During this past college football season, I started a weekly segment on this website called, "20 Thoughts From Another Saturday On My Couch." The write-up wasn't so much an analysis of what had happened over the weekend, as much as shop talk about the botched snaps, goofy haircuts and awful announcing that went on across college football, with a little serious pigskin chatter mixed in.

With college basketball season now in full swing, I've decided to bring back "20 Thoughts," with a roundball twist. Again if you're looking for detailed analytical breakdowns of the 1-3-1 zone or Kansas' half court offense, you'll be sorely disappointed. But if you want a rundown of the weekend's dumbest quotes and stupidest coaching mistakes with just a hint of occasional seriousness, well, enjoy.

Let's start with UConn's upset over previous No. 1 Texas...

1. The Biggest Reason Why UConn Won Saturday Was: Look, I love UConn. Anyone who knows me knows that. I watch every one of their games, and take every one of their losses a little too personally. Quite frankly if I put the same brainpower into real life that I do into this team, I might have cured cancer by now. Or at least been able to hold down a steady relationship with a girl.

Having said that, the biggest difference between UConn's game Saturday, and every other one this season wasn't improved foul shooting or half court offense. It wasn't the lack of second half turnovers. It was, that for the first time all year, the Huskies got real, tangible leadership from their seniors, Jerome Dyson and Stanley Robinson.

Don't get me wrong, I like both these guys a lot. I've had interactions with each, and they're both really nice kids. The problem is that sometimes they're a little too nice, which in basketball isn't necessarily a good thing. And with A.J. Price and Jeff Adrien on this team the last three years, Dyson and Robinson could always get away with just that, being nice, and focusing solely on basketball.

Unfortunately, however, those guys have been goine for six months. And up until this weekend, the leadership void was evident. It finally appears to be back.

Saturday was the first time all year- in victory or defeat- that I've seen Dyson in the huddle yelling at his teammates, imploring them, begging them to get it going. Needless to say, it worked...big-time. The Huskies dominated the second half, and held off Texas late, the way they were unable to against Duke, Kentucky and Georgetown earlier in the year.

Now with all that said, there is still a lot of work to do for UConn. They still haven't won a road game all season. But Saturday was the first time all season I felt really good about this team going forward.

I hope they feel the same way.

2. Alright, Enough With the Mushy Stuff, Let's Get to theLighter Side of the UConn-Texas game: Because honestly, the highlight of this game wasn't any of Dyson's 32 points, or a single Robinson dunk.

Nope, it was when announcer Clark Kellogg called Dyson, "Eel-like in his ability to get to the rim." To quote Verne Lundquist, who was working the game with him..."My Goodness!!!"

I mean honestly, how am I supposed to take this guy seriously when he says stuff like that? Eel-like? Really? Question, is it too late to get Billy Packer back? Because I'm thinking it might be time.

3. Another Fun Fact From the UConn-Texas: Did you hear the story that Lundquist told about how Rick Barnes said that more than Kevin Durant, Damion James considered himself a "one and done," player when he arrived at Texas? Absolutely fascinating.

Either way, give the kid credit, I'm sure never in a million years did he plan on being in Austin for four years. But each season he's gotten a little bit better, and taken the time to improve his all-around game in the offseason. He's now a 6'9 rebounding machine who can also step out and a 15-foot jumper just as easily as he can throw down a put-back dunk.

And oh by the way, while he never planned on being at college for four years it's worked out well. I'm thinking that he's made himself quite a bit of NBA money by staying for that long.

4. One Final Thought On This Game: Last week I joked about Texas point guard Dogus Balbay, saying he has that "Pau Gasol, 'After this game I'm going to the coffehouse to sip espresso and smoke unfiltered cigarettes,' look to him that I cherish in all my European born players." Honestly, I liked the joke so much, I decided to bring it back here.

But in all seriousness, Balbay might be the most important player to this Texas team. Against UConn he started the second half with no fouls, but quickly picked up three within the first 1:03 of play. When he left the game, the Longhorns were up 45-38. From there, they were outscored 50-29.

All I'm saying is that while there are holes in this guy's game, he's important. Like, really important. I know he struggles with his jumpshot, and for a point guard doesn't hit free throws particularly well. But if Saturday proved one thing, it's that Texas isn't the same team without him.

