12:25 PM ET, March 21, 2008, RBC Center, Raleigh, NC
The number 10 seed in the Midwest Region Davidson (27-6) defeated number 7 seeded Gonzaga 82 to 76. Gonzaga has gone from being a Cinderella team in past NCAA Tournaments to being a power in Division I basketball to now being the conquest of a new Cinderella team the Davidson Wildcats. Davidson got into the NCAA Tournament by winning the Southern Conference Tournament. MarchMadnessMIX.com
The Wildcats went 20-0 during the regular season behind the strong play of sophmore guard Stephen Curry the son of a former NBA player Dell Curry. In the win against Gonzaga they did not break there formula for success and with Stephen Curry scoring almost half of there points with 40. Davidson was down at halftime 36-41 however Curry scored 30 of his points during the second half to rally them to the win. Stephen Curry averaged 25.1 points per game, 2.8 assists per game, 1.9 steals per game, and 4.8 rebounds per game during the regular season.
Number 10 Davidson will now move on to the second round of the Midwest Region where they will face the winner of #2 Georgetown or # 15 UMBC on Sunday. Can Davidson make a big Cinderella run during March Madness?
Beasley Wins Freshman Battle, Kansas State Upsets USC - Midwest Region Update
7:10 PM ET, March 20, 2008, Qwest Center Omaha, Omaha, NE
The number 11 seed in the Midwest Region Kansas State upset the # 6 seeded USC in the first round of the NCAA Tournament 80-67. The game was filled with hype coming in because of the matchup of the two opposing freshman O.J. Mayo for USC arguably the most talked about freshman in the country coming into the year and Michael Beasley for Kansas State who is a strong contender for National Player of the Year and won Big 12 Player of the Year.
Michael Beasley got another double in this game scoring a team high 23 points and adding 11 rebounds. O.J. Mayo also led the Trojans with 20 points, however it was Kansas State's young supporting cast that was the difference in the game. In support of Beasley Kansas State freshman forward Bill Walker added 22 points, freshmand guard Jacob Pullen had 11 points, and freshmand forward Ron Anderson scored 10 points.
For Kansas State the win is there first during March Madness since 1998 a team led by Lon Kruger when Beasley, Pullen, and Anderson was not even born. Beasley only played 11 minutes in the first half due to early foul trouble, Beasley said afterwords "I just kept my composure, stayed in the zone and it worked out,". In addition to the balanced scoring of Kansas State there dominance on the boards also played a huge part in the win as they out-rebounded USC 40 to 27.
#11 seeded Kansas State (20-11) will play the # 3 seed Wisconsin(29-4) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Wisconsin was bothered during the first half of there first round game by the speedy and smaller Cal State Fullerton Titans. One aspect to watch for in the match between Kansas State and Wisconsin is if Michael Beasley can advoid foul trouble as Wisconsin makes more free throws than its opponents attempt.
The number 11 seed in the Midwest Region Kansas State upset the # 6 seeded USC in the first round of the NCAA Tournament 80-67. The game was filled with hype coming in because of the matchup of the two opposing freshman O.J. Mayo for USC arguably the most talked about freshman in the country coming into the year and Michael Beasley for Kansas State who is a strong contender for National Player of the Year and won Big 12 Player of the Year.
Michael Beasley got another double in this game scoring a team high 23 points and adding 11 rebounds. O.J. Mayo also led the Trojans with 20 points, however it was Kansas State's young supporting cast that was the difference in the game. In support of Beasley Kansas State freshman forward Bill Walker added 22 points, freshmand guard Jacob Pullen had 11 points, and freshmand forward Ron Anderson scored 10 points.
For Kansas State the win is there first during March Madness since 1998 a team led by Lon Kruger when Beasley, Pullen, and Anderson was not even born. Beasley only played 11 minutes in the first half due to early foul trouble, Beasley said afterwords "I just kept my composure, stayed in the zone and it worked out,". In addition to the balanced scoring of Kansas State there dominance on the boards also played a huge part in the win as they out-rebounded USC 40 to 27.
