(Photo via Indiana senior Ben Kessler)

The best costume at one of Bloomington's most popular sports bars Wednesday night had a college hoops theme to it.

Indiana senior Ben Kessler and friends Andrew Josephs, Michael Friedman, Jedd Horn, Mitch Glazer and Vad Slezberg purchased red felt, white fabric paint and stencils on Wednesday so they could dress as the championship banners hanging at Assembly Hall. Five of them represented Indiana's past national titles. The sixth dressed as the one the preseason No. 1 Hoosiers hope to capture in 2013.

When Kessler and his friends walked to Kilroy's Sports Bar in Bloomington, drivers who passed them honked their horns in support. They received the loudest ovation of any of the contestants in the the costume contest at Kilroy's, earning them first prize — $500 and free cover for life.

"It was an amazing night for us," Kessler said. "We didn't want to spend that much money. We spent like $12 each and we won $500. I think that's a good investment."

Kessler and his friends are longtime Indiana basketball fans, so they're very much looking forward to a season that should be the culmination of the Hoosiers' return to national relevance. Even though Halloween is over, Kessler thinks he and his friends may be able to get some more value out of their memorable costumes.

"We're definitely going to wear it to one of the games this season," he said. "Maybe we'll save it for the North Carolina game or something."

Marcus Smart (AP)

When guard Marcus Smart spurned the likes of North Carolina, Kansas and Texas to commit to middling Oklahoma State last Autumn, the top 10 recruit admits he caught even those closest to him by surprise.

Friends and family congratulated him on his decision, then asked why he didn't choose an established power. Fans on Twitter weren't nearly as polite.

"I've heard it all," Smart said with a chuckle. "I'd get on Twitter and people were saying I was dumb. I was an idiot. What am I thinking? That's why I'm never going to succeed. That definitely gives me motivation. When people say stuff like that, it gives me an extra kick to go out there and prove them wrong."

Smart's decision to play for Oklahoma State could be a turning point for a Cowboys program that lost 18 games last season and hasn't won an NCAA tournament game since 2009. Travis Ford may need to get Oklahoma State to the NCAA tournament this season to win over an already restless fan base, but Smart's arrival and the return of several key players gives the fifth-year coach coach a realistic chance.

Even though Smart has the size to play on the wing at 6-foot-4, Ford will instead have him start at point guard because of his court vision, leadership skills and ability to create mismatches. He'll be surrounded by plenty of perimeter talent including guard Markel Brown, forward J.P. Olukemi and talented 6-foot-7 Le'Bryan Nash, a former McDonald's All-American looking to build on an inconsistent freshman season in which he put up respectable numbers but only showed flashes of promise.

What has Ford convinced Smart can turn that nucleus into a winning team is his new point guard's character and competitiveness.

J.P Olukemi (Getty Images)

Had the NCAA ruled J.P. Olukemi ineligible for the second half of the 2012-13 season mere weeks after teammate Brian Williams' season-ending wrist injury, it would have been a damaging one-two punch to the gut for Oklahoma State.

Thankfully for the Cowboys, the NCAA showed lenience Wednesday evening, granting Olukemi's appeal for a waiver enabling him to play a full final season at Oklahoma State.

At issue for Olukemi was a mistake he made five years ago before he enrolled in college.

During his lone year at Stoneridge Preparatory School in Simi Valley, Calif., the school's team was shut down and Olukemi's coaches instructed him to attend classes at a junior college to remain eligible. That started his college eligibility clock, which gives players only five years to complete their four seasons of basketball.

By the letter of that law, Olukemi's five years would have run out at the end of the fall semester in late December since he'd already taken a redshirt year as a result of injury. The NCAA deserves credit for making a sensible ruling in the best interest of Olukemi's future by allowing him to play a full season as a fifth-year senior.

"We would like to thank the NCAA for its due diligence in this matter," Cowboys coach Travis Ford said in a statement. "Looking out for the student-athlete and their best interests should be what's most important, and it certainly showed in this decision."

Kyle Anderson (AP)At least one of UCLA's two most prized freshmen apparently will be in uniform when the Bruins open newly renovated Pauley Pavilion next Friday.

