Eleventh-ranked Kansas overwhelmed Boston College, 84-66, behind Mario Chalmers' 22 points from the point guard position. Brandon Rush, overrated but talented, added 15 and forward Julian Wright, another NBA hopeful, finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
The Black and Gold Breakdown: The Jayhawks don't seem like their usual intimidating self but they will be the cream of the Big 12 again and capable of winning two or three NCAA tournament games. What they lack right now is chemistry. The talent is there but finding the right mix is the mission.
Texas Tech had a night to celebrate, beating Bucknell, 72-60, as Jarrius Jackson and Martin Zeno scored 18 points each to earn coach Bobby Knight a tie with former North Carolina coach Dean Smith atop the all-time NCAA division-1 wins list with 879.
BGB: As brash and arrogant as Knight is, when it comes to his coaching, he is surprisingly modest. He will defer to players and schools, rarely giving himself credit. The man is a rare basketball mind and has accomplished something that is a grind and difficult to do.
Tennessee outlasted Texas in a pop-a-shot contest, 111-105. The Longhorns lost despite getting stud performances, offensively, from freshman forward Kevin Durant (26 points and 8 rebounds) and D.J. Augustin (20 points, 13 assists).
BGB: Guess only the football team plays defense at UT. Durant continues to be amazing, maybe worthy of being the top pick in next year's NBA draft. Augustin is pint sized but has big game.
Iowa State beat Southeast Missouri State, 87-71, despite letting the Redhawks shoot 56 percent from the floor. Junior guard Mike Taylor led the Cyclones with 18 points and freshman forward Wesley Johnson, remember that name, impressed with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
BGB: The 6-foot-7, 195-pound Johnson is going to be a force in this conference. He scores and rebounds like a upperclassman. He is already a load to handle. In a year or two, if he hangs around that long, look out.
Kansas State defended a solid New Mexico team well, holding the Lobos to 36 percent shooting from the floor in a 72-56 win. Forward Cartier Martin embarrassed himself with but one rebound but did shoot down New Mexico with 23 points. Freshman Bill Walker added 13 points and eight rebounds.
BGB: Bob Huggins might not have the ideal group of talent to win big this season but his coaching is showing. This team will be difficult to play on many nights this season. Martin is better than he has performed and it is up to Huggins to find the proper way to motivate him and get the most out of him. Walker is going to be something before the season is over but if the Wildcats want star quality play from him, they have to convince the NBA-hungry Walker to stay for his sophomore year.
Nebraska beat Houston, 70-57, as center Alexs Maric imposed his will on the Cougars with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Freshman guard Sek Henry added 20 from the perimeter.
BGB: Freshman Ryan Anderson didn't play well but the Huskers still won because Maric is a talent and Henry stepped up.
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