No. 5 Arizona did nothing to improve its NCAA Tournament outlook by losing to No. 4 Arizona State 68-56. No. 1 Washington’s defense pressured No. 9 Stanford into 18 turnovers and nearly 50 missed shots in an 85-73 win. No. 6 USC obliterated No. 3 California on the glass for a 51-25 rebounding advantage that helped the Trojans slip past the Bears 79-75.
Month: March 2009
SEC: Kentucky and Mississippi State Claim Double-Digit Wins
As usual, junior guard Jodie Meeks and freshman forward Patrick Patterson carried No. E4 Kentucky, and the Wildcats beat No. W5 Mississippi 71-58. No. W3 Mississippi State ensured that No. E6 Georgia would not pull off another miracle championship run like the team did last season by whipping Georgia 79-60 in the opening round. No. W4 Alabama used a 14-3 run early in the second half to put away No. E5 Vanderbilt in an 82-75 win. No. E3 Florida avoided a disastrous loss to No. W6 Arkansas with a 73-58 victory.
SWAC: Prairie View Hits Key Free Throws
No. 3 Prairie View made seven free throws in the final minutes to produce a 65-60 win against No. 6 Mississippi Valley State. No. 4 Arkansas-Pine Bluff held on for a 62-61 win against No. 5 Southern after the two teams failed to score any points for five minutes down the stretch.
WAC: Utah State and New Mexico State Handle Quarterfinal Foes
No. 4 Boise State led by as much as nine points in the first half, but No. 5 New Mexico State played better in the second half to win 80-70. No. 1 Utah State started fast, building a 16-3 run that produced an 85-68 win against No. 9 Fresno State.
Four Hosts Announced For 2009 Coaches vs. Cancer
Syracuse, North Carolina, California and Ohio State will be hosts in the 2009 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. All four host schools will advance to the championship rounds in New York regardless of the results.
Arkansas: Pelphrey Suspends Henry Indefinitely
For the second time this season, Arkansas coach John Pelphrey suspended Jason Henry for violating team rules. The freshman swingman averages 8.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Wolff Out at Boston University
On Wednesday, Boston University fired Dennis Wolff, the school’s all-time winningest coach, after 15 seasons at the school. Wolff was the dean of coaches in America East and posted a 247-197 record at the school, taking the team to the NCAA Tournament twice and the NIT three straight times from 2003-05.
Atlantic 10: St. Louis Provides Only Opening-Round Drama
Freshman guard Kwamain Mitchell hit the game winner at the buzzer to give No. 9 St. Louis a 62-60 win against No. 8 La Salle. No. 5 Saint Joseph’s outscored the No. 12 49ers 49-32 in the second half to rally for a 72-62 win. No. 10 Massachusetts kept up with No. 7 Duquesne for much of the game, but the Dukes pulled away in the second half for a 91-81 win. No. 6 Richmond forced 18 turnovers and held the No. 11 Bonnies to 39 percent shooting to squeeze out a 65-49 win.
Big 12: Singletary’s 43 points highlights Opening Round
Looking to revive a disappointing season, No. 9 Baylor whacked No. 8 Nebraska 65-49. Senior guard A.J. Abrams provided more defensive support than offensive domination in No. 5 Texas’ 67-56 win against No. 12 Colorado. No. 10 Iowa State appeared poised to contend for a major upset, but No. 7 Oklahoma State clamped down on defense in the second half to win 81-67. No. 11 Texas Tech sophomore forward Mike Singletary had one of the most dominating performances of the season in taking over the second half in the Red Raiders’ 88-83 upset of No. 6 Texas A&M
Big East: Friars’ Defense Helps Providence Beat DePaul; Marquette Quiets Red Storm
No. 8 Providence’s defense stepped up late to help the Friars rally for an 83-74 win against No. 16 DePaul. No. 5 Marquette crushed No. 13 St. John’s 74-45 by out-working the Red Storm for loose rebounds and out-shooting St. John’s from the field. No. 7 West Virginia jumped out to a 20-5 lead after the first 10 minutes and led by as much as 20 in the second half en route to a 74-62 win against No. 10 Notre Dame. Junior guard Eric Devendorf scored 19 points in the second half to help lead Syracuse to a 89-74 victory.
