ESPN Men's Basketball

The coaching carousel hasn’t come to a complete halt yet. But the bulk of the maneuvering has concluded. Some great moves. Some questionable hires. A few “Huh, really?” selections, too.

But these rankings are not just about the head coaches. They’re about the equation. Which schools made the best moves considering their current situations? Let the debate continue.

1. Frank Martin, South Carolina: So Martin needed a change of scenery. But his offseason options were limited. Enter South Carolina, a program that fired Darrin Horn following three consecutive losing seasons. If Martin builds this program into a contender, it will build a statue for him. He’s certainly not intimidated by the odds. He has had to coach, recruit and compete against top programs/coaches in the Big 12 for the past five years. He has a brand that will attract recruits who may have previously dismissed the SEC squad. His personality will draw attention to his project and adding former Kansas State assistant Brad Underwood guarantees continuity. In all, a great move for the Gamecocks.

2. Dan Hurley, Rhode Island: Rhode Island (7-24) made one of the best hires in the country when it signed Hurley. Under former coach Jim Baron, the Rams never made the NCAA tournament. But they’ve grabbed one of the top young coaches in America by hiring Hurley, who led Wagner to a 25-6 record this past season and beat Pitt on the road. Wagner had won just five games when he took over the program two years ago. Brother and former Duke star, Bobby Hurley, and former Rutgers assistant Jim Carr will join him, too. Looks like a winning combo for the Rams.

3. Bruce Weber, Kansas State: I can understand the critics of the move. In recent years, Weber failed to meet expectations at Illinois. But he also won 210 games, third in that program’s history. He led the Illini to the 2005 national title game and managed to land some talented recruits in the years that followed. Kansas State signed a coach with the name recognition and experience it needs to maintain a place in the top tier of the Big 12. New assistant Alvin Brooks III has strong ties to the South, a potential recruiting boost for the Wildcats. Former Southern Illinois coach and assistant Chris Lowery has head-coaching experience. Inserting Weber limits the potential drawbacks from Martin’s departure.

4. Tim Miles, Nebraska: Miles needs his own energy drink. He’s full of vigor. And he’s going to need it to make Nebraska relevant in Big Ten basketball. Doc Sadler couldn’t do it. But Miles’ mojo made him an attractive candidate for multiple jobs after he led Colorado State to a 20-win season last season and North Dakota State to the NCAA tournament before that. The Rams won seven games in his first season and NDSU had to transition to Division I. The Cornhuskers have a new practice facility and a new arena (under construction) that will become the team’s home in 2013. Drawing kids to Lincoln won’t be easy. But the facilities and Miles’ personality will definitely help.

5. Pat Kelsey, Winthrop: He was an assistant under former Wake Forest head coach Skip Prosser, whose death in 2007 was so devastating for Kelsey that he left coaching last year. Now that he’s back, however, Winthrop has just signed one of the top young coaches in the country. He was known for both his recruiting prowess and player development during his time at Wake Forest and his most recent stint as associate head coach at Xavier. Winthrop went 25-37 over the past two seasons, but the Eagles previously enjoyed a stretch that included nine NCAA tourney berths in 12 years. The 36-year-old Kelsey has the pedigree to rebuild there.

6. Barry Hinson, Southern Illinois: If you can’t beat him, hire him. Former Missouri State coach Hinson had his way with Southern Illinois during his nine seasons with the Bears. Now, he’ll try to restore his former adversary, which cracked the Sweet 16 five years ago. Former head coach Chris Lowery had stretches of success but couldn’t sustain them. Hinson was dismissed at Missouri State for similar challenges. But he’s spent the past two years as Kansas’ director of basketball operations. He knows the Missouri Valley Conference and he’s a coaching vet. That’s the kind of guy that SIU needs to climb to the top of the league and make noise in the postseason again.

7. Danny Manning, Tulsa: Thomas Robinson was just a physical player with potential when he arrived. He left Kansas as a potential NBA lottery pick and national player of the year candidate. Jeff Withey was viewed as a “soft” prospect who’d never make a major impact in the Big 12 when he transferred to the Jayhawks. He set the NCAA tournament record for blocks last month and will enter next season as one of the nation’s top big men. Manning helped those players -- and other former KU stars -- reach their potential. Does that mean he’ll be a great coach? Not necessarily. But Tulsa needs someone who can take midlevel recruits and turn them into high-level college players. Manning is built for the task. He has developed some of the top players in the country.

8. Larry Eustachy, Colorado State: CSU found a great replacement for Miles when it hired Eustachy. He rebuilt his career and life during his time with Southern Miss. He left Iowa State following alcoholism and other off-court issues in 2003, but he restored his name with his work at Southern Miss, a program he led to the NCAA tournament last season. He has led three teams to the NCAA tournament. Colorado State could have faced far more challenges in its search for Miles’ successor. But Eustachy gives the Rams immediate credibility and a proven winner. Solid move for CSU.

9. John Cooper, Miami (Ohio): After multiple assistant coaching stints, Cooper took over at Tennessee State three years ago. The program didn’t have a great track record. But last season, he led the Tigers to a 20-win season and an upset over top-10 Murray State. It was the program’s first winning season since the 1995-96 campaign. The RedHawks went 9-21 last season, but Cooper is familiar with rebuilding projects. And more importantly, he knows that region. He has the coaching prowess to change Miami the same way he changed Tennessee State’s fortunes in just three seasons.

