GREAT TEAMS TOURNAMENT

[PointGuard]

Round 2

Midwest Region:

#3 Kansas Jayhawks (2008) vs #11 Butler Bulldogs (2010)

Kansas Starting lineup: PG PG Russell Robinson; SG Mario Chalmers; SF Brandon Rush; PF Darnell Jackson; C Cole Aldrich.
Butler Starting lineup: PG Ronald Nored; SG Shelvin Mack; SF Garrett Butcher; PF Gordon Hayward; C Matt Howard.

Combining a fast-paced offense, hot shooting, and a defense that produced 6 early turnovers, Kansas spurted in front 18-5 in the first 5 minutes of play. Two minutes later they were ahead 26-11. But the Bulldogs turned things around and with 4 minutes to go in the half, Butler took a 36-35 lead. That woke up the Jayhawks and they came out of the half sporting a 46-43 lead. Butler hit 58% of their shots while Kansas knocked down 57% of theirs, but Kansas controlled the boards 19-8. Kansas’ Mario Chalmers and Butler’s Gordon Hayward and Matt Howard each were saddled with 3 fouls.

The Bulldogs came out in the 2nd half firing and went ahead 55-50 with 17 minutes to play. Four minutes later, though, Kansas was back on top by 3 points and by the midpoint of the 2nd half, Kansas held a 70-61 lead. The Jayhawks’ lead grew to 17 points with 7 minutes to go as they were hitting shots from all over the court. Butler had no answers to the offensive onslaught and Kansas drove to a 95-76 whipping of the Bulldogs. Kansas hit 63% of their FG’s and were +11 on the boards.

Leading the way for the Jayhawks was reserve C/PF Darrell Arthur with 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. Matt Howard had 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, Garrett Butcher contributed 15 points and 5 boards, Mario Chambers scored 10 and had 3 steals, and Russell Robinson finished with 9 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals. Butler’s Shelvin Mack scored 17 points and had 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals while Gordon Hayward added 15 points.

Next up: #5 Wisconsin (2015) vs #13 Iowa State (2017)

[PointGuard]

Round 2

Midwest Region:

#5 Wisconsin Badgers (2015) vs #13 Iowa State Cyclones (2017)

Wisconsin Starting lineup: PG Traevon Jackson; SG Zak Showalter; SF Sam Dekker; PF Nigel Hayes; C Frank Kaminsky
Iowa State Starting lineup: PG Monte Morris; SG Nazareth Mitrou-Long; SF Nick Weiler-Babb; PF Deonte Burton; C Darrell Bowie

Iowa State started by doing some serious damage inside with Burton and Bowie scoring 17 of the team’s first 25 points. But Wisconsin kept up by all 5 starters scoring. Then Mitrou-Long began raining in shots from outside and the Cyclones went ahead 41-29 with 2 minutes left in the half. The half ended with Wisconsin behind 41-31. Mitrou-Long scored 12 and Bowie and Burton with 10 points apiece for Iowa State. Sam Dekker scored 10 points for Wisconsin. Bo Ryan, Wisconsin’s coach, said, “We simply got out-played in the half. We need to attack the glass and tighten our defense in the 2nd half.”

But it was Iowa State’s defense and work on the boards that was the most solid in the 2nd half. The Cyclones kept the Badgers from mounting a serious challenge. The final score was Iowa State-76, Wisconsin-62.

Darrell Bowie had 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and a block, Deonte Burton scored 14 and picked off 7 boards, and Nazareth Mitrou-Long scored 12 for the Cyclones. Sam Dekker topped Wisconsin’s scoring with 16 points with Frank Kaminsky contributing 14 points and 9 rebounds.

Iowa State’s coach Steve Prohm said, “We won this game by making just 6 turnovers compared to the Badgers’ 16 and holding a 36-27 rebounding advantage. That gave us 14 more FG attempts and we shot well from the field.”

