Joe Robbins/US Presswire

Dayton's Brian Roberts flew high for 28 points in the team's upset win over Louisville on Saturday.

Player of the Week: Brian Roberts, Dayton

By Andy Katz

Last week: seven points and five rebounds in a 68-54 win over High Point, and 28 points on 10 of 17 shooting with five rebounds, three assists and no turnovers in a 70-65 win over Louisville

Few players had as much to do with as significant a win as Brian Roberts did for Dayton. The senior guard scored 28 points in a win at Louisville. He scored 14 of the Flyers' first 19 points. There was a mid-game lull when Roberts didn't do much, but as soon as he turned it on again, the Flyers flew past Louisville. He had no turnovers in 37 minutes.

Dayton coach Brian Gregory told reporters after the game that Roberts "was the best player on the court for 40 minutes." It's hard to argue. Roberts didn't do much earlier in the week by scoring only seven points in a win over High Point. But the weekly honor goes to Roberts for his play in this one meaningful game; his 10-of-17 shooting, 6-of-6 performance at the free-throw line, his two 3s, five boards and three assists.

This win could ultimately be a difference maker for Dayton in any bubble discussion. That's why Roberts' play this week held even more meaning. Beating Louisville at Freedom Hall will do wonders for this squad in March if it can challenge for the Atlantic 10 title. Coupled with road wins over Miami (Ohio) and Holy Cross, the Flyers have built an impressive selection committee meeting résumé so far.

Team of the Week: Rhode Island

Andy Katz

Last week: 77-60 win over Providence and 91-89 win at Syracuse

Jim Baron hates this kind of talk, the talk that he's got a squad that could challenge for a league title and an NCAA Tournament berth. He really can't stand it in December. But the reality is that the Rams are rolling right now, so much that the two wins they had last week over Providence and Syracuse could be decisive victories if they find themselves on the bubble come March.

The Rams' 2-0 mark against the Big East this week shouldn't come as a shock. Rhode Island is getting great balance from its defense on the ball behind Parfait Bitee, to its perimeter shooting from Will Daniels and Jimmy Baron to Lamonte Ulmer inside. Rhode Island's 10-1 start could easily soar to 13-1 heading into its A-10 opener at Dayton on Jan. 9.

"We just keep getting better," Baron said Sunday night. "We've just got to keep the proper perspective."

That's fine. Baron doesn't have to project the field of 65 now. Still, he does acknowledge the significance of the week for the Rams. URI had only a few "up" games against teams from higher-ranked leagues. And so far, URI is 3-0 against the Big East (also beat South Florida in Dayton Beach), 0-1 ACC (lost by just four points at Boston College) and owns a win over an erratic UAB. If the Rams can hold serve in the A-10 and be one of the top three teams, then they should be in the mix for an NCAA bid and can look back at this past week as a decisive one.

3-Point Shot

Doug Gottlieb

I saw Dayton beat Louisville, 70-65, in Freedom Hall on Saturday, and here are some of my thoughts on the game and teams.

1. Having watched Brian Gregory prep his team with film and the scouting report the night before the game, I have to say how impressed I am with Gregory and his staff. In Year Five, he seems very comfortable around his guys and in his own skin, and that is a rarity in this game. His team not only knew Louisville's tendencies, but the Flyers executed the game plan as it was drawn up. The score was no fluke, Dayton was better than Louisville on this day.

2. Brian Roberts is not only a very good shooter, but he -- like many of UD's players -- has a high basketball IQ. Roberts picked his spots and only attacked mismatches on the pick-and-roll/pop. While he does not have great speed, he does have several gears and a major league jumper that he uses to create space on the perimeter.

3. Louisville is not healthy, mentally or physically. Edgar Sosa seems torn between being the scorer he was against Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament and running the team like Rick Pitino needs. While Sosa and Jerry Smith sat and watched the final couple of minutes, clearly in Pitino's doghouse, Louisville had essentially four starters on the bench in crunch time. Juan Palacios is supposed to return from an MCL injury in late December, and David Padgett thinks he can come back from a broken knee-cap in January (though many in the program doubt that), while Sosa and Smith try and play up to their massive potential. Without depth at the 3 and 4, the Cards are forced to play more zone than they want and this seems to make even their fullcourt press a bit softer than expected. They seem to be in roughly the same pattern as last season with injuries and stagnant offense, and maybe that changes when Palacios and Padgett come back, much like it changed last season.

And one. Earl Clark is very impressive. Clark is a 6-9 NBA small forward who has a long wingspan and an improving skill set at the block and on the wing. He blocks shots, averages 11.9 boards a game and really has not even started to totally "know how to play".