10. Larry Brown, SMU: Can’t think of the last time folks cared about SMU basketball on a national level. But there are still many questions. Yes, the school hired Brown, who hasn’t coached at the collegiate level since the late 1980s. But former Kansas assistant and Illinois State head coach Tim Jankovich has been named “coach in waiting,” whatever that means. New assistants Jerrance Howard and Ulric Maligi are very respected in recruiting circles. And while it’s not always about “winning the news conference,” Brown gives the Mustangs the national attention they will need to make progress on the recruiting trail. But this could be an “Isiah Thomas hire.” No guarantee that this assembly finds success at SMU, but it’s an intriguing package for a school that wanted to make a splash on its way into the Big East.

South Carolina coach Frank Martin talks with Scott Van Pelt about the decision to leave Kansas State and his expectations for South Carolina.

OK, OK, I know, I know: Frank Martin has yet to coach a game at South Carolina. You have to coach a game at a school before you can be placed in the annals of said school's greatest all-time coaches. Coaching at Kansas State is not quite like coaching at South Carolina, and there's a chance Martin could fail miserably in Columbia. I don't think that's likely, but I get what you're saying.

So let's ignore the superlatives. Let's instead talk about the hire itself, which Martin and South Carolina officially announced Tuesday. The Gamecocks somehow convinced Martin to leave a burgeoning basketball school with an intense fan base in Manhattan, Kan. -- one Martin guided to four NCAA tournaments, including a 2010 Elite Eight appearance -- to take over a program that has made exactly eight NCAA tournament appearances in school history. The Gamecocks have won six conference titles all time. The first four came in the Southern Conference in 1927, 1933, 1934 and 1945. The fifth came in the school's final year in the ACC in 1970. And the most recent -- and the only one in USC's current conference, the SEC -- came in 1997.

The best coach in Gamecocks school history? Frank McGuire. McGuire arrived in Columbia in 1964 after tenures at St. John's and North Carolina (where, after Dean Smith and Roy Williams, he remains the third-winningest coach in the school's history), and his hiring was accompanied by fanfare. McGuire won nearly 300 games in 16 seasons at the school, and from 1971 to 1974, he appeared in the NCAA tournament four times.

For that stretch of unbridled excellence (sarcasm alert), in 1977 -- while McGuire was still the coach at the school -- the Gamecocks renamed their arena in his honor.

The eras are different, of course, and the NCAA tournament was still a much smaller affair in McGuire's day. But since 1997, South Carolina has gone to three NCAA tournaments, the latest of which came in 2004. To paraphrase the immortal words of Mr. Larson from "Happy Gilmore," Martin eclipsed that feat in Manhattan in no more than five years. ("Well, moron, good for Happy Gil-MOH MY GOD.")

All of which has begged the question: Why? Why would Martin make this move?

At Tuesday's introductory news conference, Martin said it's because he relishes a challenge. ("Some people run away from challenges. I run to them. I always have.") That's a fair point, I suppose, but isn't taking on the Bill Self-led juggernaut that is Kansas -- and, now that Missouri has left for the SEC, fomenting a two-sided rivalry out of the current big-brother-little-brother dynamic -- challenge enough? That seems pretty challenging. Daunting, even.

Which is why many have speculated that the coach grew weary of a rift between himself and his athletic director and administration, which came to a head during this year's tournament, when forward Jamar Samuels was suspended for receiving a $200 wire transfer just before Kansas State's second-round game versus Syracuse. Which may or may not be true. Martin has denied as much, as has Kansas State AD John Currie, who told the Associated Press he tried to renegotiate Martin's contract as recently as this week. Whatever happened, it's clearly not as simple as the desire to take on a new challenge. There's something else there.

We may find out sooner rather than later ... but from South Carolina's perspective, who cares? The Gamecocks just made their most accomplished basketball hire since McGuire. They hired a coach with half as many tournament appearances in four years as the program has in its entire history, and they got a guy used to scrapping for success in a traditionally disadvantageous environment.

Martin may not go down as the greatest coach in USC hoops history, but he's immediately in the running. Hires like this just don't happen. Whatever the underlying reasons may be, the end result was one of the best weeks in Gamecocks men's hoops history. Martin hasn't even coached a game in Columbia, but that much is already true.

1. SEC commissioner Mike Slive expects the men’s basketball schedule will eventually get rid of a divisional format when the league goes to 18 games and 14 teams next season. The SEC was already headed that way -- shedding its traditional East-West football breakdown -- before adding Missouri and Texas A&M. The additions shouldn't change the plan. A decision will be made when the coaches and athletic directors gather in Destin, Fla., at the annual SEC meetings in May. This would be a critical development for a number of the teams in the former “West” division like Alabama, LSU and Mississippi State, which have been hampered by playing schools like Kentucky and Florida only once.

2. The Wildcats should look long and hard at Illinois State coach and former Kansas State player Tim Jankovich as well as Georgia coach Mark Fox, a former Kansas State assistant, to replace Frank Martin. Jankovich has strong ties to the region and was once a junior college coach. He nearly upset Creighton in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. Fox will have Georgia relevant again here soon if he were to stay in Athens. The Wildcats won’t replace the persona of Martin so they better get someone who is natural to the region.

