NCAA Basketball...Championship Week!!!

Absolutely INSANE day of college basketball on Thursday. 

Big East Tournament:

#5 Louisville took care of Providence, 73-55. The Cards forced Providence into 26 turnovers, and got 24, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals from Earl Clark...

#21 Marquette vs. #13 Villanova is what officially ignited March Madness. Up 17 at one point, the Wildcats allowed the Golden Eagles back into the game, to the point of taking a 75-74 lead with 1:40 left. Then, on the game's final possession, 'Nova G Reggie Redding penetrated and found a cutting Dwayne Anderson underneath the basket for a wide open layup as time expired. It was Anderson's only field goal. 'Nova got 21 and 20 from Gs Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher, respectively, while Marquette, who had 5 guys scores in double figures, was led by Jimmy Butler's 19. Can't help but feel bad for Marquette (of course the camera cut to Dominic James after the buzzer-beater fell). How ironic, that Jerel McNeal, Marquette's best player all season long, and arguably the best perimeter defender in the country is the one who fell asleep, ball-watching, letting Anderson get a free look at the basket...

West Virginia knocked off #2 Pitt. The Moutaineers 1-3-1 spelled doom for the Panthers, who couldn't find their rhythm at all against the zone. It didn't help that DeJuan Blair was in foul trouble, which history shows almost automatically turns into a Panthers L. Devin Ebanks had 20 and 7 boards for West Va. West Virginia's got a whip, don't sleep...

Now for the game of all games. #20 Syracuse topped #4 UCONN 127-117 in 6 OTs. The game in numbers:

• Game length: 3 hours, 46 minutes (second longest D-1 game ever). It ended at 1:22 AM. 
• The teams combined for 209 field goal attempts.
• 8 players fouled out - 4 from each team.
• 4 UCONN Huskies had double-doubles: F Jeff Adrien - 12 points, 14 boards; F Staney Robinson - 28 points, 14 boards; Hasheem Thabeet - 19 points, 14 rebounds; A.J. Price - 33 points, 10 assists.
• 'Cuse had 2 guys record double-doubles: "Do-It-All" Paul Harris  - 29 points, 22 rebounds; Johnny Flynn aka THE MAN - 34 points, 11 assists (he also played 67 of the 70 minutes. The most of anybody from either team.)
• OT: 'Cuse - 56 points, 27 rebounds, 23 free throws. UCONN - 46 points, 31 boards.

Another ridiculous fact: Syracuse NEVER LEAD until the 6th OT.

Amazing. 'Cuse is looking really nice for the Tournament, but don't expect to see much of that vs. West Virginia. They've got NO legs.

Big 12 Tournament:

Upset City in the Big 12. Baylor beat #11 Kansas, 71-64, and Ok. St. knocked off #7 Oklahoma, 71-70. Neither Kansas or Oklahoma is looking good for the Tournament. Both have slumped in the past two weeks. Oklahoma's lost 4 of 6, and Kansas has lost 2 of 3, including a romping by Texas Tech. Be Wary.

Other Big 12 Scores...

Texas Tech 60, #15 Mizzou 81

Texas 61, Kansas St. 58

Big Ten Tournament:

Northwestern 53, Minnesota 66

Iowa 45, Michigan 73

Indiana 51, Penn St. 

Northwestern's chance at a bid is out the window, whole Minnesota likely solidified theirs. Penn St. also kept their hopes alive.

Pac-10 Tournament:

Stanford 73, #10 Washington 85 

Washington St. 53, #14 UCLA 64

Arizona 56, #23 Arizona St. 68

USC 79, Cal 75

Arizona should still be in good shape for the Big Dance despite the loss.

ACC Tournament:

Georgia Tech 86, #18 Clemson 81

Miami (FL) 47, Virginia Tech 65

NC St. 69, Maryland 74

Virginia 63, Boston College 76

Shouts out to Shump who had 11, 5, and 5 in G-Tech's upset of Clemson. Lewis Clinch led the Yellow Jackets with 32. Meanwhile, the Tigers are just 7-8 since starting the season out 16-0. Be Wary...Miami's done as far as the NCAA tourney is concerned. Maryland and Boston College both did their parts to remain in reach of a bid.

SEC Tournament:

Miss. 58, Kentucky 71

Georgia 60, Miss. St. 79

Vandy 75, Alabama 82

Arkansas 58, Florida 73

Florida locked up their bid. Kentucky helped their cause, but they need to keep winning.

Who's Already In (Conference):

Chattanooga (Southern)

Cornell (Ivy League)

East Tennessee St. (Atlantic Sun)

Gonzaga (West Coast)

Morehead St. (Ohio Valley)

Northern Iowa (Missouri Valley)

Radford (Big South)

Siena (Metro Atlantic)

Virgina Commonwealth (Colonial)

N. Dakota St. (Summit League)

Cleveland St. (Horizon League)

Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)

Robert Morris (Northeastern)

Portland St. (Big Sky)

Via: ESPN