No. 6 Syracuse finally ran out of gas in a 76-66 loss to No. 1 Louisville after playing three games, including two that featured a combined seven overtimes.
Conference Notes
Big Ten: Ohio State Upsets Michigan State
No. 1 Michigan State probably let a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament slip away with an 82-70 loss to No. 5 Ohio State. No. 3 Purdue broke through against No. 2 Illinois, beating the Illini 66-56 for the first win in three tries this season against Illinois.
Big West: Mastodons Work OT to Beat Pacific
Despite losing twice to No. 3 Pacific in the regular season, No. 1 Cal State Northridge pulled through against the Tigers when it counted most, winning the Big West championship with a 71-66 victory.
Conference USA: Memphis’ Domination Delivers Another Title
No. 1 Memphis picked up its 31st win of the year and 61st consecutive Conference USA victory in a 64-39 bludgeoning of No. 2 Tulsa.
Mid-American: Akron Wins Balanced MAC
In a season in which the top five teams were separated in the standings by only a game, it’s not shocking that No. 5 Akron walked away with the MAC championship in a 63-55 win against No. 3 Buffalo.
MEAC: Morgan State Makes First NCAA Tournament Appearance
No. 1 Morgan State shook off a slow start with an 18-0 run that gave the Bears a lead they would never relinquish in an 83-69 win against No. 3 Norfolk State.
Mountain West: Utah Takes the Mountain West Championship
No. 2 Utah out-slugged No. 4 San Diego State 52-50 in a defensive battle that gave the Utes a Mountain West title.
Pac-10: DeRozan Leads USC to Title
Freshman DeMar DeRozan helped No. 6 USC complete an unexpected run to the Pac-10 title with a 66-63 win against No. 4 Arizona State. DeRozan led the team with 25 points, and Daniel Hackett added 19 for the Trojans
SEC: Bulldogs Come Closer to Automatic Bid
Jarvis Varnado was a difference-make and both ends of the court in the No. W3 Bulldogs’ 67-57 win against No. W1 LSU. No. E1 Tennessee will face Mississippi State in the championship game after the Volunteers beat No. W2 Auburn 94-85.
SWAC: Alabama State Wins Battle of Top 2 Seeds
No. 1 Alabama State held No. 2 Jackson State without a field goal for seven minutes late in the second half to claim a 65-58 SWAC championship.