NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Friday, March 14
ACC tournament (Greensboro)
North Carolina had 12-game win streak snapped at Duke Saturday; they beat Pitt 75-71 (-3) at home Feb 15, holding on after leading by 12 with 8:23 left (NC was 15-25 on line). Tar Heels won first ACC tourney tilt in eight of last nine years, with only loss in season when they were 5-11. Pitt had stress-free win over Wake Thursday, just their second win in last eight conference tourney games since winning Big East in '08.
NC State had ball and lead twice in last minute at Syracuse, gagged away 56-55 loss Feb 15 (+13); Wolfpack never trailed by more than 3 points in game that Grant played for Orange. Syracuse had 1-5 skid, then won by 16 at Florida State Sunday with Grant back in lineup; they've won first tourney game eight of last ten years- this is new tournament though, a road game. State played three starters 32:00+ in win over Miami.
Big Dozen tournament (Indianapolis)
Minnesota/Wisconsin split two games this year; Gophers won 81-68 at home during Badgers' 1-5 meltdown, then lost 78-70 in Madison Feb 13, outscoring Gophers 30-15 on foul line. Minnesota played four subs 14+ minutes in typical Pitino-style Thursday; only two starters played 37+. Wisconsin won eight of last nine games, still has shot for a #1 seed next week- they're only 4-4 in first conference tourney game last eight years.
Atlantic 13 tournament (Brooklyn)
St Joe's lost its last two games after a 17-3 run spurred by rotation of six guys; Hawks beat Dayton twice this year, 60-57 on road, then 79-53 at home 17 days ago, when they made 9-15 from arc, led 39-20 at halftime in game that is Flyers' only loss in their last ten games. St Joe's won its first conference tourney game eight of last nine years; in year they lost, Hawks were 5-11 in league. Dayton used one guy more than 24:00 in an easy win yesterday.
VCU/Richmond are local rivals; Rams beat then twice this year, 81-70 at home, then 56-50 at Richmond eight days ago. VCU presses all over the court; Spiders lost star guard Lindsey after first meeting, plus they used three starters 31:00+ in yesterday's 76-64 win over Duquesne, ending a 4-game skid. Rams are 16-4 in last 20 conference tourney games; they've won last four games overall, with three of the wins by 11+ points.
SEC tournament (Atlanta)
Kentucky is an enigma, the least experienced team in country, but full of talent; they lost 87-82 at LSU Jan 28 (O'Bryant had 29), then beat them 77-76 in OT Feb 22, when O'Bryant was 8-25 from floor, but LSU led in last minute anyway. Tigers only used their bench 31:00 in that game. Tigers haven't won consecutive games since Feb 1; they used four guys 32:00+ yesterday. Wildcats lost three of last four games since LSU win.
Conference USA tournament (El Paso)
Southern Miss KO'd home team last night, so crowds here will be small rest of weekend; only one Golden Eagle played 30:00+. USM won only meeting with Louisiana Tech this year, 80-71 at home Jan 19, despite a 2-18 day from arc- they outscored Tech 28-14 on line. Bulldogs are on a 5-game win streak; they beat Charlotte easily Thursday; only two guys played more than 27:00. Eagles won their last six games, all by 8+.
AAC tournament (Memphis)
UConn dispatched home team last night, holding Memphis to 26% from floor, which should keep crowds to minimum here; Huskies used three starters 31:00+, but game was 41-27 at half, fairly stress-free- they split pair with Cincinnati this year, losing 63-58 on road, then winning 51-45 at home in rematch 13 days ago. Bearcats won 61-58 yesterday against UCF; they still played four substitutes double figure minutes.
Big X tournament (Kansas City)
Kansas beat Iowa State twice this year, 77-70 in Ames, then 92-81 in a Jan 29 rematch, when Jayhawks led by 16 early, then saw game 46-46 at half. Kansas is 20-2 in its last 22 tourney games, but they got taken to OT by Oklahoma State yesterday- they were down hoop with 1:32 left. Cyclones played three starters 35:00+ in 91-85 win over K-State, with Wildcats shooting 58% from floor. Kansas used three starters 41:00+.
Texas beat Baylor twice this year, 74-60 in Waco, then 74-69 at home 16 days ago; Longhorns crushed West Virginia last night, leading 35-14 at half- no Longhorn played more than 28:00. Baylor won five in a row, nine of last ten games; they're probably off bubble now- they're playing third day in row, and TCU game Wednesday was little more stressful than they would like- they outscored Sooners 23-5 on line Thursday.
Pac-12 tournament (MGM Las Vegas)
Colorado had huge win over Cal yesterday, they're 8-4 in last 12 games, won three of last four, with all three wins 59-56- they have to think they are in- they used four starters 32:00+ vs Cal. Without Dinwiddie, Buffs aren't good enough to bear Arizona- they lost 69-57 at Tucson, then got crushed 88-61 in rematch Feb 22. Wildcats won six of last seven games; they pummeled Utah yesterday, are playing for a #1 seed next week.
UCLA hammered Stanford 91-74 at home Jan 23, then lost rematch at Maples 83-74 Feb 22, when Adams/Anderson were held to total of 14 points. Bruins pulled away from red-hot Oregon in second half last nite, using only two guys more than 27:00- they shot 59.5% from the floor. Cardinal never trailed in 79-58 win over ASU last night, but they played Wednesday too; Dawkins still used three of his starters 33:00+.
Mountain West tournament (Las Vegas)
San Diego State beat UNLV twice this year, 63-52 at Viejas, then 73-64 here nine days ago, when Shrigley hit 4-5 from arc to rally Aztecs from down 5 early in second half (Roscoe Smith sat out that game for UNLV). Rebels are as good as their guards; DeSean-Jones/D.Smith are a combined 1-19 from arc in two games vs Aztecs. UNLV is 3-4 in last seven games. San Diego State held its last two opponents to a combined 87 points.
