Wednesday night chaos has become a weekly occurrence this season. Penn State shocked the world, getting their first Big-Ten win of the season, beating No.4 Michigan. Georgetown got their first win inside Gampel Pavilion, needing Otto Porter heroics to defeat UConn in double-OT. Texas rallied back from a 22-point deficit to defeat Oklahoma. Arizona lost to USC, and Chane Behanan almost killed Worrel Clahar.
As you can see, we have a lot to get to.
So let’s hit the links.
Thursday’s Top games:
7:00 p.m. – No. 16 Ohio State @ Northwestern
7:00 p.m. – Detroit @ Temple
8:00 p.m. – Utah State @ No. 25 Louisiana Tech
9:00 p.m. – No. 3 Duke @ Virginia
11:00 p.m. – No. 2 Gonzaga @ BYU
11:00 p.m. – Oregon State @ No. 24 Oregon
Read of the Day:
A phenomenal feature on cardboard big heads. Yep, your read of the day is about cardboard big heads. But seriously, it’s written by George Dohrmann, the author of “Play Their Hearts Out”, so you know it’s good stuff. Read it. (Sports Illustrated)
Top Stories:
Otto Porter delivers again in 2OT win over UConn (VIDEO):Georgetown trailed Connecticut by seven points in double overtime, 78-71, with 2:03 to play. But Otto Porter scored five of the final seven points, including the game-winning layup with nine seconds remaining.
No. 4 Michigan upset by Penn State, how worrisome is their defense? Teams that struggle with defensive efficiency don’t often survive March Madness very long. Prior to giving up 84 points against then-0-13 Penn State, the Wolverines ranked 42nd in defensive efficiency. That’s not good if you want to contend for a National Championship.
Akron takes control of the MAC with thrilling, OT win over Ohio: The Akron Zips extended their NCAA-leading 19-game win streak last night, defeating the 2012 MAC Champions 88-81 in one of the best seasons of the game. It was high-major #MACtion.
Just how good is New Mexico? Is a No. 1 seed in their future? Potentially: With three games left in regular season play, the Lobos have a stranglehold on the Mountain West Conference championship. But just how good is this New Mexico team? With all the movement within the top-10, a No.1-seed come March isn’t out of the question.
Louisville’s Chane Behanan delivers the most violent dunk of the season (VIDEO): Unquestionably the most violent display of posterization I have ever seen. Just watch.
Bubble Banter: Who helped their tournament chances?Creighton, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Boise State all kept their NCAA Tournament hopes alive with wins last night.
Bubble Banter: Who hurt their tournament chances? Oklahoma, Wichita State are all watching tournament bids slip by the wayside.
Hoops Housekeeping:
- Fairleigh Dickinson will reportedly fire coach Greg Vetrone at end of season. (College Basketball Talk)
- A proposal to build a statue of Terrapin-great Len Bias at a local high school has been withdrawn because of concerns that it would send the wrong message to students. (Washington Post)
- The status of UNLV forward Anthony Bennett is day-to-day as he continues to deal with shoulder pain. (Las Vegas Sun)
- Florida has dealt with the injury bug all season. On Wednesday, all three banged up Gators, Will Yeguete, Michael Frazier and Casey Prather were cleared to practice again. The Gators will need a healthy squad if they want to contend in March. (Alligator Army)
- Iowa State police are investigating death threats made against Kansas guard Elijah Johnson following his heroic performance against the Cyclones on Monday. (Wichita Eagle)
Observations & Insight:
- Oh look, ANOTHER opinion piece about how college basketball sucks. Thanks but no thanks. (Virginia Pilot)
- Coaches want to control the game, which is why we are seeing less possessions and lower scores. (Post and Courier)
- Thanks to the Mountaineers loss to Baylor last night, Bob Huggins is one loss away from securing his first regular season losing record since 1985. (Eye on College Basketball)
- At the beginning of the month, back when TCU defeated Kansas, I broke down the top-ten upsets of the season. Penn State’s upset win over No. 4 Michigan last night is definitely worthy of a top-5 slot. (Eye on College Basketball)
- An updated look at the entertaining race for the Big-Ten Championship. Five teams still have a shot at winning the regular season title. (Inside the Hall)
- C.J. Moore attempts to explain why Kansas’ Ben McLemore has avoided clutch moments on the road. (Bleacher Report)
- Wanna know how I know Wednesday was bonkers? USC beat Arizona. Nobody saw that coming. (CBS Local Los Angeles)
- There is a strong debate forming about whether or not Gonzaga should be a No.1-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The last “mid-major” to do so was John Calipari’s Memphis team in 2008. How do the two squads compare? (Eye on College Basketball)
- A day after Coach-K said he was finished coaching Team USA basketball, Jerry Colangelo says that talk will have to wait. (ESPN)
- Maryland guard Seth Allen was almost forced to quit basketball after injuring his elbow in a 2007 bike crash. (Baltimore Sun)
- Oklahoma blew a 22-point lead with seven minutes remaining against Texas. Yeah, the Sooners might have a few issues. (Cream and Crimson Machine)
- According to an AP report, Miami booster Nevin Shapiro gave $170,000 in impermissible benefits to Hurricane players, recruits, coaches and others between 2002 and 2010. (Yahoo Sports)
Tweet of the Day:
Kentucky sophomore Ryan Harrow, formerly of NC-State, on his senior teammate Julius Mays, also formerly of NC-State AND Wright State. We all kid, but six years of college would have been awesome. (H/T @ThomasBeisner)
Harrow on Mays:”He was my host when I visited NC State in 10th grade…and he’s still in college.That’s why we call him Grandpa Julius.”