Kyle Anderson, Rivals.com's No. 3 recruit in the Class of 2012, has been cleared to play by the NCAA, members of his family told the Los Angeles Times Wednesday morning. UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero confirmed the report via statement Wednesday afternoon.

"UCLA was informed by the NCAA earlier today that freshman guard Kyle Anderson is eligible to play this season, and that the NCAA has found no evidence to substantiate claims of violations in his case," Guerrero said. "I am grateful to all those who were involved in the process. We are looking forward to opening our season on November 9 against Indiana State at New Pauley Pavilion."

The only surprise regarding the NCAA's decision on Anderson was that it took this long. Those close to the UCLA program have long been confident Anderson would be cleared even as the NCAA looked into his relationship with Thad Foucher, an agent for a firm founded by UCLA alum and donor Casey Wasserman.

There's less confidence regarding the status of Shabazz Muhammad, the other top freshman under investigation by the NCAA as a result of potential amateurism issues. No timetable has been released for when the NCAA expects to make a decision on the eligibility of Muhammad, who is also nursing a shoulder injury that will keep him from practicing or playing until at least the end of next week.

In response to the Anderson news, Muhammad tweeted, "Hopefully I'm next so we can get this season going !!!!"

Pierre Jackson and Baylor will try to avenge their 2012 NCAA tournament loss to Kentucky (Getty Images)

The Dagger's two-day Big 12 preview continues with a look at the conference's 15 most intriguing non-conference matchups next season.

1. Kansas vs. Michigan State, Nov. 13 (Atlanta)

Comment: It will be overshadowed a bit by the Duke-Kentucky matchup in the second half of the Champions Classic doubleheader, but this showdown between Kansas and Michigan State certainly won't be lacking for star power. The Spartans return most of their top players besides Draymond Green from last year's Sweet 16 team. The Jayhawks bring back three starters from last year's national runner-ups and add promising newcomers Perry Ellis and Ben McLemore.

2. Baylor at Kentucky, Dec. 1

Comment: The last time Baylor met Kentucky, the Bears fell behind by 20 points at halftime en route to an 82-70 Elite Eight loss last March. Good news for the Bears: Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist have moved onto the NBA. Bad news for the Bears: A handful of very talented freshmen have arrived at Kentucky to replace them.

3. Kansas at Ohio State, Dec. 22

Comment: The rematch of last year's national semifinal won by the Jayhawks will feature a pair of potential top 10 teams. Point guard Aaron Craft and high-scoring DeShaun Thomas return to lead an Ohio State team that surely will be eager for revenge on its home floor. The Buckeyes will have to do a better job against Travis Releford, whose 15 points and eight rebounds were key to the Jayhawks' come-from-behind win last March.

4. North Carolina at Texas, Dec. 19

Comment: On a Texas schedule loaded with marquee opponents and challenging games, this visit from the Tar Heels is probably the most intriguing. Four NBA first-round picks have moved on from Chapel Hill, but North Carolina will reload around forward James Michael-McAdoo, sharpshooter Reggie Bullock and freshman point guard Marcus Paige.

Jeff Withey hopes to lead Kansas to an eighth straight Big 12 title (Getty Images)

Yahoo! Sports is breaking down each league for the upcoming college basketball season working backward from No. 31 to No. 1. Here's a look at our No. 3 league, the Big 12.

The last time Kansas failed to win at least a share of the Big 12 regular season crown, gas prices had yet to rise above $2, Usher's "Yeah!" was unavoidable on the radio and Lindsay Lohan was still America's teen movie queen.

Kansas won its eighth consecutive Big 12 championship last March and advanced to the national title game in a season in which many expected the Jayhawks to be a bit down by their high standards. Forward Thomas Robinson and guard Tyshawn Taylor are now in the NBA, but the combination of some solid returning talent and some very promising newcomers make Kansas the preseason favorite to win a ninth straight Big 12.

The strength of the Jayhawks this season will likely be their frontcourt despite the loss of Robinson, a consensus first-team All-American and the runner-up to Anthony Davis in most national player of the year awards.

