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Show vee Wednesday, March 15, 2006 DAILY HERALD COLLEGE BASKETBALL Cougars s seek elusive first NCAA win Continued from C1 Since Feb. 1, he’s been on the court for 18 minutes. None ofthat has deterred him, though. :* Rose often shoots after practice has ended, flipping in 3-pointers with as muchease as centers make layups. Gordon followsthe team close, going to several games,and is happyhis sonis coming home for a couple days: There’s no sense of animosity toward the program's direction. “You know, coach Rose is coach Rose,” Gordon said ofhis bro, who is a Houston grad.“I've had no complaints,like Mike. It's been a phenomenal season. Sure, you'd love for your kid to play more. And maybe you'd feelthat way especiallyif it * werejerks playing. Buttheseareall great people who work hard. Everyone's done whatis best for the team. Mikefeels like he's practicing very well and pushing the The Aztecs (24-8) finallylived up San Diego State hoping Fisher can improve team’s 0-4 tournamentrecord to expectations this season by win- ning the Mountain West Conference regular-seasontitle and, despite poor shooting, the conference tournamentwith an overtime victory against Wyoming. Fisher doesn't think the Aztecs will be outclassed like they were four seasons ago, when they broke a 17-year NCAAtournament Bernie Wilson: PRESS drought only to draw fourth-seeded Illinois at the United Center in Chicago. They werebig-time good, signifi- SAN DIEGO — Justone victory. Is it too muchto ask that a uni- versity have at least one NCAA tournamentvictoryin its history? Uh, yeah,if you're San Dies cantly better than we were,” Fisher said, State. “As muchrespectas I have for Indiana, they're good. They're not sig- “Oh, man, we have no wins?”said guys in frontof him. “It’s always competitivethere.” BYUis lookingfor‘a good showingin the NIT, which is newly formatted this * year to seed teams and place more emphasis on recordsinsteadofticketsales. That's true in this case, as No.3-seed UH (20-9) averages about5,200 fewer fans per home gamethan No. 6 BYU (20-8). Roseis expecting family and friends at the game, just like teammate Keena Young. Hehails from Beaumont, about 90 miles from Houston. A win tonight would mean a March 20 meeting at No. 2 Missouri State, or a home gameagainst No. 7 Stanford or No. 8 Vir- ginia. Another win March 22 would send the Cougars to New YorkCity for the “final four.” BYU (20-8).at Houston(20-9) guard Brandon Heath,cringing nificantly better than we are. And! at his school's 0-4 NCAA tourney knowthat, andourkids will believe mewhen| tell them that. Can they record, In their seventh season under Steve Fisher — who wonthe national championship at Michigan 17 shed that one-and-done image when theyplay the Indiana Hoosiers and their lame-duck coach, Mike Davis, on Thursday night in Salt Lake City in a first-round gamein the Oakland Regional. To be fair, the current players are blame-free. Onlyone, center Triin 2002 when they were blown out 93-64 byIllinois in their !ast NCAA appearance. Andhe was redshirting then. “It really doesn't affect us,” he said.“This is a whole new different ballgameand a wholenew different Radio: KSL 1160 AM egg. Very capable.” SDSU’sDavis knowsthe Hoosiers will be motivated to win for their ‘coach, who announcedearlier in Tip-ins: Both teams are nicknamed seasons ends. Hofheinz Pavilion Cougars; BYU hasalsoplayed the Washington State Cougars. ... UH went 9-5 (fourth place) in Conference USA,best known for UAB and Memphis. ...BYU is playingin its first NIT since 2002, and is 12-7 overall. ... BYUfinished as the mostimproved Division | team in total games won (+12.5) and winning percentage (.741, from .300.). will have a chance to win the game, and I'm confidentof that.” TheAztecs did turn one corner DAVID ZALUBOWSKIAssociated Press San Diego State coach SteveFisher smiles as he raises his armsin victory as time runs out in the Aztecs’ 63-60 win over UNLV on Thursday in the MWC Tournament semifinals. Fisher, who coached Michiganto the national title in 1989,will try to lead San Diego State toits first-ever NCAA tournament victory whenit