Thursday's Best

Yesterday, things really started to kick into full swing as we had full tournament days from every major conference. Here are some of the best from yesterday (UConn-Cuse excluded. We will get to that).

GAME OF THE DAY: Villanova 76, Marquette 75

The Wildcats were up 47-31 at the half, but Marquette came roaring back in the second half. The Eagles got it down to six before Corey Stokes went crazy. He scored 13 points in bout five minutes as Villanova pushed the lead back to twelve. But after a couple big three's from Mo Acker and a free throw from Jimmy Butler, the score was tied with two minutes to go. Scottie Reynolds made a driving lay-up, but Lazar Hayward answered with a three to put the Eagles up 75-74, their first lead since the beginning of the first half. After a couple empty possessions by either team, Marquette had the ball with 40 seconds left and a full shot clock. But Jerel McNeal inexplicably took a runner with about 15 seconds left, giving Villanova plenty of time to get a good look at the other end. Jay Wright didn't call a time out, but Acker completely face-guarded Reynolds. Redding got to the elbow, and it looked like he was going to have to force up a tough shot, but Jerel McNeal fell asleep defensively (ironically, he is the best perimeter defender in the league) and Dwayne Anderson found himself wide open under the rim for a lay-up at the buzzer.



That last Marquette possession is where they are going to miss Dom James the most. They can compete with teams simply because they still have a ton of talent, and Acker and David Cubillan are pretty good. But I guarantee that if James had the ball in his hand on the last possession, the Eagles would not have shot with 10 seconds on the shot clock.

There was another great finish yesterday as well, this time between UAB and Southern Miss. Paul Delaney of UAB drilled a three with 4.7 seconds left to force OT. In the extra frame, Courtney Beasley of USM made a jumper for a 73-72 lead, but Delaney took the ball the length of the court and hit a runner with 0.7 seconds left to win it for the Blazers.

PLAYER OF THE DAY: Lewis Clinch, Georgia Tech

Is Georgia Tech the new Georgia? Clinch led the Yellow Jackets to an 86-81 win over #5 seeded Clemson in the ACC Tournament, scoring 32 points and grabbing 6 boards. Tech led by as much as 13 with under four minutes left in the game, but the Tigers made a run. They cut in the 84-81 on a three with 5 seconds left, but Clinch knocked down two free throws to ice it. The 32 points were a career high.

Lewis Clinch celebrates the Tech upset of Clemson

(photo credit: Dave Martin/AP)

They were good too: DeShawn Sims, Michigan - 27 pts; Earl Clark, Louisville - 24 pts, 10 rbs, 7 asts; James Harden, Arizona State - 27 pts, 8 rbs; Dexter Pittman, Texas - 19 pts, 20 rbs; Jeremy Wise, Southern Miss - 28 pts, 5 asts; Taj Gibson, USC - 21 pts, 16 rbs; Luke Babbitt, Nevada - 30 pts, 6 rbs; Stefon Jackson, UTEP - 38 pts; Marquez Haynes, UT-Arlington - 36 pts, 6 rbs; Texas A&M-Corpus Christi - 35 pts, 5 rbs.

TEAM OF THE DAY: The middle of the Big XII

Three teams in the Big XII had great days. Baylor built a 17 points lead against Kansas, but the Bears let the lead slip away, eventually falling behind 58-53. But LaceDarius Dunn would lead a run, scoring 8 in a 12-0 run that got the lead back. Dunn finished with 24 points. Baylor is one of the most disappointing teams in the country after collapsing during conference play, but a run through the Big XII tournament could erase all memories of their struggles. Baylor will play Texas today.

It won't be Kansas or Oklahoma this year
(photo credit: AP)

Oklahoma State might have already been in the dance, but they solidified that position by knocking off Oklahoma 71-70. James Anderson hit two free throws with 2.3 seconds left to win the game. Not only did the Pokes lock up a bid, but they all but ended the chances that Oklahoma gets a #1 seed. Blake Griffin had 17 points and 19 boards, but the undersized Cowboys help him to just nine shots from the floor, which is a commendable feat in itself. Byron Eaton led the Cowboys with 16 points and 7 dimes. OK State will take on Missouri today.

Texas also locked up a bid. They beat Kansas State 61-58, ending the Wildcat's hopes of earning a bid. Dexter Pittman had 19 points and 20 boards, and sealed the win with a three-point play giving Texas a 60-58 lead, then grabbing a rebound at the other end and hitting 1-2 free throws.