Next up: #1 Duke (1992) vs #8 West Virginia (2010)

[PointGuard]

Round 2

East Region

#1 Duke Blue Demons (1992) vs #8 West Virginia Mountaineers (2010)

Duke’s starting lineup: PG Bobby Hurley; SG Thomas Hill; SF Brian Davis; PF Grant Hill; C Christian Laettner
West Virginia’s starting lineup: PG Darryl Bryant; SG Da’Sean Butler; SF Kevin Jones; PF Danny Jennings; C Devin Ebanks

The Blue Demons missed their first 5 shots and West Virginia jumped out to a 6-0 lead. But with 11 minutes remaining in the half, Duke overtook West Virginia 12-10. Christian Laettner led them to a 7 point lead a couple minutes later. But the Mountaineers came back to get within a single point before the Blue Devils again spurted to gain a 45-32 halftime advantage. 4 starters for West Virginia were in foul trouble and Duke hit 15 of 19 free throws to score 8 more points at the line than the Mountaineers. Laettner had 16 points and 7 rebounds in the half.

With 10 minutes left in the game, Duke had expanded their lead to 64-42. The Blue Devils continued to roll and whipped West Virginia 86-63.

Christian Laettner had a huge game with 33 points, 9 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals and 5 blocks and Bobby Hurley added 11 points, 7 assists, and 4 steals for Duke. Devin Ebanks had 18 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and a block for West Virginia even though he was limited to 23 minutes of playing time due to being in foul trouble.

“Christian really did the job for us tonight,” said Duke coach Mike Krzyewski. “But we’re going to need the rest of the team to step up their scoring if we want to keep winning in this tournament.”

Up next: #2 Syracuse (1987) vs #7 Georgetown (1989)

[PointGuard]

Round 2

East Region

#2 Syracuse Orange (1987) vs #7 Georgetown Hoyas (1989)

Syracuse starting lineup: PG Sherman Douglas; SG Howard Triche; SF Herman Harried; PF Derrick Coleman; C Rony Seikaly
Georgetown starting lineup: PG Dwayne Bryant; SG Charles Smith; SF Bobby Winston; PF John Turner; C Dikembe Mutombo

Even though there were 9 lead changes in the first half, Georgetown seemed to be in control until Syracuse scored the final 8 points of the half to take a 34-29 lead to the locker room. C Rony Seikaly scored 10 points and had 6 boards for Syracuse. Georgetown was led by SG Charles Smith’s 12 points and PG John Turner’s 10 points.

The Hoyas kept trying to overtake Syracuse in the 2nd half. But each time they’d tie the game or get within 1 or 2 points, the Orange found an answer to rebuild a small lead. Syracuse ended up triumphing 75-65. The biggest advantage for Syracuse was control of the glass to the tune of 37-24.

Syracuse’s only player to score in double figures was Rony Seikaly who had 25 points plus 12 rebounds, a steal and 2 blocks. Charles Smith scored 20 points, John Turner had a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards, and Jaren Jackson added 11 points for Georgetown.

“We knew Syracuse would be tough. We did a good job of staying with them in the first half, but after falling behind we just couldn’t get past those guys. Seikaly did a tremendous job for the Orange inside,” said Coach John Thompson of Georgetown.

Up next: #3 Maryland (2002) vs #6 Massachusetts (1996)

[PointGuard]

Round 2

East Region

#3 Maryland Terrapins (2002) vs #6 Massachusetts Minutemen (1996)

Maryland starting lineup: PG Steve Blake; SG Juan Dixon; SF Byron Mouton; PF Chris Wilcox; C Lonny Baxter
Massachusetts starting lineup: PG Edgar Padilla; SG Carmelo Travieso; SF Donta Bright; PF Tyrone Weeks; C Marcus Camby

UMass took a 6-4 lead but from thereon it was all Maryland in the first half. At the break the Terrapins had buried the Minutemen to the tune of 44-19. Juan Dixon had scored 13 points for Maryland while Chris Wilcox already had a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards. For Maryland, Marcus Canby scored 10 points in the first half.

Maryland never let the Minutemen make a concerted run. Although UMass narrowed the gap at one point to 17 points, the Terrapins held a 20-28 point lead throughout most of the 2nd half. When the buzzer sounded ending the game, Maryland had drummed UMass 70-48.

