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The Morning Mix

Remember how I said yesterday that Monday could end up being one of the craziest days of the college hoops season? No? Well that’s what I was thinking. Sure enough, Monday delivered. The Silverswords of Chaminade defended their home turf for the first time since 2007, Maryland makes the move with Rutgers soon to follow. Injuries and upsets were had, Shabazz Muhammad made his NCAA debut and Rotnei Clarke hit the season’s best buzzer-beater.

Tuesday’s Top Games:
1:30 p.m. - Austin Peay vs. Western Carolina
2:30 p.m. - Marquette vs. Mississippi State
4:30 p.m. - James Madison vs. Youngstown State
5:00 p.m. - Texas vs. USC
6:00 p.m. - UC-Irvine vs. Southern Miss
7:00 p.m. - No. 11 UCLA vs. Georgia
7:00 p.m. - Washington State vs. Texas A&M
7:00 p.m. - North Texas @ Virginia
8:00 p.m. - Boise State @ No. 15 Michigan State
8:00 p.m. - No. 9 North Carolina vs. Butler
8:00 p.m. - Harvard @ St. Joseph’s (NBC Sports Network)
9:00 p.m. - USC-Upstate vs. Santa Clara
9:30 p.m. - No. 12 Kansas vs. Saint Louis
10:00 p.m. - No. 1 Indiana vs. Georgetown
10:30 p.m. - Illinois @ Chaminade

Read of the Day: Make sure to read The transcript of Scott Van Pelt’s radio segment today about Maryland’s departure. SVP is a Maryland-native and born-n-bred Terps fan. You don’t find a lot of big time media guys who wear it on their sleeve as much as SVP, and still he always remains so balanced and impartial while remaining extremely passionate and loyal at the same time. I genuinely feel for him. I completely understand the sorrow he’s feeling, and his explanation is tremendous. When my Georgetown Hoyas eventually depart the Big East, I am positive this is exactly what I will feel like. I hope I’m that lucky. For God’s sake, read this. (Testudo Times)

Read of the Day: 100 thoughts about 100 NCAA teams from the Basketball Prospectus Guide to the 2012-2013 Season. Read it. (Deadspin)

Top Stories:
It’s unfair to rush to judgement about Shabazz Muhammad after just one game: UCLA’s freshman phenom made his debut last night against Georgetown, and if you consider everything (which you should), he didn’t play too bad.

Chaminade upsets Texas; Barnes second loss to Silverswords: Everybody’s favorite Maui Invitational hosts stunned a young Texas squad en route to their first tournament win since defeating Oklahoma in 2007. It just so happens that Texas head coach Rick Barnes was the head coach of the 1991-92 Providence team that lost to the Silverswords.

The Indiana Hoosiers can be effective even when they don’t always go through Cody Zeller: It certainly wasn’t pretty, but with a bevy of alternative weapons to choose from, Indiana was able to grind past a tired Georgia squad at The Barclays Centers.

Sean Woods might not have too friendly of a return in Lexington: The Former-Kentucky “Unforgettable” and current Morehead State head coach voiced his concern for the lack of basketball history displayed by today’s brand of college player, and referenced the current Kentucky roster.

Arizona has options this season, something that hurt them a year ago: Last season the Wildcats had a bunch of potential but not proven help. This season, with another crop of young talent, there is depth on the roster for when situations go awry.

Back from mission, Tyler Haws is the same player but a new man: It’s been a long time since Tyler haws suited up for the Cougars, but the experience gained on the guard’s mormon mission shaped him into the man he is today.

Expanisionocalypse:
- The worst part of it all is that Maryland’s move actually makes sense. Well, no it doesn’t, but this will get the school more money, and the school really (See: REALLY!) needs money. This decision was a no-brainer (CSN Baltimore)

- It really does need rehashing: This is a desperation move by Maryland. It’s a wise move but very desperate (Washington Post)

- Maryland is hoping that change in conferences will help “bail out” the seven varsity programs that were discontinued over the summer (Washington Post)

- Terrapin coaching icon Lefty Driesell chimed in on the move, feels sorry for the players (Sporting News)

- An awesome list (with video) of the five things that Maryland will miss about the ACC (CSN Baltimore)

- Did Rutgers actually “win” conference realignment? It certainly looks like that might be the case (New Jersey Star-Ledger)

- Despite Rutgers likely departure to the Big-10, the Scarlet Knights rivalry with Seton hall is likely to remain (New Jersey Hoops Haven)

- The RAC at Rutgers is one of the more under-appreciated home venues on the east coast. But in order for the Scarlet Knights to compete (See: $$$), they will need a new arena (Statehouse Bureau)

Hoops Housekeeping:
- Ryan Harrow could return to practice for Kentucky today after missing most of last week due to illness (Kentucky Sports Radio)

- The NCAA will hear appeals of two suspended Indiana players later today (Sporting News)

- Louisville and North Carolina will headline the 2013 Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament (ESPN)

- Missouri guard Michael Dixon remains suspended foe now, but is travelling with the team to the Bahamas for the Battle for Atlantis (College Basketball Talk)

Observations & Insight:
- Make sure Gary Parrish’s “Poll Attacks” are a weekly Monday read. This week, a voter keeps NC-State at No.6, OK-State un-ranked (Eye On College Basketball)

- Drexel has had a tough early stretch. They entered the season with much hype and dropped their first two games of the season. They beat Penn to earn their first win, but lost senior guard Chris Fouchs to a season-ending ankle injury. With Delaware gaining momentum, what does the future hold for the Dragons? (City of Basketball Love)

- Jordy Hulls had a tremendous game for the Hoosiers last night, but he can’t possibly be NBA material, can he? Tom Crean thinks he is (SNY.tv)

News & Notes:
- A quick historical look at the trend of big-time conference realignment (College Hoopedia)

- Some great numbers from Illinois-Chicago’s upset victory over Iona (Horizon League Hoops)

- Amidst all the hype surrounding Shabazz Muhammad’s debut, it was a trio of Hoya stars that shined brightest (SNY.tv)

- The Flames of Illinois-Chicago are down in the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam and spent some of their free time snorkeling in the crystal clear Caribbean waters (UICFlames.com)

- Am I the only one who thinks Rick Pitino is turning in to the “Mercury Morris” of expansionocalypse? (The Card Connect)

Dunk of the Day: Doug “The Freakshow” Anderson. Or for you sports entertainment fans out there: “MMMMMMIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSTTEEERRRR AANNNNNNNNDDEERRSSSSSOOOOOONNNNNN” (Ballin’ is a Habit)

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Video of the Day: Say hello to your new gun-slingin’ overlord Rotnei Clarke. That is all. (Sporting News)

Do you like the new Morning Mix? Hate it? Have a suggestion or wanted something featured? Troy Machir will take all your praise, insults and inquiries via Twitter (@TroyMachir)