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LATE NIGHT SNACKS: Kris Dunn returns, Marcus Paige gets hurt?

Kris Dunn, Elliott Pitts

Kris Dunn, Elliott Pitts

AP

GAME OF THE NIGHT: No. 10 Providence 90, UMass 66

This was less game of the night than it was news of the night: Kris Dunn, who had sat out the last two and a half games with a virus, dressed out and played well. He finished with 14 points and 11 assists, logging 24 minutes and hitting a pair of threes in the process. We know how important Dunn is to this team, and to see him return from whatever it was that was ailing him -- it was initially reported to be a stomach bug, and a stomach bug that keeps you on the shelf for more than a week sounds like the worst thing in the entire universe -- and be back at 100 percent is huge. Big East play starts in exactly 10 days, and it will be the Friars paying a visit to Villanova. He’s going to be ready.

IMPORTANT OUTCOMES

No. 7 North Carolina 94, Appalachian State 70: The Tar Heels blew out App State, so the result doesn’t really matter. What does matter, however, is that Marcus Paige injured his ankle. The program said after the game that he jammed his right ankle while trying to block a shot midway through the half. He went back to the locker room before returning to the game, although he only played 17 minutes and was held out for much of the second half.

“I’m going to be fine,” he told reporters after the game. “And I’m not just saying that. Last year I was saying I was fine but I was hurt. This is nothing.”

Oregon 72, Alabama 68: Oregon used a 21-6 run to open the second half and erase a 12-point deficit as they overcame a slow start to beat a feisty Alabama team in Birmingham on Monday night. Dillon Brooks led the way for the Ducks with 23 points and five assists. Jordan Bell moved into the starting lineup, sending Chris Boucher to the bench.

No. 19 West Virginia 84, Eastern Kentucky 59: Devin Williams had 15 points and eight boards as the Mountaineers rolled over EKU.

STARRED

Brice Johnson, North Carolina: Johnson continued to play like a man-possessed, going for 22 points and nine boards as the Tar Heels rolled over Appalachian State. He was 9-for-12 from the floor and is now averaging 24.7 points and 9.3 boards while shooting 75.6 percent since Kennedy Meeks got injured.

Ben Bentil, Providence: There’s an argument to be made that Bentil is the best big man in the Big East, and he proved it again on Monday night, finishing with 32 points and 12 boards in the win over Providence.

NOTABLES


  • Domas Sabonis had 23 points, eight boards and six assists for Gonzaga as they knocked off Pepperdine to kick off WCC play on Monday night.
  • Henry Ellenson had 19 points and 13 boards to lead Marquette to a 91-74 win over Chicago State.
  • Demetrius Jackson led four players in double figures with 17 points as Notre Dame beat Youngstown State, 87-78.
  • Northwestern blew out Sacred Heart, 103-67, on the back of Alex Olah, who finished with 21 points.
  • Dwayne Bacon continued to play well, going for 20 points and 10 boards as Florida State knocked off Charleston Southern.