5. This Week's Sign That A Pac-10 Apocalypse Is Upon Us: Comes from my friend Paul, who was in attendance for the unwatchable matchup Saturday night between Arizona and Arizona State.

In the midst of a string of semi-inebriated texts that hinted at thoughts of homicide if the game didn't get a little more exciting, he sent this gem at 10:05 EST:

There's no way I make it through this game...If I try, I'm gonna end up jumping off the second level head first, but it's not high enough and I'd probably end up in a coma...Which is still better than this."

Well then, I guess that just about sums up just about everybody's thoughts on Pac-10 basketball this season.

As a matter of fact, I think that should be the slogan for the 2010 season: "Pac-10 basketball, where going into a coma is better than staying conscious and actually watching the games."

That's got a nice ring to it, no?

6. One Thought on Kentucky: I'm not going to delve too much into the Kentucky-Arkansas game Saturday, because honestly, I'm pretty sure that the Wildcats would have gotten a better challenge from the guy's I play lunchtime pick-up with than they did from the Razorbacks.

Even still, I've got to admit that I am STUNNED with the development of Eric Bledsoe this season, and need to give the kid a little credit.

Because let's be real here, this is a kid who has been the "man," everyplace he's played his entire life, up until the day he stepped foot on the campus at Kentucky.

And early in the year, I think he was lost. I saw him in person against UConn, and his body language and play seemed to suggest that he just wasn't sure how he fit in with this team.

Since then however, he's been phenomenal, scoring double-figures in six straight games, and if it wasn't for his 25 points Kentucky doesn't beat Florida either.

With everybody raised in a star culture in this day and age, let's give a little credit where it's due. Not just to the star of this team (Wall), but to the guy who's become a star, by not needing to be one.

7. Now, One Thought on Kansas: I thought Jay Bilas nailed it on Saturday night, when he said about the Jayhawks , "I don't think having Xavier Henry as your highest scorer is necessarily a good thing for this team."

Could. Not. Agree. More.

I've watched Kansas these past few weeks, and firmly believe that they're at their best when Sherron Collins is taking- and making- their biggest shots.

It's not that Henry can't score points, or shouldn't be the leading scorer in any given game. Just that Kansas is at it's best when Collins is their go to guy. Which is a scary thought for the rest of college basketball.

8. Now, One Thought on Villanova: I said last week that Villanova is one of only two teams this year in college basketball (Texas is the other), where it doesn't matter what five guys are on the court, they can all score.

Well during Saturday's game against St. Johns, announcer Doris Burke articulated that point even better, when she said, "You can talk about defensive pressure with most teams. But with Villanova, it's actually offensive pressure that they continue to put on you."

There's no need to add anything to that statement, because Burke just about said it all right there.

9. Speaking of Doris Burke: As you all have probably figured out by now, I can be pretty rough on announcers at times. Ok, that's kind of a major understatement. Saying I'm tough on announcers is like saying Ike Turner was tough on Tina. Not that I'm comparing my writing to domestic violence or anything, I promise. Wait, what was I talking about again? Oh yeh...

I just wanted to show some love to Burke. She is a really, really good color analyst.

Too often, analysts get by simply on their "old boy," friendships with coaches, and don't actually put in the work needed to make a decent broadcast a really good one. But Burke is always prepared, knows her stuff, and teaches me something every time I hear her announce a game.

So kudos to you Doris Burke, keep up the good work. Your colleagues could learn something from you.

10. Let's Get to the Ohio State-West Virginia Game: It's time for me to eat my words on West Virginia.

Coming into Saturday's game, I was skeptical about their ability to score in the half-court, and boy did they prove me wrong. They put up 43 points in the second half, and was it just me, or did it seem like they shot about 94 percent from the field in that time as well?

Maybe more importantly, they played killer defense, a staple of any Bob Huggins coached team, holding Ohio State to just one field goal in the final eight minutes.

I said before the season started that I thought this was the most complete team in the Big East. It may have taken three months, but they're finally proving me right.

11. Another Fun Fact From the Ohio State-West Game: Did you have any idea that Bob Huggins is the fourth active winningest coach in college basketball behind only Coach K, Jim Calhoun and Jim Boeheim? Because I had no idea.

