Curry as hot as usual

Davidson coach McKillop also praises defense in rout

Most everyone else is talking about Stephen Curry's switch to point guard this season. Davidson coach Bob McKillop wants to discuss the Wildcats' defense.

Curry had 33 points and nine assists Monday night, and the 21st-ranked Wildcats beat James Madison 99-64 in the first round of the NIT Season Tip-Off, a rout that began with an 11-0 start fueled by defense.

"Our defense set the tone for this night," McKillop said. "The defensive capacity of this team grows day by day, practice by practice, and I think it can become a major foundation upon which we build this season."

Curry moved from shooting guard to point guard for his junior season, but scored 30 or more points for the 16th time in his career for Davidson (2-0).

He was 14-of-19 against James Madison (0-1), including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and committed four turnovers.

"Every game we try to get better as a team, and I'm getting more comfortable with the ball in my hands," Curry said.

ALSO MONDAY

TOP 25 MEN

NO. 2 UCONN 99, HARTFORD 56: Craig Austrie and freshman Kemba Walker scored 21 points each in the Huskies' 63rd consecutive win against an in-state opponent. Walker started in place of injured A.J. Price.

NO. 6 PITT 82, MIAMI (OHIO) 53: Jermaine Dixon hit two 3-pointers while scoring nine points during Pittsburgh's 16-2 run to start the second half. Pitt is 2-0.

NO. 11 PURDUE 87, E. MICH. 58: Robbie Hummel scored 18 points for Purdue (2-0) in the NIT Season Tip-Off.

NO. 16 MARQUETTE 106, CHICAGO STATE 87: Wesley Matthews scored 26 points and Lazar Hayward added 21 for Marquette (2-0).

NO. 22 GEORGETOWN 71, JACKSONVILLE 62: Greg Monroe delivered 14 points and seven rebounds in his college debut, and anchored a suffocating defense for Georgetown (1-0). Jacksonville (0-2) missed its first eight shots and hit 35 percent for the game.

NO. 23 VILLANOVA 107, FORDHAM 68: Dante Cunningham scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Villanova (2-0) won its 17th straight at home.

ACC MEN

BC 90, LOYOLA (MD.) 57: Joe Trapani scored 20 points and Tyrese Rice returned from a suspension to score 16 as Boston College (2-0) won in the NIT Season Tip-Off.

Rice, BC's only returning senior, was suspended from the season opener for an unspecified violation of team rules.

VA. TECH 62, MOUNT ST. MARY'S 57: Malcolm Delaney led Virginia Tech (2-0) with 18 points -- 13 from the foul line. The Hokies made 27 of 32 free throws.

TOP 10 WOMEN

NO. 16 VIRGINIA 83, NO. 5 TENNESSEE 82: Monica Wright scored 35 points, and Britnee Milner made a free throw with 6.4 seconds left as Virginia (2-0) upset Tennessee.

Trailing 80-75 with 1:44 left, Virginia got a 3-pointer from Wright and Whitny Edwards converted a steal to tie it at 80.

NO. 9 LOUISVILLE 72, AUSTIN PEAY 42: Angel McCoughtry scored 15 points to lead Louisville to a sloppy win.

AREA MEN

KENT STATE 83, NCCU 42: Al Fisher scored 15 points to lead five players in double figures as the Golden Flashes (1-0) whipped N.C. Central (0-2) in the first round of the South Padre Island Invitational.

AREA WOMEN

WAKE FOREST 62, UNCG 27: Wake (1-0) held UNC-Greensboro to just 13 points in the first half.

COASTAL CAROLINA 52, CAMPBELL 50: Amanda Stull's free throw with four seconds left gave Coastal Carolina the lead.