3. Colorado State should seriously consider Montana’s Wayne Tinkle if it wants to stay relevant in the Mountain West-Conference USA hybrid deal. Tinkle has been a winner in Missoula from the moment he took the job. Tinkle will listen to the Rams if they call.

Andy Katz on Kansas State coach Frank Martin's move to South Carolina.

Andy Katz with the latest news on Kansas State coach Frank Martin and South Carolina.

Reports are that Kansas State coach Frank Martin is set to become South Carolina's new men's head basketball coach.

1. SMU is joining the Big East in 2013 and wants to make a slash in replacing Matt Doherty. The Mustangs, according to sources, have Marquette’s Buzz Williams in their sights. But those close to him would be stunned if he were to leave Marquette, now a top Big East program, for a school that will enter the league at the bottom. The money can’t be more than comparable to what he makes now, and proximity to his hometown can’t be that big a deal, right? Unless something happens to prove otherwise, chalk this one up to wishful thinking.

2. Illinois has now been spurned by VCU’s Shaka Smart and Butler’s Brad Stevens. This should be yet another sign how well schools pay at some spots outside the power six. And it speaks volumes about being happy with your situation, school, boss and city for a coach’s family. Now that Illinois has struck out with Smart and Stevens, it should focus on Ohio’s John Groce. Groce has done wonders with the Bobcats and has strong Big Ten ties. I’d be surprised if Groce were to turn this gig down if offered. He’s hot now and, while he could win the MAC next year, it’s still likely a one-bid league and winning the conference tournament is a tenuous proposition.

3. South Carolina would like Kansas State’s Frank Martin. But if Martin is seriously interested in leaving Kansas State (he has publicly said he hasn’t talked to anyone), he should look at Mississippi State, which is a better basketball job than South Carolina. There is plenty of talent in the state, more recent success in the sport, and a more passionate fan base for hoops.

In other, much less endearing band-related news, Southern Miss took action against five members of its pep band that chanted "Where's your green card?" at Kansas State guard Angel Rodriguez in last Thursday's second-round loss to the Wildcats. The punishment is rather harsh, but it's probably appropriate: Five members (which the school did not identify) lost their scholarships, were kicked out of the band and will have to complete a two-hour sensitivity training course at the school, per the Associated Press. Again: harsh, but probably warranted. You can't get away with chants like that, nor should you. Lesson learned.

But here's the really important, and ignorant, part, one highlighted by a commenter in the AP story, no less: Rodriguez doesn't even need a green card. He's from Puerto Rico. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States. Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917. On Monday, they voted in the Republican electoral primary. You can travel to Puerto Rico without a visa (and I hear it's beautiful!), and Puerto Ricans can travel and/or reside freely in the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii without need for documentation, because U.S. citizens don't need green cards to be in the U.S.

Angel, you want to clear this up for everyone?

Rodriguez said last week that he accepted the apology because "there's ignorant people and I know that's not how they want to represent their university."

Rodriguez said he doesn't pay attention to that "nonsense, especially because Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, so we don't need no type of papers."

There are lessons to be learned here:

1. Don't chant racist and/or culturally insensitive things at college basketball games, particularly if you are representing your university and on scholarship while doing so. You will probably lose your scholarship, and you probably should.

2. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens!

Are we totally clear on this? We got it? Good. Now let's go back to talking about basketball, shall we? As far as Kansas State is concerned right now, there are far more pressing issues at hand.

PITTSBURGH -- Lourdes Martin came to the United States from Cuba, fleeing Fidel Castro’s reign. She landed first in New Jersey before finding comfort in the familiarity of Little Havana in Miami.

That’s where her son, Frank, was born. After her husband left the family, Frank worked all sorts of odd jobs to help his mother survive, taking his first steps on the ladder of the American dream that would eventually lead him to a podium in Pittsburgh, a world away from his roots.

Frank Martin is now in his fifth year as the head coach at Kansas State, and two years ago signed a contract extension that would pay him more than $1.5 million annually.

In his head-coaching career, Martin has repeatedly gone back to his beginnings, pulling kids who were like him -- from tough backgrounds or immigrant families -- who used basketball as a means to succeed.

Angel Rodriguez is one of them. The Puerto Rico native played high school basketball in Miami, starring in the same neighborhood that Martin once called home. Rodriguez parlayed his success there into his own American dream -- a scholarship to Kansas State.

Yet on Thursday, with his Cuban-American coach sitting on the bench, Rodriguez stepped to the free throw line in a game against Southern Miss, and band members from Southern Miss chanted, “Where’s your green card?”

Rodriguez brushed off the insults at the time, then put them to rest when Southern Miss officials immediately came to his hotel room to apologize.

“I heard it when I was shooting the free throw,’’ Rodriguez said. “I don’t pay attention to that nonsense, especially because Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, so we don’t need no papers. You know the athletic director and the personnel from their school came to apologize. I accepted it, because there’s ignorant people and I know it’s not how they want to represent their university. I moved on already. I’ve got a game to focus on.’’

It struck a nerve a little deeper in Martin, a grown man slightly more worldly than his point guard.

