CS&T/AllsportsAmerica Wednesday Sports News Update, 11/13/2013.

Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica

Sports Quote of the Day:

"People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success." ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!! Chicago Bears: New NFL Power Rankings Provide Moral Victory Despite Actual Loss.

By Evan Altman

COMMENTARY | The Chicago Bears lost to the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon, saw Jay Cutler struggle through injuries both new and old, and found out that Charles Tillman is gone for the rest of the regular season. Despite all that, the Bears managed to stay relatively steady in the various power rankings this week.

But at the end of the day, it's the division and conference standings that count, so there's really no such thing as a moral victory in the NFL. But this week's rankings do show that the Bears are still viewed as superior to all but the 10 teams in the league.

ESPN - No. 11 (last week: 9)

Compiled by a staff of six experts, this breakdown noted the O-line's failure to open adequate holes for Matt Forte, whose average gain before being hit was only seven-tenths of a yard. Maybe they felt that mentioning the QB situation or the defensive attrition would just be beating a dead horse. Either way, the Bears drop only 2 spots.

Shutdown Corner - No. 11 (last week: 12)

Frank Schwab moves the Bears up one spot, mainly on questions over whether they could have won had McCown entered the game sooner. While it's blurry now, hindsight will be 20/20 by Week 17.

Brian Billick - No. 10 (last week: 12)

After a win at Lambeau Field vs. the Green Bay Packers last week, the Bears moved up 1 spot. After a loss at home to the Detroit Lions, they move up 2 spots. This is either an indictment on Billick's judgment or on the strength of the bottom 2/3 of the NFL.

Pro Football Talk - No. 16 (last week: 13)

Mike Florio hints at a quarterback controversy, or at least questions Jay Cutler's long-term future in Chicago as he drops the Bears three spots in this week's rankings. Given his propensity for biting sarcasm, this is a relatively bland blurb. It's worth noting that this is one of only two ranks I surveyed in which the Bears dropped.

Pete Prisco (CBS) - No. 12 (last week: 12)

The Bears stand pat with Pete this week, due in large part to an upcoming matchup with the reeling Baltimore Ravens.

Bleacher Report - No. 11 (last week: 11)

Matt Smith of B/R praises Jay Cutler's bravery and correctly blames the Bears' porous defense for the loss. While injuries are mounting in Chicago, the NFC North is still up for grabs.

I had included the rankings from WhatifSports.com in past articles, but chose to replace them with Bleacher Report this time around. Part of that was due to the fact that they just had so much variance from the human polls. More than that, they didn't update for this week as quickly as the other services.

Looking at the aggregate ranks for the week, the Bears come in at 11.83, only fractionally worse than last week's 11.5. They're skating on very thin ice at this point though, and will need to beat the Ravens next week, not just to maintain their ranking, but to keep pace with the Lions.

Sorting through Bears playoff chances: The math doesn’t work.

By John Mullin

The losses of Jay Cutler and Charles Tillman, in the wake of ones to Lance Briggs, Henry Melton, Nate Collins, D.J. Williams, put the season outcome in obvious distress. Playoffs? Hard to make the math work.

That was on Mike Florio’s mind when Mike and I chatted Tuesday on “ProFootballTalk Live!” and Mike shared the sentiment. Even with Cutler, the math is problematic.

The main reason I mentioned to Mike really had less to do with the quarterback situation; Josh McCown has played extremely well in his limited stints and it is entirely possible for the Bears to defeat Baltimore, St. Louis, Minnesota, Dallas and Cleveland with McCown. None of the next seven opponents are above .500 and three of the four Bears losses have been to good teams: Detroit twice and New Orleans.

But there’s the rub.

The second loss to the Lions effectively squashes the chance to overtake Detroit, which has an equally dominate-able schedule. That’s a divisional issue.

As important, all four of the Bears’ losses have been to NFC teams. The Bears are 3-4 in conference, trailing the other second-place teams in other divisions.

The Carolina Panthers, already in front of the Bears with a 6-3 record, is 6-2 in conference. The Panthers have a very difficult remaining schedule – New Orleans twice, New England, and their “easy” games (Atlanta, Miami) are on the road – but unless they start losing fast, the Bears will lose tiebreakers there.

