Archive for March 25th, 2011

WATERCOOLER CHAT: SWEET SIXTEEN RESULTS

BASKETBALL

Thursday night college basketball was back full force, as the Sweet Sixteen got under way.

First up — UCONN and the surprise team of the year, San Diego State.  Both teams had a glorious run up to this point.  UCONN rattled off 5 wins in 5 days to win the Big East, and San Diego State had a heroic season only losing 2 games.  They were both on a mission, but… someone to go.  San Diego State was scrappy and fast keeping the game close, but in the second half, Kemba Walker and the UCONN Huskies were just too much for the Aztecs.  Kemba is not to be taken lightly any more.  Watch out!  UConn 74, San Diego St. 67.

Next up, it was one of the night’s marquee match-ups, as golden boy star Jimmer Fredette took the court with BYU against Florida.  Jimmer has been shooting the lights out in the tourney, but Florida is a team that has it all, PLUS a deep bench.  The Gators got up big early behind a big night from Alex Tyus.  But Jimmer came roaring back and even hit a 3-pointer to send the game into overtime.  Just an amazing comeback.  In overtime, however, Florida’s versatility was on display and they ran away with the game.  Fredette finished the night with 32 points, marking the end of a spectacular college career.  Florida 83, BYU 74.

And then there was Duke and Arizona — two major college basketball programs squaring off in the round of 16.  At this point, everybody was picking Duke as a lock to reach the championship because they got their star player, Kyrie Irving, back.  He’s one of the best players in the country and that’s a nice thing to have back come tournament time.  However, Arizona also has one of the best players in the country in Derrick Williams.  Duke led most of the first half and went into the half up by 6.  The second half started out in similar fashion, with Duke grabbing an 8 point lead.  But then… pure chaos, as Derrick Williams got into his groove.  And when he gets going, Arizona is unstoppable!!!  Before the Blue Devils knew it, Arizona had a 16 point lead with under 6 minutes to go.  And there was no turning back — the Wildcats keep marching on.  Duke beat Arizona in the championship game in 2002, and this is sweet revenge.  Arizona 93, Duke 77.

Finally, it was time for last year’s runner up, Butler, to take the court against a Wisconsin team people think could actually reach the Final Four. Wisconsin didn’t really pose a threat this game.  Coach Brad Stevens’ Butler team were more than prepared to take on the Badgers.  They went into the half up 9, and never looked back.  Wisconsin gave them a little scare towards the end of the game, cutting the lead to 4, but it was too little too late, and the Butler Bulldogs advance to the Elite 8 for the second year in a row.  Wow!  Now that’s a true underdog team making it happen.  Butler 61, Wisconsin 54.

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