Martin wasn’t angry. He reiterated Rodriguez’s sentiments, that he not only accepted Southern Miss’ apology, but that he was moved by the sincerity behind it. More, Martin bristled at people who fail to respect what stories like his and, to a lesser extent, Rodriguez’s, represent.

“I’m here answering questions to you,’’ Martin said. “I lead a major Division I basketball program. We have an African-American president. This country is about giving people opportunities. This country has an unbelievable way of providing openings for minorities. This country doesn’t hold you down. This country elevates you, if you use it the right way.

“I’ve learned over my time on this planet that if you take care of business, you handle yourself the right way in the United States of America, you can end up like me; a guy who didn’t know how to speak English when he was five years old, and now I’m leading a major college basketball program in this country.’’

Part of Frank Martin’s job as Kansas State’s basketball coach is to make sure his players bounce back mentally after a tough loss.

But after the Wildcats fell at home to Kansas last week, the roles were reversed.

Martin was dejected. He sought out a pep talk that night from his old high school coach. When practice rolled around the following day, he wasn’t exactly eager to show up at Bramlage Coliseum.

“But then I stepped onto the court and the kids got me going,” Martin told ESPN.com on Tuesday. “It was their enthusiasm. They were so tuned in and so competitive. It made me realize just how lucky I am to get to coach those guys every day.

“They’ve been playing their hearts out all year.”

Tuesday, they were rewarded for it.

Rodney McGruder scored 24 points and Angel Rodriguez added six assists to propel the unranked Wildcats to a 78-68 road win over No. 3 Missouri at Mizzou Arena. The victory marked the second time this season that K-State has defeated the Tigers, and it came just three days after Martin’s squad topped then-No. 10 Baylor in Waco.

This is the first time in school history that the Wildcats have won consecutive games against top-10 teams.

More importantly, Kansas State is now 8-7 in Big 12 play. With two wins against Missouri and others against Baylor, Alabama, Texas and Long Beach State, Kansas State is basically a lock to make the NCAA tournament as long as it wins one of its final three contests to finish at least .500 against league competition.

The Wildcats host Iowa State on Saturday before hitting the road to face Texas A&M. Their final regular-season game is at home against Oklahoma State.

“When you get to this time of year and your kids are doing everything you ask of them, you’ve got to be proud,” said Martin, whose team in 19-8 overall.

Hard as the Wildcats have fought all season, an air of frustration and doubt hovered over the program less than a week ago. K-State’s Feb. 13 loss to Kansas was its fourth setback in six games.

The Wildcats led the Jayhawks briefly after intermission before collapsing down the stretch. The previous week they’d surrendered a 14-point second-half cushion in a loss to Texas. K-State also lost to Iowa State despite leading by 14 in the second half.

Martin said his players never let the losses hurt their confidence. And they never lagged on the practice court.

“You try to build a culture in your program where you focus on the things you can control and not the scores of games,” Martin said. “These kids are taking it to heart. They’re representing our uniform in a big-time way right now.”

That was especially the case Tuesday.

Missouri entered the game making 50.3 percent of its shots, a mark that ranked second in the country. The Tigers shot just 38 percent against the Wildcats.

Baylor shoots 47.5 percent from the field but also shot just 38 percent in its loss to K-State. Kansas, which makes 48.6 percent of its attempts, shot 39.6 percent in its victory over Martin’s squad.

Kansas State also out-rebounded the Tigers, Jayhawks and Bears -- all of whom were ranked in the top 10.

“Defense and rebounding,” Martin said. “That’s what we work on. That’s what we put our stamp on. These kids are taking so much pride in it. It’s allowing us to spend more time on offense in practice. As we get more efficient offensively and turn it over less, it allows our defense to set and not give up baskets on the three-on-one break or the two-on-one break.”

One of the biggest difference-makers Tuesday was Rodriguez, a freshman point guard who has struggled with his decision-making at times this year and has also been a defensive liability at times. Lately that hasn’t been the case.

Rodriguez was magnificent Tuesday. His nifty assist in traffic to Jordan Henriquez for a dunk turned a 70-66 lead into a 72-66 cushion with 2:14 remaining.

“For him to make that play in that moment of the game shows what he’s about,” Martin said. “He’s got a great mind for the game. He sees passes that no one on our team sees.”

McGruder eclipsed the 20-point barrier for the first time since Jan. 18. Martin said McGruder, who averages a team-high 14.5 points, missed 12 straight days of practice because of a foot injury and resumed workouts only a week ago.

“He’s getting back into the groove,” Martin said.

So, too, are the Wildcats.

And from the looks of things, they’re only going to get better.

Following his team's 78-68 upset of Missouri, Kansas State coach Frank Martin talks about the Wildcats' execution and solid defense as of late.

At the end of the day, oh well: People swear sometimes. It happens. Get over it. Those who spend too much time trying to protect their kids from swear words are probably focusing on the wrong things, parenting-wise, or at least wasting their time: Your kid is going to hear, and eventually use, bad language. Life goes on. (Of course, your parenting mileage might vary. I don't have kids. What do I know?)

Still, it's never particularly palatable to hear large groups of people chanting obscenities because they happen to disagree with a referee's call, or because they find the rival team distasteful. When Louis C.K. swears, it's hilarious. When a thousand fans do it in unison, it just seems sort of dumb.

