Sorry for the delay, but we were fully engrossed in last night’s Marquette-Indiana-Purdue Ft. Wayne match up. For all of the bitter crappiness that is Winter, the least college basketball could do is adopt a stronger system for non-conference games. The current system is roughly six weeks of “Ohio State vs Georgia Southern”, and while we mean no disrespect to those fine programs, there is a gaping hole in the sports schedule between the football regular season and the holidays. There’s not even any kind of meaningful professional business going on during the week, the least we can do is have something to wager on where the underdog is better than -450.

All of that said, there was some outcomes relevant to the national discussion this weekend, so without any further delay:

#9 Pitt exacts revenge on Oklahoma State 85-68

Freshman mountain-man DeJuan Blair goes 20/10 with 5 blocks as the Panthers take it to the Cowboys at home. Oklahoma State eliminated Pittsburgh in last year’s Elite 8, but the forward would have none of that in his new home. Junior guard Levance Fields scored 17 in support with 6 assists in the win. Oklahoma State’s Obi Muonelo came off the bench for 11 points. The undefeated Panthers host Duke this Thursday.

#11 Tennessee squeaks by the Hilltoppers 88-82

Wester Kentucky’s Big Red mascot is quite possibly the greatest to ever put on a whatsit, but it wasn’t enough to get past the visiting Volunteeers Saturday night. Freshman center Brian Williams scored 16 points with 14 boards, and senior guard JaJuan Smith led with 19 points as Bruce Pearl’s team advanced to 9-1 on the year. Western Kentucky has lost to Tennessee twice this year by a combined 10 points while also suffering a close loss to Gonzaga. The Vols round up December with trips to Xavier and Gonzaga later this month.

#16 Oregon fails to beat the Huskers at the line, lose 88-79 in OT

Tajuan Porter had a chance to spoil the ‘Huskers first game at the Qwest Center, but failed to sink his only free throw attempt with 9 seconds remaining. Once in the extra period, Nebraska took the early lead and never looked back. Senior center Alecks Maric was the leading scorer with 29 points. The game marks the first played at the new arena, over 60 miles from school’s the Lincoln campus.

Sun Devils rout #17 Xavier, snapping 7 game streak

Arizona State held the Cavaliers Muskateers to a dismal 30% from the field as the Sun Devils rolled to a 77-55 victory in Tempe. The game marked Xavier’s worst offensive showing of the season, their other coming in a 59-57 loss at Miami(OH). In contrast, ASU shot 60% outside the paint, including 10-19 from behind the arc. Led by sophomore guard Jerren Shipp’s 17 points, the Sun Devil’s scored 30 points off the bench.

#19 Butler tops Florida State, Purdue over Louisville in Wooden Classic

Butler’s senior guard AJ Graves sunk seven 3-pointers in the Bulldogs 79-68 victory over the Seminoles. FSU junior forward Uche Echfeu led both teams with 12 rebounds and 5 vowels. On the other half of the card, #20 Louisville failed again in their attempt to get Coach Pitino’s 500th win. Falling 67-59 to the Boilers, UL is now 5-3 including going 0-2 since Pitino’s 499th. Freshman Robbie Hummel led Purdue with 15 points, 5 boards, and 2 blocks.

North Carolina takes care of Rutgers 93-71 as Hansbrough hits the whatchamacallit

The Tarheel Tar Heel phenom hit the uh … the … that thing with the basket … what’s it called … the stanchion? Yeah…he hits the stanchion as UNC dominated the Scarlet Knights at the RAC. Teammate Ty Lawson scored 26 points with 5 assists and 4 steals while Hansbrough was too busy being concussed Gus Ferrotte style by an inanimate obejct. While coverage of the injury has been robust, we can’t get over how many times Raftery says stanchion. It’s just fun to say.

If there’s one thing thirtyfiveseconds.com is going to be dedicated to, it’s posting video of injuries and the gory way they happened. Basketball’s underrated for this: a forest of limbs flailing around while trying to dribble and pass the basketball makes for massive injury potential, particularly when players attempt to draw fouls on a charge. Do it right, and you’re the hoops equivalent of a skilled soccer player, grabbing your knee theatrically in triumph as the other player gets the foul called on them; do it wrong, and you’re talking with your ancestors and hyperventilating on the floor just like Tyler Hansbrough is below.

And to show we cater to all kinds: North Carolina fans, that’s a charge! And everyone who hates North Carolina: we repeat Will Leitch’s knock on the man, which is that he looks exactly like Beaker from the Muppets. And to New England Patriot fans: you only like him because he’s white!