NIT Redux: With the NCAA Tournament finally taking a day of rest for everyone to catch their breath, NIT action heated up again. The other tournament’s Elite Eight is taking form with six teams grabbing spots Monday night.
No. 5 Old Dominion became the lowest seeded NIT team to advance with a 70-66 victory against No. 9 Manhattan. Alex Loughton led the Monarchs with 20 points and nine rebounds. Old Dominion advances to play fellow CAA NIT mate No. 3 Hosftra.
The Pride moved into the Elite Eight with a 77-75 double overtime victory at Saint Joseph’s. Carlos Rivers forced a steal in double overtime, which led to the game-winning layup by Aurimas Kieza with 20 seconds to go.
No. 1 Michigan also worked overtime to move into the Elite Eight. Dion Harris hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer in double overtime to give the Wolverines an 87-84 against No. 5 Notre Dame. Daniel Horton completed a late comeback in regulation with a three-pointer that gave the Wolverine a one-point lead. Notre Dame’s Chris Quinn then made only one of two free throws with 10 seconds remaining to force overtime. Michigan will host No. 3 Miami in the Elite Eight, reprising the teams’ match up in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, which the Wolverines won.
No. 3 Miami pulled off a tough, controversial win at No. 2 Creigthon, 53-52. Guillermo Diaz hit one of two free throws with three seconds remaining after driving to the rim and drawing a foul call. The fans and Creighton coach Dana Altman wanted the referees to call charging. After Diaz hit the game-winning free throw, Nick Porter collided with Diaz while taking a potentially heroic buzzer-beating three-pointer. But the contact doomed the shot, and the referees did not call a foul, much to the chagrin of Altman and the projectile-launching fans.
No. 1 Louisville became the second top seed to reach the Elite Eight with a 74-68 victory against No. 4 Clemson 74-68. Brian Johnson offered a glimpse of future success with 13 points and 13 rebounds. The redshirt freshman has battled through injuries in two years with the Cardinals. Louisville will play No. 2 Missouri State in the quarterfinals.
Missouri State slipped past No,. 3 Houston 60-59 in dramatic fashion. The Cougars grabbed a 59-57 lead with 10 seconds remaining when Lanny Smith hit a bucket. Deke Thompson sprinted down court and attempted a layup that missed but fell into the hands of teammate Nathan Bilyeu, who collected the rebound and put it away while getting fouled. He then hit the free throw to give Missouri State the victory with two seconds remaining. [3/21/06]
