaging 16.3 points and 9.0 assists. But more importantly, he's been a constant source for crazy dunk vines. This alley-oop poster slam during UCLA's opening night route of Pacific is very deserving of this week's top dunk.
Duh Na Na Duh Na Na #SCTop10
— UCLA Basketball (@UCLAMBB) November 12, 2016
Tune in to watch the 2nd half on @pac12network. #PACvsUCLA #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/31mcBETRsK
