Category: NCAA Basketball

This week’s Club Sportico focuses on the college basketball’s “new villain,” UConn men’s coach Dan Hurley, who is drawing attention—and plenty of criticism—for his animated and often angry sideline demeanor. Hurley’s Huskies have won the last two national championships, but the team is struggling. UConn lost three straight games in Maui, despite being favored against Memphis, Colorado …

The Gamecocks held the Cyclones scoreless for nearly 15 straight minutes.

Justin Hill hit two free throws with 4.6 seconds left in overtime and Wichita State pulled out a 68-66 win over Minnesota in the ESPN Events Invitational on Thursday. Minnesota's Brennan Rigsby put up a double-pump, contested 3-pointer from the right wing as time expired and the ball bounced softly off the rim three times before falling off. The Golden Gophers were down 66-62 as the clock neared 20 seconds and Femi Odukale forced a pair of quick turnovers that turned into Rigsby baskets at the rim, tying the game with 13.5 seconds remaining.

Chucky Hepburn scored 17 in the second half and 10 in overtime to finish with a career-high 32 points as Louisville beat West Virginia 79-70 on Thursday in the Battle 4 Atlantis semifinals. Louisville (5-1) plays the winner of the game between Oklahoma and No. 23 Arizona for the tournament championship on Friday. West Virginia (4-2) faces the loser in a third-place game.

West Virginia was looking for a different type of feast than most on Thursday afternoon. The Mountaineers faced Louisville in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament and for the second time in 24 hours, WVU played a game that featured overtime. West Virginia's holiday on the hardwood would not end how they imagined as they couldn't keep pace in overtime, falling 79-70.

Duke lost a neutral-court game because of some late-game errors against a blue blood that has more experience — and it showed. Duke’s first loss was Kentucky in Atlanta; the Blue Devils returned home and beat Wofford by 51 a few days later. Duke’s second loss was Kansas in Las Vegas earlier this week; the Blue Devils return home for a game against Seattle on Friday night, with its matchup against Auburn in the ACC-SEC Challenge on next week’s horizon.

Tre Holloman and Xavier Booker combined for eight points in overtime.

Enoch Cheeks scored 20 points to lead Dayton to an 85-67 win over No. 2 UConn in the seventh-place game of the Maui Invitational on Wednesday night.

CLICK HERE FOR RUNNING LIVE UPDATES ON THE TROUGH PREMIUM MESSAGE BOARDThe No. 19 Arkansas Razorbacks (5-1) are set for a major non-conference matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1) on Thanksgiving Day at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Valparaiso Beacons (4-2) at DePaul Blue Demons (6-0) Chicago; Friday, 1:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: DePaul hosts Valparaiso after Layden Blocker scored 21 points in DePaul's 98-52 win against the Northern Illinois Huskies. The Blue Demons are 6-0 on their home court.

Arkansas Razorbacks (5-1) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1) Kansas City, Missouri; Thursday, 4 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Fighting Illini -2.5; over/under is 154 BOTTOM LINE: Illinois plays No. Arkansas in Kansas City, Missouri.

Northern Iowa Panthers (3-2) vs. North Texas Mean Green (5-1) Orlando, Florida; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Mean Green -3.5; over/under is 127.5 BOTTOM LINE: North Texas takes on Northern Iowa in Orlando, Florida. The Mean Green have a 5-1 record in non-conference play.

George Mason Patriots (4-3) at James Madison Dukes (4-3) Harrisonburg, Virginia; Friday, 4 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: George Mason visits James Madison after Woody Newton scored 26 points in George Mason's 100-55 victory over the Ferrum Panthers. The Dukes have gone 2-0 at home.

Oklahoma Sooners (5-0) vs. Arizona Wildcats (3-2) Nassau, Bahamas; Thursday, 5 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Wildcats -5.5; over/under is 155 BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma and No. Arizona square off in Nassau, Bahamas.

UNLV Rebels (4-1) vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-0) Tempe, Arizona; Thursday, 9:30 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bulldogs -7.5; over/under is 146.5 BOTTOM LINE: UNLV and No. Mississippi State square off at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona.