Thursday's college basketball schedule is a busy one, thanks to play in three tournaments.
The headline event of the slate is the loaded Coaches vs. Cancer Classic semifinal round, featuring three top 15 teams. The first game of the doubleheader pits No. 13 Cal against Syracuse, which should have a sizable chunk of the Garden crowd behind them. In the second semifinal, No. 6 North Carolina takes on No. 15 Ohio State. The young Tar Heels, who have made plenty of mistakes in their first three wins so far, face a Buckeye squad led by veterans Evan Turner and David Lighty.
The top half of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off also features three ranked teams. Unfortunately, opening matchup between Chris Wright's No. 18 Dayton Flyers and No. 21 Georgia Tech, featuring heralded freshman big Derrick Favors, will only be on regional television. The winner of that one will face either No. 5 Villanova or CAA power George Mason in Friday's semifinals. The bottom half of the draw features four teams who are flying below the radar. SEC West contender Ole Miss and rebuilding Indiana meet, with that victor taking on either Big 12 sleeper Kansas State or America East favorite Boston University in the semis.
"Under the radar" would also be a good description of all eight teams playing in the Charleston Classic, as none made the NCAAs last season, though NIT champ Penn State. Davidson and South Carolina were close.
You can follow all three events here on SB Nation.
Syracuse vs. No. 13 California, 7 p.m. ET
Orange game discussion at Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Golden Bear game discussion at California Golden Blogs
FINAL: Syracuse crushed Cal, 95-73
Scoop Jardine had 22 and Wesley Johnson chipped in 17 and 11 boards as the Orange won in their second home.
No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 15 Ohio State, 9:30 p.m. ET
Tar Heel game discussion at Carolina March
Buckeye game discussion at We Will Always Have Tempe
FINAL: North Carolina hands on to beat Ohio State, 77-73
Tar Heels' balanced attack barely enough to withstand Jon Diebler and the Buckeye 2nd-half surge.
No. 21 Georgia Tech vs. No. 18 Dayton, 11:30 a.m. ET
Game discussion at From The Rumble Seat
FINAL: Dayton squeaked by Georgia Tech, 63-59
Paul Williams had 7 of his 13 in the final moments to give the Flyers the win.
George Mason vs. No. 5 Villanova, 2 p.m. ET
FINAL: Villanova edged George Mason, 69-68
Isaiah Armwood's first career field goal and a big defensive stop gave the Wildcats a comeback win.
Mississippi vs. Indiana, 5 p.m. ET
Rebel game discussion at Red Cup Rebellion
Hoosier game discussion at The Crimson Quarry
FINAL: Ole Miss ran past Indiana, 89-71
Murphy Holloway made 12 of 18 field goals to score 26 for the Rebels in a big win over the Hoosiers.
Kansas State vs. Boston University, 7:30 p.m. ET
Game discussion at Bring On The Cats
FINAL: Kansas State knocks out Boston University, 80-70
The Wildcats advanced to a semifinal matchup against Ole Miss after a 10-point win over the America East favorites.
Tulane vs. Miami (Fla.), 1:30 p.m. ET
Game discussion at The 7th Floor
FINAL: Miami blew away Tulane, 74-54
Dwayne Collins' double double (23 points, 14 boards) was a big reason for the Hurricane win.
UNC Wilmington vs. Penn State, 4 p.m. ET
Game discussion at Black Shoe Diaries
FINAL: UNCW upset Penn State, 80-69
On a day when George Mason came close, the Seahawks earned a big win for the CAA.
Davidson vs. South Florida, 7 p.m. ET
FINAL: South Florida defeated Davidson, 65-58
Augustus Gilchrist scored 21 in the Bulls win, with 15 of those coming from the charity stripe.
La Salle vs. South Carolina, 9:30 p.m. ET
Game discussion at Garnet And Black Attack
FINAL: South Carolina defeats LaSalle 78-68
Rodney Green leads Gamecocks with 23 in win over Explorers.
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