plays Indiana on Thursday. maine Davis, was with the Aztecs group of people. This is the group that’s motivated to break the goose Today, 6:30 p.m. MST beatus? Absolutely. Will they beat us? I hope not. If we play well, we years ago — the Aztecswill try to the year he would resign when the The Aztecs wouldlike to win for others, too — fans who've never experienced an NCAAvictory. Davis said he andfellow seniors John Sharper and Mohamed Camaraare “dedicated to making sure that San Diego State is remembered as a powerhouse. And wehave the biggest opportunity of ourlifetime to doit. Said Fisher: “I do think that we have theability to be a factor every year. Now, I don’t knowthat ‘powerhouse’ at this stage is the proper word. “I think whathe's saying is he believes, andI do,too, that we can be a program thatwill sustainitself with the kids you've got who help recruit other kids who win, who wantto win more, who can be a po- tential NCAA team every year. And that’s what everybody wants.” Fisherrattlesoffa list of attributes that should help make SDSU an annual contender — academic support, a great arena — which will hostfirst- and second-round NCAA gamesthis week — anda terrific location. Currently, SDSU’s athletic legacy can be summed up rather succinctly — Don Coryell, Tony Gwynn, Mar- shall Faulk, Michael Cage. Otherwise,it’s knownas an awesomeparty school. “And now, if we can go out and win a few gamesin this tourna- this season. A year ago they hada bad habit of coming from aheadto lose. They implodedafter oneof their most embarrassing defeats ever, when they blew a 10-point lead over UNLVwith less than 30 seconds left in regulation andlost 93-91 in ment, and if we cansay, ‘Boy, did overtime. This year, an eight-game win- ment?’ that would help,” Fishersaid. The Aztecs’ sad, skimpy NCAA ning streak included the Aztecs’ first win at Utah since 1982 — in the same arena wherethey'll play you see what wedid in the tournahistory pales in comparisonto their coach's postseason resume. Fisher wonhisfirst seven NCAA Thursday night — and an overtime win at Wyoming when Davis con- tournament gamesat Michigan, secondsleft. “That was a good springboard for us,” Fisher said. “Thatlet our kids including his incredible run to the 1989nationaltitle after Bo Schembechler promotedhim on the eve of that tournamentwhenBill Frieder announced he had accepted the ArizonaState job. After recruiting the Fab Five, Fisher reachedthetitle game again in 1992 and '93, losing both times. By the time Fisher left Ann Arbor, he'd won 20 NCAAtournament games. Including SDSU's NCAA loss four years ago, Fisheris 20-7 (.74)), ranking him fourth among active coaches in winning percent- age. SDSU'sonly postseason win was in the NIT in 2003. verted a three-point play with 0.3 know, it doesn’t matter where you are, you canstill win. Not unlike against Wyomingin the tournament. We're down four, with (Mar- cus) Slaughterout of the game,in overtime, andall of a sudden we win the game.” The Aztecs hopethey've still got a victory or two left in them. “We're eagerto get out there and proveto everybody in America that we can play with anybodyin the country,” said Heath, the MWC Playerof the Year. Ashe knows,1-4 looksbetter than 0-5. Stanfordrolls past Virginia to advance NIT ROUNDUP THEASSOCIATED PRESS STANFORD,Calif. — Chris Hernandez can now look back on his final home gameand smile.So, too, can Matt Haryasz and Dan Grunfeld. TheStanfordtrio combined for 36 points,eight assists and 12 rebounds to lead the Cardinal to a6549 win overVirginiain an 0] round gameof the NIT on Tuesday night. ‘The16-point victory was in sharp contrast to Stanford's previous appearance at Maples Pavilion on March 4, whenthe Cardinal were thoroughly outplayed by eventual Pac-10 champion UCLA,losing 7554. “This felt a lot better walking off than it did against UCLA,” said Haryasz, whohad10 points and seven rebounds against Virginia. “This is a good wayto goout, playinglike a team.” The win advanced Stanford (1613) to Friday’sfirst-round game at MissouriState (20-8). Hernandez, whoscored a gamehigh 14 points and had four assists to moveintoa tie forfifth place on Stanford's