Top 25 Rankings, Dec. 2

1. North Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Pittsburgh
4. Duke
5. Gonzaga
6. Oklahoma
7. Notre Dame
8. UCLA
9. Purdue
10. Louisville
11. Michigan State
12. Texas
13. Tennessee
14. Villanova
15. Wake Forest
16. Xavier
17. Syracuse
18. Memphis
19. Arizona State
20. Miami (Fl.)
21. Baylor
22. Georgetown
23. Davidson
24. Wisconsin
25. Kansas

CHN Player of the Week, Dec. 1

Player of the Week: Jonny Flynn, Syracuse

Thanksgiving week is always a hotbed for college basketball -- holiday tournaments and invitationals are a nice reprise for people who don't want to watch riveting NFL blowouts on Thanksgiving or overhyped college football games on Saturday. Plus, there's really nothing better than eating leftovers, laying on the couch and watching some college hoops. As a result of all the top-notch match-ups, there were plenty of outstanding individual performances this week.

Tyler Hansbrough got things kicked off with a dominant performance in the Maui Invitational title game, in only his second game back from injury. Notre Dame's Kyle McAlarney's 39 points were overshadowed in the loss. James Harden of Arizona State had games of 40 and 32 points, but he too could not lead his team to a title. Of course, Blake Griffin had another monster week -- but he doesn't get the CHN Player of the Week again. This week, the honor goes to Syracuse's Jonny Flynn.

The 6-0 sophomore point guard cemented his spot among the nation's elite at his position with a sensational week, leading the Orange to victories over Florida and Kansas en route to a CBE Classic title. 'Cuse also knocked off Virginia. Flynn started the week with an 18-point, four-assist performance against Florida in the semi-finals. In the title game against Kansas, Flynn had 25 points and five assists, including a three-pointer with seconds left in regulation to force the game into overtime. Flynn played 43 minutes against the Jayhawks. To cap the week, Flynn helped the Orange to a comeback victory over Virginia, scoring 15 points and dishing out six assists. He also turned the ball over just twice and played another 39 minutes. On the season, Flynn is averaging 20.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting nearly 42 percent from three-point range and playing more than 36 minutes per game.

Friday, November 28 Predictions

Prediction Record: 28-7 (ATS: 15-16-1)

Georgetown vs. Tennessee (-3.5): Prediction: Tennessee 79, Georgetown 71
UAB vs. Boston College (+3.5): Prediction: UAB 75, Boston College 69
Oklahoma vs. Purdue (-2): Prediction: Purdue 70, Oklahoma 67
Gonzaga vs. Maryland (+6): Prediction: Gonzaga 87, Maryland 77
Washington State vs. Mississippi State (+3.5): Prediction: Washington State 65, Mississippi State 61
Texas Tech vs. Pittsburgh (-13): Prediction: Pittsburgh 78, Texas Tech 66
California at UNLV (-6.5): Prediction: UNLV 75, California 63
Kent State vs. Illinois (-3.5): Prediction: Kent State 72, Illinois 66
Oklahoma State vs. Michigan State (-5.5): Prediction: Michigan State 81, Oklahoma State 72
Texas A&M vs. Tulsa (+5.5): Prediction: Texas A&M 74, Tulsa 67
Wake Forest vs. UTEP (+8.5): Prediction: Wake Forest 76, UTEP 64
Kentucky vs. Kansas State (+2.5): Prediction: Kentucky 71, Kansas State 68
Arizona State vs. Baylor (+1.5): Prediction: Arizona State 80, Baylor 76

Wednesday, November 26 Predictions

Prediction Record: 23-7 (ATS: 12-14-1)

Alabama vs. Saint Joseph's (-1.5): Prediction: Alabama 73, Saint Joseph's 69
Oregon vs. Texas (-11): Prediction: Texas 79, Oregon 66
Boston College vs. Purdue (-8.5): Prediction: Purdue 72, Boston College 60
UAB vs. Oklahoma (-5.5): Prediction: Oklahoma 75, UAB 68
North Carolina vs. Notre Dame (+10.5): Prediction: North Carolina 90, Notre Dame 83

