College basketball highlights: UConn-Marquette, Penn State-Northwestern, more

The further we go into the week, the higher the stakes in the world men’s college basketballlike the major conference tournaments, including the Great East, ten grand, big 12 i Pac-12 – Get started on Friday.

The day began with an intense matchup between Big Ten regular season champion Purdue and Rutgerswhich saw the Scarlet Knights fall short in a game that went down to the wire in Chicago.

Big East champion Marquette and defending national champion Kansas currently playing, while Pac-12 regular season champion UCLA will be in action later in the day.

We’ve got you covered with all the action from start to finish from across the league.

Here are the best moments!

UConn vs. Marquette (Big East)

Hot start!

Marquette came out of the gate swinging, setting the tone with a monster dunk on the first play of the game.

Big buckets

UConn wasted no time making a statement of its own, sinking a 3-pointer for its first points in Friday’s tilt.

Penn State vs. Northwestern (Big Ten)

Style points

Northwestern jumped out to a 4-0 lead to start, but Penn State also had some tricks up its sleeve. Exhibit A:

Stay tuned for updates!

Ohio State 68, Michigan State 58 (Big Ten)

Hot start

Ohio State was first to strike in this one, but Michigan State’s Tyson Walker sparked a run for the Spartans early.

The Buckeyes then heated up as the first half began, connecting one shot after another to build a small lead.

Throw it down big man!

Ohio State big man Felix Okpara hit a two-handed layup to give the Buckeyes a 24-17 lead over the Spartans.

The Buckeyes led 33-24 at halftime.

Ohio State’s Felix Okpara goes for a dunk

Do not quit smoking

The Spartans went on a run early in the second half after a much-needed spark from Mady Sissoko, who made a massive block to swing Michigan State’s momentum.

Michigan State’s Mady Sissoko records a foul block against Ohio State

Eyes on the prize

Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton drained a quick bucket off a soft pass from teammate Sean McNeil that extended their lead to double digits, 46-36, midway through the second half.

Ohio State held on for the win by the same margin, 68-58.

Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton makes the quick bucket

Purdue 70, Rutgers 65 (Big Ten)

And let’s go!

Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi accounted for the first points of the game on this smooth reverse dunk.

The Scarlet Knights jumped out to a 12-4 lead for the first official TV timeout, making a big statement beforehand.

Rutgers’ Clifford Omoruyi drops a one-handed reverse dunk against Purdue

Keep it close

Purdue continued a partial 5-0 midway through the first half to keep Rutgers within arm’s reach, 17-10.

The Scarlet Knights had a few tricks up their sleeve, however, as the first half continued. Exhibit A: Cam Spencer.

Boom!

Boilermakers center Zach Edey slammed it home to tie things up for Purdue before halftime.

It was one one point game at the break, 29-28.

Purdue’s Zach Edey delivers a MONSTROUS two-handed jam against Rutgers

From here to there

Rutgers regained the lead early in the second half, but Purdue turned up the heat and didn’t hang around for long.

Not the way they drew it

Rutgers guard Derek Simpson drained a 3-point jumper to make it a one-point game, 50-49, late in the second half after the team’s opening drive went awry. was planned

Rutgers continued carry the pressure with one big bucket after another as the game wound down.

High voltages

Things heated up as the final moments approached. Edey was rated at flagrant 1 foul during the sequence, in which players from both teams got dusty on the court.

In the end, the Boilermakers were able to hold on to the lead and secures victory, 70-65.

GOING UP:

Iowa State vs. Kansas (Big 12)