San Francisco (6-3) is 3-2 in conference. Even Arizona, up to 5-4, is 4-4 in conference play.

Throw in Green Bay, which projects to get Aaron Rodgers back before the Bears regain Cutler, and there are simply too many teams ahead of the Bears for them all to falter.

How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Hawks notes: Circus trip preparations, Rozsival update.

By Tracey Myers

The Chicago Blackhawks stayed out of their skates on Tuesday, opting for an off-ice workout after being completely off on Monday.

They’ll enjoy these rest/light practice days while they can because very soon, their schedule is going to get very hectic.
 
Starting with Thursday night’s tilt against the Phoenix Coyotes, the Blackhawks will play 10 games in 17 days to wrap up November. That includes that lengthy circus trip that will keep them on the road from Nov. 18-30. So while this early part of the week has been light, the Blackhawks won’t complain.

“These days here are going to be important,” Johnny Oduya said. “It’s nice to not skate today, to get in the gym, do some work and get back on the ice tomorrow. This is an important couple of days to get some rest, focus and get back at it.”
 
The circus trip isn’t new to anyone on the Blackhawks roster. This is the time of year when they have to buckle down, stay as fresh as possible and get ready for the onslaught of games. The Blackhawks have fared well on the road this season (5-1-1), so that’s not a concern. But keeping their energy level up will be pivotal, and these days come in handy for that.

“Looking on our schedule here, going forward, it’s going to be pretty intense,” Niklas Hjalmarsson said. “So these days when you don’t have to get on the ice, it’s going to mean a lot when you have those back-to-back games and three (games) in four nights. It’ll be an advantage for us.”

UP AND DOWN

The Blackhawks’ penalty kill took a hit – make that two hits – in allowing the Edmonton Oilers two power-play goals on Sunday night. Coach Joel Quenneville was admittedly not happy with the outing, especially with the team’s kill coming off a 6-for-6 performance against the Dallas Stars the previous night. But players say they’ll keep working at it.

“Except for the start it’s been OK,” Oduya said. “You don’t expect it to be perfect every night, but there are some things. There’s always room for improvement.”

ROZSIVAL UPDATE

Michal Rozsival is “doing better,” according to Quenneville, after taking a puck to his mouth on Sunday night.

“He lucky where he got it. It didn’t cause severe damage,” Quenneville said.

As for whether Rozsival plays/is available for Thursday night’s game against Phoenix, Quenneville said the team will re-evaluate after Rozisval practices tomorrow.

NHL unveils chrome Blackhawks logo for Stadium Series.

By Nina Falcone

The Blackhawks and Penguins will be taking the ice at Soldier Field on March 1 to play one of three Stadium Series games the NHL is hosting this season.

In honor of the upcoming series, the league decided to create a new look for the teams playing in the outdoor games by adding a chrome filter to each team logo. 

Here's a look at the Blackhawks' Chrome Collection design. Same logo, different editing tool.

Same goes for the Penguins, Islanders, Rangers, Ducks and Kings.

 

 

 

 

 

But the New Jersey Devils get to go back in time as the green was added back into their logo.

The NHL is expected to release the new jerseys for the series sometime in the next few weeks.

Just another Chicago Bulls Session... Bulls' Rose listed as day-to-day with minor hamstring injury.

AP Sports

The Chicago Bulls say Derrick Rose is day to day with a sore right hamstring.

Rose winced after he drove down the lane for a twisting layup with 3:39 left during Chicago's 96-81 victory over Cleveland on Monday night. He remained in the game for a short time before coach Tom Thibodeau called for a timeout to put in Kirk Hinrich.

Rose called it a minor sprain after the game, and the 2011 NBA MVP thought he would be able to play Friday night at Toronto.

The Bulls issued a one-line update for Rose on Tuesday, just saying he was day to day and calling it a sore hamstring.

The Bulls are scheduled to practice on this morning.

Ex-Jazz ball boy sells sneakers given to him by Jordan.