GameNight Preview, Nov. 26

Preseason NIT Semifinals: No. 10 Purdue vs. Boston College

Typically one of the best preseason tournaments in college basketball, the Preseason NIT has entered its semifinals stage, with an excellent stage set for Madison Square Garden over the next couple of days. One of the nation’s most consistent programs – last year notwithstanding – in Boston College (3-1) takes on a team looking to return to its powerhouse days, Purdue (4-0). BC is projected to finish towards the bottom of the ACC again this season, but the Eagles started the season with three wins, including one over St. John’s. They did fall in their most recent game, by three at Saint Louis. Purdue is a Big Ten favorite and a top-10 team in many circles, and the Boilermakers have done nothing to disprove that so far, winning their first four games by more than 28 points per game.

Boston College is led by All-American candidate Tyrese Rice, one of the most explosive guards in the country. His scoring numbers are down slightly from last year, as the team has more options and his shooting percentage has dipped somewhat. The trio of Rakim Sanders, Vermont transfer Joe Trapani and Corey Raji create match-up problems for defenders with their ability to score in a variety of ways and play inside and out. Each of the three averages in double-figures, and all put up at least five rebounds per contest. On the other side, Purdue is a young and balanced team that has plenty of options and can beat you in different ways. Robbie Hummel is one of the most versatile players in the country, while E’Twaun Moore can do a variety of things on the court. Guards Marcus Green and Keaton Grant are solid, and Namanja Calasan and JaJuan Johnson anchor the interior. Chris Kramer is the ultimate glue guy.

Despite Boston College’s successes in recent years and Purdue’s abundance of youth, this game won’t be that close. The Boilermakers have the advantage at nearly every position on the court, and their overall talent level and versatility make them very difficult to play against. Purdue is going to be a team to reckoned with this season, in the Big Ten and nationally, while Boston College will be lucky to reach the NIT. That will be evident tonight in NYC.

WINNER: Purdue MARGIN: 10-12

Stephen Curry Sits in Corner, Davidson Still Wins by 30

Stephen Curry scored 0 points and took just three shots -- and Davidson still won by 30 points over Loyola (Md.).

The reason? Curry decided to see how far Loyola coach Jimmy Patsos was willing to go with his triangle-and-two defense by standing by himself in the corner of the court and having two defenders follow him. And it worked -- Patsos, for some reason, never went away from his planned zone defense, even when it was clear the Greyhounds were going to lose. Basically, Davidson was able to play four-on-three the entire night, leading to four Wildcats in double-figures, including a 20-point, 10-rebound performance from Andrew Lovedale.

Not surprisingly, everyone was left slightly confused.

Davidson head coach Bob McKillop: "When you put two people on somebody and you do it for 30 minutes and at the end of the game, you have to wonder what the reasons for that are."

Mr. Left Out himself, Stephen Curry: "Every dead ball I asked them how long they were going to do this. They really didn't say anything. They weren't very conversational about it."

And here's a classic explanation by Patsos: "Anybody else ever hold him scoreless? I'm a history major. They're going to remember that we held him scoreless or we lost by 30?"

Seems like a reasonable explanation: hey, don't worry that we lost by 30 -- people will remember we held Curry scoreless. Yeah, that or the fact that your ridiculous strategy didn't work but you continued to use it for 40 minutes.

Can't wait to see what Patsos has up his sleeve next: maybe exiling himself from the team by sitting at the end of the bench or in the stands. Oh wait, he's already done that. But it's fine; as he said, "I'm not some rookie coach."

Nope, but he's probably going to be "some former coach" if this continues.

