Late Night Snacks: UConn brings the energy, Mountain West brings the excitement

Feb 14, 2013, 1:27 AM EDT

Game of the Day: No. 24 Colorado State 66, San Diego State 60

The key to beating San Diego State is often shutting down the heart of that team’s offensive attack, Jamaal Franklin. Colorado State was able to do that in the second half. Dorian Green had 16 points, including a big but controversial layup, plus the foul, that proved to be the dagger Wednesday night.

The Mountain West is a crowded conference race, yes, but Colorado State showed that it has the firepower to make a run for the top.

Important Outcomes

1. No. 2 Duke 73, North Carolina 68

It wasn’t pretty, but No. 2 Duke was able to clean up its act in the second half by sharing the ball and locking down on defense to seal a win over rival North Carolina. Mason Plumlee overcame early offensive struggles to finish with 18 points and 11 rebounds. He imposed his will in the paint once he found his comfort zone, despite playing in foul trouble down the stretch.

2. Connecticut 66, No. 6 Syracuse 58

The Huskies might be banned from the Big East and NCAA tournaments, but don’t tell Kevin Ollie’s team. UConn continues to play with the fire of an NCAA tournament-bound team. The backcourt trio of Omar Calhoun, Ryan Boatright, and Shabazz Napier combined for 42 of Connecticut’s 66 points in the win.

3. Charlotte 71, No. 11 Butler 67

It’s crowded at the top of the Atlantic 10. With the loss, Butler falls into a tie with La Salle and Xavier for third place, but still just a half game behind Virginia Commonwealth and Saint Louis for the conference lead. Charlotte pounded Butler in the paint, which the Bulldogs had no answer for without center Andrew Smith, who was sitting with injury. Guard Rotnei Clarke almost single-handedly brought Butler back in the final minutes, scoring 15 points in just over three minutes, but came up short.

Starred

1. Elston Turner, Texas A&M (37 points, 13-of-20 FG, 7-of-10 3pt FG)

Texas A&M needed every last one of Turner’s points Wednesday to score a two-point win over Ole Miss. He carried the Aggies, including a basket with 0:16 to play that pushed the game to two possessions. It is the second major win in which he has exploded for 35 or more points, having put down 40 in a road win over Kentucky earlier in the year.

2. Joe Jackson, Memphis (21 points, 10-of-12 FG, 10 assists)

The Memphis offense was firing on all cylinders Wednesday and Jackson was at the center of it. He was efficient and a threat both scoring and distributing the basketball. The Tigers have climbed back into the Top 25 and are looking regain the respect that they had prior to their early season slump.

3. Markel Brown, Oklahoma State (25 points, 7-of-8 3pt FG)

The Cowboys remain tied for the top of the Big 12 after their blowout win over Texas Tech Wednesday. Part of the reason Oklahoma State was able to jump out to such a lead was Brown’s hot shooting from beyond the arc.

Also of Note: Jackie Carmichael, Illinois State (27 points, 13 rebounds)

Struggled

1. Brandon Triche, Syracuse (9 points, 3-of-15 FG, 0-of-7 3pt FG)

Triche was part of a Syracuse offense that couldn’t find its mark on Wednesday night. As a team, the Orange shot just 35 percent which was a major factor, especially considering that the defense was able to amass a +8 turnover margin.

2. Winston Shepard, San Diego State (2 points, 0-of-5 FG, 2 TOs)

Shepard could not find his groove, but continued to look for a shot when it wasn’t there. In the second half, he missed a close layup, got his own rebound, and missed the putback, which Colorado State ultimately grabbed and got out in transition. This game comes on the heels of a solid 10-point outing he had against Fresno State on Saturday.

3. Josh Benson, Dayton (6 points, 1-of-6 FG, 3 TOs, 5 Fouls)

Benson was well off his season average of 10 points per game and was only able to log 16 minutes due to foul trouble. It was in part why the Flyers fell to a Rhode Island team that was previously 1-8 in A-10 play.

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