All-First Weekend Team

MVP of the First Weekend: Cole Aldrich, Kansas

Aldrich was a force this weekend, showing off both his offensive and defensive ability in the paint. Against North Dakota State, he was unguardable, finishing the game with 23 points and 11 boards on 9-12 shooting. But is was his performance against Dayton that earned him the MVP honors. Aldrich became just the sixth player in 23 years (steals and blocks were not a stat until 1986) to record a triple-double in the NCAA tournament as he tallied 13 points, 20 boards, and 10 blocks. It was a dominating performance on the defensive end against a very aggressive, very athletic Dayton team. It is sure to get him noticed by some NBA scouts.

All-First Weekend Team:

• Roburt Sallie, Memphis:
  
  Sallie's performance against Cal State Northridge is the main reason why the Tigers are still alive and dancing. The sophomore guard, who has been through the ringer trying to enroll at a school, was 10-15 from three, finishing with 35 points (his previous high was 13). In the two games, Sallie averaged 24.0 ppg and shot 13-18 from deep.


• Blake Griffin, Oklahoma:
  
  Typical Blake Griffin. he went for 28 points, 13 boards, and 2 assists against Morgan State, and then 33 points, 17 boards (8 off), and 3 assists against Michigan. He also threw down a number of big dunks. The most impressive stat was his field goal shooting - 25-32 in the two games. That is over 75%.


• Sherron Collins, Kansas:
  
  Collins was fantastic in the two games this weekend. He outdueled Ben Woodside in the Jayhawk's opener, going for 32 points and 8 assists and hitting seemingly every big bucket. In the second round match-up with Dayton, Collins might have been more impressive. It was a game where no one could get into a rhythm offensively, but Collins still managed to put up 25 points. All told, Collins ended the week with averages of 27.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 5.0 apg.


• Nic Wise, Arizona:
  
  The Wildcats aren't supposed to be playing right now. If the committee got it "right", Arizona would be in the NIT right now. But Wise and company are in the dance, and they are making the most out of it. Wise is one of the guys leading the way. The point guard turned himself into another in the line of great lead guards at Point Guard U, and this weekend was no exception. Wise averaged 25 ppg and 5 apg as Zona reached the Sweethttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif 16. He also shot 15-26 from the floor in the two games.


• AJ Price, UConn:
  
  Prior to this season, UConn had not won a single postseason game with this team. But the Huskies have now advanced to the Sweet 16 in dominating fashion, beating Texas A&M and Chattanooga by a combined 82 points (tying a record set by Duke). Price was the catalyst, averaging 23.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.5 apg, and shooting 9-18 from three.