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-I’ll begin with the news that makes me both sad and angry, UNLV’s game at Dayton was cancelled due to the shooting that took place on UNLV’s campus. And just so I’m clear, it’s the shooting and not the game being cancelled that makes me sad and angry. Sooner or later there will be a mass shooting during a college sporting event. At the rate we are going I don’t see how that won’t eventually happen. Thoughts and prayers to all those who were impacted by this. I’ve known three different people who were killed in mass shootings, so my sympathies are absolutely with UNLV today.
-At no point was Marquette ever not in complete control of Texas as they absolutely blew them out in last night’s Big East-Big 12 Battle. I’m guessing this was a rather cathartic evening for Shaka Smart, who was once fired by Texas despite the Longhorns earning a protected seed in that year’s NCAA Tournament.
-Denver stayed with Colorado State for most of the game, and actually had a lead with about 10 minutes to go, but the Rams pulled out the 90-80 win and remain unbeaten.
-Clemson trailed South Carolina for much of the game in the battle between the two unbeaten teams, but finally got control late and escaped with a 72-67 win. This was South Carolina’s biggest test so far by far. It was their first true road game and it was against a ranked team. While they didn’t get the win, I think they demonstrated they can play at a high level and will likely win their share of games in SEC play.
-Memphis needed overtime, but they did get a relatively good 85-80 road win at VCU, which is their second of the year.
-Purdue Fort Wayne has been a bit of a surprise out of the Horizon League. They won 70-57 at Southern Indiana last night, which I know isn’t that great in and of itself, but PFW is now 9-1 on the season and this was their third true road win.
-Belmont almost blew an 18pt halftime lead on their own home court and just barely survived a furious comeback by Lipscomb and held on to win the Battle of the Boulevard 72-71. I love this rivalry! It actually goes back to when the two were NAIA schools.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-IOWA AT IOWA STATE. This is a very bitter rivalry and both teams could use this one both on and off paper. Both teams have respectable records and both have potential, but neither really has any real wins of note yet.
-Eastern Kentucky @ UNC Greensboro – EKU has been a disappointment this year, but UNCG is turning out to be one of the better UTR teams and can get to 7-1 with a win today