Happy Valentine's Night

The morning started off quite well, as The Playmaker's team ended its three game losing streak, winning 28-26. As we hinted at (via Twitter) this morning, we did, in fact, take the handcuffs off The Playmaker. He went off for 14 points, on 7-14 shooting. He was aided by the fact that two teammates were missing, so we were able to double-shift him more than normal.

After the W, we came home and grabbed some lunch before settling in for quality college basketball viewing:

1. We have to admit that Hasheem Thabeet is pretty darn good! We have never liked him for several reasons: He came thisclose to signing with Louisville, he can't do anything on O other than dunk and it just seems wrong that he should be that much taller than the rest of the players. But he has had a season worthy of Player of the Year consideration. Today, he damn near had a triple double as UConn beat Seton Hall in its first game without guard Jerome Dyson.

2. But the Player of the Year will be Blake Griffin! The Oklahoma sophomore bagged 40 and 23 today against Texas Tech. (40 & 23!) While Thabeet has at least five teammates who are future NBA ballers, Griffin has one (rookie guard Willie Warren).

3. Great finish between Syracuse and Georgetown! What a great game to watch, as the Hoyas came back from 16 down with under 8 minutes to play to force overtime. The 'Cuse missed some foul shots (shocker!) and Georgetown finally hit some outside shots. However, it was too much Jonny Flynn (25 points & 13 assists) and Eric "8-Mile" Devendorf (23 points and a killer trey to start the OT), as the Orange won, 98-94.

4. While that was going on, we switched over during commercials to the UCLA-Arizona game! There is no way UCLA is the 6th best team in the country. They don't play tough D and they are soft on the glass. Jordan Hill (22, 13, 2) is an athletic wonder for Arizona, and Nic Wise (26 big ones) shot the lights out. As for Chase Budinger, how is it possible he is still in college?!? It seems like he is on the Milt Wagner 10 year plan. The junior surfer/volleyball star/small forward literally did it all...17 points, 5 steals, 5 assists and 5 rebounds. (Heck, he even through in 6 turnovers.) Anyway, the Wildcats beat the overrated Bruins, 84-72.

5. Before dinner, we watched the Kansas-Kansas State game! K-State led early and often (up 16 at one point in the first half), but faltered in the second half, losing 85-74. This is not a championship caliber Kansas team, yet they will be a tough out next month. Point guard Sherron Collins (19 & 5) is back from last year's Title Team and center Cole Aldrich (21 & 7) has moved into the starting lineup quite nicely. One guy We Love, is guard Tom Brady Morningstar. Last year, he never played. Now, he logs 30 plus minutes a game. He was 4-4 on three pointers and was tough as nails on defense.