No one gave Marquette a chance.

Myself included.

When I went down to Milwaukee this past offseason for Buzz Williams' media practice, I got a chance to spend some time with the players and coaches.

I figured cracking the top 10 of the Big East would be a minor miracle after freshman point guard Junior Cadougan suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in September.

It's still not a lock, but the Golden Eagles have put themselves in the equation for an NCAA tournament bid with victories against Xavier and Michigan down in Orlando.

"I bet a lot of people are (surprised)," said Marquette senior Lazar Hayward, the one recognizable player left after the departure of guards Jerel McNeal, Dominic James and Wesley Matthews. "I'm not."

Hayward was the only returning player who averaged at least six points per game last season. Williams has virtually no choice but to go with guards Mo Acker and David Cubillan for extended minutes (they played 57 against Michigan).

This Marquette team has taken on the persona of their coach, Williams, and best player. Two guys who came up with little to no fanfare and had to outwork people.

"If we play as hard as we can and are as tough as we can be, we have a chance to win," Hayward said.

Hayward had 22 points and nine boards in the upset over Michigan, while Jimmy Butler added 17 points and nine rebounds. Junior college transfers Darius Johnson-Odom and Dwight Buycks combined for 27 points.

"Now, I think people will realize that Marquette isn't as bad as everyone thought," Hayward said.

"On paper, both of the teams we just beat may be more talented. But with the way we play, we overcome some of that."

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I hope everyone had a better Turkey Day than UCLA had yesterday.

STUD OF THE NIGHT: Marquette's Lazar Hayward, who watched all three of his amigos leave (Jerel McNeal, Wesley Matthews and Dominic James) after last season and then saw his starting point guard, Junior Cadougan, go down with a season-ending injury in the preseason. Hayward had 27 points in an upset over Xavier down in Orlando.

DUD: UCLA - The Bruins have now lost to Cal State Fullerton and Portland thus far in the early season. Sure, the Bruins are young and didn't have much time to practice together due to a lengthy injury report in the preseason. However, getting crushed to Portland, 74-47, is downright embarrassing for a program that went to three straight Final Fours not too long ago.

MID-MAJOR STAR: We're giving it to two of the top shooters in the nation - Portland's Jared Stohl and T.J. Campbell. We had both in our preseason list of top 50 shooters and they combined to go 8-of-10 in the rout over UCLA - with Stohl making all five of his attempts from beyond the arc.

STAT: West Virginia junior college shooter Casey Mitchell had 18 points to lead the Mountaineers and was 4-of-7 from long distance. With Devin Ebanks still serving a suspension, Mitchell stepped up.

ON TAP: I'm making the drive to Madison Square Garden for the top game of the day:

1. UConn vs. Duke in the Preseason NIT title game: I just wish Mason Plumlee and Ater Majok were both playing.

2. Florida vs. Michigan State: The Gators have a chance to become nationally relevant again with an upset.

3. Texas A&M vs. West Virginia: Ebanks is expected to return for the semifinal contest in Anaheim.

To check out Jeff Goodman's Twitter, click here.

Sources told FOXSports.com that West Virginia sophomore Devin Ebanks would sit today's game against Long Beach State but would play Friday in the second round of the 76 Classic in Anaheim.

Ebanks has missed the first few games due to a personal matter, but look for the talented 6-foot-8 Ebanks to return to the court against Texas A&M.

With Ebanks, the Mountaineers are a legitimate Final Four club. Without him, they are just another team in the top 25.

To check out Jeff Goodman's Twitter, click here.

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.

To check out Jeff Goodman's Twitter, click here.

If anyone could take a season-ending injury, it's Texas.

The Longhorns lost starting guard Varez Ward to a season-ending ruptured quad that he suffered when he fell awkwardly in pre-game warmups on Tuesday night.

Most teams wouldn't be able to recover from an injury to their starting guard and still compete for a Final Four and a national title.

However, the Longhorns aren't most teams.

Rick Barnes has two point guards – freshman J'Covan Brown and Dogus Balbay – who combined for 22 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in the victory against the Panthers.

The Longhorns coach also has plenty of options on the wing between freshman Avery Bradley, senior Justin Mason and small forward Jordan Hamilton.

However, the loss of Ward will hurt. The Texas staff had been raving about him all offseason as the team's most improved player. While his numbers appeared ordinary (6.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.3 apg), Ward is one of those intangible and glue guys who helps you win titles.

To check out Jeff Goodman's Twitter, click here.