It was a pretty sweet NCAA Tourney win for the Illinois Fighting Illini last night. They absolutely crushed UNLV, and former Illinois Coach Lon Kruger in game that was much more lopsided than the final box score indicates. And it was their first Tournament win in a half decade. That pretty much makes this season the most successful one in Champaign since 2006. For one … [Read more...] about Illini get Tourney Win, Need to Beat a Higher Seed
march madness
Rick Pitino Joining CBS and TBS, TNT Coverage of March Madness
Louisville head coach Rick Pitino will join CBS Sports’ and Turner Sports’ coverage of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, serving as a guest analyst in the New York studio on Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20. Pitino joins analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony and Kenny Smith along with hosts Greg Gumbel and Ernie Johnson. … [Read more...] about Rick Pitino Joining CBS and TBS, TNT Coverage of March Madness
Purdue wins 13th Consecutive NCAA Opening Round Game
For the second year in a row, the Purdue Boilermakers played, and defeated a MAAC team. Last year it was the Siena Saints, this college basketball season it was the Peacocks of ULA (sorry, "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" reference) of St. Peter's. This now makes it 13 years in a row for the Boilers; they've got this opening round thing down pat. "Obviously, Purdue's had a pretty … [Read more...] about Purdue wins 13th Consecutive NCAA Opening Round Game
Purdue has Off-Court Distractions as they Begin NCAA Tournament
This March Madness, the Purdue Boilermakers, the No. 3 seed in the Southwest Region, will face No. 14 seed Saint Peter’s on Friday in second-round NCAA Tournament action. (TNT 7:20 p.m. ET) They'll do so without sophomore guard Kelsey Barlow has been suspended for the remainder of the 2010-11 season for conduct detrimental to the team, head coach Matt Painter announced … [Read more...] about Purdue has Off-Court Distractions as they Begin NCAA Tournament
Will Michigan State Turn it On Again this March Madness?
They call Tom Izzo "Mr. March" for a reason. And the numbers give creedence to that. Here's what the Michigan State Spartans have accomplished lately: 9 wins as a lower seed since 2003 (most in college basketball) 66-27 in March/April since 1999 35 NCAA Tournament wins since 1998, second most in the nation The 15 years Izzo era in East Lansing has seen 9 sweet … [Read more...] about Will Michigan State Turn it On Again this March Madness?
#1 Ohio State Survives Late Run By Michigan, Advances to Championship Game
Ohio State led by 17 points over Michigan, 65 to 48, with less than two minutes left to play Saturday and it looked safe to say that the former would be playing in their third straight Big 10 championship game. Color commentator Clark Kellogg thought so too, as he made fun of coach Thad Matta for keeping his starters in the game. Matta's decision ended up being fortuitous, … [Read more...] about #1 Ohio State Survives Late Run By Michigan, Advances to Championship Game
#1 Ohio State Shows Signs of Vulnerability in First Big 10 Tournament Game
After running Wisconsin out of the gym in the regular season finale, many thought Ohio State would sail through the Big 10 Tournament with ease. This sentiment was short lived as they were taken down to the wire Friday in their first game against Northwestern. The Buckeyes were able to escape with an overtime victory 67-61, but it wasn't pretty. Northwestern and Ohio State … [Read more...] about #1 Ohio State Shows Signs of Vulnerability in First Big 10 Tournament Game
Ohio State’s Forgotten Freshman, Deshaun Thomas
Blind resumes are ever-so popular this time of year in college basketball with Selection Sunday nearing. Instead of comparing two teams, let's compare the per game averages of Player A and Player B: Player A - 18.2 min, 11.7 pts, 5.4 rebs Player B - 12.5 min, 4.9 pts, 2.7 rebs Per game, Player A has played 25 percent more minutes, scored nearly three times as much, and … [Read more...] about Ohio State’s Forgotten Freshman, Deshaun Thomas
Conference Call with Gene Smith on NCAA Tournament Selection Process
With the annual mock tournament selection taking place in Indianapolis on Thursday and Friday, Gene Smith, Athletic Director at Ohio State and chair of the NCAA Division I men's basketball committee, held a conference call on Wednesday to discuss the tournament selection process. By: Justin Mertes-Mistretta … [Read more...] about Conference Call with Gene Smith on NCAA Tournament Selection Process
Midwest Swing: Final Horn
By Paul M. Banks CHICAGO- 2010 has been perhaps the most exciting NCAA Tournament in recent memory. This March Madness is yet another example of why the college hoops postseason is the best postseason around. It doesn’t need fixing; college football’s pathetic excuse for a postseason does. The run up to this Final Four featured comebacks, upsets and many incredibly close … [Read more...] about Midwest Swing: Final Horn