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Sunday, December 22, 2024
So much for any talk about one team possibly going undefeated, and given that their conference is better than some think despite its downward trend, there are teams capable of beating them anyway. Plus no surprises in one big conference, while it was a good day to be a road team in another, and a mild surprise in an academic league opener.
For the second time in three days, a big-time matchup for a tournament championship was at least as good as advertised. Plus several more tournament final matchups are set, a concerning development in Nashville, and a first loss of the season in a blowout.
If you had forgotten about Wichita State, Sunday should help change that. Plus the Blue Devils win again without an injured star, two long winning streaks end at once, a big mid-major showdown, and a coach decides to leave now instead of at the end of the season.
A nearly full night of SEC action told us a lot about the conference all the way around. Plus one ACC team keeps rolling, a Big East team continues to slide, and an interesting home and road split out west.
The SEC had another underwhelming campaign in 2016-17, until it really counted – the month of March. That may be the first sign that it is turning a corner on the hardwood.
Duke made it through a challenging early stretch in a good place, including a good win on Sunday. Plus a few more tournaments conclude, a controversial ending, and a Duck is ready to go.
Michigan makes a strong early impression in New York, while more tournament action continues and a Big Ten team has to rally to win. Also, a Cavalier is dismissed after one game.
Opening night had something for everyone: a few upsets, some dandies, and some close calls. We look at all of it, plus off-court matters that include a Duck mentor sticking around a while longer.
Quietly, Andy Kennedy has been consistently winning at Ole Miss. This year, his team faces a different challenge to continue the run the program has been on since he took over the reins.
Though challenged by Texas A&M, Kentucky basically ruled the roost in the SEC, and continues to do so as the conference as a whole is flagging.