Juan Dixon topped the scoring for Maryland with 18 points and reserve Ryan Randle had 12 points and 8 rebounds, but Chris Wilcox had an awesome game with 16 points, 20 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 6 blocks. Marcus Canby was the only Minuteman to score in double figures…he had 19 points, 7 rebounds, an assists, 2 steals and 5 blocks.

Gary Williams, Maryland’s coach, said, “My guys played some great D tonight, particularly in the first half. And led by Chris Wilcox, we dominated the boards (+11).”

Up next: #4 Villanova (2018) vs #5 UConn (2004)

[PointGuard]

Round 2

East Region

#4 Villanova Wildcats (2018) vs #5 UConn Huskies (2004)

Villanova starting 5: PG PG Jalen Brunson; SG Donte DiVincenzo; SF Mikal Bridges; PF Eric Paschall; C Omari Spellman
UConn starting 5: PG Taliek Brown; SG Ben Gordon; SF Denham Brown; PF Charlie Villanueva; C Emeka Okafor

The Huskies jumped out to a 7-0 lead just 90 seconds into the game. With 15 minutes left in the half UConn was on top 16-5. Villanova cut the lead to 3 points midway through the half, but the Huskies continued to hit their shots and pulled away again to hold a 46-34 advantage at the half. Both Denham Brown and Ben Gordon dropped in 12 points for UConn while Villanova was led by Jalen Brunson’s 12 points.

Villanova’s offense improved in the 2nd half, but UConn continued to score and keep the Wildcats from making serious inroads. With the Huskies holding an edge in all team stats, UConn went on to deliver a 91-80 beating on the Wildcats. UConn had a 32-8 advantage on points-in-the-paint, a 17-2 advantage on 2nd chance points, and a 14-4 advantage on fast break points.

Emeka Okafor came on strong in the 2nd half to lead the Huskies offense with 22 points and he also hauled in 14 rebounds. Ben Gordon scored 18, Denham Brown put in 17 points, and Charlie Villanueva contributed 14 points, 6 boards, 5 assists, and 5 steals. For Villanova, Jalen Brunson had 25 points, 6 assists and 3 steals, Donte DiVincenzo poured in 22 points, and Mikal Bridges added 11 points.

Up next: #1 Kentucky (1996) vs #9 Texas (2003)

[Wayne23]

That was the best team UConn has ever had. Okafor was a terrific college Center and they had a lot of talent to go with him.

[PointGuard]

Round 2

South Region

#1 Kentucky Wildcats (1996) vs #9 Texas Longhorns (2003)

Kentucky starters: PG Anthony Epps; SG Tony Delk; SF Derek Anderson; PF Antoine Walker; C Walter McCarty
Texas starters: PG TJ Ford; SG Deginald Erskin; SF Brandon Mouton; PF Brad Buckman; C James Thomas

Kentucky struck first and quickly opened a 9-2 lead and then continually hammered the Longhorns throughout the entire first half by hitting 67% of their shots. At the break the Wildcats were in charge 49-34 even though Walker and Anderson spent most of the half sitting on the bench due to foul trouble. Texas’ TJ Ford scored 12 points.

Less than a minute into the 2nd half, the Wildcats expanded their lead to 20 points. With their fate sealed, the Longhorns never could get closer than 18 points. Kentucky went on to deliver a 94-67 stomping on Texas.

Interior reserves Mark Pope and Ron Mercer had 18 and 14 points, respectively, for Kentucky with Pope also pulling down 6 rebounds and getting 3 steals. Tony Delk had 17 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, and 4 steals for the Wildcats. James Thomas had 19 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks for Texas with TJ Ford scoring 17 and dishing out 4 assists and Brandon Mouton adding 12 points.

Texas coach Jim O’Brien said, “Kentucky is so danged talented. They took us outta the game from the get-go and never let us get close. While TJ, James, and Brandon scored well for us, the Wildcats put a hurtin’ on the rest of our team.”

