Get Ready for Saturday

Ren failed miserably in the Big West...

IN: Lehigh - The Mountain Hawks are headed to the NCAAs for the first time in 6 years after a dominating performance over arch-rival Lafayette.  Freshman Player of the Year CJ McCollum was silky smooth with 20 points.  Zahir Carrington had a double double with 18 points and 10 rebounds as Lehigh led from start to finish. 

Still ticking...

San Diego St - The game of the day lived up to its top billing as the Aztecs outlasted New Mexico 72-69 in the Mountain West semis.  For those teams like San Diego St who are on the bubble sometimes it really does come down to one play to decide the fate of their entire season.  With only 7 seconds remaining down by 1, the Lobos handed the ball to star guard playmaker Dairese Gary to win it.  Gary dribbled ferociously through the heart of the Aztec defense and had a clear shot at a layup.  But he was running so fast and was out of control and banked the ball far too high off the backboard missing the basket completely.  The Aztecs corraled the rebound and advanced.  Had he made the layup, the Aztecs likely go home and make plans for the NIT.  0.5 seconds was the difference between being a tournament worthy foe or one that couldn't compete with the big boys in the NCAAs.  

Illinois - After a 5 game winning streak that included wins on the road vs Wisconsin and at home vs Michigan St, Illinois was in prime position for an at-large bid.  But as quickly as they rose they fell flat on their face in February, losing 5 of their last 6 games.  So it would all come down to Friday vs Wisconsin in the Big 10 quarterfinals.  Mike Tisdale was up to the task as his 21 points led the team to victory.  The Illini held the Badgers to 29% shooting, outrebounded them 35-30, and shot over 50% themselves including 6-10 from downtown.  It all adds up to a date in the Big 10 semifinals with top seed Ohio St and a likely trip to the NCAA tournament.  

Miami - Miami was the 12th seed in the ACC tournament after finishing dead last in the conference with 4-12 record.  Somehow the Hurricanes find themselves only 2 games away from the tournament after a stunning 2 game run over heavily favored Wake Forest by 21 and yesterday's win over Va Tech.  They'll face top seeded Duke and if they can topple Goliath, they'll be in the ACC championship game.  Miami's problems this season often came down to poise under pressure as they gave several games away after building large leads.  But right now they are putting it altogether with dominant frontcourt play (42-29 edge vs Hokies in rebounding), efficient offense (only 8 turnovers vs Wake Forest), and defensive intensity (held Virginia Tech to 38% from the field).  

Rhode Island 63 St. Louis 47 - A key win for the Rams who are one of those too close to call teams that better keep winning.  Akeem Richmond, a freshman who shoots 39% from 3 point range, drained 4 of them early in the rout of the Billikens.  Rhody can essentially punch its ticket with a win over top seeded Temple in the semifinals.  

Akron - It didn't get any easier for Akron who survived a double overtime marathon in the quarterfinals vs E Michigan.  Friday, the Zips needed Chris McKnight's putback with 6 seconds left to preserve a 66-64 victory.  The win overshadowed a monumental singular effort by W Michigan's David Kool.  He hit 5 threes, went 10-10 from the line, and scored 23 of his team's 33 second half points.  Kool would finish with a career high 39 points on the day but its Akron who will be moving on to the conference championship vs Ohio.

Georgia Tech - The Yellowjackets turned the ball over 25 times and surrendered a 19 point lead.  But they also held Terps senior guard Greivis Vasquez to 6 for 21 shooting, shot 56%, and outrebounded Maryland 38-28.  Mix it altogether and it adds up to a 69-64 win for Georgia Tech and a probable trip to the NCAAs.  Up next: equally surprising NC State in the ACC semis.  

Minnesota 72 Michigan St 67 OT - Gophers were bombing  3s all over on Friday night as Minnesota hit 10-23 to upset the Spartans.  Devoe Joseph hit two 3s in OT during a 10-0 run that put the game away.  Are the Gophers back in the hunt for an at-large bid?  It appears they will at least have an opportunity to play themselves in with a win over Ohio State on Saturday. 

