Three more bids go out, with a dramatic ending and one that could have led to an odd outcome. Plus a surprise in one semifinal win, and a few more regular season finales were mixed in with the tournaments.
Month: March 2016
The Morning Dish – Sunday, March 6, 2016
The first two NCAA Tournament bids went out on Saturday, and you can’t blame either coach if they got a little emotional. Plus a full day of tournament action, a coach gets the dreaded “vote of confidence”, and winning was especially hard for one team this year.
Evansville continues almost-silent consistency in Arch Madness win over Missouri State
Seventh-seeded Missouri State had No. 2 seed Evansville right where it wanted in the teams’ Missouri Valley Conference Tournament quarterfinal Thursday night-tie game, 15 minutes to play, pressure squarely on the higher seed. Then, with quiet efficiency on its next three possessions against the Bears’ matchup zone defense, the Purple Aces scored six straight points-layup, layup, two free throws. Evansville would not trail again.
The Morning Dish – Saturday, March 5, 2016
As conference tournament play picks up, we get reminded quickly of how great March basketball is. Plus one team’s star is done while another team’s complement returns, and more tournament action ahead.
Arch Madness-tested Northern Iowa cool, collected in holding off Salukis
Wichita State has earned much of the recognition in the Missouri Valley Conference this year, and deservedly so, but let it not be forgotten that Northern Iowa is the defending champion of Arch Madness. And there are plenty of veterans still around from that team who know how to get the job done again.
Wichita State latest top seed to sidestep danger in MVC quarters
At the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, it’s the tradition unlike any other: the winner of the first round game between the eighth and ninth seeds annually goes on to give the top seed a hard time in the quarterfinals.
UAB could be an NCAA sleeper — if Blazers make field
UAB won the regular season in Conference USA, but still has another hurdle to climb for the NCAA Tournament. If they pass that, they could be a sleeper once in the field.
Rider eliminates Quinnipiac in MAAC Tournament play
In a tight early MAAC Tournament game, Rider eliminated Quinnipiac, with a little help from a fast second-half start and good rebounding.
Talking Hoops With Ted Sarandis – March 4, 2016
In the latest edition of Talking Hoops with Ted Sarandis, Ted and Phil Kasiecki get into the start of the best month of basketball, as Championship Week is now upon us.
The Morning Dish – Friday, March 4, 2016
With the way this season has played out from the first night, it’s no surprise whatsoever that it has taken just three days of conference tournaments to see complete destruction in some brackets.
