NCAA Tournament national semifinals
March 31 at American Airlines Arena in Dallas, TX
ESPN2
Two huge things in this game, which South Carolina won 62-53 to advance to its first-ever national title game:
1. A'ja Wilson was the best player on the floor. The junior All America grabbed 19 (!) rebounds, eight on the offensive end, and added 13 points, four assists and three blocked shots. She started a bit slowly, as did most of the Gamecocks, but caught fire as her team turned a nine-point halftime deficit into the lead for good with a dominant third quarter.
The Gamecocks trailed 29-20 at the break, then used a 13-0 run to out-score the second-seeded Cardinal 21-8 and hold them to 4-of-21 shooting in the third.
2. Thanks in large part to an ankle injury suffered midway through the second quarter, Karlie Samuelson was a non-factor. Samuelson was the nation's leading 3-point shooter coming into the night (49%), but played sparingly and missed both of her long range attempts. The Cardinal as a team shot just 4-of-14 from behind the arc.
There were other key factors, of course, none bigger than the work of Allisha Gray. The South Carolina junior guard scored a game-high 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including a huge shot with 4:13 to go in the game, falling away on the baseline for a banked in bucket that turned into a three-point play and a 53-45 lead.
Marta Sniezek had a really nice first half off the bench for Stanford, scoring eight points and handing out four assists. But the sophomore guard, like most of the Cardinal in the second 20 minutes, struggled, and was held scoreless with just two more assists.
Games 394-395: Pair of finalists in Atlanta
395 - Washington State women at Georgia Tech
WNIT semifinals
March 29 at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, GA
espn3.com
Despite awful nights from both three-point range (3-of-17) and at the free-throw line (12-of-26!), the Tech women joined their male classmates in the finals with Wednesday's 69-61 victory.
Rebounding was a huge factor as Tech had a 50-35 edge - Zaire O'Neal and Elo Edeferioka each had 16 boards. O'Neal was the main cuplrit from the line (6-of-13), but she also scored a game-high 20 points and added four assists.
Tech, 22-14, visits Michigan in Saturday's championship game.
394 - Cal State Bakersfield vs. Georgia Tech
NIT semifinals
March 28 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
ESPN
The season for the Georgia Tech men had already been incredible before Tuesday's 76-61 win when you consider that they (1) had a new head coach and (2) many thought they'd maybe win one or two games in the ACC (they won eight). For the Yellow Jackets to get to the title game - and pick up their 21st win - has as much to do with the development of post player Ben Lammers and the immediate contribution from freshman Josh Okogie as anything.
Lammers went from a bench player to the ACC's top defensive player and a legit scoring threat inside and from the mid-range in less than a year, while Okogie turned in one of the finest freshman seasons in the conference. Lammers had 15 and 11 with five blocked shots; Okogie contributed a game-high 22 points with nine rebounds in Tuesday's win.
Tech will play in its second NIT final (and first since 1971) against TCU on Thursday.
* Couple other nice performances in this one, including Tech reserve guards Tadric Jackson and Justin Moore, who combined for 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting with four assists and just one turnover. Bakersfield's Dedrick Basile hit five threes and led the Roadrunners with 18 points.
WNIT semifinals
March 29 at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, GA
espn3.com
Despite awful nights from both three-point range (3-of-17) and at the free-throw line (12-of-26!), the Tech women joined their male classmates in the finals with Wednesday's 69-61 victory.
Rebounding was a huge factor as Tech had a 50-35 edge - Zaire O'Neal and Elo Edeferioka each had 16 boards. O'Neal was the main cuplrit from the line (6-of-13), but she also scored a game-high 20 points and added four assists.
Tech, 22-14, visits Michigan in Saturday's championship game.
394 - Cal State Bakersfield vs. Georgia Tech
NIT semifinals
March 28 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
ESPN
The season for the Georgia Tech men had already been incredible before Tuesday's 76-61 win when you consider that they (1) had a new head coach and (2) many thought they'd maybe win one or two games in the ACC (they won eight). For the Yellow Jackets to get to the title game - and pick up their 21st win - has as much to do with the development of post player Ben Lammers and the immediate contribution from freshman Josh Okogie as anything.
Lammers went from a bench player to the ACC's top defensive player and a legit scoring threat inside and from the mid-range in less than a year, while Okogie turned in one of the finest freshman seasons in the conference. Lammers had 15 and 11 with five blocked shots; Okogie contributed a game-high 22 points with nine rebounds in Tuesday's win.
Tech will play in its second NIT final (and first since 1971) against TCU on Thursday.
* Couple other nice performances in this one, including Tech reserve guards Tadric Jackson and Justin Moore, who combined for 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting with four assists and just one turnover. Bakersfield's Dedrick Basile hit five threes and led the Roadrunners with 18 points.
Game 392-393: Last half of final four set
NCAA Tournament regional finals
393 - (3) Florida State women vs. (1) South Carolina
March 27 at Stockton Arena in Stockton, CA
ESPN
392 - (10) Oregon women vs. (1) Connecticut
March 27 at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT
ESPN
I can't imagine being a beat writer for the Connecticut womens basketball team. What is left to talk about on a game-by-game basis?
The Huskies rolled to an unbelievable 10th consecutive final four with Monday's 90-52 win. Geno Auriemma is now the winningest coach in NCAA Tournament history, passing Tennessee's Pat Summitt with No 113.
Auriemma is 113-17 all-time in the tournament. Ridiculous.
Few quick things about the Huskies' top three players:
The All America teams were announced before the game and for some reason Gabby Williams was not named to the first team. That's an interesting decision because I think she might be the best all-around player in the country. Williams has the quickness to get to the rim and is a really good mid-range shooter (58% from the field overall), and knows her range (only six three-point attempts all year (one make!)). She's an excellent rebounder (averaging 8.4) and distributor (leads the team in assists, averages 5.2) and has the size - 5-11 - to be an impact pro.
The second-team All-American had 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting and added six rebounds, three assists and four steals in Monday's rout.
Napheesa Collier was one Connecticut player deservedly named to the first team, and she was tremendous in this one, scoring 28 points (on 12-of-20 shooting) to go along with 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. Between the third and fourth quarters, Auriemma told ESPN that he was upset with Collier, stating that she "isn't playing any defense". I think either Auriemma was joking or just might be running out of things to be upset about.
Fellow first-teamer Katie Lou Samuelson, who averages 20 points, showed her value in several other areas Monday despite shooting just 4-of-13 from the field and scoring eight points. The sophomore had five of Connecticut's 16 steals and handed out four assists with no turnovers.
393 - (3) Florida State women vs. (1) South Carolina
March 27 at Stockton Arena in Stockton, CA
ESPN
392 - (10) Oregon women vs. (1) Connecticut
March 27 at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT
ESPN
I can't imagine being a beat writer for the Connecticut womens basketball team. What is left to talk about on a game-by-game basis?
The Huskies rolled to an unbelievable 10th consecutive final four with Monday's 90-52 win. Geno Auriemma is now the winningest coach in NCAA Tournament history, passing Tennessee's Pat Summitt with No 113.
Auriemma is 113-17 all-time in the tournament. Ridiculous.
Few quick things about the Huskies' top three players:
The All America teams were announced before the game and for some reason Gabby Williams was not named to the first team. That's an interesting decision because I think she might be the best all-around player in the country. Williams has the quickness to get to the rim and is a really good mid-range shooter (58% from the field overall), and knows her range (only six three-point attempts all year (one make!)). She's an excellent rebounder (averaging 8.4) and distributor (leads the team in assists, averages 5.2) and has the size - 5-11 - to be an impact pro.
The second-team All-American had 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting and added six rebounds, three assists and four steals in Monday's rout.
Napheesa Collier was one Connecticut player deservedly named to the first team, and she was tremendous in this one, scoring 28 points (on 12-of-20 shooting) to go along with 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. Between the third and fourth quarters, Auriemma told ESPN that he was upset with Collier, stating that she "isn't playing any defense". I think either Auriemma was joking or just might be running out of things to be upset about.
Fellow first-teamer Katie Lou Samuelson, who averages 20 points, showed her value in several other areas Monday despite shooting just 4-of-13 from the field and scoring eight points. The sophomore had five of Connecticut's 16 steals and handed out four assists with no turnovers.
Games 390-391: First half of final four set
NCAA Tournament regional finals
391 - (3) Oregon vs. (1) Kansas
March 25 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO
TBS
The Ducks reached the program's first final four since 1939 with a 74-60 victory, thanks to a defense that held top seed Kansas to 20% shooting from three and 35% overall, but the invidual performances of Jordan Bell and Tyler Dorsey stood out.
Bell did everything, finishing with eight (!) blocked shots, 13 rebounds (seven on the offensive end), and added 11 points and four assists. Dorsey was 6-of-10 from three-point range and poured in 27 points. An absolutely phenomenal evening at the perfect time for both of these gifted players.
Oregon will be a very tough opponent for either North Carolina or Kentucky in next week's national semifinals despite the fact that whomever wins that Sunday regional final will almost certainly be favored.
390 - (11) Xavier vs. (1) Gonzaga
March 25 at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA
TBS
Historic day for Gonzaga, which reached the final four for the first time in program history (and first for the West Coast Conference since 1957 and those great San Francisco teams), with a dominant performance.
The Bulldogs' defense was exceptional, holding the 11-seed to 35% shooting from the field and 12% from three, while Gonzaga itself made half of its 24 three-point attempts in an 83-59 win.
Gonzaga was at its best defensively in the guarding of Trevon Bluiett, who came into the game averaging 25 points in the tournament, but was held to 10 points on 3-of-14 shooting.
His free-throw shooting wasn't pretty (2-of-8), but otherwise, Johnathan Williams was fantastic for Gonzaga. The junior had 19 and 8 and added three blocks, while Nigel Williams-Goss was his usual steady self, leading the way with 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
391 - (3) Oregon vs. (1) Kansas
March 25 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO
TBS
The Ducks reached the program's first final four since 1939 with a 74-60 victory, thanks to a defense that held top seed Kansas to 20% shooting from three and 35% overall, but the invidual performances of Jordan Bell and Tyler Dorsey stood out.
Bell did everything, finishing with eight (!) blocked shots, 13 rebounds (seven on the offensive end), and added 11 points and four assists. Dorsey was 6-of-10 from three-point range and poured in 27 points. An absolutely phenomenal evening at the perfect time for both of these gifted players.
Oregon will be a very tough opponent for either North Carolina or Kentucky in next week's national semifinals despite the fact that whomever wins that Sunday regional final will almost certainly be favored.
390 - (11) Xavier vs. (1) Gonzaga
March 25 at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA
TBS
Historic day for Gonzaga, which reached the final four for the first time in program history (and first for the West Coast Conference since 1957 and those great San Francisco teams), with a dominant performance.
The Bulldogs' defense was exceptional, holding the 11-seed to 35% shooting from the field and 12% from three, while Gonzaga itself made half of its 24 three-point attempts in an 83-59 win.
Gonzaga was at its best defensively in the guarding of Trevon Bluiett, who came into the game averaging 25 points in the tournament, but was held to 10 points on 3-of-14 shooting.
His free-throw shooting wasn't pretty (2-of-8), but otherwise, Johnathan Williams was fantastic for Gonzaga. The junior had 19 and 8 and added three blocks, while Nigel Williams-Goss was his usual steady self, leading the way with 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Game 389 - (4) UCLA women vs. (1) Connecticut
NCAA Tournament regional semifinals
March 25 at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT
ESPN
That's consecutive win No. 110 for Connecticut, which advanced to the Elite 8 with an 86-71 victory Saturday afternoon.
