College basketball is often won on the margins, and rarely is that more evident than it was Saturday. No. 2 Kansas won a nail-biter by two after TCU pushed the Jayhawks to the brink (and may have won if not for a questionable flagrant foul late). No. 6 Kentucky escaped Gainesville and the O’Dome with a two-point win over Florida. And No. 17 Florida Atlantic — a preseason top-10 team fresh off a Final Four last season — lost by two to Charlotte. The Owls squandered a potentially legendary comeback by sending the 49ers to the foul line to win it in the final seconds. Less than a week into the new year, FAU is already in possession of a polarizing resume
Of course, just because games are often won on the margins doesn’t mean they’re always won on the margins. And guess what? That was also plenty evident Saturday! Just ask Arkansas — humbled at home in a 32-point beatdown at the hands of Auburn. Or West Virginia — which went into Big 12 newcomer Houston’s digs and got pummeled, 89-55. Even No. 22 Ole Miss flamed out in spectacular fashion as No. 5 Tennessee stunted to a 26-point victory in Knoxville.
There is no through line or conclusions we can draw from the games in totality, either. Big or small, wins and losses often happen at random. That’s what makes this beautiful sport so much fun to follow.
There was a lot to follow on Saturday, though, and with the College Football Playoff finale on tap for Monday and the NFL regular season winding down, we won’t fault you if you missed some of the action. But guess what? We didn’t. We pored over results, grinded tape, and — fresh out of the oven — we have a whole host of winners and losers from the day that was to dole out.
Winner: Kansas magic keeps Jayhawks unbeaten at home
TCU led by two points with just under one minute to play, but a questionable Flagrant 1 foul called on Ernest Udeh (ironically, a former Kansas player) gave Hunter…
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