LOGAN AIRPORT - I'm sitting in the terminal as my flight is delayed leaving out of Boston to Indianapolis. I'm just hoping I make it to Indy in time for the NCAA's mock bracket. I think I've probably ticked off the NCAA folks a few times in the past with things I've written; I don't need to upset them with being late today. 

If you haven't seen it, check out the latest halftime interview the other day between sideline reporter Jeanine Edwards and Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie. 

http://deadspin.com/5151613/things-are-still-a-bit-frosty-between-billy-gillispie-and-jeannine-edwards?autoplay=true

A couple weeks back, Gillispie said that Edwards asked a "bad question." The bottom line is that head coaches often feel that the halftime questioning is poor, but few react the way Gillispie has recently. 

Here's why UConn is the top team in the country.

``You can stop great offensive players, but there's nothing you can do to stop a great defensive player," Syracuse long-time assistant Mike Hopkins said.

He was referring to Huskies big man Hasheem Thabeet.

Thabeet has become the most dominant defensive player in college basketball over the last decade. Is he better than Patrick Ewing?

I'm not ready to go that far.

But Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim was - and he's been around a little while. So has UConn coach Jim Calhoun.

``I've always said that Patrick is the most intimidating force ever in the league," Calhoun said after Thabeet thoroughly dominated Syracuse last night. ``But Hasheem is awfully close."

Thabeet was completely taken aback when he heard that statement.

``That's a blessing and a compliment," said the humble 7-foot-3 Tanzanian. ``He's a Hall of Famer. I'm just working hard every day to get better."

STUD OF THE NIGHT: Dayton may have punched its ticket to the NCAA tournament with a 71-58 victory over Xavier. The Flyers got 19 points from sophomore Chris Wright and Brian Gregory's team ended a six-game losing streak to the Musketeers. Dayton sits at 22-3 overall and 8-2 in A-10 play.

DUD OF THE NIGHT: Wake Forest lost its fourth game in the last six games - this time against a struggling N.C. State squad. Demon Deacons star guard Jeff Teague was bothered by a box-and-one and was just 2-of-3 from the field in the loss, which put Wake at 5-4 in ACC play. Remember, this is a young club that needs to figure out how to overcome adversity after starting the season 16-0.

STAT OF THE NIGHT: He may as well share co-Stud of the Night honors with Dayton. LSU's Tasmin Mitchell finished with 41 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and had five assists in a huge double-overtime win over Mississippi State that gave the Tigers first place in the SEC west with a 20-4 overall mark and a 8-1 record in league play.

UNDER-THE-RADAR PERFORMANCE: Utah knocked off San Diego State to move into sole possession of first place in the Mountain West with a 8-2 mark. The Utes got 21 points and 10 boards from Shaun Green.

ON TAP:  The Pac-10 takes center stage tonight with two key matchups: UCLA at Arizona State and USC at Arizona. Notre Dame is also in a must-win situation with a home game against Louisville. Gonzaga will also travel to Saint Mary's to face the Patty Mills-less Gaels.