Across the country, teams are competing in conference
tournaments and trying to punch their ticket for the NCAA
Tournament. Selection Sunday is almost here, and then the tourney
starts next Tuesday. Here's a recap of Friday's slate.
Games of the Day
Texas Tech def. Oklahoma 56-66 - Big 12
Semifinal
The Sooners have been on the bubble for quite some time and, after
a big win against Baylor, we’ll have to wait and see what this loss
does to them. They fought tooth and nail after being down 14 points
in the second half, and even took a 54-52 lead with 3:05 to play.
Clarence Nadolny hit a free throw to make it 56-54 and the Red
Raiders held on from there. Great game.
Saint Louis def. St. Bonaventure 57-56 - A10
Quarterfinal
Saint Louis held a nine point lead with 9:35 to go, but the Bonnies
went on a run to take a one point lead with 1:24 remaining. Gibson
Jimerson hit a jumper with 0:17 on the clock that would end up
being the game-winner. Big win for the Billikens as they advance to
the A10 Semifinals.
UAB def. MTSU 102-98 in 3OT - CUSA
Semifinal
In a thriller, the largest lead for either team was just seven
points. With a 62-62 score after regulation, the two teams headed
to overtime, in which Donovan Sims hit a clutch free throw to send
it to double-overtime at 69-69. It would take another overtime, but
Jordan Walker and co. finally sealed the deal at 102-98, keeping
the team's dream alive.
Dayton def. UMass 75-72 - A10 Quarterfinal
In the second half of this one, neither team led by more than five
points as it went down to the wire. DaRon Holmes II made a jumper
with 51 seconds remaining that gave Dayton a 69-68 lead, and they
took it home from there. Holmes II would end with 28 points in a
strong outing.
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Duke def. Miami (FL) 80-76 - ACC Semifinal
The Canes led for a good part of the first half, but it was tied at
36-36 going into the break. Duke held a 69-65 lead with 2:09 to
play and from there it was a free-throw game for the Blue Devils.
Keels, Moore Jr., and Griffin knocked them down and were able to
seal the deal. They advance to the ACC Championship.
The Upsets, the Madness
Indiana def. Illinois 65-62 - Big Ten
Quarterfinal
The Hoosiers entered this game, once again, heavy underdogs with
only a 29.2% chance of winning. They kept the first half
competitive and trailed by only two points at the break, but turned
on the jets and had a 5 point lead in just under 10 minutes to
play. Indiana is still considered a Bubble Team, but along with
yesterday’s win, they should be more comfortable.
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Michigan State def. Wisconsin 69-63 - Big Ten
Quarterfinal
As a true bubble team, this was a huge win for Sparty. They advance
to the Big Ten Semifinals thanks in large part to Marcus Bingham
Jr. and his stellar performance. Marble II and Hoggard both
provided sparks off the bench in the win.
Virginia Tech def. North Carolina 72-59 - ACC
Semifinal
After leading by six points at the break, the Hokies really opened
it up halfway through the second half. Keve Alume posted 18 and
Darius Maddox scored 20 huge points off the bench in the win. They
move on to the ACC Championship and hope to put a bow on this
amazing run.
Creighton def. Providence 85-58 - Big East
Semifinal
Creighton absolutely handed it to the No. 11 team in the nation.
They led by 15 points at the break and only grew their lead as the
game went on. With four players in double-digits scoring, it was a
balanced attack from the get-go. Great win for the Bluejays.
Texas A&M def. Auburn 67-62 - SEC
Quarterfinal
The Aggies have had a solid season, but I doubt many people saw
this coming. Tyrece Radford and Quenton Jackson had big moments and
now they are (likely) a lock for the NCAA Tournament. They will
face Arkansas in the Semifinals.
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Standout Performances
Jordan Walker (UAB): 40 points, 6 rebounds, 3
assists
Keegan Murray (Iowa): 26 points, 8 rebounds, 2
assists
Xavier Castaneda (Akron): 26 points, 4
rebounds
Michael Ertel (UAB): 26 points, 4 rebounds, 2
assists
DaRon Holmes (Dayton): 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3
blocks
Jordan Wright (Vanderbilt): 27 points, 6
rebounds
Noah Fernandes (UMass): 26 points, 4 rebounds,
4 assists, 2 steals
Jesse Zarzuela (Coppin State): 27 points, 7
assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
TyTy Washington (Kentucky): 25 points, 3
rebounds
Kameron McGusty (Miami FL): 24 points, 7
rebounds
Holland Woods (Grand Canyon): 24 points, 4
rebounds, 2 steals
Deandre Dishman (MTSU): 23 points, 8 rebounds,
4 assists
Kofi Cockburn (Illinois): 23 points, 10
rebounds, 2 blocks
Geo Baker (Rutgers): 23 points, 3 rebounds, 3
steals, 2 assists
Brad Davison (Wisconsin): 23 points, 3
rebounds, 2 assists
Teddy Allen (New Mexico State): 25 points, 7
rebounds, 6 assists
Au’Diese Toney (Arkansas): 22 points, 10
rebounds, 2 assists
Jermaine Samuels (Villanova): 21 points, 12
rebounds
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2022 NBA Draft: Prospect Watch
Keegan Murray (Iowa): 26 points, 8 rebounds, 2
assists
TyTy Washington (Kentucky): 25 points, 3
rebounds
Ochai Agbaji (Kansas): 22 points, 3
rebounds
AJ Griffin (Duke): 21 points, 7 rebounds, 4-6
3PT
Jabari Smith (Auburn): 17 points, 9 rebounds, 4
assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Jaden Ivey (Purdue): 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2
assists, 2 blocks
Walker Kessler (Auburn): 16 points, 9 rebounds,
4 blocks, 3 steals, 2 assists
Tari Eason (LSU): 15 points, 3 assists, 3
steals
Johnny Davis (Wisconsin): 11 points, 11
rebounds, 3 assists
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