With football season in full swing, Sunday left us with a slow slate of College Basketball games and only one matchup on National TV. We got some decent matchups even still, as Texas took care of Stanford, while there were a few other matchups of note to discuss in the daily roundup.
Texas’ defense key in win against Stanford
Having lost their previous two games against high major programs, this game provided Texas with a game against a talented Stanford team which would provide them with an opportunity to get a test. This game quickly became one where Texas took control of the game on the defensive end. They forced 20 turnovers to help lead their offensive attack in transition, while holding Stanford to only 41% shooting helped as well. The Texas offense still has a long way to go in terms of getting quality looks and not being as passive with their shot selection. That said, if they can win games by locking down on the defensive end and turning their defense into offense, that is something that could keep them afloat until their offense turns it on.
Monmouth moves to 10-2 with win against Colgate
Don’t look now but Monmouth has reached double-digit wins entering conference play and could be in a position to get an at-large bid. This was the George Papas game, as he drilled 6 threes and had 30 points for the Hawks. North Carolina transfer Walker Miller chipped in the 15, while Shavar Reynolds had 9 assists. Colgate certainly isn’t the same level of win as it would be a season ago, but this still was a game they could have lost. At 10-2 with a quality win against Cincinnati, the Hawks have an outside chance at an at-large bid, although they cannot have more than 5 losses on their resumé come Selection Sunday.
San Francisco rebounds after first loss of season
Coming off a tough loss to Grand Canyon, San Francisco found a way to get a key 66-65 road win at Arizona State. It was a back and forth game throughout with both sides having leads but in the end, it was three free throws by Dzmitry Ryuny that lifted San Francisco to the road win. The Dons are now 11-1 with two games left until conference play and that means they are in a position to get an at-large bid. Sure, they will still need to get a few more wins in order to secure an at-large bid but they are in very good shape entering conference play. The Dons trio of Bouyea, Massalski, and Shabazz continue to step up, while in this game Zane Meeks provided a very helpful 15 points off the bench in what was only his fifth game suiting up for the Dons.
Kansas State gets ugly road win at Nebraska
Look this game was not pretty at all, neither Kansas State nor Nebraska shot 40% from the field, the teams combined to go 11-54 from three, but in the end, the better team won. The Wildcats, who have been right in so many games against quality teams already, got a win against an albeit not great Nebraska team. This was the first game in a while that Kansas State was fully healthy, as Nijel Pack had missed games due to a concussion and Mike McGuirl had been questionable. There were still questions on who is supposed to take the shots, but this team is tough defensively and that will always work. They still seem unlikely to make the NCAA Tournament but certainly will have their opportunities to pick up quality wins come Big 12 play.