#11 seeded Kansas State (20-11) will play the # 3 seed Wisconsin(29-4) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Wisconsin was bothered during the first half of there first round game by the speedy and smaller Cal State Fullerton Titans. One aspect to watch for in the match between Kansas State and Wisconsin is if Michael Beasley can advoid foul trouble as Wisconsin makes more free throws than its opponents attempt.
Wisconsin Badgered By Cal State Fullerton - Midwest Region Update
9:50 PM ET, March 20, 2008, Qwest Center Omaha, Omaha, NE
The number 3 seed in the Midwest Wisconsin defeated the # 13 seed Cal State Fullerton 71-56 in there first round game. The Badgers got all they could handle in the first half though from Cal State Fullerton. The Cal State Fullerton Titans were playing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1978 and jumped out to an early lead in the game. The Titans seemed to shock the Badgers with there speed and ability to get points in the paint off of penetration. As the first half progressed Wisconsin was able to get control of the game on a prolonged scoring drought from Cal State Fullerton, the game looked to be getting away from the Titans however they came back to be down only 2 at halftime 30-28.
In the early going of the second half it appeared that Cal State Fullerton was going to be able to stay in the game as both teams started off slow. As the second half of the game went on though Wisconsin took control of the game despite Cal State Fullerton junior guard Josh Akognon getting hot and scoring 31 points on 11 of 23 shooting with most of his points coming from beyond the arc. The 31 points for Akognon matched a career high and he did it with two Badgers that made the All Big Ten Defensive Team guarding him Michael Flowers, and Joe Krabbenhoft.
Wisconsin appeared to change there defensive philosophy in the paint at some point in the second half of play. The Badgers a team that typically tries to guard down low with positioning and takes a lot of charges, switched to going for blocked shots and got 7 blocked shots in the game. The reason for the switch was the smaller but fast Titans were not commiting many charges and getting to many points in the paint. After the switch to blocking shots the Cal State Fullerton players seemed to become leary of trying to score down low and began to rely almost exclusively on the hot Josh Akognon from the outside for there scoring.
Wisconsin was led in scoring by First Team All Big Ten Player Brian Butch with 14 points. For the Badgers Joe Krabbenhoft and sophmore guard Jason Bohannon both added 13 points. Marcus Landry took the biggest advantage of the Titans lack of size and picked up a team high 12 rebounds.
The Badgers have now won 24 of 26 games and 30 games on the season matching there record season last year. Wisconsin was thought to be an average team going into play this season with the loss of All American Alando Tucker and point guard Kamron Taylor, however has had an impressive season playing team basketball at a high level.
The # 3 seed Wisconsin (29-4) will play # 11 seed Kansas State (20-11) in the second round of the Midwest Region on Saturday. Kansas State upset USC on Thursday behind the play of freshman and National Player of the Year canidate Michael Beasley.
The number 3 seed in the Midwest Wisconsin defeated the # 13 seed Cal State Fullerton 71-56 in there first round game. The Badgers got all they could handle in the first half though from Cal State Fullerton. The Cal State Fullerton Titans were playing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1978 and jumped out to an early lead in the game. The Titans seemed to shock the Badgers with there speed and ability to get points in the paint off of penetration. As the first half progressed Wisconsin was able to get control of the game on a prolonged scoring drought from Cal State Fullerton, the game looked to be getting away from the Titans however they came back to be down only 2 at halftime 30-28.
In the early going of the second half it appeared that Cal State Fullerton was going to be able to stay in the game as both teams started off slow. As the second half of the game went on though Wisconsin took control of the game despite Cal State Fullerton junior guard Josh Akognon getting hot and scoring 31 points on 11 of 23 shooting with most of his points coming from beyond the arc. The 31 points for Akognon matched a career high and he did it with two Badgers that made the All Big Ten Defensive Team guarding him Michael Flowers, and Joe Krabbenhoft.
