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I Slept On It: KU Falls In Stillwater; Georgetown Wins At Xavier

Yawn. It was just another run-of-the-mill night in an unusual season.

By ChrisDobbertean
Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

ACC

North Carolina State (11-8, 1-5) picked up its first conference win and perhaps gave its campaign some life, annihilating Pittsburgh (15-3, 4-2) at the Petersen Events Center, 78-61. Cat Barber led the Wolfpack with 31, with Jamel Artis scoring 16 for the hosts. State has two winnable games coming up in the next eight days, as they host struggling Duke on Saturday and Georgia Tech, another squad that's seen better days on the 27th.

In Charlottesville, Clemson's (12-7, 5-2) run of wins over ranked opponents ended at the hands of No. 13 Virginia (14-4, 3-3), 69-62. The Cavaliers therefore prevented the Tigers from recording their best start in their ACC history of 6-1. Jaron Blossomgame's 23, which led all scorers wasn't enough, as four Cavaliers hit double figures in scoring, led by Malcolm Brogdon's 20. The Tigers managed to cut Virginia's lead to three with 1:36 left, thanks to three made Blossomgame free throws on an ill-advised Devon Hall foul, but Clemson couldn't get enough stops or buckets to grab the win late.

Big 12

For the third season in a row, third-ranked Kansas (15-3, 4-2) fell at Oklahoma State (10-8, 2-4) and it wasn't particularly close. The Jayhawks dropped their second Tuesday night contest in as many weeks, 86-67. Jawun Evans led the Cowboys, who might not be out of the NCAA hunt just yet, with 22. On the other hand, Kansas' position on the top line is certainly in a bit of doubt for the moment.

Big East

Despite the best efforts of No. 18 Butler (13-5, 2-4), 16th-ranked Providence (16-3, 4-2) finished a season sweep of the Bulldogs, 71-68. Kris Dunn only scored nine on the night for the Friars, but he also had seven assists, including this dime to Ben Bentil, who led PC with 20 points, though this dunk should have been worth at least half of that total.

All five of Butler's losses have come to teams in the RPI Top 50. They have only one win against such an opponent, their 74-68 Crossroads Classic victory over Purdue.

Georgetown (12-7, 5-2) picked up a necessary win at No. 5 Xavier (16-2, 4-2), 81-72. Tre Campbell and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera combined for 41. Thanks to the Hoyas' early struggles, a win in Cincinnati won't be enough to get them back in the picture, but they had to start somewhere.

Big Ten

Illinois' (9-10, 1-5) season to forget continued in Bloomington, where No. 25 Indiana (16-3, 6-0) remained in first place with a resounding 103-69 victory, highlighted by Yogi Ferrell's nine assists, which made him the Hoosiers' all-time leader in the category, passing Michael Lewis's total of 545 with a new count of 553 (and growing, naturally).

In College Park, Northwestern (15-5, 3-4) blew a golden opportunity to grab a huge way win at No. 7 Maryland (17-2, 5-1), thanks to efforts like this in the extra period.

The Terrapins prevailed 62-56. In their last 18 games decided by five points or fewer, Maryland has won 16.

SEC

No. 24 South Carolina (17-1, 4-1) handed Ole Miss (12-6, 2-4) its second straight loss—both at home—77-74 after overtime. Once again, Stefan Moody did enough for the Rebels, scoring 24, but the Gamecocks had a bit more balance with four double-figure scorers, led by Michael Carrera with 19.

Florida (12-6, 4-2) followed up Saturday's relatively easy win in Oxford with a struggle back in Gainesville against Mississippi State (7-10, 0-5). The Gators needed all 40 minutes to hold off the Bulldogs, 81-78. While Dorian Finney-Smith scored 20 and KeVaughn Allen contributed 19, it was again some unexpected clutch free throw shooting from John Egbunu in the final moments that helped push Florida over the finish line. 

LSU (11-7, 4-2) was no match for 10th-ranked Texas A&M (16-2, 6-0). Ben Simmons picked up yet another double double, but was limited to 10 points (and 11 boards), while Jalen Jones led the Aggies with 20 and Tyler Davis contributed 18 more for the SEC leaders.

Auburn (9-8, 3-3) won its second straight at home, dealing Alabama's (10-7, 1-4) bubble hopes a further blow, 83-77.

American Athletic

No. 8 SMU (18-0, 7-0) remained perfect, but got all it wanted and more from Houston (13-5, 3-3), which dropped its third straight, as the Mustangs prevailed 77-73.

Tulsa (12-6, 4-2) struggled a bit in the first half, but eventually blew past East Carolina (8-11, 0-6), 84-69. UConn (13-5, 4-2) had no such trouble in Hartford, as they completed a sweep of Tulane (8-12, 1-6) 60-42.

Atlantic 10

Dayton (15-3, 5-1) looked to be on their way to a huge road win at St. Bonaventure (12-5, 4-2), as the Flyers led 45-18 after 20 minutes, but the Bonnies dominated the second half ... enough to make the final margin far more respectable, as UD still prevailed 85-79. Things get no easier for Bona, which next plays VCU on Saturday.

Elsewhere

Kent State (13-5, 4-1) took sole possession of the MAC East lead with a 76-68 win at Ball State (12-6, 3-2), while Northern Illinois (15-3, 4-1) did the same in the West, thanks to a 75-70 home win over Central Michigan (9-9, 2-3).

Monmouth has company at the top of the MAAC, as St. Peter's (8-8, 6-1) won at Fairfield (9-9, 3-5), 77-71.

San Diego State (13-6, 6-0) needed OT to remain perfect in the Mountain West, topping feisty Fresno State (12-7, 3-3), 73-67 at Viejas.

In the Southland, there are three unbeatens in conference play. Houston Baptist (11-7, 6-0) defeated Central Arkansas (2-13, 1-4) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (14-3, 5-0) topped Northwestern State (3-13, 0-6) to stay perfect, alongside Stephen F. Austin (12-5, 5-0), who did so on Monday.

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