Notable Results From Sunday, November 20

Alabama 65, Purdue 56
The Crimson Tide played some great defense in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Classic championship game, but the Boilermakers were complicit. Purdue runs a lot of screens off the ball, but they don't really have the shooters to make this offense work. The three-pointers that were falling (45-for-101 from deep in their first four games) weren't against Alabama (5-for-22).

Northwestern 80, Seton Hall 73
I tuned in for the final seven minutes or so of this one, just in time to see Drew Crawford (27 points) and John Shurna (19) pull away from Herb Pope (32) and the Pirates. Northwestern is the only BCS school never to play in the NCAAs, and with Shurna returning and Crawford apparently stepping up, they've got a real shot at it in a less-tough-than-usual Big Ten. The three teams the Wildcats beat on their way to the Charleston Classic championship -- LSU, Tulsa, and the Hall -- are likely bubble teams, at best, but these three wins could go a long way for Northwestern.

Connecticut 87, Coppin State 70
22/12/13: Shabazz Napier messed around and got a triple double on Sunday, sparking UConn after the Huskies trailed by 13 early. Here's a little secret: I have a tendency to shout "Shabby Napes!" every time I watch UConn and Napier does something good.

Kentucky 62, Old Dominion 52
The youthful Wildcats struggled against the experienced Monarchs, but raw talent goes a long way in college basketball.

Temple 78, Wichita State 74 (OT)
I watched this one, but didn't have enough to say for a full write up. Wichita State's interior defense is strong, both in the post and helping on penetration, but the perimeter defense needs improvement.

Saint Louis 77, Washington 64
This is the year that Rick Majerus' Billikens should make a splash, and this is a good start.

St. Joseph's 79, Tulsa 75
This is a good win for the Atlantic 10 over Conference USA. The Golden Hurricane can't be happy with a 1-2 record out of three games in Charleston.

Iona 89, Maryland 63
If you can't score against the Gaels, you can't score against anyone. If their performance in Puerto Rico is any indication, the Terps will struggle in the halfcourt again this season, which seems like a recurring theme with them year after year. Meanwhile, Scott Machado dished out 15 assists for the second straight game, and finished the three-game tournament with 41 dimes. Doug Gottlieb think he's the best point guard in the nation.

Belmont 87, Middle Tennessee State 84 (2OT)
Look, double overtime games are always going to be notable.

Long Island 80, Vermont 75