2011 MARCH MADNESS 11 March 2011REDHAWKS ADVANCE TO MAC TOURNAMENT FINALSSenior forward Benjamin "Dragon" Dragic put in a superb defensive effort, finishing with 12 rebounds and 5 blocks to go along with 16 points as the (3)Miami of Ohio RedHawks defeated last year's tournament champion and (2)Ohio Bobcats 68-61.
(3)Miami of Ohio will face the (1)Akron Zips, who are coming off a convincing 75-58 win over (4) Kent State.
NEBRASKA CAUSES ANOTHER UPSET, MOVES ONTO BIG 12 TITLE GAME TO PLAY IOWA STATE(7)Nebraska has caused another boilover in Kansas City, as they knocked over (3)Kansas State 71-65 to move onto the Big 12 Title Game. Needing to win 4 games in 4 days to secure an unlikely automatic bid and their first ever Big 12 title, the Cornhuskers moved one step closer, winning for the third straight day, only one day after upsetting (2)Kansas in the quarter finals.
The fairytale continues for at least one more day for redshirt senior Mo Bosh, who celebrated his 24th birthday with 22 points and 5 assists. Even a solid 15 point, 9 rebound effort from Kansas State centre Rudolph Schultz wasn't enough to stop the upstart Cornhuskers.
In a day of upsets, (4)Iowa State finally played up to their potential as they beat (1)Baylor in the other semi 69-61. The Cyclones got strong performances out of senior forward Calbert Andrew (17 points, 8 rebounds) and junior point guard Dorell Keefe (13 points, 4 assists). Baylor Bears' Big 12 All-Conference Player of the Year Richie Strickland (20 points) didn't get enough support from his teammates as the team endured a rough shooting night.
BATTLE OF THE BIG DOGS – BRUINS AND BEAVERS TO MEET IN PAC-10 FINAL(1)UCLA dismissed (4)Washington 73-61 in the first of the two PAC-10 semi finals. The Bruins had a set gameplan in mind as they swamped and trapped promising freshman point guard Lambros Washburn (11 points, 3 assists, 5 turnovers) all game long, causing him to make some uncharacteristic mistakes and never let the Huskies get into their offense. At times, the Bruins put PAC-10 Player of the Year Perry Buchanan (23 points) on Washburn, with his length and considerable wingspan causing problems for the young Huskie.
The (1)UCLA Bruins will face (3)Oregon State in the PAC-10 Tournament Final after the Beavers disposed of (6)Arizona 78-69, extinguishing any hopes that the Wildcats had of making the NCAA Tournament. The Beavers were led by junior guards Malcolm Hoffman (17 points), Chuck Smith (15 points) and freshman combo guard Melvin Hale (11 points).
NOVA BEAT DOWN HUSKIES, TO MEET SURPRISING BLUE DEMONS IN BIG EAST TITLE GAME(1)Villanova continued their strong play as they led from start to finish, putting away junior guard Herbert Evans (15 points) and (4)Connecticut 82-68 to move onto the Big East Title Game.
Meanwhile (11)DePaul continued their improbable run to the Big East Title Game, beating (3)Louisville 79-75 to advance to face (1)Villanova for the Big East title. DePaul sophomore guard Leslie Berry was in dynamic form once again, scoring 27 points, as the Blue Demons held off a late challenge from the Cardinals and their senior forward Stevie Nash (16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals) to book a spot in the final.
Whilst they have played strongly the last few days, (11)DePaul will need to beat (1)Villanova and earn the automatic bid if they want to be dancing in the Tournament.