careerlist, didn’t care where the win came. He’s just i MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/Associated Press Stanford's Matt Haryasz, left, dunks as Virginia's Laurynas Mikalauskaslooksin thefirst half of aNITfirst-round gamein Stanford, Calij., on Tuesday. Stanford won 65-49. happy the Cardinal extended their seasonanother day. “| didn’t think about this game compared to others,” Hernandez said. “I just know thatthis is one of the best games we've played all year,regardless of whether we played zoneor man (defense).” * Stanford held Virginia to a season-lowin points and forced 15 turnovers while posting its most lopsided win since a 58-34 victory phia, John Chaney missed thefinal Now that we know who's in, here's a game-by-game chart of who advances inthe NCAA tournament: (Winners capitalized) WASHINGTON REGIONAL First round (Seeds in parenthesis) P CONNECTICUT (1) vs. Albany(16) — The Huskies are coming offan overtime loss to Syracuse in the Big East quarterfinals, andthe Great Danes will pay for it ») KENTUCKY (8) vs. UAB | ~The Wildeats aren'ta great rebounding team, but they are alot better thanthe Blazers, who grabbed almost eight a gone ewer thantheir opponents. » Washington (5)vs. UTAH STATE(12)— There's al2 . seed upset every year andthe j Aggies get this one by slowing down a Huskyoffense that pataversees 82.4 points per at top-seed Cincinnati on Friday. Donte Genniehad a career-high 22 points for the Eagles (20-10). cause ofhis wife's health issues, an unceremonious waytoclose out a overPrinceton on Dec. 21. The 34-year coaching career. Cardinal led by as much as 19 and neverlet the Cavaliers get closer » Butler 53, Miami(Ohio) 52: At Inthan 12 points in the secondhalf. Hernandez took just seven shots dianapolis, Brandon Polk’s rebound basket with 2 seconds togolifted from thefloor but his points and Butler. The Bulldogs(20-12) will assists were timely for Stanford. playa first-round gameFriday at The senior guardhadeight points Florida State (19-9). Miami(18-11) in the first half, including a pair of led by eightpointsin the first half 3-pointers, whenthe Cardinal took andby sevenin the final period control. Then after Virginia made before Butlerstarted its comeback. its best pushof the night to close within 46-34 in the second half, Her- A reboundbasket by Avery Sheets nandez madeanother 3-pointer and and consecutive 3-pointers by Brandished out twoassists to spark a 9-0 don Crone and A.J. Graves gave the Bulldogstheirfirst lead since Tun that put the Cavaliers away. Grunfeld also had eight pointsin the opening seconds. thefirst half and finished with 12 overall. The win snapped late-season drought by Stanford, whichlost six of nine before beating Virginia, and extended the Cardinal's first appearance in the NITsince 1994. That was also the last time Stanford played Virginia before Tuesday. Barring an upset, the Cardinal will play outtherest of their season onthe road. To get another home game Stanford — seeded No.7 in its bracket — would need to reach the quarterfinals and hope that No. 10 Delaware State makes it, too. » TENNESSEE (2)vs. Winthrop (15) — The Volunteers (4)vs. Air Force » ‘VILLINOIS — The Illini are too big and closed the season with four losses in six games, but those wereall against tougher ern Conference op- stronginside. ponents. ) MICHIGAN STATE OF vs. George Mason(11) — Spartans’ guards will pee advantageof the one-game suspensionofthe Patriots’ Tony Skinn. » NORTH CAROLINA.) vs. MurrayState (14) — Tar Heels opendefense of their national championship with Second round ») CONNECTICUT vs. Ken-. tucky — The Huskies are better in every phase of the game,andthis one,could be especially dangerous inside for the Wildcats. UConn led the nation in blocked shots for the fifth straight season. » Utah State vs. ILLINOIS a young team that averages — James Augustine of the Il more than 80 points per game » Wichita State (7) vs. SETONHALL(10)—Thematch—_up in the middle between Kelly Whitney of Seton Hall and Paul Miller of the Shockers should be fun, but Pirates int guard Donald Copeland will be the difference. 