Friday Morning

Four #1 teams were in action this morning (if you count Alabama as a #1 seed, which we shouldnt). All were pushed to the edge.

Northwestern came up just short to OSU. They forced OT on the strength of their defense, but couldn't get over the hump. THe game was very similar to the first matchup between the two in Evanston. I give credit to OSU because they virtually held NW scoreless in the final four minutes. I say virtually because NW scored 3 points in the final four minutes, and they all came on a 3 pointer that was clearly in the hands of Alex Marcotullio as the shot clock expired. Those were the only points NW scored down the stretch. Then, as they always do, Ohio State hit every free throw (26-32), Sullinger 16-18.

This opens a "how to beat OSU" discussion. The two losses they have had this year were on the road, against other top 10 teams, against teams who didnt lose at home all year, and both games featured one player having a career day; Jordan Taylor for Wisky and E'Twaun Moore for Purdue. The other closest games for OSU were their two games against Northwestern. I originally subscribed to the theory that you would want to speed the game up against OSU. OSU is only 7 deep, and they have yet to have any player in foul trouble all year (because they play such great defense). A quicker game could wear them out and get any of their players in foul trouble - any player would be significant since they are all good, all contribute, and b/c OSU only plays 7. For this reason, I thought a team like Washington, or a team like Mizzou or UNC could cause OSU problems. While they still can, NW has proven they can play close with OSU by playing as slow of a game as possible. Going off the logic of my Pitt argument yesterday; if OSU is 2nd in points per possession in the nation, it would seem logical that you would want to limit their possessions. ONly problem is that theyre 10th in the nation in points allowed per possession, so holding the ball (i.e. what Illinois did for the final 11 minutes in their game in Champaign), wont work either. Thats why Ohio State is the #1 team in the nation.


YEsterday, Miami was down 10 points with 43 seconds left. They somehow forced overtime against Virginia, and went on to win by 9 in the extra session. Today, it was the Hurricanes' turn to totally collapse. After leading 51-34 with 10 minutes left, UNC closed the game on a 27-8 run, capped off with a Tyler Zeller lay up as time expired. This was UNC's only lead of the game. In the final 10 minutes, Miami made ONE field goal; a layup, and the other six points came off free throws. They turned the ball over, missed free throws, and missed all the 3s they were hitting in the first half. They totally imploded, and now Huckleberry Hound Roy Williams can gawk his way into the 2nd round.


I didn't see the Xavier Dayton game, but #1 Xavier went down to Dayton. Dayton jumped out to a 21-3 lead in the first half, and led by 9 at halftime. The Musketeers battled back, and led by 1 with 25 seconds left after Tu Holloway got an old fashioned 3 point play. A foul on the insuing possession led to 2 Dayton free throws, and the Flyers escaped with a one point win. Keep an eye on this A-10 tournament. It is now guaranteed that either Dayton, Duquesne, or St Joes will be in the finals of this tournament; all teams that figured to be way on the outside of the bubble when the week started. Now, 'they' will be one win away from stealing an at large bid.

As I write this, Alabama is down 8 with 14 mins left. According to 'experts,' if they lose, theyre out. Well see.