Tonight proved a night where the cream rose to the top for those who came to play. Now while that might sound like an overused cliche, the truth was in the result, even if the results sometimes fooled me.
#3 Marquette over #2 Miami in Washington DC of the East Region
Miami was without Reggie Johnson tonight and it seemed to cause a numbing effect on Miami as they never once led this game. Down 29-16 at the half, there was simply no fight in the Hurricanes who shot an anemic 35% from the Field and 31% from outside the Arch.
Marquette, on the other hand shot 54% from the Field and 50% from outside the Arch. Their hustle simply ran the ACC Champs off the court as all other stats were on par with their opponent.
Marquette wins 71-61.
#2 Ohio State over #6 Arizona in Los Angeles of the West Region
Arizona came out of the box with the fire everyone expected they would need to beat the Buckeyes, but even with all of that, it wasn’t enough to stop “Uncle Mo” who OSU had been riding thru the Big 10 Tournament into the Big Dance.
Arizona would carry that halftime lead to the eleven (11) minute mark of the 2nd half. Then, once again, the hustle and defense of the Buckeyes, led by Aaron Craft, carried them thru until it came time to win it all, when the Wildcats left LaQuinton Ross free for an uncontested trifecta that would win the game for Ohio State.
Ohio State wins 73-70.
#4 Syracuse over #1 Indiana in Washington DC of the East Region
In a win that I foresaw, Jim Boeheim led his Syracuse Orangemen and their zone defense into Washington DC and completely flummoxed Tom Crean’s Hoosiers and almost by double the amount they were favoured to lose by.
The team that was more concerned about having a chance to cut down the nets in front of their home fans, discovered that they were more interesting in looking to the prize than actually earning it.
Indiana shot 34% from the Field and 20% from outside the Arch. The amazing stat of the night would be Syracuse blocking twelve (12) shots on the Hoosiers. Everything the Hoosiers tried against the Orangemen simply didn’t work.
Syracuse wins 61-50.
Syracuse will meet Marquette on Saturday at 4:20PM ET in a game that will match two (2) teams that are both leaving their conferences. The Golden Eagles will be part of the “new” Big East comprised of almost all original members and ‘Cuse, who will join the ACC.
#9 Wichita State over #13 LaSalle in Los Angeles in the West Region
The Shockers came out from the opening tip and dominated LaSalle regardless of all their valiant efforts to a 38-22 Halftime. In a game that many will read about the final score in tomorrow’s newspapers, it’s outcome was never in doubt.
Wichita State wins 72-58
Wichita State will meet Ohio State and be the first time they have seen a credible opponent so far in the tournament. The game will tip off at 6:53PM ET on Saturday. If the Buckeyes take this team for granted, they will make a huge mistake.
Bermuda Bob is a contributing writer for the Duke Sports Blog and an avid Duke Basketball fan. You can follow him on Twitter @TheBermudaBob