Washington 79 Stanford 64 - The Huskies are finally looking like the team that was so highly regarded as a team to watch in 2010.  Quincy Pondexter's 19 led a balanced attack as Washington led throughout on its way to its 23rd win of the season.  UW is likely to qualify for the tournament as the much maligned Pac 10 will receive 2 bids on Selection Sunday.  They'll have a chance to erase all doubt in the championship against Cal.

DEAD

Michigan - Close but no cigar thanks to Evan Turner's miracle 35 footer at the buzzer

Tulsa

Nevada - heartbreak hotel for the Wolfpack who lose 80-79 despite Luke Babbitt's career high 33. 

Alabama - The Tide led early but couldn't hold on against top rated Kentucky

Northwestern - Gave Purdue quite a scare but in the end came up short losing 69-61.

Dayton - Another double digit lead blown by the Flyers this time in spectacular fashion.  After leading 61-46 with 10 minutes left, Xavier clamped down Dayton's attack as they did not allow a single field goal for over 8 minutes.  Then with only 33 seconds left and Xavier ahead 70-68, Dayton's guard Rob Lowery dribbled the ball intending to call timeout when he reached halfcourt.  As he was calling time, Xavier's Terrell Holloway swiped at the ball.  Lowery took offense at this and lost his cool, swinging away wildly at Holloway's arm.  He was immediately called for a technical foul giving Xavier two free throws and the ball.  Holloway ended up hitting 4 straight free throws as the Musketeers completed their comeback and will likely end any talk of the NCAAs for the Flyers.

Louisiana Tech

UCLA

Pacific - Congrats to Ren on his lousy Big West picks.  All 3 of them failed to make the title game as the last hope Pacific bowed out to Long Beach St 68-61.

Saturday Slate

ACC - Semifinals

Duke is in.  Georgia Tech is likely off the bubble and in.  The rest win or die. 

• 1 Duke vs 12 Miami
• 11 NC St vs 7 Georgia Tech

Atlantic 10 - Semis

Temple, Xavier, and Richmond are in.  Rhode Island is too close to call but a win vs Temple will help a lot. 

• 1 Temple vs 5 Rhode Island
• 2 Xavier vs 3 Richmond  

American East Championship

Win or die.  Vermont won both regular season contests.  Forward Marqus Blakely is a three time American East defensive player of the year and the leader for the favored Catamounts.  They'll be at home where they've won 9 in a row.  Boston U finished 4th in the league (Stonybrook was the regular season leader) however they were the preseason favorite.  Like Vermont, Boston U comes in red hot winners of 8 of their last 9.  Guard Corey Lowe is doing his best Vinnie Johnson microwave act by scoring in bunches off the bench.  He poured in 24 points with five 3s and had 5 steals as well in the upset of Stonybrook in the semifinals. 

• 2 Vermont vs 4 Boston University

Big 10 - Semifinals 

Ohio St and Purdue are in.  Illinois is likely in already, a win vs Ohio St erases all doubt.  Minnesota needs to win  to stay alive but is on the cusp of an at-large bid if they can beat Purdue.. 

• 5 Illinois vs 1 Ohio St
• 2 Purdue vs  6 Minnesota
  

Big 12 - Championship

Both are in.  

• 1 Kansas vs 2 Kansas St

Big East - Championship

Both in

• 8 Georgetown vs 3 W Virginia

Big West -Championship

Win or die.  It will be tough sledding for underdog Long Beach as the top seeded Gauchos boast the player of the year Orlando Johnson, a transfer from LMU and have won 13 of their last 16 games.  They were 12-3 in Big West play.  The 49ers will counter with forward TJ Robinson who averages 15 points and 10 rebounds a game.  They also have sophomore guard Casper Ware who is a do-everything playmaker with stellar averages 11.4 ppg, 4.9 apg, 3.0 rpg and 1.9 spg.  The two split a pair during the regular season.  

