so for a few updates on a terrific day of basketball.
Duke's Ryan Kelly was red-hot in a win over Wake Forest. he hit 5 3-pointers (on 7 attempts) and finished tied for a game-high 22 points (on 6 of 9 shooting) with 1 blocked shot and 4 boards.
Mason Plumlee chipped in with another double-double, 13 points and 12 boards to go along with 2 assists and 1 block.
**************************
Aaron Craft had a strong game in Ohio State's blowout loss. in 38 minutes, he scored 11 (on 4 of 10 from the floor) while adding 4 boards, 3 assists, and 4 steals with ZERO turnovers.
*************************
i can't recall having ever watched
Mike Muscala play before, and i'm not happy about it. he is a MONSTER. the junior forward from Bucknell almost single-handedly pulled off a major upset over #12 Missouri on the road, before finally falling 66-64. he finished with 25 points (on 10 of 17) and 14 rebounds with 4 assists and 2 blocks. wow! this guy is WAY underrated.
*************************
just another day for maybe the best player in the nation, as Doug McDermott scored 25 (on 9 of 19 shooting) and grabbed 9 rebounds for Creighton.
Grant Gibbs chipped in with 8 assists (but an awful-for-him 3 turnovers; is that a career-high?!? LOL), 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 blocked shot to go along with 4 points.
************************
freshman sharpshooter Kellen Dunham scored a game-high 15 for Butler, in a low scoring affair. Rotnei Clarke shot poorly (only 1 of 7), but he wasn't needed as the Bulldogs' defense and rebounding dominated.
************************
Notre Dame sixth-year senior Scott Martin knocked down 6 3-pointers in route to a game-high 22 points (on 8 of 11 shooting) in a win. Jack Cooley continues to show why he is the best big man in the Big East, notching yet another double double with 19 points and 13 boards.
***********************
a young team to keep an eye on is Boston College. every major contributor is either a freshman or sophomore, and 5 White athletes average double figure minutes (along with 3 almost-White, light, bright mulattoes).
they would have knocked off #23 NC State if not the for the late-game heroics of Scott Wood for the Wolfpack. Wood knocked down a 3 and 4 consecutive free throws to escape. he finished with 12 points on 2 of 6 shooting.
**********************
Maryland features a couple of impressive young talents on their frontline. sophomore center Alex Len continues to make a case for being an all-conference player. he finished today's win over VA Tech with 16 (on 6 of 12) with 9 boards, 2 assists, and 1 block.
athletic freshman forward Jake Layman was the player of the game, however. he finished with 20 points (also on 6 of 12 from the floor), 8 boards, 3 assistis, and 2 blocks with ZERO turnovers in 29 minutes. he's got a BRIGHT future.
**********************
Davidson bounced back from the Duke loss with a well-balanced effort in a blowout win. 5 players (4 White, well Cohen is jewish) scored in double figures and Chris Czerapowicz pulled down 10 rebounds.
********************
i wish Washington State didn't play so late so often. Brock Motum is GOOD.