Napheesha Collier was fantastic - NCAA Tournament career-high 27 points, 14 rebounds, five assists - Gabby Williams also did a lot of everything (17 points, nine rebounds, six assists) and the Huskies nearly had all five starters in double figures (Kia Nurse scored nine points).
Coach Geno Auriemma tied former Tennessee coach Pat Summitt for the most wins in tournament history (each has 112), and the unbeaten Huskies will look to make Auriemma No. 1 when they play 10th-seeded Oregon in Monday's regional final.
Great night for UCLA's Jordan Canada, who handed out 11 assists to go along with a team-high 20 points before fouling out with a minute to play.
Other game watched:
(10) Oregon vs. (3) Maryland
March 25 at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT
ESPN
That's consecutive win No. 110 for Connecticut, which advanced to the Elite 8 with an 86-71 victory Saturday afternoon.
Napheesha Collier was fantastic - NCAA Tournament career-high 27 points, 14 rebounds, five assists - Gabby Williams also did a lot of everything (17 points, nine rebounds, six assists) and the Huskies nearly had all five starters in double figures (Kia Nurse scored nine points).
Coach Geno Auriemma tied former Tennessee coach Pat Summitt for the most wins in tournament history (each has 112), and the unbeaten Huskies will look to make Auriemma No. 1 when they play 10th-seeded Oregon in Monday's regional final.
Great night for UCLA's Jordan Canada, who handed out 11 assists to go along with a team-high 20 points before fouling out with a minute to play.
Other game watched:
(10) Oregon vs. (3) Maryland
Games 387-388: Sweet night
NCAA Tournament regional semifinals
388 - (4) Purdue vs. (1) Kansas
387 - (7) Michigan vs. (3) Oregon
March 23 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO
CBS
The top seed Jayhawks and third-seeded Ducks will meet in Saturday's regional final.
Kansas turned a seven-point halftime lead into a lopsided, 98-66 victory mainly because the Jayhawks have three terrific guards.
Frank Mason is a national player of the year candidate for a reason: the senior can do it all. Thursday, Mason had 26 points (9-of-11 from field, 4-of-5 from three), seven assists and seven rebounds and was in complete control of the Jayhawks' offense. Devonte Graham also scored 26 (7-of-15, 5-of-9), while Josh Jackson added 15 points and 12 rebounds. In fact, the freshman Jackson had three more rebounds than the Purdue duo of 6-9 Caleb Swanigan and 7-2 Isaac Haas.
Kansas was only up six about six minutes into the second half, but rolled the rest of the way and shot 53% from three-point range.
The Big 12 regular season champion is right now playing better than anyone in this tournament.
In the first game of the night, Michigan's Derrick Walton missed a three with about three seconds to go that would've been the game-winner as Oregon survived, 69-68.
Walton's final collegiate game was another good one - 20 points and eight assists - though for once, it wasn't enough. Zak Ervin was also really good for Michigan - he and Walton combined for 39 points on 14-of-24 shooting, but the rest of the team shot just 11-of-34 from the field.
Outstanding game for Oregon's Jordan Bell, who scored 16 points and was a monster on the glass with 13 rebounds. He and Tyler Dorsey (20 points, including five threes) are the big reasons why Oregon is in the Elite 8 for the second consecutive season looking for its first final four since the first tournament back in 1939.
Other game watched:
(4) West Virginia vs. (1) Gonzaga
388 - (4) Purdue vs. (1) Kansas
387 - (7) Michigan vs. (3) Oregon
March 23 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO
CBS
The top seed Jayhawks and third-seeded Ducks will meet in Saturday's regional final.
Kansas turned a seven-point halftime lead into a lopsided, 98-66 victory mainly because the Jayhawks have three terrific guards.
Frank Mason is a national player of the year candidate for a reason: the senior can do it all. Thursday, Mason had 26 points (9-of-11 from field, 4-of-5 from three), seven assists and seven rebounds and was in complete control of the Jayhawks' offense. Devonte Graham also scored 26 (7-of-15, 5-of-9), while Josh Jackson added 15 points and 12 rebounds. In fact, the freshman Jackson had three more rebounds than the Purdue duo of 6-9 Caleb Swanigan and 7-2 Isaac Haas.
Kansas was only up six about six minutes into the second half, but rolled the rest of the way and shot 53% from three-point range.
The Big 12 regular season champion is right now playing better than anyone in this tournament.
In the first game of the night, Michigan's Derrick Walton missed a three with about three seconds to go that would've been the game-winner as Oregon survived, 69-68.
Walton's final collegiate game was another good one - 20 points and eight assists - though for once, it wasn't enough. Zak Ervin was also really good for Michigan - he and Walton combined for 39 points on 14-of-24 shooting, but the rest of the team shot just 11-of-34 from the field.
Outstanding game for Oregon's Jordan Bell, who scored 16 points and was a monster on the glass with 13 rebounds. He and Tyler Dorsey (20 points, including five threes) are the big reasons why Oregon is in the Elite 8 for the second consecutive season looking for its first final four since the first tournament back in 1939.
Other game watched:
(4) West Virginia vs. (1) Gonzaga
Game 386 - Illinois at Central Florida
NIT quarterfinals
March 22 at CFE Arena in Orlando, FL
ESPN2
Well, there's one thing you can say about Johnny Dawkins: he sure can coach in the NIT.
He moved to 14-1 all-time in the event as Central Florida advanced to the semifinals with a 68-58 win. The hosts provided their usual strong defense - they came into the night leading the nation in field goal percentage allowed and fifth in scoring defense - holding the Illini to 33% shooting.
Dawkins won NIT titles at Stanford to close both the 2011-2012 and 2014-2015 seasons and he's two wins away from No. 3.
UCF plays TCU in next Tuesday's final four.
Outstanding final collegiate game for Illinois' Malcolm Hill, who scored a game-high 29 points and on the other end of the floor added three of the Illini's 10 steals. Hill hit 9-of-18 from the field, though his teammates were just 10-of-44.
March 22 at CFE Arena in Orlando, FL
ESPN2
Well, there's one thing you can say about Johnny Dawkins: he sure can coach in the NIT.
He moved to 14-1 all-time in the event as Central Florida advanced to the semifinals with a 68-58 win. The hosts provided their usual strong defense - they came into the night leading the nation in field goal percentage allowed and fifth in scoring defense - holding the Illini to 33% shooting.
Dawkins won NIT titles at Stanford to close both the 2011-2012 and 2014-2015 seasons and he's two wins away from No. 3.
UCF plays TCU in next Tuesday's final four.
Outstanding final collegiate game for Illinois' Malcolm Hill, who scored a game-high 29 points and on the other end of the floor added three of the Illini's 10 steals. Hill hit 9-of-18 from the field, though his teammates were just 10-of-44.
Game 385 - Georgia Tech at Mississippi
NIT quarterfinals
March 21 at The Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, MS
ESPN2
The remarkable season for Georgia Tech continued on Tuesday.
Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year Ben Lammers provided his usual dominance (eight blocked shots and four steals), Josh Okogie scored 26 points and the Yellow Jackets were neither tied nor behind in winning 74-66.
In coach Josh Pastner's first season, Tech is a 20-win team and headed to Madison Square Garden for the NIT semifinals.
Lammers also had 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting and added four assists. Okogie, just a freshman, went 9-of-10 from the free-throw line, including four straight over the final 1:22 to seal the victory. Mississippi took 28(!) threes, but made just six and wasted a great performance from all-SEC center Sebastian Saiz (19 points, 8-of-11 shooting, 15 rebounds).
Josh Heath had seven of Tech's 21 assists (on 26 made baskets), and the Atlanta school shot 51% from the field in winning for just the third time in 13 road games.
Tech, which failed to get past the quarterfinal round in last season's NIT, will play either Sun Belt Conference regular season champion UT-Arlington or WAC runner-up Cal-Bakersfield March 28.
March 21 at The Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, MS
ESPN2
The remarkable season for Georgia Tech continued on Tuesday.
Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year Ben Lammers provided his usual dominance (eight blocked shots and four steals), Josh Okogie scored 26 points and the Yellow Jackets were neither tied nor behind in winning 74-66.
In coach Josh Pastner's first season, Tech is a 20-win team and headed to Madison Square Garden for the NIT semifinals.
Lammers also had 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting and added four assists. Okogie, just a freshman, went 9-of-10 from the free-throw line, including four straight over the final 1:22 to seal the victory. Mississippi took 28(!) threes, but made just six and wasted a great performance from all-SEC center Sebastian Saiz (19 points, 8-of-11 shooting, 15 rebounds).
Josh Heath had seven of Tech's 21 assists (on 26 made baskets), and the Atlanta school shot 51% from the field in winning for just the third time in 13 road games.
Tech, which failed to get past the quarterfinal round in last season's NIT, will play either Sun Belt Conference regular season champion UT-Arlington or WAC runner-up Cal-Bakersfield March 28.
Games 383-384: Sweet 16's next
NCAA Tournament second round
384 - (12) Quinnipiac women at (4) Miami
March 20 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL
ESPN
383 - (5) Tennessee women at (4) Louisville
March 20 at KFC Yum Center in Louisville, KY
ESPN
We watched some history in both games as Louisville started the night with a 75-64 win to advance to its fourth Sweet 16 in the last five seasons.
It's incredible to even be writing these words, but this was Tennessee's first-ever loss in 29 second-round games. Hard to win when you shoot 33% from the field, 27% from three-point range and your best player, Diamond DeShields, is a non-factor. DeShields finished with 15 points, but sat for a good portion of the second quarter with two fouls, missed nine of her 12 field goal attempts and just never got going.
Tennessee stayed close thanks to a great night from Jaime Nared (28 points, 11 rebounds).
Louisville's stand out sophomore, Asia Durr, wasn't at her best for much of the game - 23 points, though on just 8-of-22 shooting (1-of-8 from three) - but that didn't matter nearly as much as it might have because Mariya Moore picked up the slack.
The junior was a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range and had 19 points. It was a 47-46 Tennessee lead after three quarters before Moore took over at the start of the fourth. Moore scored the first eight points of the final period and her three at the 7:22 mark put her team up 54-47. The Volunteers got as close as 55-51, then Durr followed with consecutive jumpers to make it an eight-point game with just over five minutes to go.
In the nightcap, Quinnipiac got an absurd evening off the bench from Morgan Manz (22 points, 6-of-8! from three-point range) & continued its remarkable run, winning 85-78. I think the most impressed I was with Quinnipiac tonight was when they just kept the lead, though slim at times, throughout the stretch where top players Adily Martucci and Jen Fay sat each with four fouls.
The Bobcats' bench out-scored Miami's 41-8.
And, the Bobcats accomplished the following things Monday:
- Reached the school's first Sweet 16. This follows the first-ever NCAA win - a 68-65 triumph over Big East champion Marquette - in Saturday's opening round.
- Defeated a ranked team for the first time. Miami was No. 16 in the Associated Press final regular season poll.
- Defeated their first Atlantic Coast Conference team.
The Bobcats face top seed South Carolina in Stockton, CA this weekend with a spot in the Elite 8 on the line.
This is just great for womens basketball - a second team from Connecticut is also two wins from the Final Four.
384 - (12) Quinnipiac women at (4) Miami
March 20 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL
ESPN
383 - (5) Tennessee women at (4) Louisville
March 20 at KFC Yum Center in Louisville, KY
ESPN
We watched some history in both games as Louisville started the night with a 75-64 win to advance to its fourth Sweet 16 in the last five seasons.
It's incredible to even be writing these words, but this was Tennessee's first-ever loss in 29 second-round games. Hard to win when you shoot 33% from the field, 27% from three-point range and your best player, Diamond DeShields, is a non-factor. DeShields finished with 15 points, but sat for a good portion of the second quarter with two fouls, missed nine of her 12 field goal attempts and just never got going.
