Game of the Day
Brown 75, Niagara 74 (OT)
Brown’s Matt Sullivan scored five of his 20 points in the final 1:30 of regulation to help erase a six-point Niagara lead, tie the game at 62, and force overtime. In the extra period, Brown worked from behind to take the lead and seal the game with free throws.
Sean McGonagill led the way for Brown with 23 points, along with seven assists and three steals. Brown improves to 5-8 on the year with the victory.
Important Outcomes
1. Connecticut 99, DePaul 78
Connecticut coach Kevin Ollie won his first Big East game as a head coach with the Huskies’ blowout victory over DePaul. The backcourt combo of Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright did what they’ve been doing all year, but the emergence of DeAndre Daniels could be a difference-maker. (See Below)
2. No. 10 Missouri 84, Alabama 68
Alabama missed out on a chance to secure a signature win in the SEC and the opportunities to do so are in short supply. For Missouri, though, the focus won’t be on the win, but the health of senior Laurence Bowers, who went down with an injury in the second half. Coach Frank Haith reportedly announced after the game that Bowers would undergo an MRI Wednesday to assess damage to his left knee.
3. No. 15 Ohio State 74, Purdue 64
Ohio State needed to bounce back after a loss over the weekend to Illinois. They got that Tuesday, with a solid road win over Purdue. The Big Ten conference schedule is unforgiving, though, and the Buckeyes meet No. 2 Michigan next.
Starred
1. Quinn Cook (Duke) 27 points, 12-of-16 shooting, 5 assists, 4 steals
When Ryan Kelly went down with a foot injury in the first half Tuesday against Clemson, Cook stepped up in a big way. His 27 points were a career high and propelled Duke to a blowout victory. If Kelly is to miss a significant amount of time, Cook’s added production will be welcome.
2. Brandon Young (DePaul) 35 points, 13-of-22 shooting, 5 assists
Though the Blue Demons fell to Connecticut, Young had an impressive individual game. Young has been the second scoring option for Oliver Purnell’s team behind Cleveland Melvin, and those two together give DePaul at least a couple assets as they move into Big East play.
3. DeAndre Daniels (Connecticut) 26 points, 9-of-12 shooting, 8 rebounds
The Connecticut backcourt of Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright has been the focus all season, but DeAndre Daniels will be important for the Huskies as Big East play moves on. There will no postseason this year, but it is about building for the future. Daniels is part of that bright future.
Also of Note: Jabari Brown (Missouri) Career-high 22 points, including 5-of-7 from three-point range
Struggled
1. Georgetown’s Offense (Again)
The Hoyas have had a few ugly offensive outings this season, including a 37-36 win over Tennessee earlier in the year. Tuesday night at the Verizon Center was no exception. The Hoyas shot 36 percent from the floor, turned the ball over 16 times, and mustered just 45 points.
2. Tyler Brown (Illinois State)
Brown, the second-leading scorer for Illinois State, got just two shots (0-of-2) in a loss to Missouri State. He also missed two shots from the free throw line and finished with 0 points.
3. James Kinney (San Jose State)
Kinney has been San Jose State’s leading scorer all season, but he struggled with a 3-of-18 shooting night against New Orleans. His team was able to compensate, pulling together to get the victory.
Three Facts
1. Duke will need Ryan Kelly back to maintain this level of play in the ACC. His ability to stretch the floor changes the dynamic of the Blue Devil offense and having him back as soon as possible will be key.
2. The same goes for Missouri and Laurence Bowers. He has been a great story this year, having come back from major knee surgery to be so integral to Missouri’s early season success, but if problems begin in his other knee, it could be a blow to the Tigers’ hopes in the SEC.
3. Georgetown needs to fix whatever is wrong with its offense or it will risk not reaching the NCAA tournament. Against a tough Big East conference schedule, having scoring droughts like the one seen Tuesday night will not suffice.
Top 25 Scores
No. 1 Duke 68, Clemson 40
No. 10 Missouri 84, Alabama 68
No. 13 Creighton 91, Drake 61
No. 15 Ohio State 74, Purdue 64
Pittsburgh 73, No. 19 Georgetown 45
Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_