The Morning Dish – Monday, March 28th
Spartans Take Austin: After a four-year absence, Michigan State is back in the Final Four with a 94-88 double-overtime win over Kentucky. The Wildcats forced the first overtime on a three-pointer from Patrick Sparks at the buzzer; the shot was the third three attempted in the final 10 seconds and rattled around the rim for a couple of seconds before falling in. Sparks’ feet were precariously close to the three-point line, and officials took six and a half minutes to review the shot before deciding it was indeed a three.
Kentucky had a chance to win at the end of the first overtime, but Kelenna Azubuike failed to get off a shot before the buzzer sounded. In the second overtime, Michigan State built a lead and hit eight straight free throws in the final two minutes to clinch the win. The Spartans’ Shannon Brown led all scorers with 24 points, including five threes. Randolph Morris led the Wildcats with 20 points. As a No. 5 seed, Michigan State is the lowest seed to reach the Final Four since 2002 when Indiana, also as a No. 5 seed, reached the final.
UNC Survives Badgers: North Carolina beat Wisconsin 88-82, and Roy Williams brings his alma mater to the Final Four in only his second season at the helm. From the start, the pace was in favor of the supremely talented Tar Heels. Wisconsin hung tough behind 25 points from Alando Tucker and 18 points from Kammron Taylor, but the 88 points allowed was 30 points greater than the average they allowed in the first three games of the tournament. Sean May led the Tar Heels with 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Rashad McCants scored 21 points, including a back-breaking three that put UNC up six with one minute to go. Raymond Felton added 17 points, including 6-of-6 from the free-throw line down the stretch.
Final Four Set: Next Saturday’s schedule in St. Louis looks like this: Illinois and Louisville tip off at 6:07 ET with North Carolina and Michigan State tipping off 40 minutes after the first game ends.
Volunteers Lose Candidate: UAB coach Mike Anderson has removed himself from consideration for Tennessee’s top position. In three seasons, Anderson has a 65-35 record and led the Blazers to three straight post-season trips. Last season, UAB beat Washington and No. 1-seed Kentucky before losing in the Sweet 16 to Kansas. This season, the Blazers pulled off an upset of No. 6-seed LSU before succumbing to Arizona in the second round. The Volunteers fired Buzz Peterson two weeks ago after four years at the helm with a 61-59 record and no NCAA tournament appearances.
Tonight’s Menu
• No men’s hoops tonight. To get a college basketball fix, check out the ladies as LSU and Duke battle in Chattanooga and North Carolina and Baylor face off in Tempe for right to go to the Final Four.