Tennessee stayed close thanks to a great night from Jaime Nared (28 points, 11 rebounds).
Louisville's stand out sophomore, Asia Durr, wasn't at her best for much of the game - 23 points, though on just 8-of-22 shooting (1-of-8 from three) - but that didn't matter nearly as much as it might have because Mariya Moore picked up the slack.
The junior was a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range and had 19 points. It was a 47-46 Tennessee lead after three quarters before Moore took over at the start of the fourth. Moore scored the first eight points of the final period and her three at the 7:22 mark put her team up 54-47. The Volunteers got as close as 55-51, then Durr followed with consecutive jumpers to make it an eight-point game with just over five minutes to go.
In the nightcap, Quinnipiac got an absurd evening off the bench from Morgan Manz (22 points, 6-of-8! from three-point range) & continued its remarkable run, winning 85-78. I think the most impressed I was with Quinnipiac tonight was when they just kept the lead, though slim at times, throughout the stretch where top players Adily Martucci and Jen Fay sat each with four fouls.
The Bobcats' bench out-scored Miami's 41-8.
And, the Bobcats accomplished the following things Monday:
- Reached the school's first Sweet 16. This follows the first-ever NCAA win - a 68-65 triumph over Big East champion Marquette - in Saturday's opening round.
- Defeated a ranked team for the first time. Miami was No. 16 in the Associated Press final regular season poll.
- Defeated their first Atlantic Coast Conference team.
The Bobcats face top seed South Carolina in Stockton, CA this weekend with a spot in the Elite 8 on the line.
This is just great for womens basketball - a second team from Connecticut is also two wins from the Final Four.
Game 382 - (6) Cincinnati vs. (3) UCLA
NCAA Tournament second round
March 19 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA
TBS
The second half was just about UCLA offense at its finest.
Led by the dynamic Lonzo Ball, the Bruins turned a three-point halftime deficit into a 79-67 victory and the program's third Sweet 16 in the last four seasons.
UCLA had a 7-0 run early in the second, made 8-of-10 field goals at one point, and took the lead for good at at the 13 1/2-minute mark on Ball's 3-pointer. The guard handed out nine assists - he leads the country in that category - and also had 18 points and seven rebounds.
UCLA's offense, which is tops nationally in scoring and field goal percentage, shot 63% from the field in the second half & was also remarkably efficient throughout the game (21 assists and just three turnovers).
Aaron Holiday had five of those assists off the bench.
Speaking of the benches, Cincinnati reserve freshman Jarron Cumberland had a really nice night leading the sixth-seeded Bearcats with 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Cumberland rebounded his own miss and hit a jumper with about 4 1/2 minutes to go that pulled the Bearcats to within 70-63, but they got no closer.
UCLA will try to reach its first Elite 8 since the program went to three consecutive final fours from 2005-2008.
March 19 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA
TBS
The second half was just about UCLA offense at its finest.
Led by the dynamic Lonzo Ball, the Bruins turned a three-point halftime deficit into a 79-67 victory and the program's third Sweet 16 in the last four seasons.
UCLA had a 7-0 run early in the second, made 8-of-10 field goals at one point, and took the lead for good at at the 13 1/2-minute mark on Ball's 3-pointer. The guard handed out nine assists - he leads the country in that category - and also had 18 points and seven rebounds.
UCLA's offense, which is tops nationally in scoring and field goal percentage, shot 63% from the field in the second half & was also remarkably efficient throughout the game (21 assists and just three turnovers).
Aaron Holiday had five of those assists off the bench.
Speaking of the benches, Cincinnati reserve freshman Jarron Cumberland had a really nice night leading the sixth-seeded Bearcats with 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Cumberland rebounded his own miss and hit a jumper with about 4 1/2 minutes to go that pulled the Bearcats to within 70-63, but they got no closer.
UCLA will try to reach its first Elite 8 since the program went to three consecutive final fours from 2005-2008.
Game 381 - (6) Missouri women at (3) Florida State
NCAA Tournament second round
March 19 at Donald L. Tucker Center in Tallahassee, FL
ESPN2
This was actually just a five-point game at halftime, but the third quarter belonged to the host Seminoles.
FSU, which advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time in school history with a 77-55 win, scored the first eight points of the third and was just getting started. The Seminoles hit seven of their first 10 field goals in the period, including five straight at one point, then began the fourth by scoring the first 10 and went up 66-37 on a Brittany Brown three with 8 1/2 minutes to play.
The No. 3 seed was excellent from behind the arc, hitting 7-of-14, and the defense forced 23 turnovers. Brown handed out eight assists to go along with 16 points, while Shakayla Thomas had 20 and 11.
Missouri still hasn't made a Sweet 16 since 2001.
Other game watched:
(9) Michigan State men vs. (1) Kansas
March 19 at Donald L. Tucker Center in Tallahassee, FL
ESPN2
This was actually just a five-point game at halftime, but the third quarter belonged to the host Seminoles.
FSU, which advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time in school history with a 77-55 win, scored the first eight points of the third and was just getting started. The Seminoles hit seven of their first 10 field goals in the period, including five straight at one point, then began the fourth by scoring the first 10 and went up 66-37 on a Brittany Brown three with 8 1/2 minutes to play.
The No. 3 seed was excellent from behind the arc, hitting 7-of-14, and the defense forced 23 turnovers. Brown handed out eight assists to go along with 16 points, while Shakayla Thomas had 20 and 11.
Missouri still hasn't made a Sweet 16 since 2001.
Other game watched:
(9) Michigan State men vs. (1) Kansas
Game 380 - (8) Northwestern vs. (1) Gonzaga
NCAA Tournament second round
March 18 at Vivint Smart Arena in Salt Lake City, UT
CBS
Other games watched:
(11) Xavier vs. (3) Florida State
(12) Middle Tennessee vs. (4) Butler
(7) St. Mary's vs. (2) Arizona
March 18 at Vivint Smart Arena in Salt Lake City, UT
CBS
Other games watched:
(11) Xavier vs. (3) Florida State
(12) Middle Tennessee vs. (4) Butler
(7) St. Mary's vs. (2) Arizona
Game 379 - (8) Wisconsin vs. (1) Villanova
NCAA Tournament second round
March 18 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
CBS
Villanova made a remarkable run to the national championship last season, and I think that has made some forget that the Wildcats haven't been very good the last half-decade or so in the round of 32.
Nigel Hayes' nifty reverse lay-up with 11 1/2 seconds to play was the difference as Wisconsin knocked out the defending champions with a 65-62 victory.
That's the fourth time since 2010 that Villanova has been eliminated in the second round and each time it was either a No. 1 or 2 seed.
Hayes shared a game-high in points (19) with Villanova's Josh Hart, who was looking for the tying basket when he drove and didn't get a shot off with four seconds to play.
Hayes (8-of-15 from the field) and Bronson Koenig (7-of-11, 17 points) led a Badgers' team that shot 53% from the field & continued the best four-year run in program history. Wisconsin advanced to their fourth consecutive Sweet 16 and are looking to get to the national semifinals for the third time during that four-year stretch.
One thing to look out for as Wisconsin moves on (they'll play either No. 4 seed Florida or fifth-seeded Virginia in the regional semifinals) is the free-throw shooting. The Badgers are one of the nation's worst teams from the line - 64% coming in - and they made just 7-of-16 Saturday.
March 18 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
CBS
Villanova made a remarkable run to the national championship last season, and I think that has made some forget that the Wildcats haven't been very good the last half-decade or so in the round of 32.
Nigel Hayes' nifty reverse lay-up with 11 1/2 seconds to play was the difference as Wisconsin knocked out the defending champions with a 65-62 victory.
That's the fourth time since 2010 that Villanova has been eliminated in the second round and each time it was either a No. 1 or 2 seed.
Hayes shared a game-high in points (19) with Villanova's Josh Hart, who was looking for the tying basket when he drove and didn't get a shot off with four seconds to play.
Hayes (8-of-15 from the field) and Bronson Koenig (7-of-11, 17 points) led a Badgers' team that shot 53% from the field & continued the best four-year run in program history. Wisconsin advanced to their fourth consecutive Sweet 16 and are looking to get to the national semifinals for the third time during that four-year stretch.
One thing to look out for as Wisconsin moves on (they'll play either No. 4 seed Florida or fifth-seeded Virginia in the regional semifinals) is the free-throw shooting. The Badgers are one of the nation's worst teams from the line - 64% coming in - and they made just 7-of-16 Saturday.
Games 377-378: Moving on
378 - (10) Marquette vs. (7) South Carolina
March 17 at Bon Secours Wellness Center in Greenville, SC
CBS
377 - (11) Rhode Island vs. (6) Creighton
March 17 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA
TBS
It's incredible that a major conference team can go 44 years without an NCAA win, but South Carolina did until Friday.
Sindarius Thornwell had 29 points and 11 rebounds and P.J. Dozier added 21 and the Gamecocks ran away from Marquette in a 93-73 win. Playing in the tournament for the first time since 2004, South Carolina won for the first time since a March, 1973 victory over Lafayette in a third-place game. That's how long it had been.
It was also the first tournament win for Rhode Island since the 1998 team made a run to the Elite 8.
The Rams, Atlantic 10 champions, had a terrible day shooting the three (4-of-21), but made up for it with great free-throw shooting (28-of-31) and having four players in double figures, led by Jeff Dowtin's 23 points.
I'm really looking forward to Rhode Island's round of 32 match up with third-seeded Oregon.
March 17 at Bon Secours Wellness Center in Greenville, SC
CBS
377 - (11) Rhode Island vs. (6) Creighton
March 17 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA
TBS
It's incredible that a major conference team can go 44 years without an NCAA win, but South Carolina did until Friday.
Sindarius Thornwell had 29 points and 11 rebounds and P.J. Dozier added 21 and the Gamecocks ran away from Marquette in a 93-73 win. Playing in the tournament for the first time since 2004, South Carolina won for the first time since a March, 1973 victory over Lafayette in a third-place game. That's how long it had been.
It was also the first tournament win for Rhode Island since the 1998 team made a run to the Elite 8.
The Rams, Atlantic 10 champions, had a terrible day shooting the three (4-of-21), but made up for it with great free-throw shooting (28-of-31) and having four players in double figures, led by Jeff Dowtin's 23 points.
I'm really looking forward to Rhode Island's round of 32 match up with third-seeded Oregon.
Games 375-376: Pair of night games
376 - (12) Nevada vs. (5) Iowa State
NCAA Tournament first round
March 16 at Bradley Center in Milwaukee, WI
TruTV
375 - (16) Mount St. Mary's vs. (1) Villanova
NCAA Tournament first round
March 16 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
CBS
Other games watched:
(14) Florida Gulf Coast vs. (3) Florida State
(9) Virginia Tech vs. (8) Wisconsin
(10) VCU vs. (7) St. Mary's
(15) South Dakota vs. (2) Arizona
NCAA Tournament first round
March 16 at Bradley Center in Milwaukee, WI
TruTV
375 - (16) Mount St. Mary's vs. (1) Villanova
NCAA Tournament first round
March 16 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
CBS
Other games watched:
(14) Florida Gulf Coast vs. (3) Florida State
(9) Virginia Tech vs. (8) Wisconsin
(10) VCU vs. (7) St. Mary's
(15) South Dakota vs. (2) Arizona
Game 374 - (12) Middle Tennessee vs. (5) Minnesota
NCAA Tournament first round
March 16 at Bradley Center in Milwaukee, WI
TNT
When the brackets were unveiled on Sunday, it seemed Middle Tennessee and its 30 wins were a bit under-seeded and Minnesota, despite a big turn around & a 24-win regular season may have been a bit over-seeded. That seemed to play out Thursday afternoon as the Conference USA champions pulled off their second consecutive March upset, 81-72.
