The numbers you should know

Here are a few numbers behind Monday's results:

1. Michigan State topped Northwestern 65-62 despite making just one free throw in five attempts. That includes misses on all three attempts in the final 3:11 during which the Wildcats went on a 12-3 run and very nearly made a miraculous comeback. It’s just the fourth time in the last 15 years that the Spartans have hit fewer than two free throws in a game (all were on the road). The last time Michigan State won a game like this one? On Feb. 28, 2004, MSU didn’t even attempt a free throw in a 25-point blowout of Penn State.

2. With three minutes to go in the first half, Kentucky trailed Penn by nine points and had shot just 34.5 percent. In the final 23 minutes, the Wildcats shot 81.5 percent (22-27) to win by 24 points. Kentucky starters not named DeAndre Liggins were a perfect 12-for-12 after halftime. As a team, UK was 12-for-13 from two-point range in the second half.

3. The key stat in St. John’s 61-58 win over No. 13 Georgetown? The Red Storm committed only four turnovers, their fewest in any game over the last 15 years. Meanwhile, Georgetown turned the ball over 14 times, leading to 19 points for St. John’s. For a team so focused on guard play, the turnover battle appears to be the Hoyas’ biggest weakness. Georgetown is committing 1.7 more turnovers per game than its opponents, which puts them tied for 271st in the nation. Opponents are averaging only 12.5 turnovers, 294th in the nation. In their three losses, the Hoyas committed a combined 20 more turnovers than their opponents.

4. Last season, Oklahoma State’s bench averaged just 12.7 ppg, fewest in the Big 12. On Monday, the Cowboys revealed some pop in reserve. Four players reached double figures off the bench in a 79-63 win over UTSA. The bench combined to shoot 68.2 percent and score 50 points. Jean-Paul Olukemi scored 16 off the bench to lead the way. He’s averaging 14.0 ppg over his last five games while shooting 73.3 percent. The other three OSU reserves to score in double figures (Reger Dowell, Markel Brown, Darrell Williams) all reached career-highs.

5. Southeast Missouri State coach Dickey Nutt picked up his 200th career win on Monday, and he has Leon Powell to thank. Following up a six-point performance against SMU last week, Powell exploded for a career-high 36 points. He was 11-for-13 from the field and made 14 of his 20 free throws, tied for the seventh-most attempted in a game this season.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/20595/the-numbers-you-should-know

Mario Chalmers Dwayne Wade Brian Wilson Eli Whiteside Mike Fontenot Brett Pill