Nov. 27
We're not even into December yet, and there have been some big surprises already on the college-hoops hardwood.

When you see some of the scores, you just have to shake your head. On Tuesday night alone, check out these Shock City specials: San Diego upset UCLA 86-81 in overtime at Pauley Pavilion. Rhode Island surprised USC, Oral Roberts defeated Arkansas and Alcorn State topped UTEP.

So many many of these so-called mid-major teams (and players) can compete with the giants.

There also have been a number of close calls along the way. Just look at Davidson pushing Duke, with the final margin being misleading. And Coppin State was leading Ohio State with less than five minutes to play. Oregon and Cal State-Northridge were even with under four minutes left.

What about Virginia being challenged at home by LIU? The Cavaliers had to go to the wire in a tight one.

Here are some more Shock City results: Austin Peay defeated Memphis; coach John Calipari's Tigers certainly has had its share of injury problems, but this is still a surprise. Most observers would have predicted a win for the Tigers.

Prairie View upset a Houston program that is so rich in tradition. Remember Phi Slamma Jamma, the success under Guy V. Lewis? It's hard to believe that Prairie View could beat Houston (not to take anything away from the Panthers).

Louisiana-Lafayette upset Mississippi State, though coach Rick Stansbury's team was missing Mario Austin due to an NCAA eligibility question. Tennessee-Martin knocked off Saint Louis. Alaska-Fairbanks beat Nebraska of the Big 12. Eastern Washington surprised coach Steve Fisher's San Diego State Aztecs.

The Pac-10 saw Oregon State and Washington fall to Big Sky opponents. Idaho State surprised the Beavers while Montana State beat the Huskies.

There is a very simple theme. The bottom line in college basketball is that you need only five players on the court, and if you have kids who are late bloomers -- and if you're stroking the 3-point shot -- underdogs have a chance for an upset. When a team gets on fire from the perimeter, it doesn't take long for its confidence to soar.

The truth is, so many many of these so-called mid-major teams (and players) can compete with the giants. We've seen it with surprise after surprise. This year, there's plenty of parity in college basketball already. Scholarship cutbacks have also affected the competitive nature of the sport.

Keep an eye on ESPN.com's college basketball scoreboard, baby! You can count on more Shock City results in the days and weeks ahead.