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It's difficult to figure where basketball will ultimately take Dior Lowhorn. Probably overseas, I'd imagine. Perhaps to the NBA, if he's lucky. But regardless the destination, the guy sure is developing some nice stories along the way, isn't he?
Lowhorn played for Bob Knight at Texas Tech.
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| Coach C loves to be intense, but he shouldn't. His Tigers are obviously tough at home. (AP) |
If Dean Smith isn't next on his list I'll be surprised.
Anyway, here's the Friday Look Ahead.
Game worth flying to see in person: The matchup of the weekend is again originating from FedExForum. Last Saturday it was No. 2 Memphis vs. No. 5 Georgetown. This Saturday it's No. 2 Memphis vs. No. 17 Arizona, and if the Tigers handle things and extend their 37-game home winning streak, they'll almost certainly take an 18-0 record into a Jan. 26 game with Gonzaga. Speaking of ...
Game worth driving to see in person: Playing at Xavier was tough for Tennessee last weekend, though it was just a tune-up for Saturday's Battle in Seattle against Gonzaga. The 11th-ranked Vols have won six consecutive games since losing to Texas last month. But this should be their toughest test in the stretch considering Josh Heytvelt's timing and conditioning will be better now that the Zags' big man has had nine days to prepare.
Game worth watching on TV: Much of last season's early Player of the Year debate revolved around Alando Tucker and Kevin Durant. Both are now gone and Texas and Wisconsin will meet in their absence Saturday at the Erwin Center in a matchup of two high-level programs that have managed to combine for a 20-3 record despite missing their stars of yesteryear.
Some non-BCS love: I've had Dayton ranked for a couple of weeks now and am not sure why AP voters aren't following suit. The Flyers are 10-1 with their only loss coming at George Mason, and they've got some better-than-you-think wins against Holy Cross and Miami-Ohio to go with a hard-to-ignore victory at Louisville. Simply put, I like this team. But if Brian Gregory wants the rest of the nation to pay attention, he'll have to beat sixth-ranked Pittsburgh on national television Saturday.
An obvious prediction: John Feinstein's most recent AP ballot has been widely ridiculed for its inclusion of American at No. 25. The Eagles are just 7-5 overall, and when they play at No. 8 Georgetown on Saturday, you'll see why placing them in any Top 25 is an indefensible act.
A crazy prediction (but it might happen anyway): How about Dayton over Pittsburgh? I mean, if I'm going to have the Flyers ranked higher than every other entity in the business of ranking teams, then I should be willing to back them with an upset pick, right?
Player trying to keep rolling: Blake Griffin gets most of the attention at Oklahoma, and for good reason. He's excellent. But lost to many is that the leading scorer for the Sooners the past three games has been Longar Longar, a senior who has made 20 of 30 shots while averaging 17.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in that stretch as he approaches Saturday's game with 23rd-ranked West Virginia.
Player trying to get rolling: Last season's star at Arkansas is having a sophomore slump. Patrick Beverley is averaging fewer points and assists (but more turnovers) while shooting a worse percentage on 2-pointers, 3-pointers and free throws. Predictably, Arkansas is also struggling relative to its preseason expectations and enters Saturday's game against Louisiana-Monroe with a 9-3 record despite not playing a single opponent ranked in the current Top 25. My guess is as soon as Beverley gets going, the Hogs will follow.
Three things you should know before you go
1. Charron Fisher is the nation's leading scorer heading into the weekend. He plays for Niagara and is averaging 27.3 points per game.
2. Jason Richards is the nation's leading assist man heading into the weekend. He plays for Davidson and is averaging 8.7 assists per game.
3. Michael Beasley is the nation's leading rebounder heading into the weekend. He plays for Kansas State and is averaging 14.0 boards per game.
Final thought: In a scheduling coincidence, Eddie Sutton and Scott Sutton will each be coaching in Utah this weekend. Eddie's San Francisco Dons will be at Weber State on Friday night while Scott's Oral Roberts Golden Eagles will be at Utah State on Saturday night.
As for Sean Sutton, his Oklahoma State Cowboys are off until Monday.
So he'll be able to sit back and relax and see if his father can notch career win 799.