The Blue Raiders knocked off No. 2 seed Michigan State in the opening round a year ago and they had four in double figures in this year's win.
Reggie Upshaw again came through in a big way, following his 21-point performance against the Spartans last March with 16 of his game-high 19 points in the second half on Thursday.
MTSU led by as much as 15 before Minnesota got to within 62-58 on Eric Curry's three-point play at the 6:44 mark. That was as close as the Golden Gophers would get, mainly because Upshaw followed with a three, a nice reverse lay-in and a fade away jumper from about 10 feet that made it 69-61 with about 4 1/2 minutes to go.
Other game watched:
(9) Vanderbilt vs. (8) Northwestern
March 16 at Bradley Center in Milwaukee, WI
TNT
When the brackets were unveiled on Sunday, it seemed Middle Tennessee and its 30 wins were a bit under-seeded and Minnesota, despite a big turn around & a 24-win regular season may have been a bit over-seeded. That seemed to play out Thursday afternoon as the Conference USA champions pulled off their second consecutive March upset, 81-72.
The Blue Raiders knocked off No. 2 seed Michigan State in the opening round a year ago and they had four in double figures in this year's win.
Reggie Upshaw again came through in a big way, following his 21-point performance against the Spartans last March with 16 of his game-high 19 points in the second half on Thursday.
MTSU led by as much as 15 before Minnesota got to within 62-58 on Eric Curry's three-point play at the 6:44 mark. That was as close as the Golden Gophers would get, mainly because Upshaw followed with a three, a nice reverse lay-in and a fade away jumper from about 10 feet that made it 69-61 with about 4 1/2 minutes to go.
Other game watched:
(9) Vanderbilt vs. (8) Northwestern
Game 373 - (12) Princeton vs. (5) Notre Dame
NCAA Tournament first round
March 16 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
CBS
Princeton was trying to become the third consecutive Ivy League 12-seed to win a first-round game, but Devin Cannady's 3-pointer with a few seconds left was a bit long and the Irish survived 60-58.
Cannady had a great look and I thought at first it was good. The Tigers, in the tournament for the first time since 2010-2011, had a 19-game winning streak snapped and lost for the first time since last December 20. Princeton's last NCAA win came in 1998.
Notre Dame escaped thanks to Bonzie Colson (18 and 7, 6-of-13 from the field) and Matt Farrell (16 points, 6-of-9 with four assists) because the rest of the team shot just 30%.
I was surprised to learn that the Irish are the only team to appear in each of the last two Elite 8s. Two more wins and the Big East runner-up will make it three straight.
Other games watched:
(12) UNC-Wilmington vs. (5) Virginia
(16) South Dakota State vs. (1) Gonzaga
March 16 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
CBS
Princeton was trying to become the third consecutive Ivy League 12-seed to win a first-round game, but Devin Cannady's 3-pointer with a few seconds left was a bit long and the Irish survived 60-58.
Cannady had a great look and I thought at first it was good. The Tigers, in the tournament for the first time since 2010-2011, had a 19-game winning streak snapped and lost for the first time since last December 20. Princeton's last NCAA win came in 1998.
Notre Dame escaped thanks to Bonzie Colson (18 and 7, 6-of-13 from the field) and Matt Farrell (16 points, 6-of-9 with four assists) because the rest of the team shot just 30%.
I was surprised to learn that the Irish are the only team to appear in each of the last two Elite 8s. Two more wins and the Big East runner-up will make it three straight.
Other games watched:
(12) UNC-Wilmington vs. (5) Virginia
(16) South Dakota State vs. (1) Gonzaga
Games 371-372: Two more advance
372 - (11) Providence vs. (11) USC
371 - (16) NC Central vs. (16) UC-Davis
NCAA First Four
March 15 at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
TruTV
Incredible comeback by USC in the nightcap as the Trojans rallied from 17 down to win 75-71 and advance to play No. 6 seed SMU on Friday.
It was the seventh-largest comeback in NCAA history and the Pac 12 school's nation-leading 12th when trailing by 10 or more points. Providence led 46-29 early in the second, but USC chipped away and eventually took the last lead of the night (61-60) with just under seven minutes left on a jumper by Chimezie Metu.
Over the final 12 minutes of the game, USC made 11-of-17 field goals, including six straight during the stretch in which they completed the comeback and grabbed the lead. Starting with Metu's jumper, he and Bennie Boatwright (game-high 24 points) scored 12 of the Trojans' final 16 points.
UC-Davis has only been in Division I since 2007 and 10 years later, the Aggies picked up their first NCAA win, 67-63.
MEAC champion NC Central came into the night with the 10th-best field goal percentage defense in the country, but it was the Big West champions that were the best defensive team in Dayton. Central was held to 35% shooting & just 19% from three (5-of-26).
UC-Davis, which had the best player on the floor in Chima Moneke (18 points on 6-of-10 shooting with 12 rebounds), plays top seed Kansas in Friday's first round.
371 - (16) NC Central vs. (16) UC-Davis
NCAA First Four
March 15 at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
TruTV
Incredible comeback by USC in the nightcap as the Trojans rallied from 17 down to win 75-71 and advance to play No. 6 seed SMU on Friday.
It was the seventh-largest comeback in NCAA history and the Pac 12 school's nation-leading 12th when trailing by 10 or more points. Providence led 46-29 early in the second, but USC chipped away and eventually took the last lead of the night (61-60) with just under seven minutes left on a jumper by Chimezie Metu.
Over the final 12 minutes of the game, USC made 11-of-17 field goals, including six straight during the stretch in which they completed the comeback and grabbed the lead. Starting with Metu's jumper, he and Bennie Boatwright (game-high 24 points) scored 12 of the Trojans' final 16 points.
UC-Davis has only been in Division I since 2007 and 10 years later, the Aggies picked up their first NCAA win, 67-63.
MEAC champion NC Central came into the night with the 10th-best field goal percentage defense in the country, but it was the Big West champions that were the best defensive team in Dayton. Central was held to 35% shooting & just 19% from three (5-of-26).
UC-Davis, which had the best player on the floor in Chima Moneke (18 points on 6-of-10 shooting with 12 rebounds), plays top seed Kansas in Friday's first round.
Game 370 - Valparaiso at Illinois
NIT first round
March 14 at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL
espn3.com
It's been an interesting last month for Illinois. The Illini had a four-game winning streak at the end of February that included wins over future NCAA teams Northwestern and Michigan State & gave them a chance at an at-large bid, followed by a terrible loss to Rutgers in the regular season finale that probably put an end to that chance and a blowout defeat to Michigan in the Big 10 Tournament.
Two days after the Michigan loss (NOTE: this was the game where the Wolverines had to use practice jerseys because their regular uniforms were still stuck on a plane that had crashed on the runway prior to takeoff. Yes, it was THAT game), Illinois fired head coach John Groce. So, anything was possible in the Illini's NIT opener.
Well, Illinois turned it around at least for one day, getting 25 points from Malcolm Hill in an 82-57 victory. That's a 1-0 record for interim coach Jamall Walker, who watched the hosts hold Valpo to 3-of-18 shooting from three-point range.
Valparaiso had a really difficult end to its season: the nation's eighth-best scorer, Alec Peters, went down with a season-ending injury, the second-seeded Crusaders scored 41 points (12 in the first half) in their first game of the Horizon League Tournament, a loss which ended a shot at an NCAA bid, and then Tuesday's blowout loss. That all happened in about a three-week span.
March 14 at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL
espn3.com
It's been an interesting last month for Illinois. The Illini had a four-game winning streak at the end of February that included wins over future NCAA teams Northwestern and Michigan State & gave them a chance at an at-large bid, followed by a terrible loss to Rutgers in the regular season finale that probably put an end to that chance and a blowout defeat to Michigan in the Big 10 Tournament.
Two days after the Michigan loss (NOTE: this was the game where the Wolverines had to use practice jerseys because their regular uniforms were still stuck on a plane that had crashed on the runway prior to takeoff. Yes, it was THAT game), Illinois fired head coach John Groce. So, anything was possible in the Illini's NIT opener.
Well, Illinois turned it around at least for one day, getting 25 points from Malcolm Hill in an 82-57 victory. That's a 1-0 record for interim coach Jamall Walker, who watched the hosts hold Valpo to 3-of-18 shooting from three-point range.
Valparaiso had a really difficult end to its season: the nation's eighth-best scorer, Alec Peters, went down with a season-ending injury, the second-seeded Crusaders scored 41 points (12 in the first half) in their first game of the Horizon League Tournament, a loss which ended a shot at an NCAA bid, and then Tuesday's blowout loss. That all happened in about a three-week span.
Games 368-369: The tournament begins
369 - (11) Wake Forest vs. (11) Kansas State
368 - (16) New Orleans vs. (16) Mount St. Mary's
NCAA First Four
March 14 at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
TruTV
Mount St. Mary's started the evening with the program's first-ever NCAA win, squeaking by New Orleans 67-66. The Mountaineers, who have been Division I since 1988 and are a 20-win team for just the second time in that span, had been 0-4 previously in the tournament.
The 16-seed draws defending national champion Villanova in Thursday's opening round, and though I fully expect the Wildcats to win, the guard match up could be interesting. Mount St. Mary's has the shortest player in Division I in 5-5 Junior Robinson, and two other really good guards in sophomore Elijah Long and freshman Miles Wilson. Robinson led the way Tuesday with 23 points, and though Long struggled with just six points, Wilson was a huge factor, contributing 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Both Robinson and Wilson never came off the floor.
A big key for Robinson going up against Villanova's Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson will be limiting turnovers. Robinson had six of his team's 16 against New Orleans.
In the nightcap, Kansas State shot a ridiculous 66% (25-of-31 on twos) from the field in a 95-88 victory. Wesley Iwundu was fantastic, scoring 24 points and handing out seven assists, and Kamau Stokes made five threes on his way to 22 points. Wake's Bryant Crawford led the way with a 20-point, 10-assist night.
Kansas State matches up with No. 6 seed Cincinnati in Friday's round of 64.
368 - (16) New Orleans vs. (16) Mount St. Mary's
NCAA First Four
March 14 at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
TruTV
Mount St. Mary's started the evening with the program's first-ever NCAA win, squeaking by New Orleans 67-66. The Mountaineers, who have been Division I since 1988 and are a 20-win team for just the second time in that span, had been 0-4 previously in the tournament.
The 16-seed draws defending national champion Villanova in Thursday's opening round, and though I fully expect the Wildcats to win, the guard match up could be interesting. Mount St. Mary's has the shortest player in Division I in 5-5 Junior Robinson, and two other really good guards in sophomore Elijah Long and freshman Miles Wilson. Robinson led the way Tuesday with 23 points, and though Long struggled with just six points, Wilson was a huge factor, contributing 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Both Robinson and Wilson never came off the floor.
A big key for Robinson going up against Villanova's Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson will be limiting turnovers. Robinson had six of his team's 16 against New Orleans.
In the nightcap, Kansas State shot a ridiculous 66% (25-of-31 on twos) from the field in a 95-88 victory. Wesley Iwundu was fantastic, scoring 24 points and handing out seven assists, and Kamau Stokes made five threes on his way to 22 points. Wake's Bryant Crawford led the way with a 20-point, 10-assist night.
Kansas State matches up with No. 6 seed Cincinnati in Friday's round of 64.
Game 367 - (3) Weber State vs. (1) North Dakota
Big Sky championship
March 11 at Reno Events Center in Reno, NV
ESPN
It was a huge night for North Dakota, which got 28 points from Quinton Hooker and five others in double figures in a 93-89, overtime victory.
