Friday Madness... Tidbits from Conference Tourney Play
Crazy day of basketball in conference tournaments and here are some of my thoughts.
Penn St vs Purdue
DJ Newbill and Nitty Lions played their tails off against the Boilermakers, but AJ Hammonds and that Matt Painter prevailed late in the second half. Purdue who was on the bubble coming into today, passed the eye test
with their tenacious defense led by Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year Raphael Davis.
The senior guard had the task of stopping Newbill and contained him to 19 points on 6-18 shooting. Hammonds was the best player on the court with a dominant 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks and securing
and probably securing a bid on Sunday.
North Carolina vs Virginia
UNC used it’s size with Kennedy Meeks and Brice Johnson to dominate inside to defeat potential #1 seed Virginia. Freshman Justin Jackson had his best game of the season with 22 points and went 4-5 from distance.
North Carolina dominated from the start and the game was never in question. Very concerning going into March Madness play next week.
Tony Bennett’s squad looked lethargic and not into the game for most of the game, and if it wasn’t for a Malcolm Brogdon spurt this game would of been a blowout. Justin Anderson who returned in his 2nd game since suffering a hand injury and epedectpomy, maybe was rushed a bit too early. It will be difficult for Anderson to turn his All America bid earlier in the season before the injury, and with the Big Dance next week Virginia is very vulnerable relying on Brogdon and London Perrantes for everything offensively doesn’t make them a complete team.
The Tar Heels finally closed out a game, so that’s a change in the right direction. Two quality wins in a row (Louisville the night before) have them in ACC Tourney Final.
UCLA vs Arizona
Norman Powell and the short handed Bruins played admirably, but the Wildcats were resilient led by Brandon Ashley’s career high 24 points to reach the PAC12 Conference Final.
Powell was brilliant, relentlessly attacking the rim and crating for others. Just fearless, but now Alford and company will have to sweat out Selection Sunday. Defeating Arizona would of clinched them an at large bid, but that task was too heft.
Arizona looks like a one seed and are a complete team. They have bigs, they have wings, and a leader in TJ McConnell which have me pegging them as a Final Four team. I wouldn’t want to play them in March.
Florida vs Kentucky
Big Blue Nation completed the trifecta in sweeping Florida 3 times in one year, ironically is what the Gators did to them last year. Even on cruise control they dominated, which is scary for opposing teams.
Calipari has the #1 overall seed and the nation’s best team.
Can’t remember the last time I seen a legit, dominant 10 man roster and this is without Alex Poythress. Guard play with the Harrisons, Devon Booker and Tyler Ulis is as good as any in the country. Frontline of Cauley-Stein and Towns is the best in the country, and then you have to worry about Trey Lyles, Dakari Johnson and Marcus Lee fresh off the bench
Oregon vs Utah
So if there was any debate on who the PAC12 Player of the Year was look no further than Oregon’s Joseph Young.
With 7 seconds to go, the PAC12 POY Young hits a game winning 3 at the buzzer to lift the Ducks past the Utah Utes.
They will play Arizona in the Conference of Champions Final tomorrow night.
Young finished with 25 points displaying his offensive prowess and owned his matchup versus Utes guard Delon Wright.
