GREAT TEAMS TOURNAMENT

[PointGuard]

ROUND 1 RESULTS

South Region

#1 Kentucky Wildcats (1996) vs #16 Texas Christian Horned Frogs (2017)

Kentucky’s Starters: PG Anthony Epps; SG Tony Delk; SF Derek Anderson; PF Antoine Walker; C Walter McCarty
Texas Christian’s Starters: PG Alex Robinson; SG Jaylen Fisher; SF Kenrich Williams; PF JD Miller; C Vlad Brodziansky

TCU stayed close to the Wildcats for the first 10 minutes but then Kentucky’s lead progressively grew with the Wildcats finishing the first half with a big 48-26 advantage. Kentucky’s Derek Anderson and the Horned Frogs Kenrich Williams each scored 13 points in the half, but there was little added support by Texas Christian. All team stats heavily favored the Wildcats.

Kentucky continued to pad their lead and went up by 30 with 9 minutes to go. When the buzzer sounded ending the game, Kentucky had routed Texas Christian 83-49.

SF Derek Anderson dropped in 19 points; PF Antoine Walker had 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists; C Walker McCarty scored 10 plus had 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals; and reserve C Mark Pope added 10 points for Kentucky. Texas Christian’s Kenrich Williams scored 15 points and finished with 7 rebounds and 3 assists and Jaylen Fisher put in 10 points.

Kentucky coach Rick Pitino said, “It took us a little while to shake the Horned Frogs, but once we did our guys took care of business. They just played solid Wildcats basketball.”

Up next: Florida (2007) [35-5] vs Florida State (2017) [26-9]

[PointGuard]

ROUND 1 RESULTS

South Region

#2 Florida Gators (2007) vs #15 Florida State Seminoles (2017)

Florida’s Starters: PG Taurean Green; SG Walter Hodge; SF Corey Brewer; PF Al Horford; C Joakim Noah
Florida State’s Starters: PG Xavier Rathan-Mayes; SG Dwayne Bacon; SF Terance Mann; Jonathan Isaac; C Michael Ojo

Jonathan Isaac scored 10 of Florida State’s first 15 points to give the Seminoles a 6 point lead. But the Gators rallied and the lead shifted back and forth through the middle portion of the first half. Florida took control late to build a 36-26 halftime advantage. Joakim Noah scored 9 points and pulled down 8 rebounds in the half for the Gators.

Florida held onto their double digit lead in the 2nd half and then steadily widened their lead in the final 10 minutes of the game. Florida romped over their in-state competition by a final score of 79-56.

Leading Florida were C Joakim Noah with 20 points, 18 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks; PF Al Horford who had 16 points, 13 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks; PG Taurean Green put in 14 points and had 4 steals; and SF Corey Brewer finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds. PF Jonathan Isaac, who had 18 points, 12 boards, and 4 blocks was the only player on Florida State to score in double figures.

“I’m happy we won, but I wasn’t happy to have to go up against another team from within Florida in Round 1,” said Billy Donovan, the head coach of the Gators.

Up next: North Carolina (2005) [33-4] vs South Carolina 2017) [26-11]

[PointGuard]

ROUND 1 RESULTS

South Region

#3 North Carolina Tar Heels (2005) vs #14 South Carolina Gamecocks (2017)

North Carolina’s Starters: PG Raymond Felton; SG Rashad McCants; SF David Noel; PF Marvin Williams; C Sean May
South Carolina’s Starters: PG Justin McKie; SG Sindarius Thornwell; SF PJ Dozier; PF Chris Silva; C Ran Tut

PG Raymond Felton scored 8 of the Tar Heels first 10 points. NC held a small lead in the early going but in the final 10 minutes of the half was up by double digits and at halftime South Carolina trailed 48-35. North Carolina knocked down 71% of their FG’s.

The Gamecocks crept with 6 points in the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half. But the Tar Heels held onto a 5-10 point lead for the next 5 minutes. North Carolina then gradually built back a double digit lead that. When the buzzer sounded North Carolina had achieved a 91-77 victory. The Tar Heels sank 69% of their FG’s and 62% of their 3’s.

SG Rashad McCants was perfect from the floor to score 19 points, C Sean May had 18 points and 7 rebounds, PG Raymond Felton finished with 13 points and 7 assists, and SF David Noel scored 10 points for North Carolina. The Gamecocks’ SG Sindarius Thornwell and reserve PG Rakym Felder both scored 17 points while SF PJ Dozier had 13 points and 6 boards, and reserve C Maik Kotsar added 10 points.

