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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Friday / March 29.
  • LOUISVILLEPeyton Siva’s driving layup with 1.4 seconds remaining in overtime gave No. 6 Louisville a 62-60 win over No. 20 Vanderbilt.

    But it also helped the Big East — or as Louisville coach Rick Pitino calls it, “The Big Country” — go a perfect 4-0 Friday in the Big East/SEC Challenge.

    “I mean right now, the Big East, we could potentially take San Diego State into the Big East, so we’re going to call it the ‘Big Country,'” Pitino said. “It’s no longer the Big East, it’s the ‘Big Country Conference,’ seriously.

    “Or the ‘Big Universe.'”

    LEXINGTON, Ky. — Before the NBA lockout ended, all 30 NBA GMs were slated to attend Saturday’s North Carolina-Kentucky game.

    Now that the lockout is over, only 10 will be there.

    Which of course begs the question: Shouldn’t those 10 guys be back in the office working the phones trying to assemble their teams for the start of the NBA season Christmas Day?

    But I digress.

    Ten GMs are expected to be on hand for a game that one veteran NBA scout told me will feature 10 potential first-round NBA Draft picks, plus a couple more possible second-rounders.

    LEXINGTON, Ky. — On the eve of the big Carolina-Kentucky game, John Calipari said he hopes to continue the series after this year.

    Roy [Williams] and I have talked and both of us still want to play the series,” Calipari said Friday. “It’s important for both programs, but there’s only so many games you can play.”

    The two storied programs will meet for the 12th straight year, and have continually re-upped a series of two-year, home-and-home affairs.

    LEXINGTON, Ky. — It’s not whether you’re No. 1 during the regular season that matters.

    It’s whether you’re in the top spot when it’s all over.

    Nobody knows that better than Kentucky freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, whose team is currently No. 1 entering Saturday’s much-hyped matchup with his former Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick teammate Dexter Strickland and No. 5 North Carolina at Rupp Arena.

    Like Kentucky, Gilchrist’s St. Patrick team was undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation for much of last year.

    Tough break for Pittsburgh.

    Junior guard Tray Woodall will miss the next month due to a groin strain and abdominal tear suffered in Thursday night’s win over Duquesne. Doctors expect the former St. Anthony star to return to the court following four-to-five weeks of rest.

    “We anticipate that Tray will make a full recovery and join his teammates on the court soon,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. 

    LEXINGTON, Ky. — Bring on John Henson and North Carolina.

    That’s what Anthony Davis said after nearly pulling off only the second  triple-double in Kentucky history as the No. 1 Wildcats routed St. John’s 81-59 in the Big East/SEC Challenge at Rupp Arena.

    “I’m really looking forward to it,” the 6-foot-10 Davis said after notching 15 points, 15 rebounds and 8 blocks. “Henson plays just like me. He’s a great shot-blocker and I just can’t wait to go against him Saturday.”

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