The Fighting Hawks are in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history and avenged losses to Weber State in their previous three Big Sky tournament appearances.
Weber State led 81-75 with 51 seconds left in regulation before North Dakota finished the second on a 6-0 run. First, Geno Crandall hit two free throws, then Weber had a turnover, then blocked a shot at the other end before Crandall had one of his seven assists on a Hooker bucket to make it 81-79. Hooker missed the free throw for a potential three-point play, but a missed lay-up and Crandall's lay-in at the other end sent the game to overtime.
Hooker, the tournament MVP, was fantastic all evening, and his free throws with 2 1/2 minutes left in the extra session put the top seed up for good. North Dakota missed just one shot in overtime, going 3-for-4 from the field and a perfect, 6-for-6 from the line.
Jeremy Senglin, who Saturday became Weber's all-time leading scorer, poured in a team-high 26 (and finished the night with 2,030 in his career). The senior guard missed a pair of long threes with under 20 seconds to play and the Wildcats down four.
* Commentator Corey Williams also had a great evening. Corey, give us your top four.
4. "Got the ball on a yo-yo"
3. "Tonight is the game for all the chips"
2. "He saw free lunch and he took it!"
1. "You can't measure heart"
March 11 at Reno Events Center in Reno, NV
ESPN
It was a huge night for North Dakota, which got 28 points from Quinton Hooker and five others in double figures in a 93-89, overtime victory.
The Fighting Hawks are in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history and avenged losses to Weber State in their previous three Big Sky tournament appearances.
Weber State led 81-75 with 51 seconds left in regulation before North Dakota finished the second on a 6-0 run. First, Geno Crandall hit two free throws, then Weber had a turnover, then blocked a shot at the other end before Crandall had one of his seven assists on a Hooker bucket to make it 81-79. Hooker missed the free throw for a potential three-point play, but a missed lay-up and Crandall's lay-in at the other end sent the game to overtime.
Hooker, the tournament MVP, was fantastic all evening, and his free throws with 2 1/2 minutes left in the extra session put the top seed up for good. North Dakota missed just one shot in overtime, going 3-for-4 from the field and a perfect, 6-for-6 from the line.
Jeremy Senglin, who Saturday became Weber's all-time leading scorer, poured in a team-high 26 (and finished the night with 2,030 in his career). The senior guard missed a pair of long threes with under 20 seconds to play and the Wildcats down four.
* Commentator Corey Williams also had a great evening. Corey, give us your top four.
4. "Got the ball on a yo-yo"
3. "Tonight is the game for all the chips"
2. "He saw free lunch and he took it!"
1. "You can't measure heart"
Game 366 - (6) Creighton vs. (1) Villanova
Big East championship
March 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
FS1
'
March 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
FS1
'Game 365 - (6) Troy vs. (2) Georgia State
Sun Belt semifinals
March 11 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA
ESPN
March 11 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA
ESPN
Games 363-364: Getting to the title game
364 - (3) UCLA vs. (2) Arizona
Pac 12 semifinals
March 10 at T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV
ESPN
I also caught the last overtime and a half of a four-OT win by top seed Cal Bakersfield over fourth-seeded Utah Valley in the WAC semifinals.
Didn't get her name, but the color commentator ended the broadcast with this quote about what these teams put into this game:
"They've put their heart and soul....and sweat....and probably tears."
Heart, soul, sweat, and probably tears!
363 - (6) Kansas State vs. (2) West Virginia
Big 12 semifinals
March 10 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO
ESPN
Somehow West Virginia was able to make just 16 of its 60 field goal attempts and still win 51-50 to move on to the Big 12 final against fourth-seeded Iowa State.
The Mountaineers will try for their first conference title since the 2009-10 final four team won the Big East.
Pac 12 semifinals
March 10 at T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV
ESPN
I also caught the last overtime and a half of a four-OT win by top seed Cal Bakersfield over fourth-seeded Utah Valley in the WAC semifinals.
Didn't get her name, but the color commentator ended the broadcast with this quote about what these teams put into this game:
"They've put their heart and soul....and sweat....and probably tears."
Heart, soul, sweat, and probably tears!
363 - (6) Kansas State vs. (2) West Virginia
Big 12 semifinals
March 10 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO
ESPN
Somehow West Virginia was able to make just 16 of its 60 field goal attempts and still win 51-50 to move on to the Big 12 final against fourth-seeded Iowa State.
The Mountaineers will try for their first conference title since the 2009-10 final four team won the Big East.
Game 362 - (7) Louisiana vs. (2) Georgia State
Sun Belt quarterfinals
March 10 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA
espn3.com
As the opening tip was approaching, GSU coach Ron Hunter made a switch to his starting lineup and inserted Isaiah Williams. It has been an interesting year for the junior, whose gone from starter at the beginning of the year to bench player to sometimes not playing much at all. And as the Panthers begin their quest for a second league title in three seasons, Williams was back amongst the opening five and I thought he was the difference Friday.
Williams was one of four in double figures scoring 14 points and he handled the offense perfectly from his point guard position, leading the second-seeded Panthers to an 86-76 win and a spot in Saturday's semifinals.
The Buford, GA native averaged 14.3 points, shot better than 50% from the field and had a better-than 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio in three wins over Louisiana this season.
GSU, which took the lead at the nine-minute mark of the first half & never gave it back, got a big offensive night from Jeremy Hollowell (16 points, four assists), but I thought what Hollowell did on the defensive end was an even bigger part of the win. The senior grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds, and the Panthers out-rebounded Louisiana 44-31, which is significant considering the seventh-seeded Ragin Cajuns have the nation's fifth-leading rebounder in Bryce Washington. He came in averaging 11 1/2 per night, but was a non-factor on the glass Friday, grabbing just three.
Louisiana really struggled from three-point range (5-of-29) and a lot of that had to do with Frank Bartley's individual struggles. I was in Atlanta in early-February and watched Bartley torch GSU for 31 points and seven 3-pointers as the Panthers snuck out of the building with a three-point win. Bartley was no such threat in this one, hitting just one of his 11 field goal attempts (and 1-of-8 from three), and finished with four points.
For GSU, Malik Benlevi had a great night with 15 points and several strong moves to the basket for lay-ups, Sun Belt freshman of the year D'Marcus Simonds did his usual good work (17 and 8) and the Panthers received nice contributions from bench players and former Eagle's Landing High School (McDonough, GA) teammates Isaiah Dennis and Jordan Session, who combined for 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting. It was one of GSU's finest wire-to-wire performances in a while and it came at a perfect time.
March 10 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA
espn3.com
As the opening tip was approaching, GSU coach Ron Hunter made a switch to his starting lineup and inserted Isaiah Williams. It has been an interesting year for the junior, whose gone from starter at the beginning of the year to bench player to sometimes not playing much at all. And as the Panthers begin their quest for a second league title in three seasons, Williams was back amongst the opening five and I thought he was the difference Friday.
Williams was one of four in double figures scoring 14 points and he handled the offense perfectly from his point guard position, leading the second-seeded Panthers to an 86-76 win and a spot in Saturday's semifinals.
The Buford, GA native averaged 14.3 points, shot better than 50% from the field and had a better-than 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio in three wins over Louisiana this season.
GSU, which took the lead at the nine-minute mark of the first half & never gave it back, got a big offensive night from Jeremy Hollowell (16 points, four assists), but I thought what Hollowell did on the defensive end was an even bigger part of the win. The senior grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds, and the Panthers out-rebounded Louisiana 44-31, which is significant considering the seventh-seeded Ragin Cajuns have the nation's fifth-leading rebounder in Bryce Washington. He came in averaging 11 1/2 per night, but was a non-factor on the glass Friday, grabbing just three.
Louisiana really struggled from three-point range (5-of-29) and a lot of that had to do with Frank Bartley's individual struggles. I was in Atlanta in early-February and watched Bartley torch GSU for 31 points and seven 3-pointers as the Panthers snuck out of the building with a three-point win. Bartley was no such threat in this one, hitting just one of his 11 field goal attempts (and 1-of-8 from three), and finished with four points.
For GSU, Malik Benlevi had a great night with 15 points and several strong moves to the basket for lay-ups, Sun Belt freshman of the year D'Marcus Simonds did his usual good work (17 and 8) and the Panthers received nice contributions from bench players and former Eagle's Landing High School (McDonough, GA) teammates Isaiah Dennis and Jordan Session, who combined for 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting. It was one of GSU's finest wire-to-wire performances in a while and it came at a perfect time.
Games 360-361: Thursday night doubleheader
361 - (14) Rutgers vs. (6) Northwestern
Big 10 second round
March 9 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC
ESPN
360 - (5) Sam Houston State vs. (4) Houston Baptist
Southland quarterfinals
March 9 at Merrell Center in Katy, TX
espn3.com
Big 10 second round
March 9 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC
ESPN
360 - (5) Sam Houston State vs. (4) Houston Baptist
Southland quarterfinals
March 9 at Merrell Center in Katy, TX
espn3.com
Game 359 - (8) Saint John's vs. (1) Villanova
Big East quarterfinals
March 9 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
FS1
St. John's didn't really take care of the ball (14 turnovers), though the eighth-seeded Red Storm actually shot well - 40% on threes and 47% overall. The problem was, Villanova is just exceptional in every facet of the game & the Wildcats put on an impressive shooting performance in Thursday's 108-67 romp.
Let's talk about the second half first, where the defending national champions missed just five of their 24 field goal attempts (79%!).
You're wondering about the first 20 minutes? Well, the top seed only went 17-of-33 from the field, handing out 11 assists on those 17 made baskets & didn't commit a foul. In fact, Villanova's first foul came at the 18:18 mark of half No. 2.
It's the first time a Villanova team has reached the 100-point mark since also defeating St. John's in the regular season finale in March, 2015.
Individually, Donte DiVicenzo came off the bench and scored a career-high 25 points, including a near-perfect, day from the field (7-for-8) and three-point range (5-for-6), to lead all scorers.
There are plenty of national title contenders this season - North Carolina, Kansas, Gonzaga, along with one of the top three Pac 12 teams, and possibly Kentucky, Louisville or Duke seems to be a solid list at this point. But right at the top is this Villanova team. What a performance today in their postseason opener.
March 9 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
FS1
St. John's didn't really take care of the ball (14 turnovers), though the eighth-seeded Red Storm actually shot well - 40% on threes and 47% overall. The problem was, Villanova is just exceptional in every facet of the game & the Wildcats put on an impressive shooting performance in Thursday's 108-67 romp.
Let's talk about the second half first, where the defending national champions missed just five of their 24 field goal attempts (79%!).
You're wondering about the first 20 minutes? Well, the top seed only went 17-of-33 from the field, handing out 11 assists on those 17 made baskets & didn't commit a foul. In fact, Villanova's first foul came at the 18:18 mark of half No. 2.
It's the first time a Villanova team has reached the 100-point mark since also defeating St. John's in the regular season finale in March, 2015.
Individually, Donte DiVicenzo came off the bench and scored a career-high 25 points, including a near-perfect, day from the field (7-for-8) and three-point range (5-for-6), to lead all scorers.
There are plenty of national title contenders this season - North Carolina, Kansas, Gonzaga, along with one of the top three Pac 12 teams, and possibly Kentucky, Louisville or Duke seems to be a solid list at this point. But right at the top is this Villanova team. What a performance today in their postseason opener.
Games 357-358: Talent all over the floor
358 - (5) UC Riverside women vs. (4) UC Santa Barbara
Big West quarterfinals
March 8 at Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA
espn3.com
So many great individual performances in this 81-71 UCSB win I'm just going to list them:
- UCSB guard Sarah Porter had her jumper working from the tip as she hit her first five 3-pointers, made 9-of-11 from behind the arc for the game, and led everyone with a career-high 31 points. Porter's third three of the game put the Gauchos ahead for good with just under six minutes left in the opening quarter.
