OCR Text |
Show DAILY Sunday, March 18, 2007 HERALD D5 2007 MEN'S NCAA TOURNAMENT TOURNAMENT UPDATE With Law on its side, Texas A&M gels the victory THE ASSOCIATED and just the fourth time in PRESS 20 seasons. Acie LEXINGTON, Ky. Law was there when Texas A&M hit bottom, wallowing through a winless Big 12 season three years ago, often wondering if he'd made a mistake by choosing to play for the perennially underachieving Aggies. Law stayed and vindication came in the jubilation after the Aggies' win over 72-6- 9 Louis- ville in the second round of the South Regional on Saturday, when the senior point guard dubbed "Captain Clutch" for his cool demeanor under pressure finally let go. Seconds after his 26 points helped send the Aggies to the round of 16 for the first time in 27 years, Law screamed while he hugged his teammates at midcourt. "It's an amazing feeling. I don't have any words to describe it," Law said. "It's huge for this program." A program that finally received the breakthrough victory its been looking for under r coach Billy Gillispie. It wasn't easy. Then again, it never really is for the Aggies third-yea- (27-6- ). Texas A&M had to over31 points come a career-hig- h from Louisville's Edgar Sosa and a raucous Rupp Arena crowd, most of whom made the short trip east to see the resurgent Cardinals (24-1try to make it back to the final 16 for the second time in three years. In the end, however, Sosa simply ran out of magic. After making 15 straight free ft North Carolina 81, Michigan State 67: At Wintson-SaleN.C., Tyler Hansbrough tossed away the mask protecting his broken nose and busted up Michigan State. d North Carolina sure did need its big man to fend off the Spartans. The sophomore finished with 33 points and nine rebounds and Reyshawn Terry knocked down several key baskets down the stretch to help the Tar ED REINKEAssociated Press Heels hold off Michigan State. North Carolina is in the Texas A&M's Acie Law IV pumps his fist as he leaves the court on round of 16 for the second time Saturday. in three seasons, and will face n the winner of Sunday's and Jeff Green clogging the California game next throws, he missed two with week in East Rutherford, N.J. 29.8 seconds left and the Cardi- middle, the Hoyas took another step toward their return nals trailing by one. to the top of college basketball West Sosa had another chance afRegional at the expense of a former conter Texas A&M's Joseph Jones UCLA 54, Indiana 49: At Sacramissed a pair of free throws, but ference rival. his deep pointer hit the back mento, Calif., Indiana's game Vanderbilt 78, Washington of the rim and the ball made its plan hearkened back to the State 74, 20T: At Sacramento, days of Four Corners offenses way into the hands of Law. and set shots, and it nearly Law calmly made both free Calif., Vanderbilt and Washworked until UCLA punched throws with 1.7 seconds left ington State didn't have much NCAA tournament experience, a hole in its peach basket and to push the lead to three and when Sosa's half court heave yet neither club showed it in a squeaked into the next round e of the NCAA tournament. thriller. at the buzzer hit the top of the And Derrick Byars made Darren Collison scored 15 backboard the Aggies celebratsure the Commodores will get a points, hit two late free throws ed at midcourt. g little more time in the spotlight. and made the Byars scored 27 points, Shan steal as UCLA survived both East Regional the Hoosiers' stifling defense Foster added 20 and Vanderbilt took control in the second and their frantic tying rally. Georgetown 62, Boston Coovertime. Arron Afflalo managed just llege 55At Wintson-Saleand 10 points for second-seede- d N.C., in the heart of Atlantic Byars hit five UCLA (28-5which led 3 Coast Conference country, center Ted Skuchas opened the second OT with his first after a first half dominated by Georgetown and Boston Coldefensive hustle five points of the game for and downlege got together for some d Vanderbilt bruising Big East right offensive ineptitude by which is headed to the round of both teams. Indiana tied it at 49 basketball. 