Hoops Houdini Has Half

Pristine Pittsburgh fed off the fiery play of LeVance Fields to overcome a deficit and defeat Xavier last night. I could watch Fields in his dew gray digs all night the player is so captivating to the cranium. LeVance drained a three point shot with 50 seconds left that all but sealed the significant but uneasy win. DeJuan Blair’s sure-handed steal of Xavier senior, B.J.Raymond, facilitated the shot in the final minute. Sean Miller’s Xavier team took it to the wire but unquestionable strategy of shooting behind the arch enabled the Panthers to creep back. The Muskies missed easy lay ups and inside shots in the second half. The Panthers have been winning games holding on by a hair all post-season. They have a way of rallying that is unprecedented. Pittsburgh, with their backs constantly against the wall, find ways to beat anybody. The key against the Musketeers was cutting the points allowed in the second half. The Panthers permitted only 18 points after halftime. Pitt reaches the Elite 8 for the first time in school history. Jamie Dixon has his team poised to pounce and punch a ticket to Detroit.
Fascinating Fields was just one of the Big East players dominating the fine play of last night’s Sweet 16. His teammate Blair had 17 rebounds. The Big East took care of business, with three teams moving on and the entire East bracket is now represented by the conference. The unambiguous brackets are shaping up fine for me, with the best conference winning three of three games last night. Kudos to the Big 12 for having three of their own remaining in the tourney.
I correctly guessed all four teams, so I am halfway there in my Elite 8 prognostication. I wouldn’t call myself a magician, but I was one of the few actually picking Missouri to upset Memphis. Memphis had a chip on their shoulder since the start of the tournament but I have the Big 12 Champion Missouri Tigers making the Final Four. It is their first trip back to the Elite 8 round in 7 years. Mike Anderson’s club, while he coached UAB, was the last team to knock out John Calipari in a conference divisional game. Anderson’s Missouri men, led by J.T. Tiller, did the same thing last night in a game they once led by as much as 19 points. Once Mizzou settled into a groove, they did not look back or let up. The Tigers simply sprinted. You have to commend the Tigers for scoring 102 points against the best defensive team in the nation. It was the first time in nine years the team gave up over 100 points. Memphis missed 14 free throws and could not defend against a Tiger attack. Calipari’s timid team could not claw their way back even though Tyreke Evans gave a serviceable presentation. The 27 game winning streak, longest in the nation, went down the tubes as quick as the Missouri Tigers were able to get to the basket against Memphis. Calipari and his fans glorified this team but where are the Memphis chants and backers now?
The coy, crisp, confident but controversial Connecticut did not trail one second during their dominating victory against Purdue. Purdue failed to shoot inside as well as A.J. Price, Hasheem Thabeet and the Huskies. Price and Thabeet each had 15 points. AJ is the anchor and Thabeet the oar for the Big East‘s number one seed. The Boilermakers could not overcome the size of the Huskies but incorporated a few opportunities to take the lead. Whenever they came close, Purdue was punished by Thabeet and his double-double performance. I have Connecticut falling to Missouri Saturday in the next round of play. Even though they are offensively astounding and have more experience in big games, the Tigers are a complex puzzle on the hardwood. I think Missouri is capable of countering the Connecticut assault. Both teams are mightily ambitious however.
Dante Cunningham had a hand in the 77-54 Villanova crushing of Duke. Cunningham had 11 rebounds in out dueling the Devils. Surging Scottie Reynolds added 16 buckets. The Wildcats put the nail in the coffin in Boston in the second half of the game. It was not as close as I thought it would be. Duke could not hit their shots. The Devils developed some leeway early but all breathing room went to under-sized Villanova late. Duke went on a five point run to begin the contest but the lead was erased on the ensuing Wildcat drive. The candid shooting of Villanova proved too much for depleted Duke. The Wildcats’ perimeter defense dictated the tempo of the game. Even Reggie Redding came off the bench to factor into the Nova knockout. The zone-oriented, thrashing Wildcats embarrassed Duke offensively. I was imploring the ACC’s number two seeded Blue Devils to score some jumpers. Coach K’s team’s 26% shooting was the lowest of the year for Duke. They looked uninspired and tepid, and fizzled at the finish line in what became a blemishing blowout.
The only reservation I have about Friday evening’s four games is the Syracuse-Oklahoma pairing. I think the Orange will squeeze out a win against Blake Griffin and the Sooners. I am picking Louisville to top ‘Zona, Kansas to down Michigan State and the Tarheels to finish off Gonzaga. The games should be good and I am looking forward to a Friday fest of fine frolic on the courts. TGIF!

Parting points: “Semi-charmed life” by Third Eye Blind