Archive for March 23rd, 2012

WATERCOOLER CHAT: MARCH MADNESS….WHO MADE IT TO THE ELITE EIGHT

BASKETBALL

All the action was from college basketball with March Madness back in full swing.

First up, #1 Syracuse looked to hold their ground against #4 Wisconsin.  Wisconsin has some deadly 3-point shooters, but Syracuse is a very deep team that seems to be doing just fine without their center Fab Melo.  These guys can play.  But if they were going to edge Wisconsin, they needed to play their best basketball.  Plus, Wisconsin has a stifling defense.  Could Syracuse survive?  Well… barely.  C.J. Fair had a fantastic night for Syracuse putting up 15 points and 7 rebounds. At the end, Wisconsin had a chance to win the game, but Jordan Taylor missed a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left, giving Syracuse the victory.  Syracuse moves into the Elite 8.  Syracuse 64, Wisconsin 63.

On the bottom half of that bracket, #2 Ohio State took on a tough, surging Cincinnati team.  Cincinnati jumped out to an early lead, but Ohio State would regain the lead by the half.  However, experts know that the Cincy Bearcats do not give up, and they came back ferociously in the second half — even seemed to have Ohio State scared.  But that’s when Jared Sullinger and the Buckeyes regained their composure and did their thing, running away with the game in the last 10 minutes.  Sullinger finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds, and the Buckeyes move on to play Syracuse in the Elite 8.  Ohio State 81, Cincy 66.

And, over in the West, #1 Michigan State looked to continue their roll of the last few weeks, taking on a Rick Pitino led #4 Louisville team.  Louisville was struggling heading into the tournament, but now, they seemed to have found their rhythm.  They essentially had their way with Michigan State, who just couldn’t get anything going against the Cardinals in the second half.  The Spartans had a late run in the last 5 minutes, but could only get into within 6 points.  And that’s just not enough in college basketball, especially when the shot clock is 35 seconds, allowing teams to run down the clock.  Louisville edged #1 Michigan State with ease.  Louisville 57, Michigan State 44

And finally, in the last game of the night, #7 Florida took on #3 Marquette.  And this one looked to be anybody’s game.  Florida was looking for their second straight trip to the Elite 8, while Marquette was looking to prove to the world that they are far better than a #3 seed.  This game was neck and neck until the half, when Florida took a 6-point lead.  Then, in the second, Marquette simply couldn’t hang with Florida, finding themselves in a 10-point hole.  They had a couple teaser comebacks, even pulling it to within 6, but Florida proved too strong and too athletic and earned their trip to the Elite 8.  On Saturday, it will be Florida vs. Louisville for a trip to the Final 4.  Florida 68, Marquette 58.

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