“This was a lot tougher game that the final score would indicate. South Carolina put up a tough battle. We had to shoot the lights out to win this one,” said Tar Heels’ coach Roy Williams.

Next up:Virginia (2019) [35-3] vs Vanderbilt (1988) [20-11]

[PointGuard]

ROUND 1 RESULTS

South Region

#4 Virginia Cavaliers (2019) vs #13 Vanderbilt Commodores (1988)

Virginia’s Starters: PG Ty Jerome; SG Braxton Key; SF De’Andre Hunter; PF Mamadi Diakite; C Jay Huff
Vanderbilt’s Starters: PG Barry Goheen; SG Barry Booker; SF Frank Kornet; PF Eric Reid; C Will Perdue

Vanderbilt drew first blood, but then Virginia went on a 13-0 run. The Cavaliers then held onto a double digit lead the rest of the half and left the floor at halfime with a 36-24 advantage. The Cavaliers outshot the Commodores 50% to 24% and were +9 in rebounding.

Virginia’s defense continued to stymie Vanderbilt in the 2nd half and the Cavaliers ran away with a 68-48 crushing of the Commodores.

Virginia’s C Jay Huff led all scorers with 17 points plus hauled down 8 rebounds and had 3 steals and 4 blocks while SG Braxton Key had 12 points and 8 boards and SF De’Andre Hunter also had 12 points. For Vanderbilt C Will Perdue had 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks.

“That 13 point run for us early in the game really set us up, and then our defense took care of business the rest of the game. Vanderbilt’s a good team and to hold them to just 48 points is a real credit to my guys,” said coach Tony Bennett of Virginia.

Up next: Memphis (2008) [38-2] vs Clemson (1990) [24-8]

[PointGuard]

ROUND 1 RESULTS

South Region

#5 Memphis Tigers (2008) vs #12 Clemson Tigers (1990)

Memphis’ Starters: PG Derrick Rose; SG Antonio Anderson; SF Chris Douglas-Roberts; PF Robert Dozier; C Joey Dorsey
Clemson’s Starters: PG Marion Cash; SG David Young; SF Sean Tyson; PF Dale Davis; C Elden Campbell

Clemson was up by 4 early in the game, but Memphis pulled into a tie with 13 minutes to go in the first half. The score then stayed extremely close with frequent lead changes the rest of the half. But Memphis came out of it with a slim 43-39 lead, primarily due to a +7 rebounding advantage. Derrick Rose scored 15 points for Memphis while Dale Davis had 13 for Clemson.

Memphis gradually pulled away in the 2nd half and established a double-digit lead with 13 minutes to go. Clemson had no answers, so the Tigers continued to widen the gap. When play ended Memphis had topped Clemson 90-65. The Tigers really won the game by totally dominating the boards…39-15.

PG Derrick Rose scored 26 points and dished out 4 assists, C Joey Dorsey had 12 points and 5 boards, reserve guard Doneal Mack scored 11 points, and PF Robert Dozier recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis. For Clemson PF Dale Davis and C Elden Campbell both scored 21 points and SG David Young had 8 points and 6 assists.

John Calipari, coach of Memphis said, “Derrick not only scored well, but he did a fantastic job of directing our play. We’re gonna need repeat everything we did well tonight when we go up against Virginia in the next round.”

Up next: Georgia Tech [28-7] (1990) vs Tennessee (2010) [28-9]

[PointGuard]

ROUND 1 RESULTS

South Region

#6 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1990) vs #11 Tennessee Volunteers (2010)

Georgia Tech’s Starters: PG Kenny Anderson; SG Brian Oliver; SF Dennis Scott; PF Johnny McNeil; C Malcolm Mackey
Tennessee’s Starters: PG Bobby Maze; SG Cameron Tatum; SF J.P. Prince; PF Brian Williams; C Wayne Chism

Kenny Anderson scored 10 points to carry the Yellow Jackets to a 14-8 lead four minutes into the game. Tennessee got tagged with their 7th team foul after just 5 minutes of play. Cameron Tatum, their SG who scored the team’s first 5 points went to the bench at that point with 2 fouls. Georgia Tech slowly but steadily pulled further away from the Vols from there all the way to the end of the half which ended with the hot-shooting Yellow Jackets (65% from the field) on top 53-35. Kenny Anderson was unstoppable, hitting 8 of 9 FG’s including 4 for 4 from 3-point range, as he scored 22 points plus dished out 5 assists and had 2 steals. To be competitive, the Volunteers would need to devise a defense to stop the Georgia Tech attack.

Tennessee put some serious D on Anderson, shutting him down in the 2nd half. But turnovers and insufficient fire-power prevented the Volunteers from making any serious inroads into the Yellow Jackets' big margin. Georgia Tech downed Tennessee by an 85-70 score.

