Some notes and general thoughts from the games played on the first day of the NCAA Tournament, including an unknown player with a big game, a coach who’s quietly had success again, and a couple of seniors whose careers outside the spotlight came to an end.
Month: March 2009
Michigan: Wolverines Defuse Clemson’s Press
No. 10 Michigan frustrated No.7 Clemson’s shooters, leading to Terrence Oglesby’s ejection, and had just enough offense in the second half to squeak by with a 62-59 win. The Wolverines held Clemson to 33 percent shooting and 5-of-22 shooting from beyond the arc.
Villanova: Wildcats Surge Past American in Second Half
On pace to fall victim to a massive upset, No. 3 Villanova shifted course in the second half against No. 14 American and surged to an 80-67 win. Villanova’s defense clamped down on American’s shooters, holding them to only two second-half three-pointers.
Washington: Huskies End Mississippi State’s Run
After No. 13 Mississippi State needed a run to the SEC Tournament title to earn the conference’s automatic bid, No. 4 Washington quickly ended the Bulldogs’ NCAA Tournament run in a 71-58 victory. The Huskies’ defense stymied the Bulldogs all afternoon, holding Mississippi State to 35 percent shooting.
Maryland: Vasquez Carries Terps to Second Round
No. 10 Maryland provided the first upset of the tournament — unless you count No. 9 Texas A&M’s win against No. 8 BYU — by beating No. 7 California 84-71. Junior guard Greivis Vasquez had another sensational day for the Terrapins with 27 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Connecticut: Huskies Cruise Without Calhoun
Coach Jim Calhoun missed his No. 1 Connecticut Huskies’ 103-47 romp against No. 16 Chattanooga because he had to go to the hospital with an illness. Connecticut held Chattanooga without a field goal for 13 minutes and went on a 46-7 run to blow open the game.
North Carolina: Hansbrough Breaks Redick’s Record in Tar Heels’ Blowout
No. 1 North Carolina opened the NCAA Tournament with an impressive 101-58 win against No. 16 Radford, even though junior point guard Ty Lawson missed the game with a toe injury. Senior forward Tyler Hansbrough became the ACC’s all-time scoring leader on a free throw a few minutes into the game, passing Duke’s J.J. Redick for the record.
Purdue: Boilermakers Muscle Past Northern Iowa
In a defensive battle befitting both teams’ playing styles, No. 5 Purdue outworked No. 12 Northern Iowa for a 61-56 win. Sophomore guard E’Twaun Moore led Purdue with 17 points.
Memphis: Tigers Survive Prepared Matadors
It wasn’t pretty, but No. 2 Memphis started its attempt to return to the NCAA championship game with an 81-70 win against No. 15 Cal State Northridge. The Matadors played a 1-3-1 zone that dared Memphis to shoot from long range. Sophomore guard Roburt Sallie delivered with 35 points, by far his best game of the season.
Texas A&M: Aggies Beat BYU in Second Straight Tournament
For the second consecutive year, Texas A&M beat BYU as a No. 9 seed, with the Aggies winning 79-66 this year. BYU had no defensive answer for junior forward Bryan Davis, who led the Aggies with 21 points.