• 3 Long Beach St vs 1 UCSB

Conference USA - Championship

UTEP is in, Houston win or die.

• 7 Houston vs 1 UTEP

MAC - Championship

Win or die.  Akron has been allowing one guy to go off while stopping everyone else and so far it's worked- but just barely.  In round 1, E Michigan's Carlos Medlock poured in 42 points and it took a Houdini act for the Zips to advance.  The Zips hit 11 threes in the game including a perfect 4 for 4 from Steve McNees.  It was a physical foul-filled affair as 4 players fouled out of the game.  Less than 24 hours later, Akron was in another tight one vs W Michigan.  This time it was the Broncos' David Kool who lit them up for 39 points.  But somehow Akron survived again 66-64 and find themselves in the championship for the fourth consecutive year.  They'll face upstart Ohio who they've already beaten twice.  But as the old adage goes, it's never easy to beat a team 3 times in one season.  This is a golden opportunity for Stimpy to steal the MAC after Ren's top seeded Kent St. Golden Flashes were ambushed early. 

• 9 Ohio vs 3 Akron

MEAC - Championship

Win or die.  Morgan St will be a heavy favorite but the Bulldogs of South Carolina St did give the Golden Bears their only loss in conference.  Morgan St has had its share of close calls though with 7 games since February 1 decided by 9 points or less.  They squeaked by Bethune-Cookman by a single point and had to go double OT vs Norfolk St.  There's a glimmer of hope for SC St to pull the upset and ruin Ren's day.  

• 1 Morgan St vs 3 SC St

MWC - Championship

Both are likely in.  

• 4 San Diego St  vs 3 UNLV

Pac 10 - Championship

Cal is in for sure.  Washington is most likely in as well but can erase all doubt with a win.

• 1 Cal vs 3 Washington
  

SEC - Semifinals

Kentucky, Tennessee and Vanderbilt are in.  Mississippi St is too close to call but likely on the right side of the bubble.  A win vs Vanderbilt will end the debate.  

• 1East Kentucky vs  3East Tennessee
• 2West Miss St vs 2East Vanderbilt
  

Southland - Championship (SAT)

Win or die.  They've been the top team in their respective divisions for most of the season.  The Bearkats have a dynamic backcourt and led the league in scoring.  They also have JC transfer Gilberto Clavell who led the team in scoring and rebounding (16.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg).  Their fate will rest on which defensive group shows up.  In wins this season, the Bearkats score just over 65 points per game.  But when their defense is lax in losses, they give up over 90 points per game.  On the opposite end, the S F Austin relies on defense limiting their opponents to 58 points per game which is easily the best in the league.  Sam Houston St won the only regular season match 65-57 which means just about nothing at this point.  The Leonard E Merrell Center in Katy, TX will be rocking Saturday afternoon with the title on the line.  

• 2 Stephen F Austin vs 1 Sam Houston St

SWAC- Championship

Win or die.  Jackson St dominated the league finishing 17-1 in conference but were upset in the tourney.  This opens the door for the topsy turvy Texas Southern Tigers to steal the bid if they can win the rubber match with Ark Pine-Bluff.  The Tigers lost 4 straight in February including an 18 point drubbing to 6th place Mississippi Valley St.  Since that lull, the Tigers have won 5 straight.  The Tigers are the highest scoring team in the SWAC at 69 points per game.  Ark Pine-Bluf has won 10 of their last 12 games and their achilles' heel were the 2 losses to Jackson St.  The Golden Lions do it with defense and rebounding and have balanced scoring with 5 players averaging 8 points or more.  They've come a long way since losing their first 11 games of the season and are primed for a trip to the NCAAs.  

• 5 Texas Southern vs 2 Ark Pine-Bluff

WAC - Championship

Utah St is done with a loss.  If they reach the final and lose the Aggies have a chance to get an at-large but it's weak at best.  New Mexico St is win or go home.   

• 1 Utah St vs 3 New Mexico St

It's Good Night Nurse to the losers!