By Evan Moore

Believe it not, a Utah Jazz fan has fond memories of Michael Jordan.

Preston Truman, who was a ball boy with the Utah Jazz during the 1997 NBA Finals, is now selling the sneakers Jordan gave him after the infamous “Flu game,” in an auction.

The Air Jordan XII, were worn by the Bulls’ legend when he scored 38 points in game five of the NBA Finals. The sneakers were also autographed.

Truman told the Salt Lake Tribune that he thought it would be a good idea to ask for the shoes after Jordan remembered him from earlier in the season.

"Are you doing anything with your shoes after the game?,” Truman asked.  Jordan asked. "Why, you want them?"

Truman responded, "I would be honored."

Jordan also posed for a picture with Truman, further authenticating his story.  

The bidding for the game-worn Air Jordan XII sneakers will begin at $5,000 on Nov. 18 at Grey Flannel Auctions.

Torre: Action possible against plate collisions.

By RONALD BLUM (AP Sports Writer)

Lou Brock's shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Rose's bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era.

Major League Baseball Executive Vice President Joe Torre said Tuesday momentum is building toward taking action that would help prevent collisions at home plate.

''There's a pretty good possibility that something eventually will happen,'' he said Tuesday after a meeting of big league general managers. ''Whether it's going to be soon enough to have it done this coming year, that remains to be seen. But I don't think it's impossible.''

Torre said a written proposal will be developed that will be discussed when GMs gather again during the winter meetings, to be held at Lake Buena Vista from Dec. 9-12.

''There are college rules where you have to slide. I'm not saying that's what you're going to do.'' Torre said. ''The players are bigger, stronger, faster. It's like in other sports. They've made adjustments and rules in other sports for that reason, to protect people.''

Torre said collisions when pitchers cover the plate on wild pitches and passed balls also are an issue. He planned to discuss the matter Wednesday with baseball's rules committee.

 ''You're going to have very understanding people there, a feeling that something has to be done,'' he said.

A change for 2014 would need the approval of the players' association.

''Suffice it to say, the players have some thoughts of their own regarding home-plate collisions as well as a number of other topics,'' union deputy executive director Tony Clark, a former All-Star himself, said in an email to The Associated Press. ''We'll be addressing them all when we meet next month.''

Discussion to limit or ban collisions has intensified since May 2011, when San Francisco's Buster Posey was injured in a collision with Florida's Scott Cousins.

Posey, an All-Star catcher, sustained a broken bone in his lower left leg and three torn ligaments in his ankle, an injury that ended his season.

Posey returned to win the NL batting title and MVP award in 2012, when he led the Giants to their second World Series title in three seasons.

''All that we know now about what's happening in any sport with collisions and concussions has to be examined, not only from the catcher's standpoint, but from the baserunner's standpoint,'' Giants general manager Brian Sabean said. ''Do you really want anybody in harm's way and should they allow there to be any malicious intent in baseball?''

Torre said he will get together at the winter meetings next month with San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy and St. Louis skipper Mike Matheny, who retired as a player after the 2006 season because of a concussion.

''I'd be in favor of further discussing that position and ending that situation,'' New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. ''I don't think catchers should be getting pounded. I'd certainly be in favor of changing that rule.''

Concussions have become a bigger issue in baseball. David Ross of Boston and Alex Avila of Detroit jettisoned their hockey-style headgear and went back to old-style, heavier catcher's masks because of foul tips. Ross missed a large portion of the season after concussions caused by tips off the bat of Toronto's Colby Rasmus and Baltimore's Manny Machado.

''Guys are throwing harder on a consistent basis, the ball moves more, more foul tips,'' Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said. ''Our catcher takes a beating on a day-in, day-out basis.''

One unified global tour coming, predicts Kuchar.

Reuters; (Writing by Patrick Johnston; editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

The PGA and European Tours may soon join forces to create one unified global golf circuit, world number eight Matt Kuchar predicted on Tuesday, a move which could address scheduling complaints from top players.

The American believes the Asian and Australian Tours could also figure in the unified circuit, which was first mooted by golf great Greg Norman in the 1990s.