According to ucsbgauchos.com, Porter's nine threes are not only a new school record - Erin Alexander hit eight at USC in December, 1996 - but also a Big West Tournament record.
- Porter's teammate Drew Edelman was all over the glass (10 of her 14 rebounds on the offensive end), and also poured in 22 points. Those point and rebound totals tied a career-best for the redshirt-junior.
- Michelle Curry tried her best to lead the fifth-seeded Highlanders into the semifinals, but her team-high 22 points weren't enough.
- Drea Toler came off the UCSB bench to hand out eight assists and join Porter and Edelman in double figures with 13 points.
357 - (4) Kennesaw State women vs. (1) Stetson
Atlantic Sun semifinals
March 8 at Edmunds Center in DeLand, FL
ESPN
It was fairly evident from the start that Stetson just had a superior team athletically and after holding KSU to seven first-quarter points and leading by 17 at the break, the host Hatters ran away over the final 20 minutes to win 78-48.
KSU made just seven field goals over the final 25 1/2 minutes and was out-rebounded by a 49-28 margin against a strong Stetson defense (top 25 nationally in scoring average & top 35 in field goal percentage allowed). Meanwhile, the Hatters, now winners of 15 consecutive games, had five score in double figures & six with at least nine points, led by McKenna Beach's 17 points.
Great night for KSU senior guard Deandrea Sawyers, who in her final collegiate game became the program's Division I scoring leader. Sawyers collected a game-high 20 points and finished her career with 1,380 points.
Big West quarterfinals
March 8 at Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA
espn3.com
So many great individual performances in this 81-71 UCSB win I'm just going to list them:
- UCSB guard Sarah Porter had her jumper working from the tip as she hit her first five 3-pointers, made 9-of-11 from behind the arc for the game, and led everyone with a career-high 31 points. Porter's third three of the game put the Gauchos ahead for good with just under six minutes left in the opening quarter.
According to ucsbgauchos.com, Porter's nine threes are not only a new school record - Erin Alexander hit eight at USC in December, 1996 - but also a Big West Tournament record.
- Porter's teammate Drew Edelman was all over the glass (10 of her 14 rebounds on the offensive end), and also poured in 22 points. Those point and rebound totals tied a career-best for the redshirt-junior.
- Michelle Curry tried her best to lead the fifth-seeded Highlanders into the semifinals, but her team-high 22 points weren't enough.
- Drea Toler came off the UCSB bench to hand out eight assists and join Porter and Edelman in double figures with 13 points.
357 - (4) Kennesaw State women vs. (1) Stetson
Atlantic Sun semifinals
March 8 at Edmunds Center in DeLand, FL
ESPN
It was fairly evident from the start that Stetson just had a superior team athletically and after holding KSU to seven first-quarter points and leading by 17 at the break, the host Hatters ran away over the final 20 minutes to win 78-48.
KSU made just seven field goals over the final 25 1/2 minutes and was out-rebounded by a 49-28 margin against a strong Stetson defense (top 25 nationally in scoring average & top 35 in field goal percentage allowed). Meanwhile, the Hatters, now winners of 15 consecutive games, had five score in double figures & six with at least nine points, led by McKenna Beach's 17 points.
Great night for KSU senior guard Deandrea Sawyers, who in her final collegiate game became the program's Division I scoring leader. Sawyers collected a game-high 20 points and finished her career with 1,380 points.
Game 356 - (12) Louisiana-Monroe vs. (5) Arkansas State
Sun Belt first round
March 8 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA
espn3.com
March 8 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA
espn3.com
Game 355 - (12) Clemson vs. (5) Duke
ACC second round
March 8 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
ESPN
This was the first time I've seen Duke play this season and my goodness is it fun to watch Jayson Tatum.
He's 6-8, but is perfectly capable of driving and either scoring in a variety of ways at the rim or distributing like a guard, and the freshman had a 20-point, four-assist day in a 79-72 win for the Blue Devils.
Luke Kennard shook off a tough first half (three points, 1-of-9 shooting) to score 17 on 8-of-11 shooting in the second (Frank Jackson also played very well & scored 20 points).
Tatum and Kennard are the kind of duo that when both playing well can carry a team to a league championship. I'm not saying Duke is going to win this league championship, but they might if Kennard/Tatum keep playing like they did in Wednesday's second half.
March 8 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
ESPN
This was the first time I've seen Duke play this season and my goodness is it fun to watch Jayson Tatum.
He's 6-8, but is perfectly capable of driving and either scoring in a variety of ways at the rim or distributing like a guard, and the freshman had a 20-point, four-assist day in a 79-72 win for the Blue Devils.
Luke Kennard shook off a tough first half (three points, 1-of-9 shooting) to score 17 on 8-of-11 shooting in the second (Frank Jackson also played very well & scored 20 points).
Tatum and Kennard are the kind of duo that when both playing well can carry a team to a league championship. I'm not saying Duke is going to win this league championship, but they might if Kennard/Tatum keep playing like they did in Wednesday's second half.
Game 354 - (7) Cal Poly women vs. (6) Hawaii
Big West first round
March 7 at Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA
espn3.com
Unfortunately for Cal Poly, Hannah Gilbert scored more than half of her team's points in a 71-50 loss.
Gilbert was excellent in what turned out to be her final collegiate game, showcasing some nice post moves to score 26 points on 12-of-23 shooting (she also blocked three shots in 37 minutes), but her teammates were just 9-for-42 (21%).
The bigger story turned out to be the work of Olivia Crawford. The sophomore guard hit five threes on her way to 21 points - she averaged just 7.5 points coming in - and really had the Rainbows in control from the start. Briana Harris added 18 points as Hawaii never trailed & rolled into the quarterfinals by hitting 54% from the field in the second half.
Scoochie Smith all star and Cal Poly redshirt-freshman Breezi Holt didn't score in three minutes of action.
March 7 at Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA
espn3.com
Unfortunately for Cal Poly, Hannah Gilbert scored more than half of her team's points in a 71-50 loss.
Gilbert was excellent in what turned out to be her final collegiate game, showcasing some nice post moves to score 26 points on 12-of-23 shooting (she also blocked three shots in 37 minutes), but her teammates were just 9-for-42 (21%).
The bigger story turned out to be the work of Olivia Crawford. The sophomore guard hit five threes on her way to 21 points - she averaged just 7.5 points coming in - and really had the Rainbows in control from the start. Briana Harris added 18 points as Hawaii never trailed & rolled into the quarterfinals by hitting 54% from the field in the second half.
Scoochie Smith all star and Cal Poly redshirt-freshman Breezi Holt didn't score in three minutes of action.
Game 353 - (2) Saint Mary's vs. (1) Gonzaga
West Coast championship
March 7 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV
ESPN
I still can't believe this was Gonzaga's 20th CONSECUTIVE appearance in the WCC championship game. That alone is an unbelievable accomplishment, but the Bulldogs took it a step further and won their fifth straight league title, 74-56.
Gonzaga (32-1), with the inside-outside duo of the dynamic Nigel Williams-Goss and Przemek Karnowski (who with a really good post game, specifically a nice lefty jump hook, is NBA-ready right now), should grab a No. 1 seed when the field is announced on Sunday.
Saint Mary's got within 51-46 on an Evan Fitzner corner three with a little over 10 minutes to play, but the Gaels never got closer.
Saint Mary's should be comfortably in the tournament as well - I'm thinking a No. 6 or 7 seed - despite suffering three of its four losses to Gonzaga.
Also
March 7 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV
ESPN
I still can't believe this was Gonzaga's 20th CONSECUTIVE appearance in the WCC championship game. That alone is an unbelievable accomplishment, but the Bulldogs took it a step further and won their fifth straight league title, 74-56.
Gonzaga (32-1), with the inside-outside duo of the dynamic Nigel Williams-Goss and Przemek Karnowski (who with a really good post game, specifically a nice lefty jump hook, is NBA-ready right now), should grab a No. 1 seed when the field is announced on Sunday.
Saint Mary's got within 51-46 on an Evan Fitzner corner three with a little over 10 minutes to play, but the Gaels never got closer.
Saint Mary's should be comfortably in the tournament as well - I'm thinking a No. 6 or 7 seed - despite suffering three of its four losses to Gonzaga.
Also
Game 352 - (10) South Alabama women vs. (7) Georgia State
Sun Belt first round
March 7 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA
espn3.com
March 7 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA
espn3.com
Games 350-351: WCC semis
351 - (3) BYU vs. (2) Saint Mary's
350 - (4) Santa Clara vs. (1) Gonzaga
West Coast semifinals
March 6 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV
ESPN
Saint Mary's defense held BYU to 31% shooting in a 81-50 blowout victory. The Gaels' offense was also rolling as they hit 13-of-25 from behind the arc and got double-doubles from both Emmet Naar, who handed out 11 assists to go along with 12 points, and Jock Landale (22 points and 10 rebounds).
That'll set up a championship game match up with Associated Press No. 4 Gonzaga, which had a few problems with the Broncos, but won 77-68 to reach the WCC final for the 20th consecutive season.
Not much more to say about Nigel Williams-Goss, whose followed winning the WCC player of the year award with an average of 22.5 points, seven rebounds and 4.5 assists in two tournament wins over Pacific and the Gaels.
Jared Brownridge was once again tremendous for the No. 4 seed, scoring a game-high 32 points in a losing effort.
350 - (4) Santa Clara vs. (1) Gonzaga
West Coast semifinals
March 6 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV
ESPN
Saint Mary's defense held BYU to 31% shooting in a 81-50 blowout victory. The Gaels' offense was also rolling as they hit 13-of-25 from behind the arc and got double-doubles from both Emmet Naar, who handed out 11 assists to go along with 12 points, and Jock Landale (22 points and 10 rebounds).
That'll set up a championship game match up with Associated Press No. 4 Gonzaga, which had a few problems with the Broncos, but won 77-68 to reach the WCC final for the 20th consecutive season.
Not much more to say about Nigel Williams-Goss, whose followed winning the WCC player of the year award with an average of 22.5 points, seven rebounds and 4.5 assists in two tournament wins over Pacific and the Gaels.
Jared Brownridge was once again tremendous for the No. 4 seed, scoring a game-high 32 points in a losing effort.
Games 348-349: One champ, one finalist
349 - (3) East Tennessee State vs. (1) UNC-Greensboro
Southern championship
March 6 at US Cellular Center in Asheville, NC
ESPN
348 - (3) Marquette women vs. (2) Creighton
Big East semifinals
March 6 at Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, WI
FS1
Southern championship
March 6 at US Cellular Center in Asheville, NC
ESPN
348 - (3) Marquette women vs. (2) Creighton
Big East semifinals
March 6 at Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, WI
FS1
Game 347 - (2) Stanford women vs. (1) Oregon State
Pac 12 championship
March 5 at Key Arena in Seattle, WA
ESPN2
Oregon State's defense came into the title game tied for eighth nationally in scoring defense, but it was the Cardinal defense that was the most impressive.
True, Stanford came in 21st allowing an average of just 56 points, but the Beavers fell well below that in a 48-43 defeat. Oregon State scored seven points in each of the final three quarters and shot 16% from the field in the second half. Outstanding Oregon State guard Sydney Wiese was harrassed with double teams all night and never really got going, finishing with 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
Amazingly, OSU started the game hitting its first six shots and led 16-3 5 1/2 minutes in.
The most impressive individual performance came from Alanna Smith, who was great off the bench with 18 points and half of Stanford's eight blocked shots.
It was fitting that these two closed the Pac 12 season with such a close contest. In the two regular season meetings, OSU won 72-69 in double overtime in January and 50-47 in late-February.
