Sorry the site’s been low on updates this week. Real life called, and I didn’t have much time to update.
Ah, who am I kidding? No one’s going to be following this live. But this is as much therapy for me, knowing we’ll lose college hoops for seventh months in 50 hours. I’m pulling for the underdogs, but I’ll go with Michigan State and UNC as the winning teams.
6:08: UConn seems damn loose. And I can’t believe Craig Austrie is starting in the Final Four. Dude wasn’t even that dominant in the FCIAC here in southwest Connecticut. Only heard one curse word dropped in the opening lineups.
6:14: An early 9-2 lead for the Spartans. It’s amazing how much better Ford Field looks this year than last during the regionals.
6:20: 14-10 MSU at the under-16:00 timeout. Good to see both teams are willing and able to score. Was a little worried about this game having too much of a Big Ten feel.
6:25: Kinda like the NFL-style floating cam above the hoop. UConn’s falling for a lot of pump-fakes.
6:26: Huskies take their first lead at 16-14 with 12:40 to go.
6:33: It is pretty ridiculous that UConn has led the country in blocked shots seven straight years. I don’t think any school has led the country in any category for seven straight seasons. Except Duke. With flops. 21-18, UConn, with 9:40 to go.
6:38: Miller Lite has hops?
6:44: UConn already has 23 blocks.
6:45: “Michigan State has to play this game on roller blades. They can’t play this game on tennis shoes.” Roller blades? Look at Clark Kellogg gettin’ with the times with that analogy!
6:48: We’re at the under-4:00 timeout witha 29-27 UConn lead. MSU looking great on the boards — but that’s what they do.
6:53: MSU takes the lead back after a Lucious 3 gives it a 30-29 lead. Thabeet’s on his back again.
6:56: Nantz and Kellogg sound like they’ve been working together for five years already. We’re only at three Magic Johnson cutaway shots, by the way.
6:57: We’ve got some drama! Thabeet, for some reason, is angry. That escalated really quickly. … Looks like Travis Walton was offended by Jeff Adrien being offended by Walton’s foul.
6:59: These players need to think twice before they start fighting each other. They’re representing a clean, fine institution like the NCAA, you know.
7:07: 38-26 MSU and we’re at the half. I’d say neither team has the edge at this point. But UConn is falling for the pump fakes EVERY time. Tremendous scouting and discipline to execute by MSU.
7:14: I can hardly see Blake Griffin and Bill Self for this Chevy awards ceremoney because of all the blue.
7:27: Ready to start the final 20 minutes. Hard to believe the Spartans have looked so good without Suton producing. The talking heads tell us that won’t continue if he continues to be anemic.
7:33: Despite the calls going UConn’s way, the Spartans will not let down. Love to see that in a team. 46-44, MSU.
7:40: HASHEEM THABEET IS ON THE GROUND AGAIN.
7:46: 53-49 Michigan State and the place is jumping! Some breakaway layups to Lucious and Lucas make it possible. We’re up to six Johnson cutaways.
7:52: Jim Nantz says we should look at Calhoun’s dossier before judging the accusations of UConn’s improprieties. I say we should not be using the word dossier unless Carmen Sandiego is involved. Suton’s on the floor with three fouls; UConn’s shooting terribly from the stripe at this point.
7:58: I can’t decide if the game is called so much tighter than it used to be or if the players are dictating that it’s called so tightly. What I do know: everyone wishes less whistles were being blown.
8:01: UConn is worried more about complaining more than getting the job done. Michigan State is quite likeable tonight: 62-54 Sparty with 7:07 to go.
8:05: “Chow time at the buffet line! Seconds all day long,” Kellogg says. I love it. Suton gives MSU the double-digit lead coming out of the break.
8:07: Durrell Summers with a HUGE THROWOWN OVER STANLEY ROBINSON!
8:13: 71-60 Spartans for the final TV timeout. Loving how active these Michigan State hands are. UConn’s frustrated. It’s already gotten tons of calls, but wants more. Perhaps Stanley Robinson should keep the ball higher.
8:17: What an impressive win this is going to be for Michigan State. I predicted they’d win, but I didn’t think it’d be with such poise.
8:21: UConn gets it to 73-65 with 1:42 to go. I just said to my girlfriend, “Your alma mater is going to lose, and I’m happy.” Then it gets four quick points. But I’m not panicking yet …
8:24: Wow. UConn gets four points on one trip after A.J. Price hits a layup, then Suton fouls Thabeet on the box out? After the ball had gone through the hoop? It’s down to four with 1:26 to go. Uh-oh. Thabeet is shaken up and is walking over the floor.
8:27-8:33: What a follow-up slam from Robinson, who can fly. That cuts it to 74-71. But a great breakout 3-point play from Raymar Morgan! Great counterpunch! … then a UConn miss, and it’s Summers with the rebound and MSU on the break … they wait for the foul, and Austrie fouls him. A cutaway to Magic, and then to Lupe Izzo. Kalin Lucas hits one of two, and it’s a 78-71 game … Price drives and puts up a tough layup that doesn’t foul. Raymar Morgan hits two mor efreebies to get the lead back to nine. 80-71, MSU. Michigan State is going to take this game, as A.J. Price fouls Kalin Lucas with 14.4 to go. … FINAL: 82-73, Michigan State.