It doesn't do much for the reputation of an institution of higher learning, that's for sure. Which is perhaps why Kansas State seems intent on curbing the collective swearing heard so often in the Octagon of Doom this season. How are they doing so? By getting coach Frank Martin -- no stranger to profuse sideline profanity in his own right -- on board. On Thursday, Martin sent a letter to Kansas State students promising to curb his own use of naughty language on the sidelines, in order to better represent the school and its community. From local columnist Greg Hall:

“None of us are perfect. I continue to work at correcting the mistakes I have made. Moreover, I have done things I wish I could take back. However, in life you can’t go backwards but you can always get better from the lessons. One thing that I have worked hard at improving is the language that I use at games and eliminating these moments. I cannot allow my competitiveness to blind me from the fact that I represent you, the great students of a university of higher education. As a father, and an educator, there is no place for this at any event in which I am representing K-State.”

Don't do it, coach! For one thing, you don't want to lose your edge. For another, if you don't swear, we won't be able to sit around and read your lips, and as such watching Kansas State games on TV will get at least 30 percent less entertaining. Giggling at Martin's angry exclamations like a 10-year-0ld is one of the great joys of Kansa State broadcasts. What will we do now?

Alas, K-State fans still belted out their fair share of profane chants Monday night. Perhaps, with the hated Jayhawks in town, that was to be expected. But now that the rivalry is out of the way, we'll see if all of Bramlage can follow its coach's example and take things down a notch or two. It doesn't have to be G-rated, but PG-13 would be a start.

(Hat tip: Lost Lettermen)

Editor's Note: For Myron's recap of Saturday's afternoon action, click here.

More Saturday games. More drama. A weekend slate that wasn’t supposed to offer much ultimately produced an impressive collection of games. Saturday night only added to the excitement.

Washington 69, Arizona 67

This game might have been a preview of the vibe we’ll see in the Pac-12 tournament. Not one team in this league can feel secure about its NCAA tournament hopes, but the conference's collective downfall does make for plenty of must-win drama.

Consider this: Between the 14:16 and 2:28 marks of the second half, Arizona recorded exactly one field goal. And yet, with two minutes to play, this was just a six-point game. Solomon Hill’s 3-pointer with 9 seconds to play tied the game at 67. He was awesome, scoring 28 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. But while he made nine of his 10 shots, the rest of team went 12-of-40 (30 percent) from the field.

And after Hill's big bucket, Josiah Turner committed a huge foul on C.J. Wilcox, who hit a pair of free throws before freshman Tony Wroten blocked Turner’s layup at the buzzer. The Pac-12 is certainly down. But it’s also a very scrappy league right now because of the uncertainty. Arizona was bad for a chunk of this game, but the Wildcats kept coming -- because, well, it's UA-UW and these matchups are always dramatic.

The Huskies, who lead the Pac-12 at 7-2, scored a crucial road win, while Zona’s at-large hopes took another major blow with its third home loss of the season. Fun game.

No. 21 Virginia 61, North Carolina State 60

The Cavaliers led 55-45 with 6:37 on the clock, but barely held on here. The Wolfpack was sloppy for the bulk of this game and finished just 2-of-15 from beyond the arc. Near the five-minute mark, Alex Johnson missed three shots on one possession. He botched a layup on a fast break, then missed a contested follow-up and a 3-pointer. It was that kind of evening for the Pack.

But they bounced back and chipped away at Virginia’s lead. They outscored UVa 15-5 in the final six minutes of the game and Scott Wood hit a late 3 to close the gap to 1. The Cavs missed a jumper in the final seconds so NC State had a chance to tie on the last possession, but Virginia’s defense clamped down on Lorenzo Brown, whose 3-point attempt at the buzzer was way off.

The Cavs continue to find ways to win and force teams to play their grind-it-out style of basketball. Mike Scott (18 points) certainly helped, but Virginia was outrebounded 42-25 -- it gave up more offensive boards (18) than it had defensive boards (17)! -- and still pulled out the win. The Cavaliers' 17th victory gives them one more than all of last season.

That’s certainly something to be proud of, but I’m not sold on the Cavs as a team that will do damage in the NCAA tournament. Not with struggles against Towson, a bad home loss against Virginia Tech and other so-so efforts this season. Their finish against NC State on Saturday showcased some of this team’s flaws.

No. 20 Saint Mary’s 80, BYU 66

Wait, wasn't this supposed to be the weekend that the Gaels fell in West Coast Conference play? As impressive as SMC's 8-0 start in the WCC was, there was a palpable buzz that suggested the Gaels' success was directly linked to the fact that they played five of their first eight conference games at home, including routs of BYU and Gonzaga.

A rematch with Brigham Young on the road -- the Marriott Center is one of the most challenging venues in the country -- spelled doom. Right? But Saint Mary’s truly separated itself from the rest of the league with a 14-point victory that really wasn't even that close, despite SMC's heavy turnover total (24). It was a scrappy game both on the floor and off it -- fans threw things onto the court at one point as the Cougars lost back-to-back home games for the first time ever under Dave Rose. Four Gaels recorded double-figure point totals, led by Brad Waldow (19 points, 8 rebounds). I already can't wait for that Saint Mary's-Gonzaga game in Spokane.