Wisconsin appeared to change there defensive philosophy in the paint at some point in the second half of play. The Badgers a team that typically tries to guard down low with positioning and takes a lot of charges, switched to going for blocked shots and got 7 blocked shots in the game. The reason for the switch was the smaller but fast Titans were not commiting many charges and getting to many points in the paint. After the switch to blocking shots the Cal State Fullerton players seemed to become leary of trying to score down low and began to rely almost exclusively on the hot Josh Akognon from the outside for there scoring.
Wisconsin was led in scoring by First Team All Big Ten Player Brian Butch with 14 points. For the Badgers Joe Krabbenhoft and sophmore guard Jason Bohannon both added 13 points. Marcus Landry took the biggest advantage of the Titans lack of size and picked up a team high 12 rebounds.
The Badgers have now won 24 of 26 games and 30 games on the season matching there record season last year. Wisconsin was thought to be an average team going into play this season with the loss of All American Alando Tucker and point guard Kamron Taylor, however has had an impressive season playing team basketball at a high level.
The # 3 seed Wisconsin (29-4) will play # 11 seed Kansas State (20-11) in the second round of the Midwest Region on Saturday. Kansas State upset USC on Thursday behind the play of freshman and National Player of the Year canidate Michael Beasley.
UNLV Rebels run over Kent State - Midwest Region Update
2:55 PM ET, March 20, 2008, Qwest Center Omaha, Omaha, NE
In the Midwest Region the number 8 seed UNLV has defeated Kent State 71 to 58. Kent State had a hard time getting anything going on offense in the first half losing at halftime 31 to 10, they outscored the Rebels 48 to 40 however it was to little to late to get the upset win. Kent State got into the NCAA Tournament by winning the MAC Tournament Title.UNLV was led in scoring by junior forward Joe Darger's 18 points. UNLV guards Wink Adams and Rene Rougeau added 17 and 12 points in the win. UNLV shot 50.9%in the game, which if they keep up will improve there chances during March Madness. UNLV also held Kent State to 35.6% shooting, Kent State shot .467% during the regular season.
# 8 seed UNLV (26-7) will move on to the Round of 32 in the Midwest Region where they will face # 1 Kansas (31-3) on Saturday.
In the Midwest Region the number 8 seed UNLV has defeated Kent State 71 to 58. Kent State had a hard time getting anything going on offense in the first half losing at halftime 31 to 10, they outscored the Rebels 48 to 40 however it was to little to late to get the upset win. Kent State got into the NCAA Tournament by winning the MAC Tournament Title.UNLV was led in scoring by junior forward Joe Darger's 18 points. UNLV guards Wink Adams and Rene Rougeau added 17 and 12 points in the win. UNLV shot 50.9%in the game, which if they keep up will improve there chances during March Madness. UNLV also held Kent State to 35.6% shooting, Kent State shot .467% during the regular season.
# 8 seed UNLV (26-7) will move on to the Round of 32 in the Midwest Region where they will face # 1 Kansas (31-3) on Saturday.
Kansas breaks string of upsets and moves on to Round of 32 - Midwest Region Update
12:25 PM ET, March 20, 2008, Qwest Center Omaha, Omaha, NE
In the last two NCAA Tournaments #1 Kansas has been upset in the first round, first by Bucknell in 2005 and then Bradley in 2006. The number 16 seeded Portland State Vikings were hoping to become the next Cinderella and upset Kansas in there first NCAA Tournament, however the game was never close.
Portland State got to its first NCAA Tournament by winning the Big Sky Conference Tournament against Northern Arizona. Portland State will look to return to March Madness next year and hopefully not as a number 16 seed, as a16 seed has never beaten a number 1 seed in the tournament.For the number 1 seeded Kansas Jayhawks anything less than reaching the championship game this year will be a dissapointment. They started off there first game in style winning 85-61 against the Vikings.
Junior Brandon Rush led the Jayhawks in scoring with 18 points, shot 4-9 from three point range and added 6 rebounds in the win. This might be Rush's last tournament as he is thought to consider going to the NBA after this season. Sophmore forward Darrel Arthur led Kansas in rebounds with 7 and added 17 points.
In the last two NCAA Tournaments #1 Kansas has been upset in the first round, first by Bucknell in 2005 and then Bradley in 2006. The number 16 seeded Portland State Vikings were hoping to become the next Cinderella and upset Kansas in there first NCAA Tournament, however the game was never close.
