Coast to Coast...like Tyus Edney against Mizzou

It's good to have a full regular night slate of college hoops back again. Between that and the unexpected return of the Howard Stern show today, we were set and happy. (did you hear the big news? Bronkasonic is no more.) We will be travelling today back from the West Coast, so posts will be minimal. MTAC cannot wait for the Fiesta Bowl tonight (we will be one of 10 people watching), as our KU Jayhawks take on the Virginia Tech Hokies. Stat Guru tells us the VA Tech program is full of thugs and low lifes, but you would expect that coming from a UVA grad. We've never been to Blacksburg, but we hear it ranks up there with Morgantown, WV and Lexington, KY as the worst college towns for major schools.

For all of you Larry Hughes haters out there, we have found the site for you. It's called Hey Larry Hughes Please Stop Taking So Many Bad Shots.com. I'm not kidding. At least the Cavs stepped up last night and won a game they had to have, 98-94 over Atlanta. Larry was actually 6-10. Lebron had another ho hum 36. Anyone else notice if the season ended today, the Atlanta Hawks would be the #4 seed in the East. That is how bad the East is.

Just a week after losing starting SG Mike Cook to a torn ACL, Pittsburgh has to spend the next 8-12 weeks without starting PG Levance Fields who has a broken foot. It's going to be an uphill battle for the Panthers who now face at least two months without its starting backcourt.

Here's one I don't get, How does Dax Shepard Gets these hot chicks? First it was Kate Hudson, Now Kristen Bell? He was on Punk'd for crying out loud. He must be hung like a horse. There is no other possible explanation.

More from our favorite psycho. Now Britney Spears' attorney wants to quit.

Who else is looking very much forward to Rock of Love 2 with Bret Michaels on VH1 starting January 13th? The first installment was appointment TV.

#1 North Carolina 90 Kent State 61 - Well you knew Kent didn't have a chance to win this game, seeing as though they lost to the horrible Detroit Titans early in the season. You know what the best thing about Tyler Hansbrough is? While he scored 25 to lead all scorers, he was 11-11 from the line. UNC was a little thin in the frontcourt as top reserve Alex Stephenson missed the game because of a family illness. Looks like they didn't need him. Starting guards Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson each had 17.

#13 Pittsburgh 96 Lafayette 75 - We knew it would be an adjustment with Ronald Ramon and Keith Benjamin essentially playing all of the backcourt minutes, but trailing at home at halftime to Lafayette had to be a concern to Jamie Dixon. Luckily, they woke up in the second half, led by Benjamin's 20. Sam Young and Tyrell Biggs put up 19 a piece. But it won't be easy the rest of the way for Pitt as the Big East regular season gauntlet is about to begin.

#14 Texas 67 TCU 59 - It was a struggle, but UT ended there two game slide with the home win over the Horned Frogs. They did it without starting injured SG A.J. Abrams, but watched as star Freshman PF Gary Johnson made his season debut. The Longhorns' top recruit hasn't played while doctors monitored an unspecified heart condition discovered last summer, but was cleared to play. Damion James was freed to step away from the basket and went off for 29 and 14. DJ Augustine had his customary 20.

#23 Dayton 83 Akron 81 2 OT - Dayton's first appearance in the top 25 was almost a short one as the Zips gave them all they could handle. But in the end, the Flyers had just enough to eek out the W. "We played good defense in the second half, and we kind of just figured out a way to win," said Dayton coach Brian Gregory. "Hats off to Akron. It took us every bit of energy to come out with the win." Four Flyers scored at least 14, including an 18 point performance from Kurt Huelsman who shot 7-8 from the field.

#24 Wisconsin 70 Michigan 54 - It was opening night in the Big Ten and Wisconsin continued to roll. Coming off their stunning win at Texas, the Badgers were in control all night. Freshman Jon Leuer had a career high 25 off the bench, including 5-5 from deep. Trevon Hughes was back, but scored only five points. The Badgers didn't even need him. Their defense was stifling all night, holding Michigan to 39% from the field.

#12 Indiana 79 Iowa 76 - Don't you wish Eric Gordon played for your team? What is so good about him is when he can't get his jump shot, he goes to the hole, draws contact, and makes his free throws. Just another 25 point game for the best Freshman in the country. DJ White was a beast in the post, scoring 16 and grabbing 15 boards. But the Hawkeyes just wouldn't go away. In the end, the IU talent won out. A conference road win is always a good win, no matter who you play. This game was also the return of A.J. Ratliff for the Hoosiers. Per our IU insider Mark P: A Classic "I hate Ratliff" moment: IU is up 10 with about 45 seconds to go. The last thing we need is a foul. What does AJ Ratliff do? Foul a three point shooter who hits the bucket and free throw. From that point on, Iowa makes three more ridiculous three pointers (deep, off the backboard, etc.) and almost steals the game. Meanwhile, Armon Bassett plays just three minutes and doesn't see the floor again. Anyone know why?