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Not the usual Thanksgiving leftovers
Maui may be over, but turkey day still provided plenty of college hoops highlights, starting with some standout guard play down in Atlantis from Jeremiah Fears and Chucky Hepburn. Plus: Purdue and Ole Miss delivered in MTEs, Illinois crushed Arkansas, we set up the weekend's games, and much more.
Tristan Freeman
November 29, 2024
Good morning! You didn’t spend yesterday watching football, did you? If the so-so NFL games left you with a queasy stomach, don’t worry. We’ve got some tasty college basketball games to highlight.
Even better? We’ve got a special Black Friday deal! For just the next few days, you can purchase The Field of 68 Daily PREMIUM for just $25. That’s half off the usual price!
1. Star guards emerge in Battle 4 Atlantis games
Most people dismissed Oklahoma entering the season. The Sooners were picked to finish 15th out of 16 teams in the SEC and they had to replace four starters.
Maybe that fresh start was just Porter Moser’s program needed.
Oklahoma was quietly one of five unbeaten programs entering the Battle 4 Atlantis, but had played no one of note. That changed after beating Providence on Wednesday, and following it up with an 82-77 upset of No. 24 Arizona on Thursday.
The Sooners (6-0) led for all but two minutes against Arizona (3-3), led by a standout performance from freshman guard Jeremiah Fears, who produced a season-high 26 points and five assists. He’s averaging 18 ppg, and looks ready to compete against the high-level SEC players.
Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears continues to impress—26-5-5, four 3s in a W over Arizona. Getting to spots with quick, decisive change of direction. Moves like a pro guard. Tough adjustment finishes. Shooting, decision-making remain questionable but just turned 18 + clear shotmaking,… x.com/i/web/status/1…
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass)
1:13 AM • Nov 29, 2024
The Sooners play Louisville in the Atlantis championship game. The Cards (5-1) needed overtime to get past West Virginia, 79-70. Chucky Hepburn’s career-high 32 points led the way, and showcased why he’s one of the best two-way guards in the nation. He outplayed West Virginia’s Javon Small, who produced 26 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
That’s an interesting third-place matchup between West Virginia and new Big 12 program Arizona, which counts as a non-conference game
The consolation side of the bracket wasn’t as compelling. Gonzaga steamrolled Indiana, 89-73. Oumar Ballo had 17 early points to keep the Hoosiers (4-2) in the game, but No. 3 Gonzaga (6-1) simply ran them off the floor behind scored 57 first-half points. Six players were in double figures; point guard Ryan Nembhard went for 11 points and 13 assists.
Gonzaga now faces Davidson (5-1), which handled Providence (5-2) from start to finish. The Wildcats led by 20 at halftime and won 69-58, led by Bobby Durkin's 20 points and forward Reed Bailey's 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Friars shot just 31% from the field, and only Jayden Pierre (14 points) and Wesley Cardet Jr. (13 points) were in double figures.
That seventh-place game between Indiana and Providence might be really important for one’s team psyche coming out of the tourney.
2. Purdue, Ole Miss on collision course
One of the reasons why the Rady Children's Invitational was appealing was that three of the four teams (BYU, Ole Miss and NC State) had yet to play high-major competition. And we learned a little about each one, while Purdue remained true to form.
