In the first two nights of real basketball action, let's see how the teams involved fared.
Real Games:
Kentucky 67, Central Arkansas 40
In Clyde Gillispie's debut as the head man, Joe Crawford came off the bench to score 20, while the UK defense held the Bears to 20% shooting. Next up: Gardner-Webb, 11/7.
Gardner-Webb 84, Kentucky 68
The honeymoon for Billy Clyde may be over after this one. ESPN got lucky, as their bracket for this made-for-TV tournament was almost entirely blown up by Morgan State, a MEAC school, who barely lost to Connecticut. Looks like parity has really taken over this year. Back to GW. The school was picked 8th pre-season in the Atlantic Sun, and will be leaving the league for the even lower level Big South next season. Good times in Lexington. Next up: Liberty, 11/21.
Fake Games:
Clemson 79, Augusta State 66
We have a new shameless gunner in the ACC, and his name is Terrance Oglesby. The sharpshooter out of Tennessee took 16 shots, 14 of them threes, in 17 minutes of action. Good gracious. Starting line up: K.C. Rivers, James Mays, Trevor Booker, Cliff Hammonds, and freshman Demontez Stitt. Next up: Furman, 11/12.
LSU 72, Global Sports 68
In a dying breed game, so that Jim Calhoun can't pay AAU coaches to help his recruiting anymore, the Tigers were led by Terry Martin's 17 points. Good win for LSU, considering Tasmin Mitchell and Garrett Temple combined for 5 points. Next up: Southeast Louisiana, 11/12.
Miami 82, Barry 50
Pre-season second team conference selection Jack McClinton started where he left off last season by making 6 threes to lead the Canes. Starting line up for Miami was McClinton, Jimmy Graham, Brian Asbury, Anthony King, and Lance Hurdle. Next up: Florida Southern, 11/9.
Arkansas 96, Campbellsville 56
Patrick Beverly scored 20 points, as four others joined him in double figures, as the nationally ranked Hogs rolled. Next up: Wofford, 11/9.
Florida State 87, Valdosta 66
A great sign for FSU as freshman post Julian Vaughn had 15 points on 4 of 5 shooting from the floor, and 7 of 9 from the line. His production will be huge for them to be successful this year. Isaiah Swann led four others in double figures with 21. Starting line up: Swann, Jason Rich, Toney Douglas, Uche Echefu, and Ryan Reid. Next up: Nicholls State, 11/9.
Mississippi State 100, Oklahoma City 69
The Bulldogs showed OKC that NAIA and SEC should never be used in the same sentence. Jamont Gordon scored 20 as MSU shot over 50% from the floor in the win. Next up: Louisiana Tech, 11/10.
NC State 76, UNC Pembroke 41
J.J. Hickson moved into the starting line up in place of Ben McCauley and scored 11 points in 20 minutes on 5 of 5 shooting. Joining Hickson in the first five were Brandon Costner, Courtney Fells, Gavin Grant, and Farnold Degand. Next up: William & Mary, 11/15.
Maryland 75, Concordia 42
Everyone gets in for the Terps tonight, as they roll by 33 over Concordia. Most importantly, they will play their opener Friday without two starters in Landon Milbourne and James Gist. Starting line up: Milbourne, Gist, Bambale Osby, Greivis Vasquez, and Eric Hayes. Next up: North Florida, 11/9.
