SETH DAVIS'S Three-Pointer

Kemba Walker is the hottest player in the country right now. UConn's 6'1" junior point guard is averaging 30.0 points (tops in the nation) after leading the Huskies to surprise wins in the Maui Invitational over Michigan State and Kentucky.... Butler has been the season's biggest disappointment. The Bulldogs, who have three starters returning from last season's NCAA runner-up, opened the season at No. 16, but Ronald Nored & Co. have shot the ball poorly (34.2%) in losses to Louisville and Evansville and have fallen out of the rankings.... Lance Spratling is a true ironman. Southern Vermont's senior guard played all 75 minutes in the Mountaineers' seven-overtime loss to Skidmore 128--123 on Nov. 23. Spratling had 31 points, but he was 0 for 13 from three-point range.

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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH (NORED)