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The Morning Mix

Last night was the first night of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Michigan got a big home win against North Carolina State thanks to a huge performance from Trey Burke. In Bloomington, Indiana steamrolled over a flat North Carolina squad. Virginia Tech and Maryland were the lone ACC teams to win on night one.

But last night was also the first night of Jimmy-V Week. I was too young to remember Valvano as a coach, but the words he imparted on us during his legendary ESPYs speech has inspired and motivate me my entire life. I imagine that I’m not the only one whole feels the same way.

Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.

Wednesday’s Top Games:
7:00 p.m. - Virginia @ Wisconsin
7:00 p.m. - William & Mary @ Richmond
7:00 p.m. - American @ St. Joseph’s
7:15 p.m. - Purdue @ Clemson
7:30 p.m. - No. 13 Michigan State @ Miami (FL)
8:00 p.m. - Oklahoma vs. Oral Roberts
8:00 p.m. - Tulsa @ Wichita State
8:00 p.m. - Utah @ SMU
8:05 p.m. - Boise State @ No. 11 Creighton
9:00 p.m. - Georgia Tech @ No. 22 Illinois
9:00 p.m. - Mercer @ No. 25 New Mexico
9:00 p.m. - Montana @ BYU
9:15 p.m. - Boston College @ Penn State
9:30 p.m. - No. 4 Ohio State @ No. 2 Duke
10:00 p.m. - Northern Arizona @ No. 9 Arizona
10:00 p.m. - UC-Irvine @ No. 24 UNLV
12:00 a.m. - Saint Louis @ Washington

Read of the Day:
Athlon Sports released their “Off the Record” survey from current college basketball players. Kim Kardashian is the hottest women alive apparently. Personally, I’d pick Upton or Good out of the group, but hey, that’s a debate for a rainy day. But make sure you read this. I do love me a good survey. (Athlon Sports)

Read of the Day:
Casual Hoya details how greed will destroy modern amateur athletics. Read it. (Casual Hoya)

Top Stories:
Former-SDSU forward Tim Shelton makes best music video of the season: The former-Aztec is a talented hip-hop artist and released yet another Aztec anthem. This one, titled “Montezuma 55" is legitimately good. Best music video I’ve seen all year.

North Carolina’s blowout loss at Indiana was far worse than just a blowout: The young Tar Heels looked out-matched. they looked like they had no business being on the same court as the Hoosiers. Marcus Paige is not Kendall Marshall, and James Michael McAdoo is not Tyler Hansbrough. This could be a very long season in Chapel Hill.

Michigan looked like a National Championship night in victory over NC-State: Trey Burke looked like an All-American and the Wolverines’ freshman stepped up large in a dominant win over the Wolfpack. Michigan led early and often, and was able to fight off a late rally to secure a very impressive early season victory.

ACC files lawsuit against Maryland: The Atlantic Coast Conference has filed a lawsuit against member school Maryland in a North Carolina court after the school’s announcement last week that it would leave the ACC for the Big Ten. The lawsuit is in regard to the $50-million exit fee the conference imposed on member schools earlier this year.

Tulane and East Carolina are joining the Big East: The Green Wave will become full-time members while the Pirates will join for football only. If all stays put, the Big East will have 10 former C-USA schools as big East members in 2014.

Hoops Housekeeping:
- Missouri’s Michael Dixon remains suspended for “a violation of team rules”. Steve Walentik has the graphic details of the rape accusations that were made against Dixon stemming from an August incident. (Columbia Tribune)

- Former-Washington Husky Doug Wrenn was convicted on Tuesday afternoon of harassing and cyber stalking a former girlfriend. (Seattle Times)

- Tulsa has placed Athletic Director Ross Parmley on paid administrative leave as the university investigates allegations of illegal sports gambling. (CBS Sports)

- Marquette guard Vander Blue is expected to play against Florida on Thursday after missing the Golden Eagles game on Monday against UMBC. (Fox Sports Wisconsin)

- SIU-Edwardsville forward Mark Yelovich is day-to-day with an ankle injury. (OVC Ball)

- After receiving X-rays on his surgically repaired foot, California sophomore Ricky Kreklow should be able to return soon, although he is doubtful for the Bears next game. (Bear Talk)

- Cleveland State’s Anton Grady will miss tonight’s game against Ball State because of a knee injury. (Cleveland State Hoops)

- UNLV freshman phenom Anthony Bennett may miss tonight’s game against UC-Irvine because of a lower back injury. (Las Vegas Sun)

- The NCAA has hired Val Ackerman as a consultant for women’s basketball. (Fox Sports)

Observations & Insight:
- The ACC will vote on expanding the conference later today, and it looks like if the ACC does expand, Louisville is going to get the nod. (ACC Sports Journal)

- North Carolina dispels rumors that it wants to join the Big Ten. (Sporting News)

- A stock report from the first night of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. (The Dagger)

- Mike DeCourcy doesn’t think the Tulane/Big East marriage will work, and I totally agree with him. (Sporting News)

- The WAC is desperately trying to stay afloat. After losing Denver on Monday, the conference has added Grand Canyon, a school most of us never knew existed. (Yahoo Sports)

- With Gorgui Dieng sidelined with a broken wrist, back-up center Stephen Van Treese is going to be called on to pick up the slack. Van Treese missed almost all of last season due to injury. (The Cardinal Connect)

- Jeff Borzello updates his Freshman of the Year rankings. (Eye on College Basketball)

- Dave Telep wonders if the hectic travel schedules of AAU basketball players is contributing to the recent outbreak in injuries among some the most elite high school players in the country. (ESPN Insider)

- Luke Winn provides his list of the top-16 best shooters in the country, now w/ more pictures. (Sports Illustrated)

- What is wrong with UCLA coach Ben Howland? An excellent read. (Bruins Nation)

- A quick look at the MAC power rankings. (Hustle Belt)

- I love lists like this: The All-Chicago Team. (Run The Floor)

Odds & Ends
- ICYMI, the lights did breifly go out at Assembly Hall during the Hoosiers rout of North Carolina last night. (The Big Lead)

- What has happened to our beloved Big East Conference? (Big East Hoops)

- Some expansion thoughts from a James Madison perspective. (JMU Sports Blog)

Dunk of the Day:
This dunk from Minnesota’s Rodney Williams is just silly. I wish I could do that. (Ballin’ is a Habit)

Video(s) of the Day:
Vermont got a quality non-conference road-win over a gutsy Harvard squad 85-78.

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)