The Cardinal won their 12th Pac 12 title.
March 5 at Key Arena in Seattle, WA
ESPN2
Oregon State's defense came into the title game tied for eighth nationally in scoring defense, but it was the Cardinal defense that was the most impressive.
True, Stanford came in 21st allowing an average of just 56 points, but the Beavers fell well below that in a 48-43 defeat. Oregon State scored seven points in each of the final three quarters and shot 16% from the field in the second half. Outstanding Oregon State guard Sydney Wiese was harrassed with double teams all night and never really got going, finishing with 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
Amazingly, OSU started the game hitting its first six shots and led 16-3 5 1/2 minutes in.
The most impressive individual performance came from Alanna Smith, who was great off the bench with 18 points and half of Stanford's eight blocked shots.
It was fitting that these two closed the Pac 12 season with such a close contest. In the two regular season meetings, OSU won 72-69 in double overtime in January and 50-47 in late-February.
The Cardinal won their 12th Pac 12 title.
Game 346 - (3) Iona vs. (2) Saint Peter's
MAAC semifinals
March 5 at Times Union Center in Albany, NY
ESPN
Iona reached its fifth consecutive league title game, thanks to a huge, second-half run and the work of Jordan Washington.
The Gaels, who will look for consecutive tournament titles when they play surprise No. 4 seed Siena in Monday's final, trailed 34-25 about two minutes into the second half when Jon Severe's jumper at the 17:42 run got the third seed started on a 17-0 spurt. By the time the run ended - after a Washington-assisted Rickey McGill jumper - Iona led 42-34 with 14 1/2 minutes to go.
St. Peter's got to within two points at the 13:21 mark, but Washington had eight of his game-high 22 points and McGill assisted on three baskets and scored eight of his nine points over the final 13 minutes to help the New Rochelle, NY school advance with a 73-65 win.
* Iona had a 2-to-1 assist ratio for the game, handing out 14 assists while giving it up just seven times.
* This is Tim Cluess' seventh season as head coach at Iona, and his teams have now appeared in the league title game six times.
* Great night for Saint Peter's Trevis Wyche, who along with Quadir Welton had a team-high 18 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists and just one turnover.
March 5 at Times Union Center in Albany, NY
ESPN
Iona reached its fifth consecutive league title game, thanks to a huge, second-half run and the work of Jordan Washington.
The Gaels, who will look for consecutive tournament titles when they play surprise No. 4 seed Siena in Monday's final, trailed 34-25 about two minutes into the second half when Jon Severe's jumper at the 17:42 run got the third seed started on a 17-0 spurt. By the time the run ended - after a Washington-assisted Rickey McGill jumper - Iona led 42-34 with 14 1/2 minutes to go.
St. Peter's got to within two points at the 13:21 mark, but Washington had eight of his game-high 22 points and McGill assisted on three baskets and scored eight of his nine points over the final 13 minutes to help the New Rochelle, NY school advance with a 73-65 win.
* Iona had a 2-to-1 assist ratio for the game, handing out 14 assists while giving it up just seven times.
* This is Tim Cluess' seventh season as head coach at Iona, and his teams have now appeared in the league title game six times.
* Great night for Saint Peter's Trevis Wyche, who along with Quadir Welton had a team-high 18 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists and just one turnover.
Game 345 - (2) Alabama-Huntsville vs. (1) Valdosta State
Gulf South (Division II) championship
March 5 at Pete Hanna Center in Birmingham, AL
ESPN
What a performance by Seab Webster, who scored 35 points to lead the No. 2 seed Chargers to a 94-91 win and their second Gulf South title in three years.
Webster, a senior forward, hit 10-of-18 from the field, nearly doubling his scoring average, while adding 11 rebounds. Redshirt-senior Troy Saxton also had a great day, contributing 15 points and eight assists.
Huntsville has lost just twice since the beginning of February - once in overtime to Valdosta State back on February 16 and by two points to Christian Brothers a week later.
Another tough finish to the league season for Valdosta State, which still has never won a conference tournament crown. Jeremiah Hill, the conference's player of the year, was one of six in double figures with 14 points, though just five came in the second half.
The Division II field was announced a few hours after Huntsville captured the championship. The Chargers were given the No. 1 seed in the South region and will host eighth-seeded and SIAC champion Clark Atlanta in the opening round. Valdosta State received an at-large bid & a No. 2 seed and will play No. 7 Rollins in round one.
The tournament begins March 11.
March 5 at Pete Hanna Center in Birmingham, AL
ESPN
What a performance by Seab Webster, who scored 35 points to lead the No. 2 seed Chargers to a 94-91 win and their second Gulf South title in three years.
Webster, a senior forward, hit 10-of-18 from the field, nearly doubling his scoring average, while adding 11 rebounds. Redshirt-senior Troy Saxton also had a great day, contributing 15 points and eight assists.
Huntsville has lost just twice since the beginning of February - once in overtime to Valdosta State back on February 16 and by two points to Christian Brothers a week later.
Another tough finish to the league season for Valdosta State, which still has never won a conference tournament crown. Jeremiah Hill, the conference's player of the year, was one of six in double figures with 14 points, though just five came in the second half.
The Division II field was announced a few hours after Huntsville captured the championship. The Chargers were given the No. 1 seed in the South region and will host eighth-seeded and SIAC champion Clark Atlanta in the opening round. Valdosta State received an at-large bid & a No. 2 seed and will play No. 7 Rollins in round one.
The tournament begins March 11.
Game 344 - (4) Jacksonville State vs. (2) UT-Martin
Ohio Valley championship
March 4 at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, TN
ESPN
Jacksonville State is finally going dancing.
Erik Durham scored 17 points to lead a trio in double figures and the Gamecocks won 66-55 to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
Jacksonville State was rarely threatened in the second half, holding a double-digit cushion for a majority of the 20-minute period. UT-Martin, which was also trying to get to the NCAAs for the first time, got as close as 37-31 on Kahari Beaufort's jumper at the 14:20 mark, but the No. 4 seed scored seven of the next nine points and the lead didn't fall below nine the rest of the way.
The Gamecocks' defense was excellent, holding a UT-Martin team that shoots 47% from the field (third in the OVC) to just 35% on Saturday. The Skyhawks had their lowest scoring output of the season and worst since collecting just 57 points against a really good Illinois State team last December.
Jacolby Mobley scored a game-high 18 points for UT-Martin.
March 4 at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, TN
ESPN
Jacksonville State is finally going dancing.
Erik Durham scored 17 points to lead a trio in double figures and the Gamecocks won 66-55 to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
Jacksonville State was rarely threatened in the second half, holding a double-digit cushion for a majority of the 20-minute period. UT-Martin, which was also trying to get to the NCAAs for the first time, got as close as 37-31 on Kahari Beaufort's jumper at the 14:20 mark, but the No. 4 seed scored seven of the next nine points and the lead didn't fall below nine the rest of the way.
The Gamecocks' defense was excellent, holding a UT-Martin team that shoots 47% from the field (third in the OVC) to just 35% on Saturday. The Skyhawks had their lowest scoring output of the season and worst since collecting just 57 points against a really good Illinois State team last December.
Jacolby Mobley scored a game-high 18 points for UT-Martin.
Game 343 - (9) Youngstown State vs. (1) Oakland
Horizon quarterfinals
March 4 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI
ESPN
This one had everything you'd want in a conference tournament game:
1. A fantastic scorer. Youngstown State's Cameron Morse, a junior guard who is top-10 nationally in scoring, poured in 34 points, including 5-of-11 on threes, and added five assists and seven rebounds.
2. A tight game all the way to the end. There were nine ties and 10 lead changes, and the largest cushions for both teams - 10 for Youngstown, four by Oakland - were accumulated in the first half.
3. A memorable finish/upset. With Oakland up one point and focused on Morse for the Penguins' final offensive possession, the Golden Grizzlies used a pair of fouls they had to give. Then with four seconds to play, Morse rose to shoot, but instead found a wide-open Jorden Kaufman for an easy lay-up as time expired. That not only gave Kaufman the last of his 22 points, but Youngstown an incredible, 81-80 victory over the top seed and a spot in the semifinals.
Even more incredible was the fact that Oakland defeated Youngstown twice during the regular season with an average margin of victory of 21 1/2 points.
Jalen Hayes had a great night in a losing effort for the regular season champions, scoring 27 points to go along with 13 rebounds. It was Hayes' jumper with 45 seconds to go that put the Golden Grizzlies in front, 80-79.
March 4 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI
ESPN
This one had everything you'd want in a conference tournament game:
1. A fantastic scorer. Youngstown State's Cameron Morse, a junior guard who is top-10 nationally in scoring, poured in 34 points, including 5-of-11 on threes, and added five assists and seven rebounds.
2. A tight game all the way to the end. There were nine ties and 10 lead changes, and the largest cushions for both teams - 10 for Youngstown, four by Oakland - were accumulated in the first half.
3. A memorable finish/upset. With Oakland up one point and focused on Morse for the Penguins' final offensive possession, the Golden Grizzlies used a pair of fouls they had to give. Then with four seconds to play, Morse rose to shoot, but instead found a wide-open Jorden Kaufman for an easy lay-up as time expired. That not only gave Kaufman the last of his 22 points, but Youngstown an incredible, 81-80 victory over the top seed and a spot in the semifinals.
Even more incredible was the fact that Oakland defeated Youngstown twice during the regular season with an average margin of victory of 21 1/2 points.
Jalen Hayes had a great night in a losing effort for the regular season champions, scoring 27 points to go along with 13 rebounds. It was Hayes' jumper with 45 seconds to go that put the Golden Grizzlies in front, 80-79.
Games 341-342: Sweep
342 - Georgia Southern at Georgia State
341 - Georgia Southern women at Georgia State
March 4 at GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, GA
Georgia State took both games from its in-state rival on Saturday afternoon, though neither victory came easy.
In the nightcap, the Panthers turned the ball over 20 times, but thanks to 21 points from D'Marcus Simonds and 16 points on a perfect, 4-for-4 afternoon from three-point range from Jeff Thomas, won 72-67 to clinch the No. 2 seed in next week's Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
I've been a big fan of Thomas since the sophomore arrived on campus last season, mainly for his three-point shooting and his defense that seems to improve by the game. He hit several big shots Saturday, but his most impressive basket was probably a strong drive and off-hand lay-up that put GSU up 66-62 at the three-minute mark.
Georgia Southern, which had embarrassed Georgia State in the teams' other meeting in Statesboro last New Year's Eve, got as close as 66-65 with 2 1/2 minutes to play on a steal and lay-up by Sun Belt leading scorer Ike Smith (game-high 27 points).
Jeremy Hollowell, who struggled from the field (4-of-12), but otherwise had a really nice day with 15 points, and team-highs in rebounds (12) and assists (5), hit a pair of free throws to get the lead to 69-65, then had the biggest play of the game chasing down a loose ball on a missed free throw with 13 seconds left with the Panthers in front by three. Hollowell sealed the win at the other end with two more free throws.
UT-Arlington comes into the league tournament as the top seed, and the Mavericks have had a really good season, but I still think the tournament is up for grabs. GSU has as good a chance as anyone to secure the automatic bid.
The GSU women closed their regular season with a 63-62 win & my memories of this game will mostly revolve around Makeba Ponder.
She was just 1-of-6 from the field and had only three points at halftime, but still handed out three assists in 11 minutes and I felt the second 20 minutes could be her breakout moment. Ponder responded, hitting 5-of-10 from three-point range, including a gigantic three from the top of the key with five seconds to go that put GSU up 63-60. Southern's Alexis Brown missed a potential tying three and the Panthers survived to secure the league's No. 7 seed.
