That Cupcake Didn't Go Down Easy

While some of the top 25 teams turned their Tuesday non-conference games into a highlight reel:

North Carolina 102, Florida Atlantic 52
Ohio State 75 (Sixers fans have hope!), Iowa State 56
Kansas 94, Winston-Salem 43

Others weren't having nearly as much fun in what were intended to be tune-up games.

UCLA seemed genuinely disinterested throughout their matchup with Sam Houston State. The game was played in front of a half-empty crowd at Pauley Pavilion and lacked any sense of urgency. Eventually, the Bruins were able to pull away to a 75-61 victory, but at no time did it feel like fans were watching the #1 team in the country.

Similarly, Duke never really got into a rhythm against a very tenacious Kent State team. The Golden Flashes (no really, that's their mascot) hung tough for 35 minutes, and even briefly held a small lead in the game. But Josh McRoberts' presence was too much inside, and his 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 blocks led the way as Duke held on to win 79-72. Still, this Duke team looks like it's a year away from being where it wants to be.

#23 Syracuse lost their game to Drexel, 84-79. Lost to Drexel? Jim Boeheim must have thought it was white boy day.