Curtis Jerrells can't bare to look: Baylor's hopes for a Dance ticket are still lingering.
My god, this day is so terrific. I remember skipping school being sick to catch and watching these tournaments nearly every year from eighth grade through senior year. It still gives me the same thrill. I’m off to the Garden again tonight, hopefully to be treated to some quality, physical basketball. Though UConn fans are always insufferable. I’m going to hear that U! C! O! N! N! UCONN! UCONN! UCONN! chant at least 18 times.
—UPSET—Baylor 71, No. Kansas 64. Baylor is better than Georgia last year, but the situation remains the same: it needs to run the table to get a bid. At least the Jayhawks put together a spirited run to take the lead back after opening the game by trailing 30-13. I’d use the word shocked if Kansas doesn’t still remain on the second seed line. Pitt, UConn, L’ville, Carolina, Oklahoma, Memphis … then MSU, Kansas, Duke and Nova, if it could steal the Big East tournament.
—UPSET—Georgia Tech 86, Clemson 81. WARNING: Clemson has lost four of five to ends its season. Pick at your own risk.
No. 10 Villanova 76, No. 21 Marquette 75. The first really good game at this year’s BET is the 10th one played. And there was high drams in the final minutes. What a gamble by Villanova, not to foul intentionally, and let Marquette play its possession out. It paid off. A beautiful backdoor pass from Reggie Redding to Dwayne Anderson gets Villanova the W.
No. 5 Louisville 73, Providence 55. A nice year for the Friars. Keno Davis did a nice job keeping the team afloat in a crowded pool.
No. 19 Xavier 66, Saint Louis 47. Hoping the Musketeers can buck the trend and be the favorite that wins the A10 tournament. I don’t believe that’s happened more than once in the last five years.
Virginia Tech 65, Miami 47. That douses the Hurricanes from the Tournament picture. It’s a letdown of a season for senior Jack McClinton and Co. Virginia Tech needs to beat UNC tomorrow to elbow its way into The Dance. True do-or-die, clear-cut game there. And this happened last season for the Hokies!
Minnesota 66, Northwestern 53. Northwestern will become the first team in more than a decade to have six wins against the RPI’s top 50 and not receive an at-large bid. By avoiding this land mine, I don’t see how you leave Minnesota out. It’ll take a weak, weak effort against Michigan State to put anything in doubt.
Kentucky 71, Mississippi 58. I think Wildcats fans are shocked that UK didn’t bow out so early from the SEC tournament again this season.
Michigan 73, Iowa 45. Wolverines are presenting an interesting case. I think the Big Ten gets its answers tomorrow.