"I absolutely do see the PGA Tour, the European Tour, the Asian Tour, the Australian Tour somehow turning into some sort of global world tour," Kuchar told reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday ahead of this week's Australian Masters.

"I think it will be in my time.

"I think it seems like it's coming quicker in this last year ... we may all be saying Greg Norman was right in the day."

Packed schedules on both the European and U.S. tours allow players to compete for big purses for 12 months of the year but problems have arisen of late.

The coveted cream of top golfers are unwilling to play every week, leaving tours and sponsors adopting different tactics to protect their value and retain talent.

World number one Tiger Woods has been criticized by HSBC for skipping their lucrative World Golf Championship event in China in recent years, the American preferring a shorter schedule to boost his chances to add to his 14 major championship titles.

Woods told Reuters last week he backed other players to do the same.

The European Tour were criticized for imposing a rule that members must play in two of the three events leading up to this week's DP World Tour Championship in Dubai to be eligible for the last of the four Final Series tournaments.

That decision was described as 'farcical' by former British and U.S. Open champion Ernie Els.

Last year, the Asian Tour lost a restraint of trade case in the Singapore courts brought by four players they had fined for entering events on the rival OneAsia circuit.

Last week, professional golfers had the opportunity to play major events in America, Turkey, India, Australia and Japan with several other options also available in lower ranking circuits around the world.

That number will increase further next year with the PGA Tour, the biggest of the golf circuits, unveiling plans last month to launch a new development circuit in China called the PGA Tour China, following similar projects in Latin America and Canada.

Power Rankings: Did you expect anyone but Jimmie for our finale?

By Nick Bromberg

(Getty Images)

1. Jimmie Johnson (LW: 1): Funny how the race that obliterated Johnson's championship hopes last season is the one that puts him on the precipice of title number six. Raise your hand if you think Kenseth is going to come back from 28 points down. Exactly, I don't see any of them. And now let's introduce a fun feature that we're going to end this year's Power Rankings with. What 2013 song most resembles your driver's season? For Vader, it's Lady Gaga's "Applause." And do we need to explain that given what’s likely going to be happening after the race next week?
  

2. Kevin Harvick (LW: 4): That’s quite the way to go back-to-back at Phoenix, eh? Hard to believe that Harvick has also been the beneficiary of two races in the last two years where he’s assumed the lead on the last lap – on Sunday and in last year’s Coca-Cola 600 when Junior was out of fuel. 2013 song: Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.” Martinsville explains that one, so we won’t.

3. Matt Kenseth (LW: 2): Don’t count this as anything less than a success for Kenseth, even if you wanted him to prevent Jimmie Johnson from winning a sixth title. OK, he still could do that, he’s just going to have to crash Jimmie himself. How much would that please the Vader-hater contingent? 2013 song: Katy Perry’s “ROAR.” Jack Roush wasn’t holding Kenseth back, but did even Joe Gibbs Racing see this coming?

4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (LW: 3): It’s not fair to move Junior down a spot after he finished fourth despite having to pit under green for a loose wheel. But who said that Power Rankings were ever fair? After Harvick’s win, fourth in the standings is actually attainable as well. He’s just six points behind Kyle Busch for the spot in the standings. 2013 song: Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble.” That about sums up Junior’s race at Chicago.

5. Jeff Gordon (LW: 5): When thinking about songs to describe Jeff Gordon, I can’t help but thinking of “E.I.” from Nelly when he name drops Gordon while driving in his black SS with the navigation. First off, Jeff Gordon’s car doesn’t have navigation. That’s probably illegal. Secondly, you can tell I’m a child of the 90s and early aughts with that reference. And thirdly, we need a 2013 song. That 2013 song: Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky.” Again, no explanation needed.

6. Kyle Busch (LW: 6): It’s a shame that no one wrote a song this year about cleaning up on junior circuits or getting any girl he wanted in high school and college and then finding that the real world isn’t that easy. But there isn’t, so we’re going to go with a single event that defined Busch’s season. 2013 song: Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive.” That describes Busch’s relationship with Kansas Speedway perfectly.

