Spring Break
Tourney time:Heroes as well as heartbreak
Lanny Newton
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: Opinion
Having watched ACC basketball for more than 20 years, this past weekend was dismal because several teams from the conference came up well short of their capabilities.
The tourney has not been a total disappointment, though, as despite the gut-wrenching losses, there were also the euphoric highs.
Though the number of mid-major upsets was fewer than in years past, they were just as memorable.
While they were only a No. 9 seed, Siena won a double-overtime thriller over Ohio State University. Kenny Hasbrouck scored the last 4 points in regulation for Siena, hitting a clutch 3-pointer with 52 seconds left, and one of two free throws with 8 seconds remaining.
Ronald Moore then hit a 3 with 3 seconds remaining in the first OT for Siena, to send it into the second OT. Following Ohio State's Evan Turner converting a lay-up with 19 seconds left to put the Buckeyes up by 2, Moore hit a 3 with 12 seconds left to make it 74-72 Siena.
Turner missed a 2 to tie with two seconds left and Siena went on to face Louisville in the second round.
Though Siena led as late as midway through the second half, Louisville ultimately won the game by 7 points.
Cleveland State played one of its best games of the season as it jumped out in front of Wake Forest early and cruised to victory.
Wake Forest never really showed the same fire and ability that led them to start the season 16-0, and it ended their season earlier than expected.
In stark contrast, Cleveland State's second-round game against Arizona was almost the exact opposite. The team never really showed the offensive prowess it had in the first round and fell to the team from the Pac-10 by 14 points.
Western Kentucky played in its second straight NCAA Tournament as a No. 12 seed and provided their second straight run.
Though not as dramatic as the overtime win over Drake last year, the first-round 4-point win over Illinois last Thursday provided more thrilling action in a day that saw many double-digit victories.
Unfortunately, the Hilltoppers couldn't continue the success as Gonzaga's Demetri Goodson went the length of the court to bank in the game-winner with 0.9 seconds left to send the Bulldogs to the Sweet Sixteen.
Though the only "mid-majors" left are Gonzaga and Xavier, plenty of excitement remains as the Sweet Sixteen kicks off tomorrow and the Elite Eight starts Saturday.
The Big East still has a record five teams in the round of 16, while UNC and Duke are the only two remaining ACC teams and are still on course for a possible collision in the Final Four.
The tourney has not been a total disappointment, though, as despite the gut-wrenching losses, there were also the euphoric highs.
Though the number of mid-major upsets was fewer than in years past, they were just as memorable.
While they were only a No. 9 seed, Siena won a double-overtime thriller over Ohio State University. Kenny Hasbrouck scored the last 4 points in regulation for Siena, hitting a clutch 3-pointer with 52 seconds left, and one of two free throws with 8 seconds remaining.
Ronald Moore then hit a 3 with 3 seconds remaining in the first OT for Siena, to send it into the second OT. Following Ohio State's Evan Turner converting a lay-up with 19 seconds left to put the Buckeyes up by 2, Moore hit a 3 with 12 seconds left to make it 74-72 Siena.
Turner missed a 2 to tie with two seconds left and Siena went on to face Louisville in the second round.
Though Siena led as late as midway through the second half, Louisville ultimately won the game by 7 points.
Cleveland State played one of its best games of the season as it jumped out in front of Wake Forest early and cruised to victory.
Wake Forest never really showed the same fire and ability that led them to start the season 16-0, and it ended their season earlier than expected.
In stark contrast, Cleveland State's second-round game against Arizona was almost the exact opposite. The team never really showed the offensive prowess it had in the first round and fell to the team from the Pac-10 by 14 points.
Western Kentucky played in its second straight NCAA Tournament as a No. 12 seed and provided their second straight run.
Though not as dramatic as the overtime win over Drake last year, the first-round 4-point win over Illinois last Thursday provided more thrilling action in a day that saw many double-digit victories.
Unfortunately, the Hilltoppers couldn't continue the success as Gonzaga's Demetri Goodson went the length of the court to bank in the game-winner with 0.9 seconds left to send the Bulldogs to the Sweet Sixteen.
Though the only "mid-majors" left are Gonzaga and Xavier, plenty of excitement remains as the Sweet Sixteen kicks off tomorrow and the Elite Eight starts Saturday.
The Big East still has a record five teams in the round of 16, while UNC and Duke are the only two remaining ACC teams and are still on course for a possible collision in the Final Four.
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Houston Mattress
posted 6/28/10 @ 4:29 PM EST
Quote:
"Wake Forest never really showed the same fire and ability that led them to start the season 16-0, and it ended their season earlier than expected. (Continued…)
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