— Thomas Beisner (@thomasbeisner) February 28, 2013
Video of the Day:
Here’s the deal. I’m sick of the Harlem Shake and so are you. But this rendition from the Oakland Golden Grizzlies is just so hilarious, I had to share. The story behind the making of the video is just as funny. Seriously, I wouldn’t do this too you unless it was legit. This is legit. (Oakland Press)
Do you like the new Morning Mix? Hate it? Have a suggestion or want something featured? Troy Machir will take all your praise, insults and inquiries via Twitter (@TroyMachir
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VIDEO: Shaka Smart throws a strike, gets his own bobblehead
May 18, 2013, 9:00 PM EDT
photo courtesy of the Richmond Flying Squirrels
Friday evening, VCU head coach Shaka Smart did one of those things coaches do in the offseason. He took to the field in a minor league game to throw out a first pitch. It was an auspicious day for the Rams’ head man, as he was being honored with his very own bobblehead doll last…
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AP
There has been a lot of change at Arizona over the past few months, with several players and even a coach leaving the program. Replacing assistant James Whitford, who became head coach at Ball State, was easy: Wildcat legend Damon Stoudamire came back home to round out the staff. But the personnel situation on the…
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Report: Baylor coach told Griner not to talk about her sexuality
May 18, 2013, 5:20 PM EDT
Getty Images
Former Baylor player and current WNBA top draft pick Britney Griner made it quite clear recently that she has no problem talking about her sexuality. She spoke with Sports Illustrated shortly after her college career ended, and was candid about something that is, frankly, not really anybody’s business. We now know why she never mentioned…
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AP
The Atlantic Sun tournament was played in front of a near-capacity crowd at Mercer’s Hawkins Arena last March. Hawkins was chosen as the tourney site ahead of time, and the whole event played out there. The reported crowd of 4,394 was packed with Mercer fans who simply had to roll out of bed and find…
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Since he led Team USA to a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics in London, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski has maintained that it would, in fact, be his last run at the head of the USA Basketball program. That may be changing, however. According to a report from Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated, Coach…
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Adreian Payne, Lacey Holsworth attended Dick Vitale’s gala on Friday
May 18, 2013, 2:32 PM EDT
Adreian Payne was a special guest at Dick Vitale’s celebrity gala on Friday night, but he wasn’t the star of the show. Lacey Holsworth was. If you haven’t heard the story by now, watch the video above. In short, Payne has befriended a seven-year girl, Lacey, who has been battling cancer for much of her…
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Georgetown forward Brandon Bolden transfers to Kansas State
May 18, 2013, 1:15 PM EDT
After appearing in only four regular season games and registering five minutes of playing time with no statistics, Georgetown forward Brandon Bolden has opted to transfer to Kansas State, the Wildcats announced on Friday. The 6-10, 210-pound Bolden will sit out the upcoming 2013-14 season due to NCAA transfer rules, but will have three years of…
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Report: Lipscomb hires a former Belmont player as head coach
May 18, 2013, 12:12 PM EDT
Lipscomb has finally replaced long time head coach Scott Sanderson, as they hired Stetson head coach Casey Alexander, according to a report. Alexander led the Hatters to a 15-16 record last season, as they finished 11-7 in the Atlantic Sun. Both records were the best for the program since the 2008-2009 season. But here’s where…
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FIBA
Oregon State picked up a late 2013 commitment when 6-2 combo guard Malcolm Duvivier opted to sign his letter of intent on Friday after previously being a member of the 2014 class. Duvivier — a native of Toronto — was previously regarded as Rivals’ No. 116 player in the 2014 national rankings before filling an…
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Report: Tennessee center Makanjuola transfers to UNC-Wilmington
May 18, 2013, 10:02 AM EDT
AP