[Also: Smart could be the piece OSU has been missing]

Center Jeff Withey will try to become a go-to scorer in the post after emerging as one of the nation's best shot blockers last season. Alongside him will be either 6-foot-8 standout recruit Perry Ellis or high-energy Jamari Traylor, who sat out all last season because of academic issues but started ahead of Ellis and last year's sixth man Kevin Young in the Jayhawks' first exhibition game on Monday night.

Two proven starters return at guard in Elijah Johnson, the team's best shooter, and Travis Releford, a lockdown perimeter defender. Johnson will likely shift from off guard to point guard this season to replace Taylor and make room in the lineup for Ben McLemore, a highly regarded scorer who at times was Kansas' best player in practice last season while sitting out the season due to academic issues.

Keion Bell (AP)October can be a dangerous month for college basketball viewers.

On one hand, it provides a first glimpse at some of the transfers and freshmen who have been hyped for months but have yet to play a game wearing their new team's uniforms. On the other hand, exhibition games don't provide top-notch competition, so 20-point outbursts or double-digit rebounding tallies often turn out to be misleading.

With that caveat firmly established, there have been a few impressive performances from newcomers so far in exhibition play. Here are a few that seem particularly noteworthy:

MISSOURI TRANSFERS IMPRESS: With Marcus Denmon and Kim English having graduated, Michael Dixon suspended indefinitely and Jabari Brown not eligible until mid-December, Missouri needs to get production from newcomers Keion Bell and Earnest Ross at wing. The two transfers looked ready to do their part on Monday night, combining for 42 points on 16-of-25 shooting in a rout of Northwest Missouri. Ross showed off his 3-point shooting prowess by going 6 of 10 from behind the arc. And Bell got to the rim at will, including this highlight-worthy slam. Of course, Missouri coach Frank Haith wasn't 100 percent satisfied: Bell and Ross combined for seven of the Tigers' 25 turnovers.

GOOD START FOR OREGON'S POINT GUARDS: None of Oregon's three potential starting point guards did anything to hurt their chances in Monday's 102-75 win over Concordia University. Highly touted freshman Dominic Artis started and scored a game-high 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting, though his five turnovers were a few too many. Junior Johnathan Loyd showed off an improved ability to score, delivering 12 points and five assists in just 19 minutes. And former Duquesne signee Willie Moore displayed promise off the bench, adding 15 points and six steals in just 18 minutes. Considering Oregon's strength in the frontcourt, especially if Arsalan Kazemi becomes eligible, this performance from the guards is a good sign for the Ducks.

Quinn Cook (Getty Images)

At the end of a frustrating freshman season in which he fell out of Duke's rotation and didn't perform the way he expected, guard Quinn Cook called close friend and mentor Nolan Smith and asked for his advice.

Cook was accustomed to basketball success after starring for famed DeMatha High School and prestigious Oak Hill Academy and serving as team captain on the gold medal-winning USA U-17 World Championship team. As a result, logging only a few minutes per game in ACC play and enduring endless cheap shots from fans on Twitter was an unfamiliar and unsettling experience for the onetime top 50 recruit.

"Sometimes I'd call Nolan and be like, 'I don't know what I'm doing wrong. What am I going to do next?'" Cook recalled. "He definitely knew what I was going through and he stayed on me. He told me, 'Stay there.' He's been through what I've been through and he reassured me it would all work out."

Cook's decision to remain at Duke and channel his disappointment into his offseason workouts could turn out to be critical for the Blue Devils' 2012-13 season. Since Duke has no other pass-first point guard besides Cook on its roster for the second straight season, the Blue Devils desperately need Cook to flourish with the ball in his hands and allow fellow guards Seth Curry and Tyler Thornton to play off ball, where they're most comfortable.

"He's the one guy on our team that's a true point guard," Duke assistant Chris Collins said. "All our other guards are good players but that's truly not the strength of their games. Last year, we had Austin [Rivers] and Seth taking turns in the ball-handling role but it got them away from what they did best when they were in that role. Ideally, having Quinn, who has been a point guard his whole life and has run teams at a high level, that's what we want."

It's too soon to evaluate whether Cook is now ready to assume that role, but early signs have been promising during summer workouts and in practice.