College Basketball 3/22

GAMES OF THE DAY
Western Kentucky 101, Drake 99 OT
San Diego 70, UConn 69 OT
No high seeds are going to want to go to Tampa next year after both UConn and Drake (as well as Clemson and Vanderbilt in the night games) were upset at St. Pete Times Forum. After a Thursday without much excitement, Western Kentucky and San Diego made sure to change that. In the first game, the Hilltoppers built a 16 point lead in the second half with just eight minutes left in regulation, but Drake came all the way back and tied the game at 88 on a Jonathon Cox three with 35 seconds left. In OT, Drake built an early four point lead thanks to two Josh Young triples, but Western Kentucky tied it up on a free throw and a three from Tyrone Brazelton. After trading free throws, Drake was up 99-98 with 5.7 seconds left. Brazelton brought the ball up quickly and handed it off to Ty Rogers, who hit a 26 footer from the right wing as time expired. The three was also the 30th of the game, which set an NCAA tourney record for most three's in a game.

The second game followed the same format. After AJ Price tore his acl landing awkwardly on a fast break lay-up in a tie game, San Diego was able to push the lead to 11 early in the second half. UConn battled back however, playing their typical stingy defense. With 10 seconds left in regulation, Jerome Dyson hit two free throws to send the game in OT. Overtime was a back and forth affair, with UConn taking the lead on two more Dyson free throws with 9 seconds left in the game. But De'Jon Johnson hit a tough, step-back jumper from 18 feet with Stanley Robinson in his face with 1.2 seconds left to win it.

For the record, I think writing about my Huskies losing on a buzzer beater was probably the hardest thing I've ever done. I now not only hate San Diego, but I'm boycotting the entire state of California.


PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Stephon Curry, Davidson
Curry led the Wildcats to a victory over #7 seed Gonzaga with a 40 point night, including an 8-10 shooting night from deep. Curry only had 10 at the intermission, but he exploded for 30 in the second half, including 17 of Davidson's first 18 points. His three with 1:04 on the clock gave Davidson a 77-74 lead and ended up being the game-winner. Davidson advanced to face Georgetown on Sunday.

Charles Rhodes, Mississippi State
The 6'8" forward led the Bulldogs with 34 points and 9 boards as MSU knocked off Oregon in first round play. Rhodes was too much inside for the undersized Ducks, shooting 10-12 from the floor and hit 14-18 from the line.

Jack McClinton, Miami
Jack McClinton scored 38 points, including 32 in the second half, as Miami knocked off St. Mary's 78-64 to move to the second round to face Texas. McClinton scored 10 straight points in Miami's game breaking 25-5 run early in the second half.

Honorable Mention
Tyrone Brazelton, Western Kentucky (33 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts), Pete Campbell, Butler (26 pts, 5 rebs, 8-10 3's), Garrison Carr, American (26 pts, 6 3's), Jonathon Cox, Drake (29 pts, 16 rebs), Adam Emmenecker, Drake (11 pts, 5 rebs, 14 asts), Jamont Gordan, Mississippi State (8 pts, 11 rebs, 9 asts), Kenny Hasbrouck, Siena (30 pts), Sonny Weems, Arkansas (31 pts, 5 rebs, 12-14 FG)


TEAMS OF THE DAY
12 and 13 seeds
As I've already mentioned, the 12 and 13 seeds with 4-0 in Tampa as all four advanced, guaranteeing at least two double-digit seeds will advance to the Sweet 16. I've talked about the first three games, but in the nightcap Villanova, a team that may have been the last one put into the tournament field, overcame an early 18 point deficit to knock off ACC tournament finalist Clemson to advance. The Wildcats, who will advance to face Siena, was led by 21 point from Scottie Reynolds and 17 points from Corey Fisher.