BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Cody Zeller showed everyone Tuesday night why he’s considered the best big man in America.
The 7-foot sophomore scored 20 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, was 8 of 13 from the field and dominated the middle, leading No. 1 Indiana to an 83-59 rout of No. 14 North Carolina in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
In a game that pitted two of the nation’s most storied college programs — they have a combined 10 national titles and 3,767 all-time victories — Zeller made sure it was no contest.
When he wasn’t taking advantage of opportunities in the middle, he played the decoy for teammates who were cutting and slashing to the basket.
The combination was just too much for North Carolina (5-2), playing for the first time since returning from Hawaii last week.
Victor Oladipo and Will Sheehey each added 19 points and Jordan Hulls had 13.
Indiana (7-0) has won 34 consecutive home games in November, dating to a 2005 loss to Duke.
The Tar Heels have lost twice in the past week to teams from the Hoosier State — last Tuesday to two-time national runner-up Butler, and now to Indiana in much the same manner. They trailed by 29 points in the second half of both games and by more than 30 in Bloomington.
North Carolina certainly missed sophomore guard P.J. Hairston, who stayed in Chapel Hill, N.C., this week because of a sprained left knee. Without him, Dexter Strickland had 14 points, Marcus Paige had 11 and James Michael McAdoo finished with 10 — not nearly enough on a night the Tar Heels shot poorly.
In other top 25 games, Trey Burke had 18 points and 11 assists, and No. 3 Michigan held off a late rally by No. 18 North Carolina State in a 79-72 victory in Ann Arbor, Mich. Freshman Nik Stauskas led the Wolverines (6-0) with 20 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 16. ... Joe Coleman scored 16 points, Rodney Williams added 14 and No. 21 Minnesota (7-1) beat defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion Florida State 77-68 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in Tallahassee, Fla. Rodney Williams added 14 points, Austin Hollins 13 and Andre Hollins 12 for the Gophers, who never trailed. Reserve Terrance Shannon led Florida State (4-2) with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
SEC MEN
ALABAMA 75, LAMAR 47
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Rodney Cooper had 17 points and eight rebounds to lead Alabama past Lamar . The Crimson Tide (6-0) held its second consecutive opponent to fewer than 50 points and took control with a 25-7 run starting early in the second half. Lamar Coach Pat Knight was ejected after getting called for two technicals protesting a noncall with 16:56 left and the Cardinals (1-6) facing a 38-29 deficit. Assistant coaches held him back from storming toward the officials.
The Tide played without ailing leading scorer Trevor Releford, who has a stomach virus, and guard Andrew Steele, who has a groin injury.
Retin Obasohan added 13 points for Alabama while Levi Randolph and Dakota Slaughter each had 10 points. Stan Brown led Lamar with 14 points and nine rebounds while Rhon Mitchell scored 10.
MISSISSIPPI STATE 60,
ALCORN STATE 42
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Craig Sword and Fred Thomas scored 14 points each to lead Mississippi State past Alcorn State.
Mississippi State (2-4) shot 40 percent from the field (18 of 45) and hit 22 of 33 free throws, shaking off a 0-3 effort at the Maui Invitational last week. Roquez Johnson added 13 points for the Bulldogs.
Alcorn State (2-5) struggled to hit 15 of 51 shots from the field (29.4 percent).
Anthony Evans led Alcorn State with 12 points. LeAntwan Luckett added 11 points.
Mississippi State opened the game on a 13-2 run and led 37-21 at halftime. The Bulldogs dominated the second half and trailed only once on the opening basket of the game.
Sports, Pages 22 on 11/28/2012