49ers (19-12), who overcame 22 turnovers and advanced to play Tournament on Tuesdaynight be- _lini should be an imposing task for the Aggies inside. __D Michigan State vs. NORTH CAROLINA — The Spartans haven't been as physical as someearlierTom Izzo teams andthat’s great newsfor Tar Heels freshman center Tyler Hansbrough. » Rutgers 76, Penn St. 71: At State College, Pa., Quincy Douby scored 32 points andhit eight 3-pointers, several from-NBA range, and Rutgers turned backa furious second-half rally, The Scarlet Knights (19-13) built a big lead early in the secondhalf off the long-range shooting of Douby and Marquis Webb, whoopened the second half bynailing a desperation 3 from nearthe scorer's table. D UTEP 85, Lipscomb 66: AtEl Paso, Texas,Jason Williams had 17 points, 11 rebounds and10assists for his first careertriple-double, and Stefon Jackson scored 22 points. UTEP (219) hit a season-high 14 3-pointers and nevertrailed in its first NIT appearancesince 2001. » Manhattan80, Fairleigh Dickinson 77: At New York,Jason Wingate scored six pointsin the final 1:40, then the Knights’ Chad Timberlakefell short with a desperation 3-pointer with 3 seconds left. The » DelawareSt. 58, N. Arizona 53: At Flagstaff, Ariz., Jahsha Bluntt Jaspers(19-10), winnersof the scored 17ofhis 23 pointsin the secondhalf for DelawareState. MetroAtlantic Athletic Conference regular-season title, played an NIT homegameforthe first time since a 67-65 decision against WisconsinGreen Bay on March19,1992. The ninth-seeded Hornets(21-13) advanced to Friday’s gameat topseeded Louisville (18-12). Northern Arizona,the regular-season Big Sky Conference champions, ended its season with a 21-11 record. » Charlotte 77, Georgia Southern 61: At Charlotte, N.C., Curtis Withers — BRACKETBREAKDOWN Jim O'Connell THEASSOCIATED PRESS had 20 points and 16 rebounds to lead Charlotte. De’Angelo Alexanderalso scored 20 points for the D Akron80, Temple73: At Philadelgameofhis Hall of Famecareer. Chaney skipped Temple's 80-73 overtimeloss to Akron in the opening roundof the National Invitation Monmouth trounces Hampton » TENNESSEE vs. Seton Hall — The Volunteers shoot 47 percent from the field and the Pirates have had trouble stopping good shooting teams. Semifinals » CONNECTICUT vs.Illinois — The Huskies’ depthwill be a big advantage,especially up front, andIllinois could wear itself out trying to force the tempo.. ») NORTH CAROLINA ys, Tennessee — Both teams average more than 80 ppg, but Carolina allowsalmost 5 fewer and Tennessee 's shoot even better than the Volunteers, 47.2 percent to 46.7 percent. Deja vu: ced out Tennessee in the regional semis in 2000, Regionalfinal » CONNECTICUT vs. North Carolina — Experience is about the only significant difference,andthatgives the edge to UConn. * * Mm NCAA tourney play-in game Joe Ka) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS outs opened this tournament on the other side of one. Monmouthlost by 24 points DAYTON,Ohio— A hot shoot- er and an imposing center won over aneutral crowd and helped finally measure up in Me the NCAA tournament. Chris Kenny set an openingroundrecord withsix 3-pointers Tuesday night, and 7-foot-2 center John Bunch entertained the crowd with his bulk and his blocks during a 71-49 victory over Hampton in the play-in game. Monmouth (19-14) moves on. to Philadelphia to No, 1 seed Villanova in the Wildcats’ backyard on Friday, looking to pull off that elusive 16-over-lupset. Even if they don't get it,the Northeast Conference champions havealready had a breakthrough tournament. A school with a history of NCAA blow- ' to Marquette in 1996, by 43 _points to No.1 seed Dukein 2001, and by33 points to Mississippi State in 2004. The conference hadn’t won an NCAA tou ament game since 1983. big difference is I feel like a winner,” said Kenny, who played on the 2004 team. “We got crushed against Mississippi State.I'm on cloudnineright now and I’m going to stay there for a while.” Only a handful of students from both schools made the short-notice trip for the tournament opener at the University of Dayton Arena. The crowdof 7,764 waited to choosea root_ing interest. Midwaythroughthe first half, it made its choice — the one from Jersey. |