Upset Watch

By Reggie Rankin

Scouts Inc.'s Reggie Rankin takes a look at five upsets that could happen this week:

• Saturday: Oklahoma State over Pittsburgh, ESPN, noon ET
Pitt is experienced in the backcourt with Levance Fields and Ronald Ramon, but forwards Sam Young and Mike Cook -- both above-the-rim athletes -- are benefiting from the more up-tempo emphasis this season. Freshman Dejuan Blair is a powerful scorer and rebounder with double-double talent. The boys from Stillwater, in transition mode this season with seven newcomers, are led by 6-6 freshman swingman James Anderson, powerful point guard Byron Eaton, and returning double-figure scoring wings Terrel Harris and Obi Muonelo. Coach Sean Sutton has more depth to play up-tempo and create turnovers with the pressure defense the Cowboys are known for. Sutton has enough talent, and if the newcomers continue to improve, a huge road win is possible.

• Saturday: Nebraska over Oregon, 2 p.m. ET
Five Ducks average double figures and they can score quick and often, averaging nearly 90 points per game. Ernie Kent has endless options on offense, which makes his team a pain in the neck for opposing defenses to design a scheme. When the Ducks travel to the heartland to battle the Huskers, interior defense will be the key to containing All-Big 12 preseason center Aleks Maric. Maric is a huge target and can power his way through contact and finish. Oregon might stumble against Nebraska if Malik Hairston and Tajuan Porter are looking ahead to their Michigan homecoming against Oakland on Dec. 22.

• Saturday: Purdue over Louisville, 3:30 p.m. ET
The 'Ville is adjusting to the absence of senior center David Padgett, who was going to be option No. 1 in the post. Louisville's talent is plentiful, but the Boilermakers' newcomers are as good as advertised and gaining valuable experience. Purdue's freshmen class of Scott Martin, E'Twaun Moore, Robbie Hummel and JaJuan Johnson are four of the team's top five scorers. Juco transfer Nemanja Calasan is a good low-post scorer who provides Purdue with a balanced attack. Matt Painter's stable of young thoroughbreds could be ready to take the next step.

• Saturday: Maryland-Baltimore County over West Virginia, 4 p.m. ET
The Mountaineers are transitioning into the Bob Huggins style of basketball and are off to a good start. They had SEC favorite Tennessee on the ropes before losing, 74-72. Guard Alex Ruoff leads the team in scoring (16.5 points), and forward Joe Alexander is the top rebounder (7.0 boards). Tough defense and attacking the rim on offense has been the formula for success for WVU. UMBC has gained confidence through early-season success with wins over three A-10 schools (at LaSalle, at Richmond and GW). Coach Randy Monroe has scoring balance with four players Brian Hodges (18.8 points), Ray Barbosa (16.2 points), Darryl Proctor (14.8 points) and Cavell Johnson (14.3 points). Senior guard Hodges leads the attack, and transfers Barbosa (James Madison) and Proctor (Coppin State) are eligible and contributing. Johnson, another James Madison transfer, was named to the preseason All-America East first team. The Retrievers may have the experience and confidence to give the West Virginia faithful something to worry about.

• Saturday: Florida State over Butler, ESPN Full Court, 6 p.m. ET
The Bulldogs execute as well as any team in the country on both ends of the floor. They have great experience and leadership in addition to being a great shooting team. The perimeter of A.J. Graves, Mike Green and Pete Campbell are proven winners. Florida State rolls into Indianapolis with a strong perimeter of its own in Isaiah Swann, Tony Douglas and Jason Rich. The Seminole guards are athletic and can score off the dribble, with Swann being the team's best 3-point shooter. The perimeter matchups will determine the outcome of the game, which gives Florida State an excellent chance on a "neutral" floor in Conseco Fieldhouse.

Time to meet ...

By Andy Katz

• Tyrelle Blair, Boston College: The Eagles' center blocked 11 Maryland shots, scored 10 points and had six boards on Sunday. BC is getting much more than they ever thought out of the Loyola-Chicago transfer.

• Wright State: Wright State continues to cause Butler problems. Wright State's win shows that the Horizon may be more balanced than expected.

• Illinois State: Porter Moser said he left Illinois State in good shape for Tim Jankovich. That must be true after the Redbirds beat a struggling Cincinnati at home.

• Kent State: The MAC is shaping up to be a tight race among Miami (Ohio), Kent State and Ohio. Kent State put a hurting on George Mason, pounding the Patriots, 73-55, on Saturday.

• Santa Clara: The Broncos have played seven straight away from home and are 6-2. Not bad for a team that was supposedly rebuilding under first-year coach Kerry Keating.

What I'm looking forward to this week

By Andy Katz

• If Saint Mary's can win on the road at Southern Illinois on Tuesday, especially since the Salukis are reeling a bit after three straight losses to USC, Indiana and Charlotte.

• Can Miami (Fla.) remain unbeaten and take out Mississippi State in Starkville on Thursday?

• Which Louisville team shows up against Purdue in the Wooden Tradition on Saturday in Indianapolis?

• Whether Wright State can knock off Miami (Ohio) at home Saturday after taking down Butler.

• If Xavier can continue to rack up wins, especially by beating Arizona State in Tempe on Saturday.