7^. Carl Edwards (LW: 11): Have I lost my mind? A four spot bump for running out of fuel a mile too soon? Oh why the heck not. Edwards looked like he was going to cruise to a third win of the season and a second Phoenix win had that gas tank not run dry. 2013 song: Lana Del Ray’s “Summertime Sadness” because while Edwards’ summer wasn’t as bad as it was last year, a couple more wins would have gone a long way.

8. Joey Logano (LW: 9): After asking the question if Joe Gibbs Racing saw Matt Kenseth’s season coming, did Penske Racing see Logano’s season on the horizon? The answer to that question is yes, however probably a “no” in the context of Brad Keselowski’s season. Logano was a viable Chase contender heading into the season. It’s just that no one figured he’d be the top performer at Penske. 2013 song: Capital Cities’ “Safe and Sound.”

9. Clint Bowyer (LW: 7): So are you disappointed or not that we didn’t have a Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer redux at Phoenix? Silence was probably for the best, as we didn’t need endless looping replays of two incidents when we come back to February. And Gordon and Bowyer function pretty well with the “yeah, THAT guy” intimations. 2013 song: Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball.” Again, self explanatory. And itchy.

10. Greg Biffle (LW: 8): If it wasn’t for the Chase, would we have seen something more out of Greg Biffle either at Texas or at Phoenix? Revenge in a playoff-less season is a bit more justifiable if there’s not championship implications at stake. Hell, if Jimmie wasn’t in the thick of the Chase, would he have done something? 2013 song: Baauer’s “Harlem Shake.” If only because I want to see Biffle do the Harlem Shake.

11. Kasey Kahne (LW: NR): Yes, we do remember you Kasey. You were that guy who fell out of the Chase early. Glad that the mojo didn’t completely leave with that New Hampshire spin. I went on record last week with a Junior win prediction at Homestead. Kahne’s going to be in the thick of it there too. 2013 song: Ylvis’s “The Fox.” If anyone could tell us what the Fox says, it’s Kenny Francis.

12. Kurt Busch (LW: NR): Much like Kahne, Busch emerged from near-past Chase irrelevancy with a fifth-place finish. Had Furniture Row’s 1.5 mile performances not tailed off towards the end of the year, he’d be a sleeper candidate at Homestead. And maybe he still is, because he’s not as much of an outright favorite as he would have been a week or two into the Chase. 2013 song: Zedd’s “Clarity.” The same could go for Martin Truex Jr.

Lucky Dog: Juan Pablo Montoya finished sixth. One more race until Montoya is off to IndyCar. Is another top 10 in the offing before he leaves?

The DNF: This is not the way that David Ragan wanted to end his season.

Dropped out: Ryan Newman, Mark Martin.

Mexico's World Cup obstacle: New Zealand.

By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ (Associated Press)

Mexico last missed the World Cup in 1990. It could happen again unless it beats New Zealand in a two-game playoff beginning Wednesday at Azteca Stadium.

Mexico received a gift courtesy of the United States just to reach this stage. The U.S. scored two late goals to defeat Panama, sending the Mexicans to the playoff.

Otherwise, Panama would have advanced and Mexico would have been out.

Mexico played poorly during qualifying, struggling to score and finishing behind the U.S., Costa Rica and Honduras - the three earned the automatic berths from the CONCACAF region.

El Tri has gone to extraordinary measures in hopes of reaching Brazil, bringing in Miguel Herrera to handle the two-game playoff in the latest of a series of coaching changes. Herrera, the coach of the Mexican club America, has overlooked the country's Europe-based players, like Manchester United's Javier Hernandez, and is going with players from Mexico's domestic league.

Mexico must find a way to score, and it should have an overwhelming advantage at home.

The altitude in Mexico City is 7,350 feet and the thin air always hurts visiting teams. And the home crowd at the 100,000-capacity stadium is usually intimidating.

''We'll do it here,'' Herrera said. ''I'm sure that Mexico will get the advantage so we can relax in Wellington and finish the job. This is the idea. To take care of business at home.''

''That's why we have a local team,'' he added. ''We have players who are used to playing at this altitude.''

