Wow that was a fantastic night of college basketball with the Michigan State Spartans holding off the Kentucky Wildcats and the Kansas Jayhawks coming back to beat the Duke Blue Devils. Four of college basketball’s perennial contenders all showed off some fantastically talented rosters in a night that truly introduced the new college basketball season. Not only that but it was the first strong national look at many of the top professional prospects, most notably Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker. Here are four thoughts on last night’s action:

Andrew Wiggins Is Good

Okay, so we all already knew just how good Wiggins was, but for a freshmen to step up in the manner in which he did in just his second game (and first serious contest) was truly impressive.

A very different story line appeared to be playing out through much of the basketball game. A couple of very early fouls limited his playing time while the Blue Devils pulled out to an early lead. He played only nine minutes in the first half finishing with six points on just six shots. Part of his limited offensive presence was related to the strong play of some of the other Jayhawks, but there was a distinct let down feeling as Parker lit up the scoreboard and the Wiggins - the projected first overall pick in 2014 - was all but silent.

He made up for it in the second half. Wiggins finished his night with 22 points and eight rebounds. He punctuated an impressive Kansas victory with a huge dunk and announced himself on the national stage as one of college basketball’s premier players. Nobody should have been surprised, but neither should the impressiveness or deserved credit to Wiggins be denied. This was a fantastic display on a national stage early in his career, at a time when he has to live up to a lot of hype. Wiggins in the real deal and any slim doubt about his draft status may have already dissipated.

Kentucky, John Calipari Should Still Feel Good

The Wildcats knew that they would have plenty to work through with a team almost entirely composed of freshmen. They should not feel disheartened by their Tuesday night loss against a more experienced and very strong Spartans team. Julius Randle looked like the dominant big man that he was expected to be and despite obvious growing pains, Kentucky were right in that game until late in the second half.

There are definitely some issues that Calipari will need to sort out though. Andrew Harrison and Aaron Harrison have both virtually been non-factors both have distributors and scorers. This duo has the talent and ability to be the best in the league, but they spent much of Tuesday looking confused and a bit overwhelmed by Tom Izzo’s well-coached defense. Meanwhile, James Young is still waiting to emerge as a serious scoring threat. He will need to find his stroke if this team is to maintain its expected national title challenge.

Lots of turnovers and mediocre defense hurt this team, but it would not have been unexpected. Calipari is a strong coach and will be very ready to take on the challenge that comes with coaching this team. He has more than enough talent to work with.

Michigan State Are Serious

Izzo has a team that he can coach. The Spartans have the speed and athleticism to get up the floor, they have experience and they have some good size and rebounding ability on the inside.

The veteran coach may have been a little concerned that his team was unable to kill off Kentucky earlier, but the difference in terms of experience level was very apparent through much of the game.

Senior Keith Appling and sophomore Gary Harris have the ability to be one of the league’s top guard tandems, while Adreian Payne and Branden Dawson are a pair to watch on the inside when it comes to rebounding and inside presence.

Michigan State are not as flashy a national title contender as Kentucky or Kansas, but they are just as strong, if not stronger on paper. They have college basketball experience, an elite head coach and enough balance to score and defend with the game’s best.

Parker Is Great, Duke Have Issues?

Coach K may have been keen not to discuss what his team didn’t have after Tuesday’s loss to Kansas, but for all of their scoring ability and skill, there is no doubt that Duke’s front court was exposed. The problem isn’t that the Blue Devils won’t have a strong season, the problem is that they will struggle to have an impact later in the national tournament.

What is unquestionable is that Jabari Parker is an elite NBA prospect and college basketball player. His development will be well worth tracking very carefully over the coming months.