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The Morning Mix

Otto Porter game winner

Wednesday night chaos has become a weekly occurrence this season. Penn State shocked the world, getting their first Big-Ten win of the season, beating No.4 Michigan. Georgetown got their first win inside Gampel Pavilion, needing Otto Porter heroics to defeat UConn in double-OT. Texas rallied back from a 22-point deficit to defeat Oklahoma. Arizona lost to USC, and Chane Behanan almost killed Worrel Clahar.

As you can see, we have a lot to get to.

So let’s hit the links.

Thursday’s Top games:
7:00 p.m. - No. 16 Ohio State @ Northwestern
7:00 p.m. - Detroit @ Temple
8:00 p.m. - Utah State @ No. 25 Louisiana Tech
9:00 p.m. - No. 3 Duke @ Virginia
11:00 p.m. - No. 2 Gonzaga @ BYU
11:00 p.m. - Oregon State @ No. 24 Oregon

Read of the Day:
A phenomenal feature on cardboard big heads. Yep, your read of the day is about cardboard big heads. But seriously, it’s written by George Dohrmann, the author of “Play Their Hearts Out”, so you know it’s good stuff. Read it. (Sports Illustrated)


Top Stories:
Otto Porter delivers again in 2OT win over UConn (VIDEO):Georgetown trailed Connecticut by seven points in double overtime, 78-71, with 2:03 to play. But Otto Porter scored five of the final seven points, including the game-winning layup with nine seconds remaining.

No. 4 Michigan upset by Penn State, how worrisome is their defense? Teams that struggle with defensive efficiency don’t often survive March Madness very long. Prior to giving up 84 points against then-0-13 Penn State, the Wolverines ranked 42nd in defensive efficiency. That’s not good if you want to contend for a National Championship.

Akron takes control of the MAC with thrilling, OT win over Ohio: The Akron Zips extended their NCAA-leading 19-game win streak last night, defeating the 2012 MAC Champions 88-81 in one of the best seasons of the game. It was high-major #MACtion.

Just how good is New Mexico? Is a No. 1 seed in their future? Potentially: With three games left in regular season play, the Lobos have a stranglehold on the Mountain West Conference championship. But just how good is this New Mexico team? With all the movement within the top-10, a No.1-seed come March isn’t out of the question.

Louisville’s Chane Behanan delivers the most violent dunk of the season (VIDEO): Unquestionably the most violent display of posterization I have ever seen. Just watch.

Bubble Banter: Who helped their tournament chances?Creighton, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Boise State all kept their NCAA Tournament hopes alive with wins last night.

Bubble Banter: Who hurt their tournament chances? Oklahoma, Wichita State are all watching tournament bids slip by the wayside.


Hoops Housekeeping:
- Fairleigh Dickinson will reportedly fire coach Greg Vetrone at end of season. (College Basketball Talk)

- A proposal to build a statue of Terrapin-great Len Bias at a local high school has been withdrawn because of concerns that it would send the wrong message to students. (Washington Post)

- The status of UNLV forward Anthony Bennett is day-to-day as he continues to deal with shoulder pain. (Las Vegas Sun)

- Florida has dealt with the injury bug all season. On Wednesday, all three banged up Gators, Will Yeguete, Michael Frazier and Casey Prather were cleared to practice again. The Gators will need a healthy squad if they want to contend in March. (Alligator Army)

- Iowa State police are investigating death threats made against Kansas guard Elijah Johnson following his heroic performance against the Cyclones on Monday. (Wichita Eagle)


Observations & Insight:
- Oh look, ANOTHER opinion piece about how college basketball sucks. Thanks but no thanks. (Virginia Pilot)

- Coaches want to control the game, which is why we are seeing less possessions and lower scores. (Post and Courier)

- Thanks to the Mountaineers loss to Baylor last night, Bob Huggins is one loss away from securing his first regular season losing record since 1985. (Eye on College Basketball)

- At the beginning of the month, back when TCU defeated Kansas, I broke down the top-ten upsets of the season. Penn State’s upset win over No. 4 Michigan last night is definitely worthy of a top-5 slot. (Eye on College Basketball)

- An updated look at the entertaining race for the Big-Ten Championship. Five teams still have a shot at winning the regular season title. (Inside the Hall)

- C.J. Moore attempts to explain why Kansas’ Ben McLemore has avoided clutch moments on the road. (Bleacher Report)

- Wanna know how I know Wednesday was bonkers? USC beat Arizona. Nobody saw that coming. (CBS Local Los Angeles)

- There is a strong debate forming about whether or not Gonzaga should be a No.1-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The last “mid-major” to do so was John Calipari’s Memphis team in 2008. How do the two squads compare? (Eye on College Basketball)

- A day after Coach-K said he was finished coaching Team USA basketball, Jerry Colangelo says that talk will have to wait. (ESPN)

- Maryland guard Seth Allen was almost forced to quit basketball after injuring his elbow in a 2007 bike crash. (Baltimore Sun)

- Oklahoma blew a 22-point lead with seven minutes remaining against Texas. Yeah, the Sooners might have a few issues. (Cream and Crimson Machine)

- According to an AP report, Miami booster Nevin Shapiro gave $170,000 in impermissible benefits to Hurricane players, recruits, coaches and others between 2002 and 2010. (Yahoo Sports)


Tweet of the Day:
Kentucky sophomore Ryan Harrow, formerly of NC-State, on his senior teammate Julius Mays, also formerly of NC-State AND Wright State. We all kid, but six years of college would have been awesome. (H/T @ThomasBeisner)

Harrow on Mays:"He was my host when I visited NC State in 10th grade...and he’s still in college.That’s why we call him Grandpa Julius.”

— Thomas Beisner (@thomasbeisner) February 28, 2013




Video of the Day:
Here’s the deal. I’m sick of the Harlem Shake and so are you. But this rendition from the Oakland Golden Grizzlies is just so hilarious, I had to share. The story behind the making of the video is just as funny. Seriously, I wouldn’t do this too you unless it was legit. This is legit. (Oakland Press)



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