NCAA March Madness Musings and Highlights (3/20/15)
Highlight of the Day – The MSU Spartans proving once again that Tom Izzo has his team ready to play at tournament time as the #7 Spartans defeated #10 Georgia 70-63. The Spartans displayed tremendous energy; a great running game; excellent leadership by Travis Trice; Branden Dawson, Denzel Valentine and Travis Trice led the team in scoring; and Bryn Forbes provided great bench support.
Izzo’s comments after the game were that the team finds a way at times to make it more difficult than it needs to be. MSU was leading 35-22 at halftime, but Georgia quickly cut the lead with a 13-4 run to start the 2nd half and late in the 2nd half MSU squandered their lead and Georgia was within 3 points with 20 seconds left. Denzel Valentine saved MSU by hitting his free throws and was 6-6 from the line in the last-minute.
Tom Izzo extends his tournament record against the SEC to 7-0.
Another one of my upset bids failed when #12 Buffalo lost to #5 Cincinnati 68-62. Buffalo had a very slow start, but the team, coached by Bobby Hurley, played tough in the second half and hit a 3-pointer with just over two minutes left to tie the game. Buffalo had a couple of chances toward the end, but a missed shot and rebound and a 3-pointer by West Virginia sealed the win for West Virginia.
One of the better games of the day was the #10 Indiana Hoosiers against #7 Wichita St. Indiana was on the bubble to make it into the tournament, but Coach Crean had his team playing hard and they almost pulled off the upset, but eventually lost to Wichita St. 81-76. Yogi Ferrell led Indiana offensively with 24 points, but Indiana was unable to stop Wichita St. defensively down the stretch. Fred VanVleet led Wichita St. with 27 points and Ron Baker made some big free throws toward the end of the game.
Belmont gave Virginia a tough game and was within two points with four minutes left before Virginia retook control of the game and eventually won 76-67. Great performance by Belmont’s Craig Bradshaw who had 25 points and nine rebounds and hit two big 3-pointers (one a called bank shot) with just under five minutes left to close the lead to two points.
Former Fab Five member, Chris Webber, joining March Madness as a game analyst.
Love the great NCAA March Madness Live app and website. Great information and it allows you to watch all the games without missing any action.
Rick Pitino, the best-dressed coach according to ncaa.com, coaches Louisville to a 57-55 victory over UC Irvine.
Another victory for the Big Ten Conference when Maryland defeats Valparaiso 65-62 (too bad I had Buffalo beating them in the next game in my bracket).
Still laughing each time I see the AT&T commercial with Shaq dancing.
Magic Johnson in the stands supporting the MSU Spartans.
Another Big Ten Conference win as #7 Iowa beats #10 Davidson 83-52 (too bad I had Davidson winning in my bracket).
Once again a Big Ten Conference victory as #1 Wisconsin defeats #16 Coastal Carolina 86-72 (finally, a team I actually have winning in my bracket).
Other than the MSU win, day two did not live up to the excitement of the first day of the tournament. Of the sixteen games played, fifteen were won by the higher seed and the only upset of the day was #11 Dayton’s win over #6 Providence.
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