HOT | NOT

HOT: MOUNTAIN HIGHS

The Mountain West is climbing. Consider: San Diego State topped UCLA 78--69; Wyoming knocked off then No. 19 Colorado 76--69; Boise State beat No. 11 Creighton 83--70 (led by Derrick Marks's 35 points); and through Sunday no MWC squad had a losing record.

NOT: TECH FOUL

Louisiana Tech, 9-3 and the nation's leader in ppg (51.5), got invited to the Independence Bowl but took too long to respond while hoping for a better offer. Now Tech won't play in a bowl. Tweeted LT alum Karl Malone, "This is exactly what is wrong with our university."

HOT: OLÉ, ALEX

Alex Morgan knocked in a goal (44 seconds in) and had an assist in the U.S.'s 2--0 win over Ireland last Saturday. It was the 23-year-old's 28th goal this calendar year, putting her on pace for 30, a mark only two U.S. women (Abby Wambach, '04; Michelle Akers, '91) have matched.

NOT: SAC'D, AGAIN

The Kings (4--12), blown out 116--81 by the Clippers, seem headed for a seventh straight losing season. Sac has the West's worst point differential (--6.9) and is winless on the road. Head coach Keith Smart's riding a .350 career winning percentage in four seasons.

HOT: BENGALS, BEARS, OH MY!

Hopeless a month ago at 3--5, Cincinnati (7--5) staved off the Chargers 20--13 on the road for its fourth straight win. Meanwhile, across town, the No. 17 Bearcats are 7--0 after senior PG Cashmere Wright hit a 12-foot buzzer-beater over Alabama on Saturday.

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PORTER BINKS (WRIGHT)

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RICH PEDRONCELLI/AP (SMART)

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LARRY C. LAWSON/CAL SPORT MEDIA (MORGAN)

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KEVIN JAIRAJ/US PRESSWIRE (MASCOT)

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JOHN S. PETERSON/ICON SMI (MARKS)