clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

I Slept On It: Just One Perfect Team Remains

The Ponies stand alone after South Carolina dug itself an early hole at Coleman Coliseum. Plus, it might be time to take Clemson and USC a lot more seriously.

By ChrisDobbertean
Dawson Powers-USA TODAY Sports

SEC

No. 19 South Carolina's (15-1, 2-1) run to perfection ended with a thud at Alabama (10-5, 1-2). The Gamecocks managed only two points in the first six minutes of the game and never recovered, falling 73-50.

Stefan Moody's 33, including some crazy long threes (see below), weren't enough for Ole Miss (12-4, 2-2), who couldn't handle LSU's (10-6, 3-1) balance (really). The Bayou Bengals had five double-figure scorers, led by Craig Victor II with 18, as they grabbed a 90-81 win in Baton Rouge.

In the early tip, Georgia (9-5, 2-2) struggled early against Tennessee (8-8, 1-3) in Athens, but the Bulldogs prevailed 81-72. J.J. Frazier was again the man for the hosts, scoring 28 on the night.

American Athletic

Now the nation's lone remaining unbeaten team, No. 10 SMU (16-0, 5-0) kept on rolling, winning as expected at East Carolina (8-9, 0-4), 79-55, thanks to 17 points from Ben Moore. The Mustangs are now the only unbeaten in the American, however, as Houston (13-3, 3-1) finally dropped a conference game, 70-59 at Cincinnati (13-5, 3-2). Four Bearcats registered in double-figures in points, led by Kevin Johnson with 15.

Temple (8-7, 3-2) appeared to have forced OT at Memphis (11-5, 2-1) after Transon Burrell saved the ball under his own basket, gifting it to Josh Brown, who tied the game at 65 for the Owls with two seconds left. But then Temple's Daniel Dingle fouled the Tigers' Ricky Tarrant Jr. hard. Tarrant sunk both free throws despite being injured (and bleeding apparently) in the mouth, giving Memphis a 67-65 win.

ACC

Clemson (11-6, 4-1) might actually be a good team. Just ask No. 9 Duke (14-3, 3-1), who tumbled to a 68-63 defeat in Greenville. The Tigers, who defeated Louisville Sunday, have defeated ranked opponents in consecutive games for the first time since 1986. Jaron Blossomgame led the Tigers with 17 points, including two on this incredible example of elevation.


Boston College (7-9, 0-3) was the cure for what ailed Syracuse (11-7, 1-4), which overcame a sluggish start to win its first ACC game of the year, 62-40. Malachi Richardson led the Orange with 15, while Michael Gbinije got himself back on track with a 14-point effort.

Florida State (11-5, 1-3) also entered the conference win column, knocking off North Carolina State (10-7, 0-4) by an 85-76 count in Raleigh. The two other road teams in the 9 p.m. Eastern tips weren't so lucky, as Notre Dame (11-5, 2-2) sent Georgia Tech (11-6, 1-3) home with a 72-64 loss, and Wake Forest (10-6, 1-3) tasted defeat at Virginia Tech (11-6, 3-1), 93-91.

Big 12

Things are getting back to normal for no. 22 Baylor (13-3, 3-1), 82-54 winners over TCU (9-7, 1-3), thanks to 17 from Terry Maston.

Bedlam lived up to its name, as usual, in its latter stages in Stillwater. No. 2 Oklahoma (14-1, 3-1) escaped with a 74-72 win at Oklahoma State (9-7, 1-3), who really could have used that win. The contest featured a couple of surprising stats:

Big East

Georgetown (11-6, 4-1) is rapidly moving itself back into bid contention, winning its fifth game in its last six, 93-73 at St. John's (7-11, 0-5), which has dropped eight straight, the worst run in program history. D;Vauntes Smith-Rivera was everywhere for the Hoyas last night, scoring 33, tying his career high.

No. 6 Villanova (15-2, 5-0) started a bit slowly at home against Marquette (12-5, 2-3), but easily won their 36th in a row at the Pavilion, 83-68. Kris Jenkins led the Wildcats with 20, while Daniel Ochefu grabbed 13 boards on a low scoring night for him (4 points).

Big Ten

Rutgers (6-12, 0-5) actually led by two at the half at Ohio State (12-6, 4-1). It didn't last, as the Buckeyes nearly doubled up the Scarlet Knights in the second half to win going away, 94-68. JaQuan Lyle recorded a triple-double (16 points, 12 boards, 11 dimes) to pace Thad Matta's squad. While Rutgers gave OSU a scare, Penn State (10-8, 1-4) tamely went down at No. 24 Purdue (15-3, 3-2), 74-57. Vince Edwards led the Boilermakers with 19 on the night.

Pac-12

USC (15-3, 4-1) thoroughly dominated UCLA (11-7, 2-3) at Pauley Pavilion, 89-75, to firmly establish the Trojans as a Pac-12 contender. Andy Enfield's team led by 18 at the half, a hole far too deep for the Bruins, particularly with their struggles from the perimeter (4-19). Jordan McLaughlin led USC with 23, while UCLA's Tony Parker poured in 27 in a losing effort.

At the same time, Colorado (13-4, 2-2) brought Oregon State (11-4, 2-2) down to earth in Boulder. Josh Scott scored 25 and corralled 12 boards and Wesley Gordon also secured a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Buffaloes to a 71-54 home triumph.

Atlantic 10

VCU (12-5, 4-0) and St. Bonaventure (12-3, 4-0) remain tied atop the A 10, as both defended their home courts early on Wednesday evening. The Rams got a huge night from Justin Tillman, whose 27 points and 10 boards led VCU past Fordham (10-5, 1-3), 88-54. The Bonnies had a closer shave against Rhode Island (10-6, 2-1) in Olean, prevailing 69-64 thanks in part to 22 from Denzel Gregg. Two other teams in the bubble picture also picked up wins—Richmond (10-6, 2-2) routed La Salle (5-9, 1-3), 83-61, while Saint Joseph's (13-3, 3-1) had no trouble at George Mason (6-11, 0-4), 87-73.

Elsewhere

Tennessee Tech (12-6, 4-1) dropped its first OVC game of the season, 96-90 at high-flying UT Martin (10-8, 2-1).

In the MVC, Wichita State (11-5, 5-0) struggled a bit with Missouri State (6-11, 2-3) early on in Springfield before running out 78-62 winners. Meanwhile, Northern Iowa Panthers 's (10-8, 2-3) struggles continue, as the Panthers fell 74-60 at Indiana State Sycamores (10-7, 4-1).

Both Mountain West co-leaders picked up precious road wins, as San Diego State (13-4, 4-0) topped Colorado State (10-7, 2-2), 69-62, while Boise State (13-4, 4-0) won by the same margin at Nevada (10-6, 2-3), 74-67. However, only one will be perfect in the league after Saturday night, when the Broncos and Aztecs meet at Taco Bell Arena.

Be sure to follow @ChrisDobbertean on Twitter and to like Blogging the Bracket on Facebook and Google Plus.