Ed Reinke - AP

Virginia take a bad loss on paper … Saint Mary’s still a player in the WCC … UCLA IS Rebuilding, ask CSF …  John Wall saves the Cats … Kyle Singler Notches Double Double – Devils Roll … Northwestern Has Season Ending Surgery … Loving Minnesota…

Virginia Takes a Bad Loss on Paper

Box Score

It’s going to be a long rebuilding road for new Virginia coach Tony Bennett.  The Cavs took a bad loss last night against South Florida.

On paper it looks bad at least, based on what South Florida has done in the past in the Big East.

South Florida is the sleeper team in that conference however after finally assembling a big front line and good guard play.  No one will overlook them this season.

Saint Mary’s still a player in the WCC

Saint Marys pummeled San Diego State last night 80-58.   Missed that one.

I guess Gaels > Aztecs.

Looks like it will be Zags vs. Gaels for the WCC again this year.  Gaels freshman Matthew Dellavedova stepped up and scored 17 to solidify that Saint Marys’ scoring core with the departure of Patrick Mills.

UCLA IS Rebuilding – Ask Cal State Fullerton

We speculated last night that UCLA would probably win last nights game against Cal State Fullerton, based on the fact that they had only beat HOPE International.

Wrong.

It’s going to be a long season for Bruins Fans.  Good take on it here:

Waking Up to a New Reality in Howlandwood (bruinsnation.com)

John Wall saves Cats

John Wall began his storied career with an amazing shot to end a game that was tighter than it should have been.

Lack of coaching?  No effort?  Miami is a good team? Doesn’t matter.

All anyone will remember about this game is the shot by Wall.

Good thing the NCAA didn’t go hard on him or UK would already have a loss to hang on their lofty preseason Calipari-induced uber-love from the media.

I’ve spent a lot of time in UK country and their fans are proud and loud.  Not being a UK fan, I’ll spare you personal experiences, but I know this win hurts.

Good summation at aseaofblue.com just in case you don’t understand UK fans (the writer is actually pretty gracious, I might want to rethink my perception of UK fans…)

Klye Singler Notches Double-Double – Devils Roll

Kyle Singler is going to make a strong case for Player of the Year this year and his move to the wing should only make that easier for him.  Singler is a big wing and not having to guard every big man in the ACC should allow him to do more things to lead his team this season.

He tallied 23 points and 11 boards last night as Duke beat Coastal Carolina by 25.

This is likely the first of many double-doubles this season as Singler leads the Blue Devils

Duke Sails Past Coastal, 74-49 (Duke Basketball Report)

Northwestern Has Season Ending Surgery

Northwestern star Kevin Coble is to have season ending surgery on his foot.

This is a crushing blow for a team that appeared to be ready to make it to the NCAA tournament for the first time in history.

Presumably, Coble will read shirt and be back for next season… it would appear that Northwestern fans will have to wait at least one more year to dance.

Men’s Basketball:  Coble, Ryan Knocked Out for Season (Daily Northwestern)

Loving Minnesota

So far, this Minnesota team is impressive.  They’ve rolled so far, albeit against lesser competition, despite being riddled by problems.

Frosh Rodney Willias was the superstar last night, playing 17 minutes and scoring 14 points en route to a Gopher win over Stephen F. Austin – 82-42.

Why the Minnesota love?

1)  Ralph Sampson III

How can you not cheer for Ralph’s kid?

2)  They keep beating teams like they should.

Teams in the top 25 shoudl destroy lesser opponents, they’ve done that.

3)  Can you really root against a cool mascot like the Gopher?

Especially if it is Golden?!

No, you can’t.

Looks like Tubby has found a good thing in Gopher-land.

Game Thread at The Daily Gopher

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