Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet celebrates in the closing minutes of UConn's 81-55 victory over Western Carolina on Friday in Storrs, Conn.

No. 2 Connecticut 81, Western Carolina 55

Storrs, Conn. – Hasheem Thabeet had 23 points and 17 rebounds to lead Connecticut to a season-opening victory.

No. 5 Pittsburgh 86, Fairleigh Dickinson 63

Pittsburgh – DeJuan Blair was overpowering inside with 17 points and 13 rebounds in slightly more than a half.

No. 11 Purdue 82, Detroit Mercy 50

West Lafayette, Ind. – E’Twaun Moore scored 18 points.

No. 15 Arizona State 80, Mississippi Valley St. 64

Tempe, Ariz. – James Harden had 24 points and 10 assists to lead Arizona State.

No. 16 Marquette 95, Houston Baptist 64

Milwaukee – Wesley Matthews scored a career-high 27 points, and Marquette won easily in Buzz Williams’ debut as the Golden Eagles’ coach.

No. 19 Florida 80, Toledo 58

Gainesville, Fla. – Dan Werner scored 19 points, and Nick Calathes added 16 points and seven assists.

No. 20 Davidson 107, Guilford 83

Davidson, N.C. – Stephon Curry had 29 points, 10 assists and nine steals for Davidson.

No. 21 Wake Forest 94, North Carolina Central 48

Winston-Salem, N.C. – Freshman Al-Farouq Aminu had 21 points and 10 rebounds.

No. 23 Villanova 78, Albany 60

Villanova, Pa. – Scottie Reynolds scored all 13 of his points in the second half.