Some more observations from Saturday night ...

• Oh Dayton, you confusing Atlantic 10 contender (pretender?). From Dec. 7 through Jan. 7, the Flyers won seven of eight games, including victories over Alabama, Ole Miss, Saint Louis and Temple. They’ve now lost three of five after Saturday’s 86-81 home loss to … wait for it … Rhode Island (4-18, 1-6 Atlantic 10). That’s not OK. What a wacky league. Xavier, Saint Louis and Dayton, three teams expected to emerge from the crowd, all have three conference losses as La Salle, St. Bonaventure and UMass (a very impressive winner over the Billikens on Saturday) share the conference lead. The A-10 seems as wide open and as unpredictable as any league in the country. Who can call it right now? Not me.
• The last time Minnesota and Illinois faced off, the Gophers lost to the Illini in double overtime in Champaign. On Saturday, Minnesota got its revenge with a 77-72 OT win at the Barn. After losing their first four conference games, the Gophers have won four of their past five. They’re a young team with limited depth, but Tubby Smith has coached this team extremely well in this five-game stretch.
• It was a huge night in Conference USA as the league's top four teams squared off. What we learned is that Memphis and Southern Miss, which play each other Wednesday in Hattiesburg, are the conference's co-favorites. Behind a career-high 29 from Will Barton, the Tigers rallied in the second half for a hard-fought home win against Marshall. The Golden Eagles also had a huge second half to win in Orlando, where UCF had won 16 straight (including a recent victory over Memphis). Neil Watson and Kentucky transfer Darnell Dodson combined for 45 points as Larry Eustachy's underrated squad improved to 19-3. Yes, 19-3.
• Think the Mountain West is a pushover? No. 15 UNLV needed overtime to dismiss Boise State on the road and the Rebels needed an extra period again Saturday, when they beat Air Force 65-63. AFA is ranked 156th in Ken Pomeroy’s adjusted tempo ratings and Vegas is 17th, but these two squads were even on the scoreboard until the closing seconds. But the Falcons committed two turnovers in the last 15 seconds of the contest and squandered their chances to win this one late. Still, it was more evidence that the Mountain West is deeper than it appears to be on the surface. Mike Moser continued his destructive streak with 27 points and 12 rebounds.
• Oklahoma scored a key road when it beat No. 24 Kansas State 63-60. The Sooners pressured the Wildcats, who committed 20 turnovers. Frank Martin has been preaching defense, but K-State didn’t have much against Steven Pledger, who scored 30 points. The Wildcats have lost three of their past six. Meanwhile, this had to be a satisfying win for Lon Kruger, who used to play and coach in Manhattan. What a great job he's done in his first year in Norman.
• Seton Hall looked like an NCAA tournament team after it followed a blowout road loss at Syracuse with a four-game winning streak. But the Pirates have lost their past four and looked lackluster in a 60-51 home defeat to Louisville. Boy, that surprising season turned sour really quick, didn't it?
• Speaking of New Jersey, how strange is this Rutgers season? After Saturday's victory over Cincinnati, the young Scarlet Knights now have wins over Florida, Connecticut and the Bearcats ... and losses to DePaul, Illinois State, Princeton and a down Richmond team.
• Wichita State and Drake took a combined 149 shots in their triple-overtime thriller Saturday night. The Bulldogs outplayed the Shockers and deserved their 93-86 victory. Kraidon Woods’ layup for Drake sent the game into the first extra period and Rayvonte Rice hit a pair of late free throws to take the game into a second overtime. Drake’s Kurt Alexander and Wichita State’s Ben Smith traded late 3s in the second extra period to send the game into a third OT. In that third overtime, Drake scored the first five points and WSU couldn’t close the gap. The Shockers suffered their first loss since New Year’s Eve, but this is still a quality team. Wichita State is now one game behind Creighton in the MVC. Let's all count down to that Feb. 11 rematch in Omaha.

It didn't look like a great slate of games coming in, but Saturday turned out to be full of upsets and last-second thrillers. Here are some things we learned from all the action ...

The Top Three

Florida State 90, No. 3 North Carolina 57
What we learned: Wow. A true beatdown. Perhaps we don’t have an elite team in college basketball this season. North Carolina has as much potential as any team in the country to warrant that title, but Saturday’s meltdown -- the most lopsided of the Roy Williams era -- contradicted much of what we thought we knew about the Tar Heels. The Seminoles are always feisty against Carolina and Duke and tend to be giant-killers, but this was just silly. The Noles were 12-for-27 from the 3-point line in this victory. Deividas Dulkys was 8-for-10 from beyond the arc and scored a career-high 32 points. He had scored a combined 32 points in his previous nine games. The Tar Heels lost their fire once the barrage began. The Seminoles saw a vulnerable team and pounced. For the third time this season, the Heels lost a game outside of Chapel Hill. But in this loss, they were bullied and lethargic. How will UNC recover, and what on earth is the ACC about right now?

