India fail to learn lessons of the past as Australia gifted early advantage

Cricket writer’s challenge: discuss bowling first in a Brisbane Test without referring to Nasser Hussain. Better to fail at that challenge in the first line and get it out of the way. England’s former captain has copped an unfair amount of grief for his decision at the toss in 2002. Captains who bat first and lose badly never get criticised for making that decision.

England of that era were likely to be thumped by an epochally great Australian side no matter what they chose. Facing Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, and Jason Gillespie, they were bowled out in the fourth innings for 79. Facing those three first up would not likely have helped.

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DePaul plays Wichita State after Skogman’s 22-point game

Wichita State Shockers (8-1) at DePaul Blue Demons (7-2, 0-1 Big East) Chicago; Saturday, 1 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Blue Demons -3.5; over/under is 150 BOTTOM LINE: DePaul hosts Wichita State after David Skogman scored 22 points in DePaul's 70-63 overtime loss to the Providence Friars. The Blue Demons have gone 7-1 in home games.

Missouri State takes on Washington State following White’s 30-point game

Missouri State Bears (5-4, 0-1 MVC) at Washington State Cougars (8-2) Pullman, Washington; Saturday, 5 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cougars -11.5; over/under is 143 BOTTOM LINE: Missouri State takes on Washington State after Dez White scored 30 points in Missouri State's 80-77 loss to the Indiana State Sycamores. The Cougars have gone 4-0 at home.

Boise State Broncos take on the Saint Mary’s Gaels

Saint Mary's Gaels (9-1) vs. Boise State Broncos (6-3) Idaho Falls, Idaho; Saturday, 9 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Gaels -2.5; over/under is 138.5 BOTTOM LINE: Saint Mary's (CA) and Boise State square off in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The Broncos have a 6-3 record in non-conference play.

Pepperdine hosts Northern Arizona after McLaughlin’s 23-point game

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (7-3) at Pepperdine Waves (4-6) Malibu, California; Saturday, 4 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Waves -4.5; over/under is 143.5 BOTTOM LINE: Northern Arizona visits Pepperdine after Trenton McLaughlin scored 23 points in Northern Arizona's 95-82 victory against the South Dakota Coyotes. The Waves have gone 3-1 at home.

Western Carolina visits Dubsky and UNC Asheville

Western Carolina Catamounts (3-5) at UNC Asheville Bulldogs (5-4) Asheville, North Carolina; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bulldogs -9; over/under is 145.5 BOTTOM LINE: UNC Asheville hosts Western Carolina after Connor Dubsky scored 23 points in UNC Asheville's 92-46 win over the Bluefield College Rams. The Bulldogs are 2-0 in home games.

Freemantle and Xavier host No. 22 Cincinnati

Xavier Musketeers (8-2) at Cincinnati Bearcats (7-1) Cincinnati; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bearcats -7.5; over/under is 144.5 BOTTOM LINE: Xavier visits No. Cincinnati after Zach Freemantle scored 27 points in Xavier's 119-58 victory over the Morgan State Bears.