The Second Season arrives....sorry I'm late

It's been a crazy past couple of weeks. Now that my feet are back in place and I'm not going anywhere for a while, let TFS proceed!
Conference season is now in full swing and we've already seen some riveting matchups and statistical tempo-free abnormalities.
Some highlights of the past weekend or so in complete universe-chaotic subnormal random order:

1. Ducks a quakin' -
Just 2 days ago, the Ducks of Oregon gave up a colossal 47% of UCLA's missed shots back to the Bruins for second chances, yet still mostly held a 8-9 point lead throughout until narrowly escaping with a dramatic shot and defensive hold to upset the number one team in the nation. Being in attendance, I can fully back Kenpom's praise of the Duck's Mary Leunen. A complete presence on the floor on the defensive end, with tremendous position holding and rebounding ability coupled with great hands and smart eyes on the offensive end. Like he said, his stats will never rise to the top (18 points, 7 boards with 1.13 ppws and 15% rebounding % on both ends), but his effort is a joy to watch in person.

2. Holding serve -
Big MVC win down in Cedar Falls, Iowa for Northern Iowa over the Salukis of Southern Illinois. The movers and shakers of the MVC have to hold serve on their home court this year (Northern Iowa spoiled Wichita St's hopes of that on 12/30), and the Panthers somehow notched a win by nailing their numerous free throw attempts (22 of 29 vs. 9 of 13 for S. Ill) and by keeping their turnovers low (16%) as they've done all season.

3. Hoggin the SEC-
After the two Texas school losses, the Arkansas is back on track after winning 4 straight before their big game in Gainesville on Tuesday. The Hogs held 'Bama to .82 points a possession on 38.7% eFG and forcing a 20% turnover rate. Meanwhile on the offensive end, they shot well (56.6%) and kept their turnovers extremely low (only 7 in a 74 possession game). A good primer for the "big one" (see variations on words starting with Buck) tomorrow night, check out Hogs-Gators for a high-flying SEC matchup at 7 eastern on the Uno.

4. UCanned
Trying to make sense of the linkage here:
Uconn was beaten by LSU by more than double digits, who was beaten by as much against Washington, who lost by roughly the same margin to Gonzaga, who lost by that margin to a slew of teams, let's say Virginia, who lost by that to Utah, who lost by that to Northwestern, who lost by that to Penn St who lost by that to Seton Hall, who lost by double digits to Providence, who lost by that to Brown who of course lost by 10 to Albany, who brings it all back together, because they lost to U Conn by 31.
What does this mean? Either the universe is going to implode upon itself in the next 5 minutes or we've got yet another unpredictable college season (duh, isn't that every season). But look at what happens when the Huskies finally venture out from their friendly confines of the home court.
After averaging 1.1 points a possession and 51.5% eFG this season, Uconn managed .67 ppp, on dreadful 33% eFG with 18% 3pt shooting against Big Baby and the Tigers.
A long Big East road for them indeed.

5. Hokies enact revenge-
Last year's heartbreaker (depending on what side you were on) was made right for the Hokies in their ugly (on Duke's end) but successful upset bid in Cameron. V Tech limited their turnovers, while Duke continued to spark their own demise with 22 turnovers in a 70 possession game, for a high-flying 31% to rate. Puke! Paulus continued his butter fingers by coughing up 6 of those with only 18 minutes of playing time. Duke shot well (54% efg) but obviously, the turnovers were in far too great of numbers to overcome.

Others of note (since I'm still catching up. Still no order)

812. Wazzu a force in Eastern Washington against the Sun State schools.
23. Texas and Durant were cruising in their 80 possession game blowout in Colorado
54. Air Force continues....
743. The Orangemen laid waste to Marquette in Milwaukee in a turnover-infested bloodbath (26% for the winners, 30% for the losers) in a high-paced 77 possession game. 43 turnovers in all.
434. Indy's solid home win to stay out of the Big Ten early-weekend-cellar
253. Stanford's crazy last-second win against Virginia. 14 lead-changes with 53 total free throws. Produces a true who's who of who's beaten who.

Plenty more, but let's start