Big East preseason games, the emergence of Billy Gillespie, UCLA does a too-close-for-comfort imitation of Suracuse, New Mexico State is looking to contend, Crazy Gary and the Terrapins vs. Indiana (not that one),  and The Sporting News is running behind today.

Former UK and Texas A&M head coach Billy Gillespie turned up at Nebraska practice.  Looks like he is studying other teams practices to pursue a new head coaching job of his own.  Good for him, we’re rooting for him to get back into coaching, maybe he can take over at SMU when Matt Doherty moves on to destroy another program in a bigger conference.

UCLA had Syracuse-like problems with Concordia Wednesday night.  Problems might in fact be an understatement since they didn’t lead in the second half until 16.1 seconds were left.  Nothing to say but “that’s pathetic”.  Are they that down on talent?  Likely a one off, like Syracuse, and since I gave them a pass, we’ll give Ben Howland one for now as well.  The question is – is this a one off, or a sign of things to come?

Coach’s choice Big East Champ, Villinova, gets underway tonight with a preseason matchup against mighty Kutztown in Philly. I don’t anticipate a UCLA/Cuse performance, this one is a blowout waiting ot happen.  Scottie Reynolds is just that good.

The Cincinnati Bearcats open up in a preseason game  tonight against Saginaw Valley State. This is supposed to be a big season for Mick Cronin.  It could be the year Cinci finished top 5 in the Big East or Cronin starts looking over his shoulder for the axe.  (We wanted to say for the battle axe and make a reference to Nancy Zimpher, but the new guy started on Nov. 1)

New Mexico State, who should be very good this year and should be part of the 65-team jig, also got underway last night with a preseason game.

Crazy Gary and the Terrapins got their first taste of action that didn’t involve each other against Indiana (PA).  They let them hang around for a while, but ended up winning by 20, even though they did get out rebounded 36-35 by the Division II school.

Yesterday the Sporting News had Texas at #6, we’re waiting to see #5 today, usually it is already posted, we’ll update accordingly when it happens.  To tide you over, enjoy six minutes of college basketball buzzerbeaters from YouTube…

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