STUD OF THE NIGHT: San Diego guard Brandon Johnson, who missed most of last season due to injury, scored 22 points to lead the Toreros to a 76-64 win against Oklahoma in the first round of the Great Alaska Shootout.

DUD: Today's a day to be thankful, not negative. Not giving out this award on Thanksgiving. Bad karma.

MID-MAJOR PLAYER OF THE NIGHT: Niagara's Bilal Benn had 14 points and 18 rebounds in a 10-point win over Mount St. Mary's.

STAT: Eric Bledsoe drilled a long 3-pointer in the final minute that helped Kentucky escape with the victory over Stanford. Bledsoe, not considered much of a perimeter shooter, is now 11-for-22 from long distance for a sizzling 50 percent.

ON TAP: Play gets going in Anaheim and Orlando today. It'll be interesting to see if West Virginia's Devin Ebanks returns to the court.

Here are my top three games:

1. Minnesota vs. Butler: Tubby Smith is still without freshman Royce White and junior college big man Trevor Mbakwe due to suspensions, but this remains a top 25 matchup.

2. Creighton vs. Michigan: Here's a first-round contest in Orlando. Creighton lost its season opener to Dayton, while John Beilein & Co. have had one of the easiest schedules thus far.

3. Texas A&M vs. Clemson: Both of these teams are NCAA tourney contenders. Many have Clemson as the top 25 team, and a win here would make me a believer, also.

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