Top performers for the Yellow Jackets were: PG Kenny Anderson with 25 points and 6 assists; SG Brian Oliver who scored 17 points; SF Dennis Scott with 15 points; and C Malcolm Mackey who finished with 11 points, 12 boards, 3 assists, and 4 steals. Tennessee’s SG Cameron Tatum scored 15 points while playing just 19 minutes, C Wayne Chism had 14 points and 7 rebounds, reserves Kenny Hall and Scotty Hopson each scored 11 points, and PG Bobby Maze scored just 4 points but had 11 assists.

“Kenny carried us in the first half and then when they doubled and tripled on him in the 2nd half, that freed up our other guys to hold our lead,” said Georgia Tech’s head coach Bobby Cremins.

Up next: Alabama (1991) [23-10] vs Louisiana State (1990) [23-9]

[PointGuard]

ROUND 1 RESULTS

South Region

#7 Alabama Crimson Tide (1991) vs #10 Louisiana State Tigers (1990)

Alabama’s Starters: PG Gary Waites; SG Latrell Sprewell; SF Darby Rich; PF Robert Horry; C Marcus Webb
Louisiana State’s Starters: PG Chris Jackson; SG Randy Devall; SF Wayne Sims; PF Stanley Roberts; C Shaquille O’Neal

LSU hit 6 of their first 7 shots and took a 16-7 lead after 5 minutes of play. But Shaquille O’Neal picked up his 2nd foul shortly after that and headed to the bench. Alabama took advantage of that and quickly closed to within 2. The Tigers found their footing again to go ahead 27-10 with 9 minutes remaining til halftime. As turnover victimized LSU, Robert Horry and Marcus Webb led the Crimson Tide on a 12-0 run that put them in front 32-27 with 5:16 to go. At the break, Alabama held a 38-33 advantage with Horry accounting for 14 of their points and Webb adding 12. Chris Jackson scored 12 first half points for LSU.

The Tigers continually got to within 2 or 3 points of the Crimson Tide in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half, but each time they did Alabama would hit a shot to keep from being overtaken. But finally PG Maurice Williamson drilled a 3 to tie the game at 60-60 with 9-1/2 minutes left in the game. A minute later PF Stanley Roberts pulled down an offensive rebound and went back up with it to put LSU ahead by 2 points. Alabama regained the lead at 68-67 when Marcus Webb was surrounded inside and found SG James Robinson free for a 12 foot jumper. After a series of miscues by both teams, C Shaquille O’Neal picked off a pass and lumbered home for a dunk to recapture the lead for LSU with just under 4 minutes on the clock. The Tigers then caught fire offensively to go ahead 81-72 with 1-1/2 minutes left. The Crimson Tide then had to foul which allowed LSU to post an 87-74 minor upset. The Tigers outshot Alabama 53% to 46% and held a 36-26 rebounding advantage.

SG Chris Jackson scored 23 points to lead LSU’s scoring. PF Stanley Roberts had a double double with 17 points and 12 boards. SG Randy Devall had a big night with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 6 steals and a block. C Shaquille O’Neal had 8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks. For Alabama PF Robert Horry had 18 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 4 blocks. C Marcus Webb scored 16, SG Latrelle Sprewell had 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, and PG Gary Waites scored 11 and also had 5 boards, 6 assists, and 5 steals.

The Tigers’ coach Dale Brown said, “We had to really work hard to catch up, but we finally did it and then our guys refused to give in to the pressure applied by ‘Bama. Both teams just played a helluva game, though.”

Up next:Wake Forest (1995) [26-6] vs Texas (2003) [26-7]

[PointGuard]

ROUND 1 RESULTS

South Region

#8 seed Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1995) vs #9 seed Texas Longhorns (2003)

Wake Forest Starters: PG Randolph Childress; SG Tony Rutland; SF Travis Banks; PF Ricardo Peral; C Tim Duncan
Texas Starters: PG TJ Ford; SG Deginald Erskin; SF Brandon Mouton; PF Brad Buckman; C James Thomas

Wake Forest was in control during the first 8 minutes. But after Tim Duncan went to the bench with fould trouble, Texas caught up and the teams exchanged the lead 7 times in the next 4 minutes. Texas then began drawing away as the Demon Deacons offense went ice-cold. By halftime, the Longhorns were on top 39-28. Texas’ Brandon Mouton and Wake Forest’s Randolph Childress each scored 11 points in the half.

