News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Friday, Dec 10

-The biggest surprises always come on the nights you’re not expecting anything.  Hence the term “Surprise.”  And…we had another one last night.  Rutgers led Purdue for most of the first half, and as you would expect the place was bonkers.  As you would also expect, Purdue battled back and got the lead, and while it was a battle, you started to feel like it was inevitable that they were going to win.  But, they never pulled away, and then with less than 15 seconds to go Rutgers hit a shot that put them ahead.  Purdue came down the floor on their possession and hit what appeared to be a game winning shot with 3 seconds to play, and then all Rutgers could do was throw up a desperation mid-court heave…which Ron Harper Jr. did…and it went in!!  A HUGE upset and feel-good win for Rutgers as they take down the #1 ranked team for the first time ever, and maybe a moment where things turn around for them.  It seems like they should have been better than what they’ve been up to this point.  Maybe this gets them kickstarted.

-Seton Hall held on to beat Texas in a game that went down to the wire.  It’s a nice win for Seton Hall that they should get some credit for despite the fact they were at home.  Texas is still looking for their first true road win, but to be fair the two road games they’ve played and lost were against top 25 teams.

-Iowa State absolutely clobbered Iowa 73-53 in the Cy-Hawk Series.  Iowa State is DAMN good!!

-Saint John’s held off Monmouth 88-83.  The Johnnies led most of the way, but Monmouth really made it close down the stretch and could have actually won the game had it not been for some big defensive plays by Saint John’s.

-APPALACHIAN STATE AT FURMAN.  I still think Furman is a really good under the radar team, but it will take a Herculean string of wins between now and the end of the season to get them inside the bubble.

-MURRAY STATE AT MEMPHIS.  Murray State is an very respectable 7-1 with a couple of decent wins away from home.  This would be ore than just a decent win for them if they can pull it off.  Memphis has struggled some despite being loaded with talent.  They could still pull it together and end up having a big year where they finish in the rankings, but they don’t appear to be there yet and they better be on upset alert tonight.

-LOYOLA CHICAGO AT VANDERBILT.  Loyola Chicago is looking for their second true road win of the season.  Vandy has been better than expected (at least better than I thought they’d be), and they are at home, so it wouldn’t be overly shocking if they won this, but I still think Loyola Chicago is clearly the better team.

-DEPAUL AT LOUISVILLE.  DePaul only has one loss on the season (home to Loyola Chicago), but this is their first road game of the year, and it’s also their biggest test so far.  Louisville has done modestly well and just needs to hold serve tonight.

-MILWAUKEE AT COLORADO – buy game.

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