Mexico is expected to start Oribe Peralta up front, and team him with Aldo de Nigris or Rual Jimenez.

World Cup organizers would surely prefer to have Mexico - a relative neighbor - in the field than New Zealand, which would bring few fans.

Herrera was the fourth coach hired by Mexico in a span of six weeks.

''We are in the process of leaving behind the past and looking toward the great opportunity we have,'' Herrera said. ''We are not overconfident. An excess of confidence would make us think our rival is a step below us.''

New Zealand was the only team that didn't lose a match in the 2010 World Cup - drawing all three games - although it did not advance from the group stage. New Zealand has been training in Southern California and travels to Mexico at the last moment, hoping to beat the altitude adjustment.

New Zealand's key problem - besides the altitude - may be the absence of West Ham defender Winston Reid with an ankle injury.

The second leg is Nov. 20 in Wellington, and coach Ricki Herbert is likely to be cautious in Mexico and play for a draw. He knows Mexico will try to pile up the goals.

''That presents a strong challenge for us, but also a good one,'' he said. ''If we can be tight and very resolute we can put ourselves in a position to showcase our talents at home in the second leg.''

Term limits set for playoff selection committee.

AP Sports

The College Football Playoff selection committee concluded its first meeting by setting staggered term limits for its 13 members.

The committee will set the matchups for the new postseason system that starts next season. The goal is to always have experienced members of the committee.

The terms for former Air Force Academy superintendent and retired Gen. Mike Gould, Southern California athletic director Pat Haden, former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne and former Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese will end February 2016.

Terms for Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez, West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck, former Mississippi quarterback Archie Manning and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will end in February 2017.

Terms for former NCAA vice president Tom Jernstedt, Arkansas athletic Jeff Long, Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich, former USA Today college sports writer Steve Wieberg and former Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham expire in February 2018.

No. 2 is No. 1 as Spartans beat Kentucky 78-74.

By NANCY ARMOUR (AP National Writer)

As the buzzer sounded and his Michigan State teammates raced onto the court to celebrate, Gary Harris held his index finger aloft.

 

No doubt about who's No. 1.

For now, at least.

Branden Dawson tipped in a miss with less than six seconds left, and the No. 2 Spartans hung on for a 78-74 victory over top-ranked Kentucky and its latest cast of phenoms in the first game of the Champions Classic on Tuesday night.

''We want to be No. 1 at the end of the season,'' Keith Appling said. ''Not the beginning.''

Keep playing like this and the Spartans (2-0) are sure to be in the conversation come the end of March.

Kentucky, too. After trailing by as much as 13 in the second half, looking like the freshmen most of them are, the Wildcats (2-1) showed why there's so much hype surrounding them. Julius Randle almost beat the Spartans single-handedly, scoring 23 of his 27 points in the second half and making a jumper with 42 seconds left that cut Michigan State's lead to 76-74.

But Dawson tipped in a miss by Denzel Valentine, and James Young missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

''You got guys crying in there, which is a good thing,'' Kentucky coach John Calipari said. ''I want it to hurt like that. I knew this would get their attention. The biggest thing is if you don't do this together, you won't win. You'll never be a special team.''

This was the earliest 1 vs. 2 match-up, and first since Feb. 23, 2008, when Tennessee beat top-ranked Memphis. The Tigers coach then? None other than Calipari.

This game had even more hype, mostly because of the Kiddie Cats. Much has been made of the youngsters, with good reason. The last time Calipari had a roster this star-studded, the Wildcats won a national title.

This group might be even more impressive.

Six were McDonald's All-Americans, and all are considered lottery picks in next summer's NBA draft, with Randle a possibility for the overall No. 1. The youngsters did nothing to lessen the hype in their first two games, with Randle averaging 22.5 points and 15 rebounds, and the Harrison twins averaging in double figures. No wonder the game brought out scouts from almost every NBA team and celebrities including Nazr Mohammed and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

But the Spartans aren't exactly slouches, returning six of their top seven scorers.

Just as important, big-time games like this are nothing new to them, with Izzo routinely scheduling the likes of Connecticut, Duke, North Carolina and Kansas before Jan. 1.