Tennessee sophomore center Yemi Makanjuola has opted to transfer to UNC-Wilmington, per a Tweet from Brian Mull of StarNews. Makanjuola — a 6-9, 250-pound native of Nigeria — will have two years of eligibility remaining after NCAA transfer rules force him to sit out next season. Makanjuola will be eligible in the 2014-15 season and saw action…
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Washington guard C.J. Wilcox undergoes surgery on left foot
May 17, 2013, 9:02 PM EDT
AP
One month after making the decision to return to Washington for his senior season, second team All-Pac-12 selection C.J. Wilcox underwent surgery on his left foot to stabilize a stress fracture that according to the Associated Press lingered for much of the 2012-13 season. The purpose of the surgery was to stabilize the fifth metatarsal…
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AP
Last May 6-7 forward Sheldon Jeter chose to attend Vanderbilt, picking the Commodores over Penn State and Wisconsin and South Carolina with Pittsburgh showing some interest late but never offering the Beaver Falls, Pa. native. Jeter played 17.5 minutes per game as a freshman, averaging 5.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. And after one…
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AP
In the immediate aftermath of Steve Alford’s decision to leave New Mexico to take over as head coach at UCLA, many wondered how much would he have to pay UNM in order to get out of his contract. While Alford and his representation argued that the coach, who led the Lobos to four Mountain West…
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Reuters
A good week on the recruiting front for the Xavier coaching staff got even better Friday afternoon. 6-4 guard Remy Abell, who spent his first two seasons at Indiana, announced his decision to transfer to Xavier as reported by multiple outlets. Abell won’t be eligible to play this season per NCAA transfer rules, but he will…
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Marshall bolsters backcourt depth with addition of Jaylen Brantley
May 17, 2013, 5:23 PM EDT
ny2lasports.com
With three guards, most notably leading scorer DeAndre Kane, deciding to transfer Marshall head coach Tom Herrion was in need of some extra depth for his backcourt in 2013-14. Thanks to a commitment from 2013 combo guard Jaylen Brantley, the Thundering Herd won’t go into next season shorthanded in that area. Brantley, who played at…
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Report: Sandi Marcius transferring to DePaul for final season
May 17, 2013, 4:36 PM EDT
AP
Last month it was reported that Purdue forward Sandi Marcius was running into a major complication in regards to his decision to graduate and then transfer to another school where he would be able to play as a graduate student. That major complication was Purdue’s refusal to pay for the summer school courses Marcius needs…
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Report: Nebraska to open Pinnacle Arena against Florida Gulf Coast
May 17, 2013, 3:21 PM EDT
Getty Images
Florida Gulf Coast was one of the best stories of the 2013 NCAA tournament, becoming the first 15-seed to reach the Sweet 16 and earning the moniker “Dunk City” (thanks to Troy Machir) with their attractive style of play and penchant for above the rim finishes. And next season the Eagles, under new head coach…
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AP
After two quiet seasons at the University of Texas, sophomore Jaylen Bond made the decision to transfer. Bond, a 6-7 forward from Philadelphia, averaged just 3.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in just under 14 minutes per game during his Longhorn career. Friday, Bond announced his decision to transfer to Temple via Twitter and it’s safe…
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WCC, commissioner Jamie Zaninovich agree to three-year extension
May 17, 2013, 1:43 PM EDT
Getty Images
In his six seasons as commissioner of the West Coast Conference, Jamie Zaninovich has helped the conference improve its brand in a variety of ways. Whether it’s been the addition of BYU (Pacific joins this summer) or the idea to move the conference basketball tournaments to Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, it’s safe to say…
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Getty Images
While in Chicago taking part in this week’s NBA Draft Combine, former Kansas shooting guard had to answer some questions regarding the allegations levied by his former AAU coach, Darius Cobb, a couple weeks ago. In a story done by USA Today in early May, Cobb stated that he accepted $10,000 from a runner in…
