The Morning Dish – Wednesday, March 17th
Florida A&M wins play-in game: The Florida A&M Rattlers, complete with a 15-16 record, will play Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, thanks to its 72-57 win over Lehigh in the NCAA Tournament’s play-in game Tuesday night. The Rattlers controlled the game from the start, opening up a 7-0 lead to begin the game. Sharp-shooter Terrance Woods finished with 21 points for Florida A&M. The Rattlers have a short trip to play the top-seeded Wildcats. After the game, Florida A&M said all the right things, including voicing a want to even the team’s record after a 1-10 start to the season. Chances are the Rattlers will never see that .500 mark, but they’ll always have their first NCAA Tournament win to remember.
Murray State suspends leading scorer: You have to wonder what was going through Murray State forward Kelvin Brown’s head. The Racers leading scorer was arrested on drug charges, as was teammate Adam Chiles. Brown, however, was the only player suspended from playing in the team’s operning round NCAA Tournament game against Illinois. Brown was charged with theft, possession of marijuana and a second charge for possession of drug paraphenalia. The police responed to a 911 hang up call at the pair’s off-campus apartment, where they found Brown hiding in a closet.
Cincy reinstates Whaley: Cincinnati center Robert Whaley quit the team earlier this year because of limited playing time. The 6-foot-9 player sat on the Bearcats’ bench during the CUSA Tournament in street clothes, and now has been reinstated to play. He averaged 6.2 point and 2.7 rebounds in 20 games. Cincinnati faces East Tennessee State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday. Apparently, Whaley asked his teammates and coaches for another chance.
DePaul guard may be suspended: CUSA is investigating a suppossed unintentional punch Saturday in DePaul’s loss to Cincinnati in the CUSA Tournament Championship game. Lavar Seals apperaed to punch Cincinnati’s Tony Bobbit in the groin and was ejected from the game for fighting. CUSA is determing if the junior should sit out DePaul’s opening round game against Dayton.
Buffalo site snowed in: All teams have reported to snowy Buffalo for Thursday’s NCAA Tournament games except for Texas Tech Tuesday. The Red Raiders, slowed by the snow that has enveloped New York, indicated that they’d attempt to fly from Lubbock, Texas, Wednesday morning. Vermont, who’s scheduled to play UConn, needed nine hours to fly from Burlington, Vermont, to Buffalo, normally a two-hour trip. However, compared to last year’s 40 hour snow-delayed trip, the Catamounts are fine with the nine-hour nuisance.
Both starting forwards leave Penn State: Starting forwards Jan Jagla and Rob Summers left the Penn State Nittany Lion basketball program Tuesday. Jagla, a seven-footer from Germany, led the 9-19 Lions in scoring and rebounding. He intends to play professionally in either Europe or the U.S. Summers, a sophomore, plans to transfer. Five players have left the Penn State program in the past year.
Michigan edges Missouri: In first round NIT action, Michigan topped Missouri 65-64 Tuesday night. The Wolverines were led by Dainel Horton’s 20 points. Missouri used Arthur Johnson’s big second half (he scored 26 points overall) to get back in the game, but Michigan was able to fend off the rally.
St. Louis stuns Iowa: St. Louis erased a nine-point halftime deficit to beat Iowa in first-round NIT action Tuesday night, 70-69. With the game tied at 67, Iowa’s Pierre Pierce hit a driving layup for a two-point lead. But the Billikens’ Anthony Drejaj hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer. Drejaj led the team with 23 points.
Other NIT scores: Nebraska defeated Creighton, 71-70, on a Nate Johnson layup with 11 seconds left. Utah State….
Georgetown fires Craig Escherick: Georgetown fired George Escherick Tuesday after a 13-15 season. It was the Hoyas’ third straight season out of the NCAA Tournament. Esherick, who recently told reporters he may be there another 30 years, replaced John Thompson in 1999. The Hoyas ended the season on a nine-game losing streak, its longest since 1972.
Tonight’s Menu
• More NIT action tonight highlighted by Purdue’s trip to Notre Dame on St. Patrick’s Day. Other notable NIT games include Colorado versus Oregon and LSU versus Oklahoma.