Wake Forest’s shooting woes continued in the 2nd half. After hitting a FG on their first possession, they went scoreless for the next 7-1/2 minutes as they fell behind 52-30. While they scored well after that from the foul line, they hit just 4 more FG’s. The Longhorns sent the Demon Deacons home by whipping them 69-56.

Brandon Mouton scored 16, James Thomas had 14 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks, TJ Ford hit for 11 points, and PF Brad Buckman had 9 points and 7 boards for Texas. Wake Forest’s Ricardo Peral and Randolph Childress each scored 11 points while Tim Duncas was limited to just 7 points although he did pull down 9 rebounds and block 4 shots.

“Our defense was awesome tonight!” said Coach Rick Barnes. “Mixed results for us on the offensive end of the court though…some good spells but we weren’t able to sustain those. We’ll need to step it up if we want a chance to take down Kentucky in our next game.”

Up next: Nevada Las Vegas (1991) [34-1] vs Baylor (2017) [27-8]

[PointGuard]

ROUND 1 RESULTS

West Region

#1 Nevada Las Vegas Runnin’ Rebels (1991) vs #16 Baylor Bears (2017)

UNLV Starters: PG Greg Anthony; SG H. Waldman; SF Stacey Augmon; PF Larry Johnson; C Elmore Spencer
Baylor Starters: PG Manu Lecomte; SG Jake Lindsey; SF Ishmail Wainwright; PF Johnathan Motley; C Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.

UNLV continually edged ahead in the first half, only to be reeled back in by the Bears. A small run at the end of the half gave the Runnin’ Rebels a 42-37 halftime lead. But the way Baylor had kept fighting (led by Johnathan Motley’s 10 points and 7 boards) seemed to give notice that they were not about to lay down.

But in the 2nd half, turnovers by the Bears, blocked shots by UNLV, and poor shooting by Baylor led to the Runnin’ Rebels pulling away to sport a 63-48 lead with 12 minutes to go. UNLV was relentless on offense and Baylor was unable to solve the Runnin’ Rebels’ 1-2-2 zone defense so that with 4 minutes the lead had expanded to 87-58. UNLV went on to skin the Bears 91-66. UNLV outshot Baylor 56% to 40% and was +8 on the boards.

Five UNLV players scored in double figures: Greg Anthony-14, Stacey Augmen, Elmore Spencer, and Anderson Hunt each scored 12, and Larry Johnson-10. Johnson and Spencer pulled down 13 and 9 rebounds respectively and Spencer also had 5 blocks. Baylor’s Johnathan Motley had a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds with teammates Jo Lual-Acuil and Manu Lecomte both scoring 13 and Jake Lindsey adding 10.

UNLV’s Coach Jerry Tarkanian said, “Baylor made it tough for us in the first half, but my guys put it together in the 2nd half. This was a very good team effort by our players.”

Up next: Arizona (1997) [25-9] vs Saint Mary’s (2017) [29-5]

[PointGuard]

ROUND 1 RESULTS

West Region

#2 Arizona Wildcats (1997) vs #15 Saint Mary’s Gaels (2017)

Arizona Starters: PG Mike Bibby; SG Miles Simon; SF Eugene Edgerson; PF A.J. Bramlett; C Donnell Harris
Saint Mary’s Starters: PG Joe Rahon; SG Emmett Naar; SF Kyle Clark; PF Dane Pineau; C Jock Landale

The teams traded baskets early in the game. Then Arizona went on a 8-0 run to put them on top 25-17. The Gaels came right back to, scoring the next 10 points to lead by 2 with 8 minutes to go in the half. Neither team was able to go more than 2 points ahead from thereon with the Wildcats holding onto a narrow 41-39 halftime advantage. Miles Simon for Arizona and Dane Pineau for Saint Mary’s each scored 11 points.

The Wildcats scored the first 6 points of the 2nd half to go ahead by 8. St. Mary’s kepts cutting into the lead but could never get closer than 2 points. Arizona went on to notch a 77-69 victory.

Topping the scoring for Arizona was SG Miles Simon who scored 23 points. Bennett Davidson came in off the bench to score 14 and PG Mike Bibby scored 13. Saint Mary’s PF Dane Pineau had 20 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks and C Jock Landale scored 16.

Randy Bennett, head coach for St. Mary’s said, “We knew we’d have our hands full going up against Arizona and that turned out to be the case. We basically played them even in the first half. After dropping behind early in the 2nd half, we kept trimming the lead only to see the Wildcats pull ahead again. Even though we were playing from behind the entire 2nd half, I was proud of how my guys never gave in…they just kept nipping away at the Wildcats’ heels.”

Up next: Michigan State (2000) [32-7] vs Utah (1997) [29-4]