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... the safe, smart AM read for college basketball fans
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We can think of only one way to describe last night's onslaught of games: Simply phenomenal. With big time programs playing everywhere you looked, Friday served as college basketball's version of an all-you-can-eat buffet. If anything, there were almost too many games jammed into the same time-slots, so viewers likely had to make a choice about what ones they stayed with. The star of the night, however, was easily the Carrier Classic, which combined two of the best teams in America with breathtaking views of the surrounding San Diego Bay. The Tar Heels ran away with the game after being dominated on the boards early, but the winner and loser of the night were merely afterthoughts, as the spectacle itself rose to the forefront. As far as we're concerned the event was a resounding success, and the idea for future outdoor games probably needs to be explored.
The local guys
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Missouri State whipped up on Nevada despite attempting 22 less free throws (Springfield News-Leader)
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How to lose like Northern Illinois: Commit 28 turnovers and get outscored 50-14 in the second half (Journal and Courier)
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You probably missed it, but Paul Hewitt's debut with George Mason turned into an OT nail-biter (Washington Times)
The blogosphere
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Newcomer Brad Beal and transfer Mike Rosario are going to make Florida really, really good (Alligator Army)
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Jeremy Lamb threw down a legit dunk of the year candidate on Columbia (Ballin' is a Habit)
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The Blue Devils narrowly edged one out, but was Belmont the better team? (Duke Basketball Report)
Who won it best
Vanderbilt - Facing a talented Oregon squad, this was not the game for Kevin Stallings' crew to mess around. Good news: They didn't. John Jenkins drained seven threes, Jeffrey Taylor loaded up the box score with five steals and point guard Brad Tinsley made efficient use of his 17 minutes. Promising stuff.
Who lost it worst
UCLA - The Bruins were taken to task by Loyola Marymount, their first loss to the Lions since 1942. The defeat prompted ever-starving big man Joshua Smith, a complete non-factor in the game, to proclaim that his team "lost to some straight bums". Bruins Nation snagged the tweet, which has since been deleted.
MVP
Travon Woodall, Pittsburgh - You know him as Ashton Gibbs' backcourt mate, but Woodall dropped 25-6-10 on an unsuspecting Albany squad to wrestle the headlines away from his nationally-touted peer. He also chipped in five treys, two steals and a block, and could be the difference-maker for Jamie Dixon going forward.
By the numbers
72 - Total points scored by Kentucky's five freshmen in a 108-58 win over Marist: Anthony Davis (23), Marquis Teague (16), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (15), Kyle Wiltjer (14) and Sam Malone (4).
It was tweeted
This really happened