No. 2 Kentucky 65, Tennessee 62
What we learned: Cuonzo Martin’s Volunteers haven’t looked like an 8-9 squad over the past week. In their past three games, they’ve defeated Florida, nearly knocked off Mississippi State on the road and battled Kentucky for all 40 minutes. Freshman Jarnell Stokes, the highly touted prep player who joined the team Monday, recorded nine points and grabbed four rebounds in his debut. Once Stokes gets into shape, he’s going to have a major effect on a Tennessee squad that led Kentucky by eight in the second half and stuck with the Wildcats until the end. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (17 points, 12 rebounds) and Anthony Davis (18 points, 4 blocks) are two of America’s best, but their squad is going to get caught in league play soon if it continues to show up only after halftime.

No. 1 Syracuse 78, Providence 55
What we learned: This game was over when Ed Cooley announced stud point guard Vincent Council would not play. The Friars’ leading scorer might not have affected the final outcome, but he could have helped his squad’s deplorable offense (3-for-14 from beyond the arc, 22 turnovers) against Cuse's press. Council was a beast in PC's 31-point destruction of Louisville earlier this week. But Syracuse proved, again, that it’s the undisputed No. 1 team in the country. SU has separated itself from one of the most competitive leagues in the country. The Orange’s 19-0 start matches the best in school history. With North Carolina losing to Florida State and Kentucky struggling against Tennessee, it’s about time that Syracuse gets more credit for its strong start. Best team. In the country. No debate.

The Midwest Upsets

Northwestern 81, No. 7 Michigan State 74
What we learned: Oh, Big Ten. How you always find a way to amaze us. Within the past week, the league’s top three teams all have fallen in upsets. At home in Evanston, the Wildcats (losers of four of their previous five entering the game) snapped Michigan State’s 15-game winning streak as John Shurna led four double-figure scorers with 22 points. This game meant a few things: (1) There’s far less separation between the top and bottom of the Big Ten than there appeared to be two weeks ago. (2) Much like Michigan and Wisconsin, the Spartans are looking for a consistent No. 3. Draymond Green and Keith Appling were the team’s only two scorers in double figures. (3) Northwestern needs to prove it can put together a string of games that resemble Saturday’s outing. The Wildcats have pieces, but they tend to showcase their potential in spurts. Wonder whether this season will be different.

Iowa 75, No. 13 Michigan 59
What we learned: I can’t figure out Iowa or the Big Ten right now. The Hawkeyes knocked off their second nationally ranked opponent in two weeks. And in a Big Ten that’s as hard to peg as any league in the country right now, the Hawkeyes look like a factor. I didn’t say contender. But the Hawkeyes prove the Big Ten doesn’t offer any easy victories. No pushovers in this conference (see Minnesota-Indiana, Northwestern-Michigan for further proof). For Michigan, this game just confirmed how much the Wolverines rely on Tim Hardaway Jr. He is 17-for-55 in the team’s four losses. The only way the Wolverines -- now 1-3 on the road -- will make a push toward the top of the Big Ten standings is if Hardaway is more consistent.

Oklahoma 82, No. 18 Kansas State 73
What we learned: Frank Martin was enraged after his team lost to an undefeated Baylor squad Tuesday at home. He preached defense in his postgame interviews. That was a major challenge for the Wildcats on Saturday, too. The Big 12’s eighth-ranked scoring defense allowed a Sooners team that lost its first three Big 12 games to shoot 55 percent from the field. K-State's performances against Mizzou and Baylor suggested the Wildcats deserve a spot among the Big 12’s elite. That’s not necessarily the case anymore, with the Wildcats having dropped three of their past four games. Their conference slate gets easier from here over the next few weeks, but the Cats will find themselves in vulnerable spots, especially on the road, if their defensive woes continue. That's now 3-8 in its past 11 Big 12 road games for KSU. After a strong debut, Lon Kruger’s squad fell hard (the Sooners had lost four of five entering Saturday’s game). But the Kansas State victory should be a major confidence booster for OU. The Sooners snapped a 14-game losing skid against ranked opponents.

The Mountain West Thriller

No. 22 San Diego State 69, No. 12 UNLV 67
What we learned: The Mountain West is going to make noise in March. The league’s top two squads, both nationally ranked, battled for 40 minutes in San Diego. This wasn’t a basketball game. It was a title fight. I wasn’t there, but it felt like a tournament game from my couch. This game had some of the best back-and-forth action I’ve seen all season. Neither team could pull away. Jamaal Franklin (team-high 24 points) tumbled over a photographer in the final seconds and hurt his ankle. But he returned to the floor moments later and scored the game-winning bucket. Steve Fisher continues to exceed expectations after losing Kawhi Leonard to the NBA draft and three other starters. The Rebels won’t beat the top squads in their league or the NCAA tournament if their two leading scorers, Chace Stanback (7 points, 3-of-9 shooting) and Mike Moser (9 points, 3-of-11), struggle in big games. But San Diego State is headed to Las Vegas on Feb. 11 for the rematch. Can’t wait to see that. This matchup wasn’t just a boost for the two teams on floor; it was a boost for the entire league. The Mountain West is tough. And don't forget about New Mexico, which won its 13th straight with a victory at Wyoming. The Aztecs and Lobos go at it Wednesday night.