Portland State got to its first NCAA Tournament by winning the Big Sky Conference Tournament against Northern Arizona. Portland State will look to return to March Madness next year and hopefully not as a number 16 seed, as a16 seed has never beaten a number 1 seed in the tournament.For the number 1 seeded Kansas Jayhawks anything less than reaching the championship game this year will be a dissapointment. They started off there first game in style winning 85-61 against the Vikings.
Junior Brandon Rush led the Jayhawks in scoring with 18 points, shot 4-9 from three point range and added 6 rebounds in the win. This might be Rush's last tournament as he is thought to consider going to the NBA after this season. Sophmore forward Darrel Arthur led Kansas in rebounds with 7 and added 17 points.
Eagles crash against Washington State - East Region Update
7:20 PM ET, March 20, 2008, Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
The number 4 seed in the East Region Washington State was able to take controll in the second half and beat the number 13 seed Winthrop 71-40 in there first round game of the NCAA Tournament. The Winthrop Eagles made it a contest in the first half and went into halftime with the game tied 29-29. Washington State coach Tony Bennett told his team at halftime "I told our guys at halftime, 'It's one of two things, you're either scared or you're being overconfident.' And I said, 'You'd better figure out which one it is and make a change,' " his team apparently listened as they used runs of 23 to 4 and 25 to 1 to crash the Eagles hopes of becoming this years Cinderella team. In the Washington State win junior center Aron Baynes scored a team leading 19 points and added 8 rebounds. As a team Washington State shot 29-49 in the game (.592).
The number 4 seed Washington State will face the number # 5 seed in the East Region Notre Dame in the second round of the NCAA Tournament (March Madness). Notre Dame defeated the number #12 seeded George Mason 68-50 on Thursday in there first round game.
The number 4 seed in the East Region Washington State was able to take controll in the second half and beat the number 13 seed Winthrop 71-40 in there first round game of the NCAA Tournament. The Winthrop Eagles made it a contest in the first half and went into halftime with the game tied 29-29. Washington State coach Tony Bennett told his team at halftime "I told our guys at halftime, 'It's one of two things, you're either scared or you're being overconfident.' And I said, 'You'd better figure out which one it is and make a change,' " his team apparently listened as they used runs of 23 to 4 and 25 to 1 to crash the Eagles hopes of becoming this years Cinderella team. In the Washington State win junior center Aron Baynes scored a team leading 19 points and added 8 rebounds. As a team Washington State shot 29-49 in the game (.592).
The number 4 seed Washington State will face the number # 5 seed in the East Region Notre Dame in the second round of the NCAA Tournament (March Madness). Notre Dame defeated the number #12 seeded George Mason 68-50 on Thursday in there first round game.
George Mason not a Cinderella in 2008, Luck of the Irish, Notre Dame wins - East Region Update
9:43 PM ET, March 20, 2008, Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
Notre Dame the number 5 seed in the East Region defeated the # 12 seed George Mason in there first round game 68 to 50. Two years ago George Mason became a Cinderella story reaching the Final Four, not this year as they were outplayed by the Irish. For Notre Dame the win is there first in the NCAA Tournament in 5 years. The Irish were led to victory by forward Luke Harangody who led the team in scoring with 18 and rebounds with 14.
# 5 seeded Notre Dame (24-7) will play the number 4 seed in the East Region Washington State (24-8) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Washington State defeated # 13 Winthrop to advance in March Madness.
Notre Dame the number 5 seed in the East Region defeated the # 12 seed George Mason in there first round game 68 to 50. Two years ago George Mason became a Cinderella story reaching the Final Four, not this year as they were outplayed by the Irish. For Notre Dame the win is there first in the NCAA Tournament in 5 years. The Irish were led to victory by forward Luke Harangody who led the team in scoring with 18 and rebounds with 14.
# 5 seeded Notre Dame (24-7) will play the number 4 seed in the East Region Washington State (24-8) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Washington State defeated # 13 Winthrop to advance in March Madness.
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