12. And the Awkward Bill Raftery Quote of the Week Goes To...: Who else? Bill Raftery.

After Ohio State guard William Buford made a crowd-silencing corner 3-pointer, Raftery said, "He looked at the fans and gave them those bedroom eyes." Umm, what?

Also, Bill, I love you man, I really do. But this is supposed to be a family broadcast. Get your head out of the gutter!

13. Another Thought On Will Buford: Having seen him a few times earlier this year, I was a little skeptical. But Saturday he was nothing short of awesome. He can score in every way you'd ever want a guard to be able to: On the pull-up, attacking the basket or hitting open three's.

And as he continues to get more comfortable playing with Evan Turner, this is going to be a dangerous, dangerous team going forward. Know how every year some No. 4 or 5 seed surprises everyone and ends up in the Elite Eight? I'm thinking it might be the Buckeyes in 2010.

14. Finally, I've Got to Give Some Love to Evan Turner: This isn't meant as disrespect to John Wall, Damion James, Jon Scheyer or anyone who's having a spectacular year. But nobody is more valuable to their team than Turner is.

When Turner was hot Saturday (mainly the first half), Ohio State seemed unbeatable. And when West Virginia slowed him down by throwing different looks at him the entire second half, Ohio State's offense all but died with it.

Which is funny, because that's kind of an indicator of the Buckeyes entire season. They're 11-3 with him in the lineup, but were just 3-3 when he got hurt earlier in the year.

With Turner on the court, Ohio State can beat anybody. Without him, I'm not sure they're even in the NCAA Tournament.

15. A Quick Thought On Syracuse: As I mentioned, I grew up a UConn fan, which means that it's in my DNA to hate Syracuse. But I've got to admit that it's pretty hard not to like this Syracuse group.

I don't know that I've seen another team this year that seems to more genuinely enjoy playing with each other. This group high-fives and slaps asses like it's going out of style, everyone on the bench stays invested until the final whistle, and even when the starters come out, they cheer on their subs like an overzealous CYO team.

I don't know what the future holds for the Orange, but I do know one thing, I'll be watching every game I can.

16. Also on Syracuse: Wes Johnson is a monster, and still may be the single most underrated player in college basketball. That's all.

17. And Now, Georgetown: Look, anyone who reads me knows that no one has been tougher on Georgetown than I have. I've called them everything you can think of: Soft, overrated, more boring to watch than a marathon of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. You name it.

But again, I've got to give credit where it's due. They handled Saturday's matchup with Rutgers the way that a championship team should: They came out at home against an overmatched opponent, put their foot on Rutgers throat, and never let them get comfortable.

I've got to admit, the Hoyas might be starting to actually (gulp) grow on me (I know, I know, just put rat poison in my Cheerios, please. I hate to admit it, but it's true). If they can somehow beat Syracuse or Duke this week, or even both, I might even find myself on their bandwagon come next Monday. Seriously.

18. Speaking of Duke, A Funny Moment From Their Game On Saturday: With Clemson making a mini-run in the second half, ESPN's cameras caught Coach K, going on an expletive filled tirade that would have made Howard Stern blush. Honestly, you'd hear cleaner conversation at a bachelor party than what was coming out of Coach K's mouth at that point.

The funniest part was Dick Vitale's reaction. Now, I know he's only got one good eye, but I mean come on, he had to have seen what Coach K said on his monitor, right? I guess not. His response was as follows:

"Coach K isn't happy with that call baybeeeeeeee!!!" You're right, he wasn't. Those 37 swears made that pretty clear.

It was hysterical. It was kind of annoying. But it was definitely quintessential Dickie V.

19. I Know It's the Oldest Joke In the Book, and Actually Quite Cruel, But I'm Going To Say It Anyway: If there's an uglier player in college basketball right now than Kyle Singler, I'd like to see him. On second thought, maybe I better not.

20. And Finally, My One and Only Thought From on Women's Basketball From the Weekend: Just kidding. You didn't think I actually watched women's basketball, did you?

(Love the article? Hate the article? Let Aaron know by commenting below, or e-mailing him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Also, for Aaron's thoughts on all things sports, be sure to follow on him on Twitter @Aaron_Torres and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/aarontorressports)

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