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Late Night Snacks: The last, first, Big Monday as we know it

Russ Smith, Tyler Olander

Louisville’s Russ Smith (2) drives to the basket past Connecticut’s Tyler Olander during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Hartford, Conn., Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham)

AP

A light slate of games was highlighted by two Top 5 teams on national television. It’s also a night to remember because, to hardcore college hoop-heads, it’s the last, first Big Monday as we know it. For now, enjoy the rundown. It’s Late Night Snacks.

Game of the night

No. 1 Louisville 73, UConn 58 - In the Cardinals’ first game as no. 1 in the nation, they started slow but shot 60-percent in the second half and held the Huskies to 24 second half points. Russ Smith had 23 points and Gorgui Dieng had 16 rebounds. Omar Calhoun had 20 in the loss for UConn.

Games of note

No. 4 Kansas 61, Baylor 44 - This was seen as a game that Baylor could disprove some theories about their team to this point. Instead they shot 23.2-percent overall and 28.6-percent from three to lead to a loss in Lawrence.

Southern 88, Mississippi Valley State 54 - It’s not much of a story nationally, but this Southern team was 4-26 two seasons ago, then turned it around with a 17-14 season last year. In the SWAC, mind you. They’re now 12-6 in 2012-13 after the win over a floundering Delta Devils squad.

Georgia Southern 70, Davidson 57 - The Wildcats suffered their first loss in the SoCon with this one. De’Mon Brooks was held to six points and the Panthers shot 53.1-percent from the field. This could come back to bite Bob McKillop late in the season.

Starred

Russ Smith, Louisville - He started the night with 15 of the Cardinals first 24 points against UConn. He finished with 23 points on 10-of-20 shooting.

Ben McLemore, Kansas - He just keeps adding to his legend. The redshirt freshman finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two assists and two steals in the win over Baylor.

Trey Sumler, Western Carolina - The Catamounts guard went for 32 points on 9-of-19 shooting and a 9-of-12 night from the free throw line in a loss to Elon.

Malcolm Miller, Southern - Southern’s turnaround from two seasons ago, when they were under an NCAA postseason tournament ban due to low APR scores, is amazing. Miller had himself a night for the Jaguars with a 28-point, 10-rebound performance in the win over Mississippi Valley State.

Raymond Penn, Texas Southern - It was full night of SWAC games and Penn had the best game of the night in the conference. Even though it was against possibly the worst team in college basketball, Grambling State, Penn finished with 10 points and 14 assists in the 90-59 win.

Struggled

Pierre Jackson, Baylor - He was the most productive player on the court for the Bears, but he still finished with 10 points on 2-of-8 shooting in the loss at Kansas. He committed four turnovers.

De’Mon Brooks, Davidson - Brooks, who averages 14 points per game, finished with six points on 2-of-8 shooting in the loss to Georgia State.

Stuffing the stat sheet

Prince Okoroh, Howard - A big night, even in a loss. The sophomore finished with 15 points, six steals, five rebounds and two assists in 54-49 loss to Norfolk State.

Conference season is in full swing, folks. It only gets better from here.

David Harten is the editor and founder of The Backboard Chronicles. You can follow him on Twitter at @David_Harten.