Photo Credit: AP

Tuesday, November 25 Predictions

Prediction Record: 19-7 (ATS: 10-12-1)

Notre Dame vs. Texas (-3): Prediction: Notre Dame 87, Texas 81
Washington vs. Florida (-15.5): Prediction: Florida 79, Washington 71
Oregon vs. North Carolina (-17): Prediction: North Carolina 92, Oregon 76
Kansas vs. Syracuse (+3): Prediction: Syracuse 77, Kansas 72

GameNight Preview, Nov. 25

CBE Classic Final: No. 22 Kansas vs. Syracuse

In a rematch of the 2003 NCAA Tournament title game, tonight’s CBE Classic championship will pit Kansas (3-0) and Syracuse (4-0) against each other in a contest between two of the last six national title winners. Both teams are undefeated and were thought of as borderline top-25 teams heading into the season. The Jayhawks lost seven of their top nine players from last season, yet have won their first three games by an average of almost 25 points per game, including a surprising thrashing of Washington in last night’s semifinal. Syracuse is looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament, and the Orange are off to a good start, winning their first four games, including last night’s victory over No. 18 Florida.

Kansas is led by its two main returnees from last season, guard Sherron Collins and center Cole Aldrich. They are the only two double-figure scorers on the roster, and control the perimeter and paint, respectively. Besides those two and guards Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar, the rest of the rotation is newcomers. Guards Tyshawn Taylor and Travis Releford see time on the perimeter, while the Morris twins, Markieff and Marcus, and Quintrell Thomas anchor the frontcourt. On the other side, an experienced Syracuse side has four double-figure scorers and plenty of offensive options. Jonny Flynn is one of the best point guards in the country, while Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins seem fully recovered from their injuries that kept them out most of last season. Paul Harris is one of the most versatile players in the country at forward. Arinze Onuaku is a load to handle down low.

Both teams are trying to get back somewhere – Kansas to the Final Four and Syracuse to the NCAA Tournament. Each is off to a good start, but one will fall short here. The Jayhawks are a young group that is still getting their feet wet in college, while the Orange have plenty of experience and talent. Tonight, that experience will make the difference, despite the fact Syracuse’s defense was torched by Florida all night in the semifinals; Kansas simply doesn’t have the offensive firepower to take advantage of the Orange’s deficiency.

WINNER: Syracuse MARGIN: 4-6

CHN Player of the Week, Nov. 24

Player of the Week: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma

Despite the lack of true opening day like many of the other major sports, college basketball did not enter without a bang this season. Most of the marquee teams and players were on center stage throughout the week, and ESPN’s 24-hour marathon of college basketball really got people excited for the season – even though the real season began two weeks ago, on December 10 (Duke vs. Presbyterian? Houston vs. Georgia Southern? Really?).

As expected, the cream of the crop rose to the top immediately – several of the major All-American candidates had great weeks right off the bat. Stephen Curry averaged almost 36 points per game last week; James Harden put up 25, 6 and 5 through his first three games; Luke Harangody had back-to-back monster games where he combined for 57 points and 31 rebounds; and the list goes on. But the best week in the country? Blake Griffin of Oklahoma.

The preseason All-American lived up to his billing through his first games, putting up at least 20 points and 18 rebounds in each games, and averaging 26 points and almost 20 rebounds per game in his opening quartet of contests. He also shot 74.5 percent from the floor. Griffin dominated Davidson in the Sooners’ biggest game of the week, dropping 25 points and grabbing 21 rebounds as Oklahoma won 82-78. If he continues to put up these kind of performance, Oklahoma is going to be right there with Texas for the Big 12 title – and could be in the mix for a Final Four run.

Another Injury for St. John's?

Just three days after it was revealed that St. John's forward Anthony Mason Jr. would miss the rest of the season with a torn tendon in his right foot, another long-term injury could be on the horizon for the Red Storm.

In the first half of tonight's game against Eastern Michigan, leading scorer D.J. Kennedy, one of the most versatile players in the Big East, came crashing down to the floor in a heap, grabbing his knee. He needed to be helped off the court and his return is questionable. It seems that the injury did not look good at all and the immediate outlook could be dim.

Kennedy was averaging 17.5 points and 7.5 rebounds coming into the game, and already had seven points and four rebounds when he left the contest.

Update: Kennedy jogged off at the half with a slight limp. The injury forecast could be brighter than originally expected.

Update, Part 2: Kennedy will start the second half. Looks like it's not going to be a problem.