First Round Stars
The first round of the NCAA Tournament always has some big performances, and sometimes by lesser-known stars as well as ones we have come to expect the games from. With a loss ending a team’s season, the will to win drives players to new levels in the tournament. The tournament is full of great players, including ones who get few opportunities besides now to show what they can do on the national stage.
Here is a look at the big stars in the games of the first two days.
Rashad Anderson, Connecticut
Sure, he had just four points in the second half out of his 22 for the game. But Anderson’s terrific shooting in the first half helped the Huskies take the lead and then build it up, as he made his first six shots from behind the arc.
Darren Brooks, Southern Illinois
His team lost, but Brooks showed just how good he is. He had 25 points on 10-15 shooting, with several key baskets as the Salukis put together a rally after the halfway point of the second half.
Rodney Carney, Memphis
He was an easy pick for the star of the Tigers’ win over South Carolina, scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He may have played the game of a lifetime, and the Tigers are surely hoping he has another one in store for Sunday’s matchup with Oklahoma State.
Lionel Chalmers, Xavier
Isn’t it nice to have seasoned veterans on your team? Chalmers picked it up when the Musketeers needed him to, as he scored nine of his game-high 25 points in the decisive run where the Musketeers took over the game.
Drake Diener, DePaul
Diener took over the game in the second overtime with 10 of his 28 points, though he was solid throughout with a 7-10 effort, including 4-7 on three-pointers. He was money at the foul line, making all 10 of his attempts including all eight in the second extra session.
Luis Flores, Manhattan
The high-scoring guard had 16 of his 26 points in the second half, including eight unanswered points that opened up a double-digit lead, after which the Jaspers were never really threatened.
John Gilchrist, Maryland
Just like last weekend in the ACC Tournament, Gilchrist is playing like a man possessed. He made clutch shots, and tough ones to boot, and did what it took to bring the Terrapins into the second round with his 18 points against UTEP.
Gerry McNamara, Syracuse
You think he wasn’t going to let the Orangemen lose? When Hakim Warrick went out with foul trouble in the first half and Brigham Young had built up a lead, McNamara came to the rescue. He scored 28 of his 43 points in the first half to help the Orangemen tie the game at the half, made 9 of 13 three-pointers on the day and showed a will to win.
Mario Moore, Vanderbilt
The sophomore guard scored a career-high 26 points on 10-16 shooting, playing the kind of game the Commodores need from him if they are to go far in the tournament.
Brandon Mouton, Texas
He’s a seasoned tournament veteran, and his value clearly showed in the Longhorns’ win over Princeton. He scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half, leading a 60% shooting effort in the latter 20 minutes after the Longhorns trailed early in the second half.
Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph’s
Okay, the Hawks were supposed to win, and win big, over Liberty. But Nelson’s 33 points are no less spectacular; he scored the Hawks’ first nine points and nearly outscored the Flames all by himself in the first half.
Tim Smith and Zakee Wadood, East Tennessee State
Both stars were constant thorns in Cincinnati’s side as the Bucs made a great upset bid. The lightning-quick Smith had 26 points and 4 steals, while Wadood was a constant presence on the defensive end with 14 rebounds to go with his 17 points.
Kelly Whitney, Seton Hall
His double-double was impressive by itself (24 points, 14 rebounds), but even more impressive was that he battled leg cramps and was in and out of the lineup.
