Spartans, Jayhawks Win Avoiding Upset

College basketball's top two teams narrowly avoided upset bids on Tuesday night.

Both the Kansas Jayhawks (No.1) and Michigan State Spartans (No.2) were tested by unranked opponents, but survived to improve to 2-0.

In a rematch of the 2008 National championship game, Kansas survived a late push by the Memphis Tigers to hold on for a 57-55 victory. The Jayhawks were led by junior Cole Aldrich who had 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Kansas led most of the game, despite 21 turnovers. The Tigers stayed close and had a chance to win the game at the end but Memphis guard Elliot Williams' desperation 3-pointer as time ran out clanged off the back iron.

The Spartans 75-71 win over Gonzaga extended their home winning streak against non-conference opponents to 41 games. The streak extends back to 2003 when the Spartans lost to Duke.

Gonzaga led most of the game, including holding a 13 point advantage over Michigan St. midway through the first half. The Spartans came through when it mattered most though, taking the lead for the first time since the opening minutes with 11:42 to go in the game.

The game went back and forth from there until last year's Big Ten Player of the Year, Kalin Lucas, made an acrobatic layup with 39 seconds to give the Spartans a three point lead that they would not give up.

The Spartans schedule doesn't get any easier as they must play Florida, North Carolina (No. 6) and Texas (No. 3) before the Big Ten schedule begins.