16 for the first time since 2004 With with a minute left after a Roy Hibbert rally, but Afflalo and Collison finished it off with free throws. The Bruins are headed to the round of 16 for the fifth time in and the second eight years straight campaign under coach Ben Howland, whose team lost the national championship game to Florida last season. Top-seede- Pittsburgh 84, VCU 79, OT: At Buffalo, N.Y., Eric Maynor and his Virginia Commonwealth teammates spent all of their e energy forcing overtime. Fields and Pittsburgh took over from there. Fields atoned for two missed free throws at the end of the regulation and Pitt recovered after blowing a lead. Lev-anc- Texas-Souther- double-overtim- game-decidin- 20-1- ), sixth-seede- (22-11- ), 16-- 3 Men's NCAA tourney round Opening Muolrana Dayton, OMo Tuesday, March 13 77 Florida 69 A&M East regional (ALL 1MB MOT) FIRST ROUND mi is N.C College 84. Texas Teen 75 Georgetown 80. Belmont 55 Michigan State 61 Marquette 49 Nortn Carolina 86. Eastern Kentucky 65 At ARC0 Arena Sacramento, Calif. State 70, Oral Roberts 54 Washington 44 Vanderbilt 77 George Washington Friday. March 16 At Spokane Memorial Arena Boston Texas 79. New Mexico Southern California 77, State 67 Arkansas 60 SECOND ROUND At Saturday, March 17 Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum N.C. Georgetown 62. Boston College 55 North Carolina 81 Michigan State 67 At ARC0 Arena Sacramento, Calil. VanderDilt 78, Washington State 74, 20T Today Spokane Memorial Arena Spokane, Wash. Southern California 3:20 p.m. Midwest Regional At Texas vs Butler 62, Maryland 59: At Buffalo, N.Y., Butler can shed the label. A.J. Graves and company proved the Bulldogs can play with anyone including Maryland. Graves scored 19 points, inbasket cluding a clutch with 2:09 remaining to lift the Bulldogs over Maryland. Butler (29-6the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Regional, advances to the round of 16 for the second time in school history. The Bulldogs did it previously in their last tournament appearance in 2003. They'll face either Florida or Purdue. Maryland (25-9- making its first tournament appearance since 2004, has not advanced past the second round since 2003. The Terps were undone by an aggressive and smaller team, which kept their offense out of rhythm. At mid-maj- ), Regional Semifinals Friday, March 23 Continental Airlines Arena East Rutherford. N J. North Kentucky State winner vs s Southern Boston Tech winner vs Washington Mexico winner State s Roberts winner Washington Championship Sunday, March 25 Continental Airlines Arena East Rutherford, NJ. Regional At Semifinal winners South regional FIRST ROUND Thursday, March 15 At Rupp Arena Ky. Lexington, Louisville 78. Stanford 58 Texas A&M 68. Pennsylvania 52 Ohio State 78, Central Connecticut State 57 Xavier 79, Brigham Young 77 Friday, March 16 At Nationwide Arena Columbus, Ohio Virginia 84. Albany, N.V. 57 Tennessee 121 Long Beach State 86 At New Orleans Arena New Orleans Memphis 73. North Texas 58 Nevada 77. Creighton 71 0T SECOND ROUND Saturday, March 17 At Rupp Arena Lexington, Ky. Ohio State 78, Xavier 71, 0T Texas A&M 72, Louisville 69 Today Nationwide Arena Columbus, Ohio Tennessee 10:10 a.m. At New Orleans Arena New Orleans At Virginia vs in the NCAA tournament. And 61 of the team's 77 points scored in the tournament won't Continued from Dl be around next year. Rose has called this year's whenever we made a shot, graduating class a special they'd come right back." Coaches like Dave Rose earn group, one that's particularly wondrous to him because he their money by coming up with interacted with it in two roles. something to say after a seaHe was an assistant coach for son ends the way BYLTs did. a couple of years. He's been The Cougars: ft Earned a national the head coach the past two. ranking Since this group went 1 as for the first time since 1994. ft Defeated Utah twice, and freshman, it finished 8 (25-- 9 this year) with a league regular-swon an outright league title for eason title to its credit. the first time in 19 years. ft Had the Mountain West After having several multi-gam- e Conference's most valuable losing streaks a couple of seasons ago, there was just player (Keena Young), best one each in the past two seacoach and top freshman (Jonasons. than Tavernari). Of course, it will hurt that Five seniors, including Rose, the skids have defined the end reversed the fortunes of their of the past two years. BYU lost careers by getting a chance to in the first round of the tflT a achieve one last mark for the year ago, right after