Ponder finished with a game-high 20 points and in two games against the Eagles, both wins, averaged 18 points.
Angel McGowan, who also scored 20 points, hit a three with 17 1/2 seconds left that pulled Southern even at 60-60.
341 - Georgia Southern women at Georgia State
March 4 at GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, GA
Georgia State took both games from its in-state rival on Saturday afternoon, though neither victory came easy.
In the nightcap, the Panthers turned the ball over 20 times, but thanks to 21 points from D'Marcus Simonds and 16 points on a perfect, 4-for-4 afternoon from three-point range from Jeff Thomas, won 72-67 to clinch the No. 2 seed in next week's Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
I've been a big fan of Thomas since the sophomore arrived on campus last season, mainly for his three-point shooting and his defense that seems to improve by the game. He hit several big shots Saturday, but his most impressive basket was probably a strong drive and off-hand lay-up that put GSU up 66-62 at the three-minute mark.
Georgia Southern, which had embarrassed Georgia State in the teams' other meeting in Statesboro last New Year's Eve, got as close as 66-65 with 2 1/2 minutes to play on a steal and lay-up by Sun Belt leading scorer Ike Smith (game-high 27 points).
Jeremy Hollowell, who struggled from the field (4-of-12), but otherwise had a really nice day with 15 points, and team-highs in rebounds (12) and assists (5), hit a pair of free throws to get the lead to 69-65, then had the biggest play of the game chasing down a loose ball on a missed free throw with 13 seconds left with the Panthers in front by three. Hollowell sealed the win at the other end with two more free throws.
UT-Arlington comes into the league tournament as the top seed, and the Mavericks have had a really good season, but I still think the tournament is up for grabs. GSU has as good a chance as anyone to secure the automatic bid.
The GSU women closed their regular season with a 63-62 win & my memories of this game will mostly revolve around Makeba Ponder.
She was just 1-of-6 from the field and had only three points at halftime, but still handed out three assists in 11 minutes and I felt the second 20 minutes could be her breakout moment. Ponder responded, hitting 5-of-10 from three-point range, including a gigantic three from the top of the key with five seconds to go that put GSU up 63-60. Southern's Alexis Brown missed a potential tying three and the Panthers survived to secure the league's No. 7 seed.
Ponder finished with a game-high 20 points and in two games against the Eagles, both wins, averaged 18 points.
Angel McGowan, who also scored 20 points, hit a three with 17 1/2 seconds left that pulled Southern even at 60-60.
Games 338-340: Championship week
340 - (7) Murray State vs. (2) UT-Martin
Ohio Valley semifinals
March 3 at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, TN
ESPN
339 - (9) Tulsa women vs. (9) Memphis
American Athletic Conference first round
March 3 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT
espn3.com
338 - (5) Kennesaw State at (1) Florida Gulf Coast
Atlantic Sun semifinals
March 2 at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, FL
espn3.com
Ohio Valley semifinals
March 3 at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, TN
ESPN
339 - (9) Tulsa women vs. (9) Memphis
American Athletic Conference first round
March 3 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT
espn3.com
338 - (5) Kennesaw State at (1) Florida Gulf Coast
Atlantic Sun semifinals
March 2 at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, FL
espn3.com
Game 337 - (7) Wofford women vs. (2) Mercer
Southern quarterfinals
March 2 at US Cellular Center in Asheville, NC
espn3.com
The league's top offensive and defensive team rolled into the semifinals as KeKe Calloway's 20 bench points led Mercer to a 67-42 win.
Calloway, fellow reserve Alex Williams (14 points) and the excellent Sydni Means (13 points and nine assists) helped make up for an uncharacteristically off-game for two-time league player of the year Kahlia Lawrence, who was held to eight points on 4-of-12 shooting.
Meanwhile, the Bears defense was good once again (Wofford shot 31%), and the Macon, Georgia school is in the semis for the third time in as many seasons since joining the league.
Second-team all-conference guard Chloe Wanink led Wofford with 19 points on 18 shots, though she received little help as no other player scored more than seven.
March 2 at US Cellular Center in Asheville, NC
espn3.com
The league's top offensive and defensive team rolled into the semifinals as KeKe Calloway's 20 bench points led Mercer to a 67-42 win.
Calloway, fellow reserve Alex Williams (14 points) and the excellent Sydni Means (13 points and nine assists) helped make up for an uncharacteristically off-game for two-time league player of the year Kahlia Lawrence, who was held to eight points on 4-of-12 shooting.
Meanwhile, the Bears defense was good once again (Wofford shot 31%), and the Macon, Georgia school is in the semis for the third time in as many seasons since joining the league.
Second-team all-conference guard Chloe Wanink led Wofford with 19 points on 18 shots, though she received little help as no other player scored more than seven.
Game 336 - (7) Campbell vs. (2) NC-Asheville
Big South quarterfinals
March 2 at Winthrop Coliseum in Rock Hill, SC
espn3.com
If Campbell was to pull off the quarterfinal upset of the co-regular season champions, it figured it would need a big day from Chris Clemons.
But this was just ridiculous.
Clemons scored a conference and school record 51 points and the Camels stunned the defending tournament champions, 81-79 for the first major upset of the postseason.
Clemons, a sophomore guard, came into the night fifth nationally in scoring at 23.2 points, but he equaled that mark with five minutes still to go in the first half, scoring 23 of Campbell's first 25. He broke the Big South Tournament record when he reached the 37-point plateau on a second-half 3-pointer (Clemons was 8-of-14 from behind the arc).
He made a great spin move at the three-point line, and drove for a difficult finish at the rim, which turned into a three-point play and tied the game at 67-67 with six minutes left. Clemons' three with 4:27 left gave the Camels the lead for good.
Clemons made a tournament-record 18 field goals in 32 attempts.
Asheville led by as much as 14 points in the opening half as Campbell struggled to find an offensive compliment to its first-team all-Big South performer. The Bulldogs built a six-point lead on Ahmad Thomas' jumper at the 7-minute mark of the second, but Clemons followed by scoring nine straight Campbell points.
Big South freshman of the year Macio Teague played really well and finished with a team-high 22 points to pace five Bulldogs in double figures. Also for Asheville, Alec Wnuk was excellent off the bench (13 points on 6-of-10 shooting, nine rebounds and three assists with no turnovers).
March 2 at Winthrop Coliseum in Rock Hill, SC
espn3.com
If Campbell was to pull off the quarterfinal upset of the co-regular season champions, it figured it would need a big day from Chris Clemons.
But this was just ridiculous.
Clemons scored a conference and school record 51 points and the Camels stunned the defending tournament champions, 81-79 for the first major upset of the postseason.
Clemons, a sophomore guard, came into the night fifth nationally in scoring at 23.2 points, but he equaled that mark with five minutes still to go in the first half, scoring 23 of Campbell's first 25. He broke the Big South Tournament record when he reached the 37-point plateau on a second-half 3-pointer (Clemons was 8-of-14 from behind the arc).
He made a great spin move at the three-point line, and drove for a difficult finish at the rim, which turned into a three-point play and tied the game at 67-67 with six minutes left. Clemons' three with 4:27 left gave the Camels the lead for good.
Clemons made a tournament-record 18 field goals in 32 attempts.
Asheville led by as much as 14 points in the opening half as Campbell struggled to find an offensive compliment to its first-team all-Big South performer. The Bulldogs built a six-point lead on Ahmad Thomas' jumper at the 7-minute mark of the second, but Clemons followed by scoring nine straight Campbell points.
Big South freshman of the year Macio Teague played really well and finished with a team-high 22 points to pace five Bulldogs in double figures. Also for Asheville, Alec Wnuk was excellent off the bench (13 points on 6-of-10 shooting, nine rebounds and three assists with no turnovers).
Game 335 - (7) Binghamton at (2) Stony Brook
America East quarterfinals
March 1 at Island Federal Credit Union Arena in Stony Brook, NY
espn3.com
Lucas Woodhouse was named first-team all-conference before the tournament began, then went out and hit five 3-pointers on his way to 24 points and a 70-60 win for the 2 seed.
The senior guard, in his second season with the Seawolves after transferring from Longwood, led the way amongst the starters, while Akwasi Yeboah paced the reserves. Yeboah showed why he was an all-rookie team selection as the redshirt-freshman finished with career highs in points (21) and rebounds (16) in 26 minutes.
Yeboah came into the night averaging 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds.
Stony Brook is the defending tournament champions and will host third-seeded Albany (100-71 winner over No. 6 Hartford in the quarterfinals) in Monday's semifinals.
March 1 at Island Federal Credit Union Arena in Stony Brook, NY
espn3.com
Lucas Woodhouse was named first-team all-conference before the tournament began, then went out and hit five 3-pointers on his way to 24 points and a 70-60 win for the 2 seed.
The senior guard, in his second season with the Seawolves after transferring from Longwood, led the way amongst the starters, while Akwasi Yeboah paced the reserves. Yeboah showed why he was an all-rookie team selection as the redshirt-freshman finished with career highs in points (21) and rebounds (16) in 26 minutes.
Yeboah came into the night averaging 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds.
Stony Brook is the defending tournament champions and will host third-seeded Albany (100-71 winner over No. 6 Hartford in the quarterfinals) in Monday's semifinals.
Game 334 - (14) Arkansas women vs. (11) Florida
SEC first round
March 1 at Bon Secours Wellness Center in Greenville, SC
SEC Network
This game went from a possible Arkansas upset to a fairly-comfortable Florida win thanks to a dominant third quarter stretch for the Gators.
Led by first-team all-SEC member Ronni Williams, Florida turned a two-point deficit into a 47-35 lead with a 14-0 run over the final 5 1/2 minutes of the period and advanced to the quarterfinals with a 71-61 victory.
Williams scored 10 of the points during the run, including a pair of strong drives that led to lay-ins, a short jumper with her off hand and a steal and lay-up. Williams, who finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds, appears more than ready to move on to the WNBA, and draftsite.com projects the 6-0 forward as a second-round selection in next month's draft.
Florida's defense was excellent as well, holding the Razorbacks to 34% shooting, picking up a season-high-tying 10 blocked shots and winning the rebounding battle 50-32.
Nice night also for Florida junior Dyandria Anderson, who did a lot of everything with 19 points (on 7-of-10 shooting), nine rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Arkansas forward Jessica Jackson, which draftsite.com projects as being selected three spots ahead of Williams, had a really difficult day, hitting just three of her 16 shots for a team-high 10 points before fouling out. The Razorbacks finished a 13-17 season having lost their final 11 games.
March 1 at Bon Secours Wellness Center in Greenville, SC
SEC Network
This game went from a possible Arkansas upset to a fairly-comfortable Florida win thanks to a dominant third quarter stretch for the Gators.
Led by first-team all-SEC member Ronni Williams, Florida turned a two-point deficit into a 47-35 lead with a 14-0 run over the final 5 1/2 minutes of the period and advanced to the quarterfinals with a 71-61 victory.
Williams scored 10 of the points during the run, including a pair of strong drives that led to lay-ins, a short jumper with her off hand and a steal and lay-up. Williams, who finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds, appears more than ready to move on to the WNBA, and draftsite.com projects the 6-0 forward as a second-round selection in next month's draft.
Florida's defense was excellent as well, holding the Razorbacks to 34% shooting, picking up a season-high-tying 10 blocked shots and winning the rebounding battle 50-32.
Nice night also for Florida junior Dyandria Anderson, who did a lot of everything with 19 points (on 7-of-10 shooting), nine rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Arkansas forward Jessica Jackson, which draftsite.com projects as being selected three spots ahead of Williams, had a really difficult day, hitting just three of her 16 shots for a team-high 10 points before fouling out. The Razorbacks finished a 13-17 season having lost their final 11 games.
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