College Upsets and Storylines
Let's start with the theme of last night, upsets and shockers. The night was filled with lots of surprise and awe. It started with three undefeated teams and ended with only two left. The night even included the best game of the year and a preview of what's to come in the new ACC.
(22) Memphis Tigers 72 - SMU Mustangs 87
The Mustangs continue their perfect season at home upsetting the No. 22 Tigers. This was the second time in ten years that SMU defeated a top 25 team. Both times was this year in their newly renovated Moody Coliseum. Legendary Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown has the Mustangs on the upswing. Markus Kennedy dominated the game by scoring 21 points while shooting 10-10 from the floor. Kennedy added a game high 15 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 assist.
(21) Massachusetts Minutemen 68 - Saint Joseph's Hawks 73
These two teams played about a month ago but, the Minutemen got the best of the hawks. UMass was trailing by 9 points and ended up coming out on top. On this night, on St. Joseph's home court, the story ended with the Hawks coming out on top. Halil Kanacevic poured in 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal to lead the way to a hawks victory.
Baylor Bears 76 - (8) Oklahoma State Cowboys 70
There wasn't much hope leading into the game for the Bears, as their starting Point Guard Kenny Chery. Without Chery, other Bears' had to step up their game and they did. Gary Franklin added 11 Points to go along with 5 assists. Brady Heslip scored a season high 20 points including six 3-pointers. Oklahoma State had rallied from a nine-point deficit to take the lead in the final five minutes before Franklin, who had scored just two points all game, drained all of his three 3-pointers in just under three minutes to put Baylor in control.
(7) Michigan State Spartans 60 - Georgetown Hoyas 64
The Hoyas were coming off five straight losses before shocking the Spartans. Markel Starks led the way for Georgetown scoring 16 points. The Hoyas' opened the second half on an 11-2 run and never looked back from that point. Michigan State was without two of their key player's Adreian Payne and Branden Dawson.
(6) Kansas Jayhawks 69 - (25) Texas Longhorns 81
Just when it looked like the Jayhawks were going to be crowned the Big 12 champs, they ran into the surging Longhorns. Texas victory over Kansas gives Texas 6 straight wins. The Longhorns were led by Isaiah Taylor's 23 points and Jonathan Holmes' 22 points. Texas now has 4 straight wins over top 25 teams. The Longhorns used suffocating defense to stop Andrew Wiggins and the Jayhawks. Wiggins was guarded most of the night by Demarcus Holland who gave up 6 inches to Wiggins. Wiggins was held to shooting just 2-12 from the field and he fouled out with around 2 minutes remaining.
(1) Arizona Wildcats 58 - California Golden Bears 60
The Arizona Wildcats were one of three remaining undefeated teams heading into the night. A few times this season, the Wildcats faced adversity but came out on top when things mattered most. Last night was a different story. California's Justin Cobbs' hit a step back jumper with 0.9 seconds remaining to stun the undefeated, top ranked wildcats. This victory gave the Bears their first victory over a top ranked team since 1994.
(17) Duke Blue Devils 89 - (2) Syracuse Orange 91
When it was announced that the Syracuse Orange would leave the Big East and move into the ACC, the build up to their first matchup began. Two storybook universities led by two of the best coaches of all time would square off annually. Coach Jim Boeheim and Coack Mike Krzyzewski are the two winningest coaches in division 1 history. This matchup lived up to all of the hype and much, much more. Duke and Syracuse couldn't settle the game in regulation and went into overtime, something that did not disappoint any of the record attending (35,446) basketball fans at the Carrier Dome or those watching on a TV. Syracuse had career high performances from C.J. Fair who dropped a game high 28 points and also Jerami Grant who scored 8 of his 24 points in OT. Duke's Freshman superstar Jabari Parker fouled out with under 2 minutes remaining in regulation. Amile Jefferson joined Parker on the bench shortly after. Duke's Rasheed Sulaimon beat the buzzer in regulation with an off-balance 3-pointer that tied the score at 78. The Blue Devils led 87-84 with 80 seconds left in overtime before Syracuse rallied. Fans can only hope this is a preview of what's to come in the new ACC.
By Steven Spector -2-2-14
