Across the country, teams are competing in conference tournaments and trying to punch their ticket for the NCAA Tournament. Selection Sunday is tomorrow, and then the tourney starts next Tuesday. Here's a recap of Saturday's action.
The Upsets, the Madness
Virginia Tech def. Duke 82-67, ACC Final
Hunter Cattoor put on a clinic, hitting 11 of 16 from the field for
31 points. The teams were neck and neck in the first half, as the
Hokies took a three point lead into the break. They would slowly
extend that lead during the remainder of the contest, when a Justyn
Mutts dunk gave them an advantage of 12 points with 2:28 left, all
but sealing the deal. Virginia Tech enters the NCAA Tournament red
hot. Tough night for Duke.
Memphis def. SMU 70-63 - AAC Semifinal
You do not want to play the Tigers right now. They have been red
hot over the last few weeks and will take great momentum into the
American Championship game. They had three players in
double-figures in this one, along with strong outings from Earl
Timberlake and Tyler Harris off the bench. Watch out.
Texas A&M def. Arkansas 82-64 - SEC
Semifinal
Even after strong performances this week, the Aggies were given
only a 31% chance of winning today, but they put on a clinic. They
held a 12 point lead at the break and never let off the gas.
Quenton Jackson poured in 20 points in a great showing, and now the
Aggies look forward to playing for the SEC Championship.
Tennessee def. Kentucky 69-62 - SEC
Semifinal
The Volunteers took a 7-4 lead 3 minutes into the game and never
gave it back. TyTy Washington was able to cut that lead to 3 points
with 1:31 to play, but Zakai Zeigler hit clutch free throws to ice
it. Kennedy Chandler, Santiago Vescovi and co. move on to the SEC
Championship game.
Richmond def. Dayton 68-64 - Atlantic 10
Semifinal
Dayton had an eight point lead at the break and a 14 point
advantage with 13 minutes to play, but simply couldn’t hold on.
Grant Golden, Tyler Burton and co. stormed back to steal the four
point win. The Spiders move into the A10 Championship game and will
look to steal an auto-bid in the NCAA Tournament.