''They're really good,'' Calipari said. ''This is the second game out and they go 17 assists to seven turnovers? That's unbelievable. Again, understand we're not the greatest defensive team, but 17 and seven? With these lights and all that's going on around them? They're well coached. They played well.''

Appling came within two rebounds and two assists of a triple-double, finishing with 22 points, and eight rebounds and assists. Harris had 20 points and Adreian Payne had 15 points and four rebounds for the Spartans.

Kentucky had strolled through its first two games, with Randle and the other freshmen coming up big. But there's a big difference between those non-conference patsies and Michigan State, and the Spartans let the Wildcats know what they were up against from the opening tip.

Smothering the Wildcats defensively and leaving them flat-footed with their surprising speed on offense, Michigan State had a 10-0 lead before Kentucky got its first bucket. The 'Cats had seven turnovers before the midway point of the first half, and would finish with 17.

And it was clear that, with four freshmen in the starting lineup and another getting heavy playing time, the Wildcats are still getting used to each other, too. At one point, Andrew Harrison rifled a no-look pass to Willie Cauley-Stein that Cauley-Stein wasn't expecting, and the ball sailed out of bounds.

They struggled at the line, too, going just 20 of 36.

''They're going to get a lot better. Give them credit,'' Izzo said. ''But I thought we played awfully well for a lot of that game.''

Still, the Spartans got in foul trouble midway through the second half, and the slower pace gave the Wildcats time to catch their breath and regroup. It also gave a seething Randle an opportunity to work out his anger.

''What I loved about him, he gritted his teeth, was ornery and nasty and he wanted to put them on his shoulders,'' Izzo said. ''For a freshman, that speaks volumes. He completely did that. You could see it and hear him. Tough kid.''

Randle scored nine points in a 13-1 run that cut Michigan State's lead to 60-59 with 8:05 left, including a ''How'd he do that?'' off-balance jumper from behind a sea of green jerseys. He and Andrew Harrison each made a pair of free throws to tie the game at 66 with 4:48 left.

But Appling drilled a 3, and Harris stripped Randle at the other end. He took it in for a layup that put the Spartans back in front, 71-66, bringing the Michigan State fans - including Spartan in Chief, Magic Johnson - to their feet.

Randle wasn't done just yet, however. After Andrew Harrison's free throws Kentucky within 76-72 with 1:33 to play, the Wildcats pounced on an Appling turnover and Randle scored on a jumper. But Dawson's tip-in sealed the win.

''I keep reiterating: They're going to get a lot better,'' Izzo said. ''But I honestly believe so will we.''

Wiggins' surge helps No. 5 Kansas edge No. 4 Duke.

By JAY COHEN (AP Sports Writer)

Andrew Wiggins soared toward the hoop as Jabari Parker made one more attempt to stop his fellow freshman star.

No such luck. Wiggins owned the end of Parker's impressive homecoming.

Wiggins scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half, outplaying Parker down the stretch and helping No. 5 Kansas knock off fourth-ranked Duke 94-83 on Tuesday night.

Parker, a former prep star at nearby Simeon High School, had 27 points, nine rebounds and three steals in a spectacular return to his hometown. But it was Wiggins who made the biggest plays in the final minutes of a taut thriller between two storied programs.

Wiggins drained a stepback jumper to give the Jayhawks an 85-81 lead with 1:33 to go, and then had a fast-break dunk while being fouled by a trailing Parker. Wiggins held his arms out and yelled after the big dunk, delighting the raucous crowd at the United Center.

Ellis finished with 24 points and Wayne Selden had 15 for the Jayhawks (2-0), who went 27 for 35 at the foul line, compared to 16 of 28 for the Blue Devils. Wiggins also had 10 rebounds despite battling foul trouble for much of the game.

Kansas scored 17 of the final 23 points after Rasheed Sulaimon made a jumper for Duke that tied it at 77 with 3:50 left.

Amile Jefferson had 17 points for Duke (1-1), which dropped to 7-3 in the all-time series against Kansas. Rodney Hood scored 11 points.

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