CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. ? Highly touted freshman Sean Singletary came to Virginia to play in the ACC. He arrived at a school picked to finish eighth in the conference and not expected to make much noise.

Two games into his college career, the former Philadelphia schoolboy standout already is working to change that. He had 15 points and made several big plays Sunday night as the Cavaliers beat No. 10 Arizona, 78-60.

“We just have something to prove,” the 6-foot point guard said. “I know a lot of people are overlooking us. They picked us to be in the bottom of the ACC. We’re just going to stay humble about this win.

“We’re in the beginning of the season, so it’s nothing to be all hyped up about. We’re going to stay humble and go to practice and work hard.”

The Cavaliers (2-0) looked like better team against the Wildcats (2-1), who left after the game for New York and a Preseason NIT semifinals game against Michigan on Wednesday night.

“We had a lot of energy, and they didn’t,” Singletary said.

Virginia led 34-22 at halftime and used several short runs to keep the Wildcats from rallying to any closer than nine in the second half.

“You have nightmare games like this, and we’ve got one nightmare out of the way, I guess,” Wildcats coach Lute Olson said.

Arizona seemed a step slower than Virginia all night, in part because Singletary and backup T.J. Bannister kept the Cavaliers and the crowd in it.

“They both pass the ball,” coach Pete Gillen said. “When you’ve got guys that pass it, that makes it more fun to play for everyone.”

No. 6 Illinois 91,

Florida A&M 60

Champaign, Ill. — Dee Brown scored 20 points, all in the first half, to lead the Illini. Brown finished 8-for-8 and had four three-pointers as the Illini rolled to a 58-29 halftime lead. All five Illini starters scored in double figures en route to their second win in three days to open the season.

No. 12 Mississippi State 98, Nicholls State 69

Starkville, Miss. — Lawrence Roberts had the first triple-double in Mississippi State history to help Bulldogs rout Nicholls State. Playing with a mask protecting his broken nose, Roberts finished with 18 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for the Bulldogs (4-1), who sealed the victory in their home opener with a 20-7 run early in the second half.

No. 18 Alabama 85,

North Texas 71

Tuscaloosa, Ala. — Chuck Davis scored a career-high 25 points to lead Alabama past North Texas. The Tide shot 73 percent from the floor in the first half, making all five three-point attempts.

No. 25 Gonzaga 78, Montana 62

Spokane, Wash. — Sean Mallon scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Gonzaga overcame sloppy shooting to beat Montana. Gonzaga (2-0) also got 20 points and eight rebounds from Ronny Turiaf