getting history books: an NCAA tourstunned by Utah in the league nament win. tournament. This year BYU And yet it somehow, disturblost at UNLV in the conference ingly, ended in a thud as the tournament championship beNo. 8 seed fell to No. 9 as fore falling to Xavier, despite fair an opportunity as the Couseveral decent second-hal- f gars have had in years. leads. All Rose could tell them was BYU is expected to be fairly how proud he was, probably little solace for a group that strong next year, with a couple of key contributors returnsimply expected more than a That's not hising in starting center Trent Plaisted and shooting guard tory for BYU, just the norm, as since Cummard, both of whom will the school's now be juniors. They are undoubtthe last victory in 1993. JAMES CRISPAssociated Press How the defeat impacts edly the cornerstones. Xavier's Justin Cage, left, shoots over BYU's Keena Young on Tavernari will likely be BYLTs future remains to be seen. If players did tune in, back, unless he opts for a Thursday. church mission. Getting to the they have to be sick knowing tournament early in their cathat Xavier had a late lead SatRose appears to like his rereers will benefit them a lot, urday against No. 1 seed Ohio highly of. "To be the best, you have to State before losing in overtime. cruiting class, which includes a Rose believes. Their learning e curve has been accelerated. couple of freshmen and Playing OSU was a potential beat the best," Lee Cummard And the rest of the league is would say on Selection Suntransfers, but it may challenge players didn't want in flux when it comes to new to talk about before beating day, minutes after BYLTs draw take time to weave in the talent. This was the year to strike coaches. The Cougars may get was announced. Xavier, but obviously thought Cougars 45-1- game here or there based on consistency. Players seemed to have a hard time thinking of the fuloss. ture after the The present hurt too much. In the locker room, where players were required to stay for a period for media responsibilities, there were hushed tones and blank stares. The seniors looked particularly distraught as they nibbled on sandwiches, no doubt counting the seconds until they could leave Rupp Arena. "It's not the way we wanted to finish," Young said. Coach Rose would say none of the Cougars deserved that fate, particularly the ones playing their last college game. "They left it all on the floor," he said. Young started all 34 games for BYU this year, finishing his three-yea- r stint with 24 points on shooting. He scored in double digits for the 29th time this season, topping the mark for the 1 1th time (he did it just once his first two seasons in Provo). Figure that he'll have an impact around BYU for a while. The school has used a two-poi- past successful black players to help recruit, to break down stereotypes and concerns about the mostly white, LDS campus. One blunt stereotype lives on, though: This program cannot win a tournament game. "There's unfinished business," senior Austin Ainge said. junior-colleg- I Jason Franchuk can be reached at vs Nevada Memphis 12:15 p.m. Semifinals Thursday, March 22 At The Alamodome San Antonio Connecticut State Regional Ohio winner vs. Beach State Tennessee-Lon- Texas ner vs. winner Brigham N.Y. winner win- Texas Championship Saturday, March 24 At The Alamodome San Antonio Regional Semifinal winners Midwest regional Round First Thursday, March 15 At HSBC Arena Buffalo, Maryland 82, Davidson 70 Butler 57, Old Dominion 46 N.V. Friday, March 16 At The United Center Chicago UNLV 67, Georgia Tech 63 Wisconsin 76. Texas Christi 63 At Spokane Memorial Arena Spokane, Wash. Winthrop 74, Notre Dame 64 Oregon 58, Miami (Ohio) 56 At New Orleans Arena New Orleans Purdue 72, Arizona 63 Florida 11 2, Jackson State 69 SECOND ROUND Saturday, March 17 At HSBC Arena Butler 62. Maryland Buffalo, 59 At The Wisconsin vs. At UNLV N.V. Today United Center Chicago 12:36 p.m. Spokane Memorial Arena Spokane, Wash. vs. Winthrop 12:50 p.m. At New Orleans Arena New Orleans Florida vs. Purdue 2:45 p.m. Oregon Regional Semifinals Friday, March 23 Edward Jones Dome At SL Louis Butler vs. winner e winner vs. winne Regional Championship Sunday, March 25 At Edward Jones Dome St Semifinal Louis winners West regional First Round Thursday, March At HSBC Arena 15 Buffalo, N.Y. 79, Duke 77 Virginia Commonweafth Pittsburgh 79, Wright State 58 At ARCO Arena Sacramento, Calil. 