Coast to Coast...like Tyus Edney against Mizzou

Happy Thanksgiving to all of the readers of MTAC. Even on a holiday morning, you need your college hoops fix. Last night was right in my wheelhouse; a double-header on ESPN2 of the NIT Semi's, the Finals of the Maui Invitational on ESPN at 10, KU/Northern Arizona on the package, no work, and my wife getting up with my son in the morning. A recipe to stay up late and watch a lot of hoops.

Kansas 87 Northern Arizona 46 - What a first class ass kicking KU laid on the Lumberjacks. Eight Jayhawks scored at least seven points or more, and that didn't include Brandon Rush, who has six in 16 minutes. This is the same NAU team who lost at Arizona by just seven last week. Darrell Arthur led the way for KU with 17. The Man Crush Darnell Jackson had 13 including his first career three. Up next for KU, Arizona, and Lute Olsen is expected back on the bench for the Wildcats.

Georgetown 57 Ball State 48 - This game was originally scheduled to be the Thompson Brothers battle. But Ronny went crazy, cried racism, and was canned after one pathetic year in Muncie. JT3 honored the game, probably so he could blow out Ball State and run up the score. That didn't happen as the Hoyas struggled all night to pull away from the Cardinals. Roy Hibbert paced the Hoyas with 17. They were outscored in the second half 30-26. Not what JT3 had in mind for this one.

Texas A&M 77 Washington 63 in NYC - In the first NIT semi, the Aggies trailed by four at the half then came out smoking to run away from the Huskies. PG Donald Sloan was the man for Mark Turgeon's club, scoring 18 in a game where leading scorer Josh Carter struggled mightily with his shot (2-11). Senior Joseph Jones added 17 and Dominique Kirk had 15. Washington Junior Jon Brockman was impressive with 21 and 15.

Clemson 74 Presbyterian 57 - Seriously, I cannot talk about Clemson playing a school named Presbyterian. Is that a joke? Great, they won and they are now ranked. My boy Pav, a Clemson grad, will get shit from me the next time we talk.

Western Michigan 83 Davidson 76 - So much for their first ranking since 1970. Five Broncos scored in double figures and they shot 59% from the field, including 12-22 on threes. That was more than enough to knock off Davidson. Guards Stephen Curry (25) and Jason Richards (23) weren't enough to stop the MAC's finest.

Ohio State 79 Syracuse 65 in NYC - Let me start by saying this. The Buckeyes are a lot better than you think. Kosta Koufos is the best Freshman you've never heard of. He was an absolute dominater last night. In front of a pro-Syracuse, Koufos and company took it to the young Orange in the paint. He looked like an NBA prospect with his 24 point, eight rebound performance. Othello Hunter chipped in with 15 and Jamar Butler had 16 for the Buckeyes who will meet Texas A&M in the NIT Final. Orange Freshman PG Jonny Flynn struggled big time, going scoreless. Fellow Frosh Donte Greene led Syracuse with 21.

Duke 77 Marquette 73 in Maui- In a highly entertaining and close game throughout, it was Freshman F Kyle Singler who was the difference maker for Duke as they captured the Maui Invitational title. The Golden Eagles had no answer for the 6'9 stud, who torched them for 25 in 37 minutes. Senior Demarcus Nelson did it all with 16, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Once again, in the end it was poor rebounding and bad shot selection by Dominic James that did Marquette in. Duke won the battle of the boards 34-24 and James decided to chuck bad threes instead of going to the hole at the end. Another one of my favorite stats when a team plays Duke is to look at the fouls. Four Golden Eagles, including James and Jerel McNeal had four fouls. But make no mistake - the better team won this game. Coach K earned his substantial paycheck on this night, completely outcoaching Tom Crean.

Louisville 68 UNLV 48 - What a travesty this game was not on anywhere. Not the package. Not any of the three ESPN channels I get. This was a three point game at the half before Earl Clark took over. Playing with a short bench because on injuries, Louisville led Clark loose and he responded with 16 and 14 boards. Andre McGee and Edgar Sosa locked down UNLV's stud point guard Wink Adams to the tune of just nine points on 3-11 shooting. The Rebels were a porous 26% from the field for the game. That won't win you too many games, especially against a team as talented as the Cardinals.