Taking Care Of Business

No. 9 Missouri 84, Texas 73
What we learned: The Tigers aren’t conventional. They’re undersized in a league with a multitude of skilled bigs and they’re not very deep. But Frank Haith used seven players in his second consecutive victory since last week’s lopsided loss at Kansas State. Ricardo Ratliffe led the Tigers with 21 points (10-of-12). Marcus Denmon, who had six in a win at Iowa State on Wednesday, scored 18 against the Longhorns. Phil Pressey (18 points, 10 assists, 0 turnovers) continued his impressive play. Few teams possess the perimeter depth and skill to challenge Missouri’s talented backcourt for 40 minutes. J’Covan Brown scored 34 points for the Horns, matching the combined scoring tally for the team’s other four starters. But they couldn’t defend a Mizzou team that held a 43-30 edge at halftime and finished with four scorers in double figures. A week ago, folks questioned the Tigers' legitimacy. But they clearly have regained their mojo since the KSU loss and should pose a threat to any top-tier Big 12 team.

No. 20 Mississippi State 56, Alabama 52
What we learned: Alabama entered this game on a five-game winning streak. But Bama won’t beat most teams in the SEC by scoring 52 points. JaMychal Green (14 points) was the Crimson Tide's only double-digit scorer. The Bulldogs weren’t much better. However, Arnett Moultrie’s 25-point, 13-rebound output was the difference. The two teams combined to shoot 4-for-26 from the 3-point line, but Dee Bost was 3-for-3 from long range in the closing minutes and that was that. Man, the SEC is confusing. Kentucky is obviously the league’s best, but who are Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5? This was an opportunity for these squads to make a definitive statement about their places in the league. Didn’t really happen. I expected more from this one, but hey, Mississippi State will take the win.

Some more observations from Saturday

• Baylor looked like a national champ in its 106-65 victory over Oklahoma State. No, the Cowboys aren’t an elite team. But the Bears shot 52 percent on 3-pointers (15-of-29) and had almost twice as many rebounds as OSU (48-25). Nine players scored for the Bears. Their depth is underrated, and it’s going to be a huge asset in March.
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AP Photo/Al BehrmanMaalik Wayns, left, dropped 39 for Villanova in a loss at Cincinnati.
• Iowa State blew a 12-point second-half lead and lost its second consecutive matchup against a ranked opponent in its 82-73 defeat at Kansas. But with Royce White (18 points, 17 rebounds), the Cyclones can win nine or more in the Big 12. By the way, a career-high 28 points out of Tyshawn Taylor should quiet a few of his critics.
• Connecticut is such a different team when Alex Oriakhi and Andre Drummond are fully engaged. Drummond (10 points, 13 rebounds) and Oriakhi (12 points, 7 rebounds) were impressive in the Huskies’ 67-53 win at Notre Dame, ending the Irish's 29-game home win streak. The Huskies didn’t have Ryan Boatright, but they played like a complete team with their bigs being so active.
• Pittsburgh played better Saturday but still lost at Marquette 62-57. The Panthers, the models of consistency over the past decade, have lost six straight and are 0-5 in the Big East. Holy cow. Let that one sink in.
• His team lost once again in a close game at Cincinnati, but it's worth mentioning the effort by Villanova's Maalik Wayns, who had a line of 39 points (6-of-13 from 3), 13 rebounds and six assists, and put his struggling Wildcats in a position to win on the road.
• Xavier has won three in a row, after topping St. Bonaventure 77-64. Mark Lyons and Tu Holloway combined to score 33 points in the victory. The Musketeers didn’t secure any signature wins during this mini-revival, but that doesn’t matter. X needed to get back to winning as it prepares for the Atlantic 10's toughest squads. Until someone in the conference knocks off the Musketeers at the Cintas Center (where they've beaten 42 consecutive A-10 opponents), this team is still the league favorite in my opinion.
• Conference USA should be fun this season. Like Xavier, Memphis -- a decisive winner at Houston on Saturday night -- should still be considered the favorite until someone proves they can beat the Tigers on the road. But Marshall and UCF played a classic in a 65-64 Thundering Herd victory, and both could give Memphis trouble. Southern Miss is right in the mix as well.
• Meanwhile, in the Mid-American Conference, Akron now has to be considered the favorite after a 68-63 victory over Ohio, which looked so solid in nonconfernece play but has faltered of late. The Zips have wins at Mississippi State and Marshall. If they make the NCAA tournament, look out.
• Have to be impressed with the way Oregon swept the Arizona schools. Winning in Tempe is nothing to be overjoyed about, but winning in Tucson -- no matter how mediocre the Wildcats have been for most of the season -- is still special for any Pac-12 school. The Ducks are as good a bet as any to win this crazy league.
• You know who won't win the Pac-12? The Ducks' rival, Oregon State. The Beavers have played great at times this season, but the bottom line is 1-5 in a down conference after a horrendous double-digit loss at Arizona State on Saturday.
• You know who just might win the Pac-12? Stanford. The Cardinal now are 5-1 in the conference after a 20-point beatdown of Colorado, which began 3-0 (all at home) but got a rude awakening in the Bay Area by Cal and Stanford.
• Gonzaga was shaky early Saturday night, but the Zags have to be happy with their 62-58 win at Loyola Marymount, a team that has knocked off UCLA and Saint Louis this season. Mark Few's team was absolutely humiliated at Saint Mary's on Thursday. A bounce-back victory was a must, and the Zags got it done.