42 UCLA 70, Weber State Indiana 70, Gonzaga 57 jfranchukheraldextra.com. Friday, March 16 At The United Center Chicago 107, Niagara 67 67. Vitenova 58 At Nationwide Arena Columbus, Ohio Tech Illinois 52 54. Virginia Southern Illinois 61 Holy Cross 51 Kansas Kentucky wasn't nervous. I just shot them like I normally do," Cage said. "It went in and out, so I Continued from Dl just wanted to get back on defense and hope that they didn't an appearance later in 1999 vacated because of NCAA pro- make it." Conley dominated the extra bation. They will play the winner of Sunday's game between period. He scored Ohio State's first seven points, then four Tennessee and Virginia. free throws in the final 1:03. Xavier (25-9- which has a Lewis finished with 27 off of higher history knocking from seeds in the NCAA tournapoints, going range and making all ment, was unranked in the seven of his free throws. Con-le- y final APpoE scored 21 and Oden had 14 No one had to tell Ohio State points, 12 rebounds, two blocks about Xavier's tourney repuand two steals in 35 minutes. tation. Matta helped build it, coach as Musketeers "Any kind of situation serving for three seasons before leavyou can think of, we've been through it as a team. Today ing the Atlantic 10 school in was nothing different," Conley 2004 to go to the Big Ten. His good friend, Sean Miller, took said. "I had all the confidence in the world we'd win the over at Xavier. But this time, the Muskegame. We came too far to teers couldnt quite get the job lose." Matta played down the Cage done after the of facing Miller and his significance quickness using experience as a senior to drive and his former team. Cage and Justin Doellman, who were around and sometimes score freshmen starters on the team delivOden over the ered eight points in a 16-- 3 spurt Matta led to the final eight three years ago, also insisted that gave Xavier a shot at an there were no lingering hard upset. feelings over the coach's deCage, who led Xavier with parture. 25 points, had a chance to all Xavier fans, who made the but win the game. He made his one-hodrive from Cincinfirst foul shot but missed his haven't been as forgiving. a had nati, Ohio State second, and Many booed Matta when he chance to save its season. Buckeyes "I ), ur 1111 entered Rupp Arena to watch d part of the Musketeers' victory over Brigham Young and voiced their displeasure again when the Ohio State coach was introduced before the game. Two Musketeers supporte ers stood with signs hoisted above their heads during a timeout. One first-roun- SECOND ROUND Saturday, March 17 At HSBC Arena Buffalo, N.Y 84. Virginia Commonwealth 79. 0T At ARCO Arena Sacramento, Calif 54. Indiana 49 Pittsburgh UCLA Today Nationwide Arena Columbus, Ohio Illinois vs. Virginia Tech 2:40 p.m. At The United Center Chicago At Southern Kansas read: "A Loyal Coach Is Like A Four Leaf Clover," and the other "Hard To Find Lucky To Have." Even though the schools are only about two hours apart and both have strong basketball traditions, the Buckeyes and Musketeers met for just the second time in the past 73 years and the fourth time overall. Ohio State leads to the series with Xavier's only victory coming in the opening round of the 1984 National Invitation vs. Kentucky 3:06 p.m. Regional S Thursday, March 22 At HP Pavnton San Jots, Calif. Pittsburgh Semifinal vs. UCLA ) winner vs. Tech winner Southern Regional Championship Saturday, March 24 At HP PavHtn San Jose, Calif. winners FINAL FOUR At The Georgia Dome Atlanta National Semifinals Saturday, March 31 East champion vs. South champion Midwest champion vs. West champion 3--1, Tournament. "I think we were pretty confident when we were up nine," said Xavier's Drew Lavender, a long whose only basket with the shot expiring put the Musketeers up by 1 1. "We were still pretty confident when we were up with 9 seconds left, but Lewis hit the big 3. We just couldn't hold on in overtime." Monday, Semifinal ED REINKEAssociated Press bucket to tie the State guard Ron Lewis hits a game in the closing seconds of the second half against Xavier in a second round basketball game of the South Region on Saturday. Ohio April 2 winners The latest in BYU Sports online wwww.heraldaxtra.com |