Up next: #2 Florida (2007) vs #10 Louisiana State (1990)

[PointGuard]

Round 2

South Region

#2 Florida Gators (2007) vs #10 Louisiana State Tigers (1990)

Florida Starters: PG PG Taurean Green; SG Walter Hodge; SF Corey Brewer; PF Al Horford; C Joakim Noah
LSU Starters: PG Chris Jackson; SG Randy Devall; SF Wayne Sims; PF Stanley Roberts; C Shaquille O’Neal

This was a game that many came to see the matchup between Shaquille O’Neal and Joakim Noah and watch them go at each other.

The Tigers lept out to a 13-5 lead but were reeled back in by the Gators. The first half turned into a war with 13 lead changes. Florida scored last to take a 37-36 lead to the locker room. If possible, the team stats were even more equal than the score.

The battle renewed as soon as the 2nd half started and the lead continued to flit back and forth. LSU was able to open a 7 point lead midway through the half, but Florida quickly evened the score and the lead resumed to shift all the way up to the end. With the score knotted and time running down the crowd anticipate overtime. Florida brought the ball up court, worked it around and into Joaquim Noah who turned, stepped back and lofted up a 12 footer than floated cleanly through the net for a 79-77 last second victory by Florida.

With respect to O’Neal vs Noah: it turned out Noah’s on court time was limited due to him being in foul trouble. So Shaquille O’Neal out-performed him by scoring 20 points and getting 9 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and 2 blocks compared to Noah’s 12 points, 7 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals and a block. But Joakim made up for it by hitting the game-winner at the buzzer.
Corey Brewer led the Gator’s scoring with 18 points and he had 4 rebounds and 3 assist and reserve Marreese Spreights had 11 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. LSU’s Chris Jackson scored 16 points plus dished out 5 assists, Randy Devall had 10 points, and Stanley Roberts finished with 9 points and 9 rebounds.

Florida Coach Billy Donovan said, “Phew! That was a real battle. I’m just glad we got the final possession.”

Up next: #3 North Carolina (2005) vs #6 Georgia Tech (1990)

[PointGuard]

Round 2

South Region

#3 North Carolina Tar Heels (2005) vs #6 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1990)

North Carolina starters: PG Raymond Felton; SG Rashad McCants; SF David Noel; PF Marvin Williams; C Sean May
Georgia Tech starters: PG Kenny Anderson; SG Brian Oliver; SF Dennis Scott; PF Johnny McNeil; C Malcolm Mackey

The two teams played it even-steven for the first 12 minutes, but then North Carolina’s success from beyond the arc (8 of 14 on 3’s) and at the line (scoring 10 more points on free throws) produced a 47-38 halftime lead for the Tar Heels. Rashad McCants scored 16 points by hitting 4 of 6 of his 3’s plus 4 of 4 of his free throws. Georgia Tech’s top scorer was Kenny Anderson with 12 points.

The Yellow Jackets fell behind by 15 right after the 2nd half began, but then went on a 17-3 run that got them within a point of the Tar Heels. North Carolina stauched the flow and rallied to go back on top by 8 at 65-57 with 12 minutes to go. Georgia Tech kept reducing the gap to 1-3 points but each time the Tar Heels rallied to go ahead by 8-12 points. North Carolina’s final rally gave them a 93-82 victory. Georgia Tech outshot the Tar Heels 53% to 48%, hitting 5 more FG’s and held a 22-14 turnover advantage but that was countered by North Carolina’s 35-24 rebounding advantage, 12 for 26 scoring on 3’s, and scoring 12 more points at the foul line.

Rashad McCants was North Carolina’s top scorer with 21 points but Marvin Williams had a big game with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists. Sean May finished with 15 points and 7 boards. The Yellow Jackets’ Kenny Anderson scored 20 points plus had 4 rebounds and 5 assists, Dennis Scott scored 18 with 4 boards, and Malcolm Mackey added 15 points and 5 rebounds.

“The Yellow Jackets played a great game. Fortunately we shot well from outside and our big guys did a great job working the glass,” said Roy Williams, head coach of North Carolina.

Up next: #4 Virginia (2019) vs #5 Memphis (2008)