Late Night Snacks: Virginia, Kentucky get big conference wins Tuesday

Game of the Day: Virginia 58, No. 19 NC State 55

NC State thrives in the transition game and they were not able to shift into gear Tuesday. Credit goes to the Virginia defense and the fact that Wolfpack point guard Lorenzo Brown was forced out of the game after just ten minutes with an ankle injury. Without his, TJ Warren, Rodney Purvis, and Tyler Lewis all failed to find their groove. Even so, NC State had four possessions in the final three minutes with a chance to tie or take the lead, but could not capitalize.

Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell were the two biggest bright spots for Virginia, scoring 22 points and 14 points respectively.

Important Outcomes 

1. Kentucky 87, No. 16 Ole Miss 74

Kentucky needed a solid conference win on the road to boost its resume in an SEC that is weak this year. They got it Tuesday. Kyle Wiltjer led the way offensively, along with Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress. Defensively, though, Nerlens Noel showed how he can impact a gave when taking just one shot from the floor and going 2-of-8 at the free throw line. He blocked 12 shots, including four down the stretch when he had four fouls. He changed the game defensively in the same way Anthony Davis was able to last season.

2. No. 11 Ohio State 58, Wisconsin 49

Deshaun Thomas was once again the biggest offensive asset for the Buckeyes, but defense ruled the night. Ohio State held Wisconsin to 37 percent shooting and outrebounded the Badgers by six to move to 6-2 in the tough Big Ten.

3. Indiana State 68, No. 15 Wichita State 55 

The Missouri Valley race just got a whole ‘lot more interesting. Indiana State toppling Wichita State makes the Sycamores 7-3 in league play and moves them to third in the conference standings. They’re building a solid postseason resume, which also includes a non-conference victory over the now-surging Miami Hurricanes.

Starred

1. Kyle Wiltjer, Kentucky (26 points, 7 rebounds)

Wiltjer’s scoring was the most important part of Kentucky’s offensive gameplan Tuesday night. His career-high point total paced the Wildcats in the second half and gave enough of a cushion to help fend off a late Ole Miss run, giving Kentucky an important road win.

2. Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State (25 points, 10-of-17 FG)

Thomas is the go-to scorer for the Buckeyes and showed it again on Tuesday night. His 25 points accounted for nearly half of Ohio State’s total. Coach Thad Matta’s team focuses on defense, but Thomas having a big night is what gives the Buckeyes offensive fuel.

3. Jarnell Stokes, Tennessee (19 points, 11 rebounds)

Stokes had a big breakout game in his last outing against Alabama and continued that Tuesday night against Vanderbilt. He tallied his second straight double-double in a win over Vanderbilt.

Also of Note: Nerlens Noel, Kentucky (12 blocks)

Struggled 

1. Ryan Evans, Wisconsin (2 points, 1-of-10 FG, 3 TOs)

Evans was part of a Wisconsin attack that couldn’t reach the 50-point mark Tuesday vs. Ohio State. He fell significantly from his season average of 10.9 per game.He has been out of sync in three of his last four games, having shot 9-of-39 from the floor in his last four games.

2. Carl Hall, Wichita State (2 points, 0-of-2 FG, 4 fouls)

Wichita State struggled from the field as a team on Tuesday and was disrupted by Indiana State’s defensive sets. His foul trouble changed his game, as well, but the Sycamores did a good job of now allowing Hall to get to the free throw line, where he typically thrives.

3. NC State Backcourt/Wings (TJ Warren 3 points, 1-of-7 FG | Tyler Lewis, 1-of-3 FG | Rodney Purvis, 2-of-7  FG)

Point guard Lorenzo Brown played just 10 minutes after injuring his ankle, and this trio struggled in his absence. Virginia’s defense slowed the typically lethal transition attack of the Wolfpack and allowed the Cavaliers to get the win. Lewis was thrust into the role, playing more minutes than he has at any point during the conference season, which likely had a ripple effect.

Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_