Thoughts on Tonight's Games

Back from the bar...

Connecticut 73, Vanderbilt 53

--Did the Commodores ever have a chance? Sure, Kevin Stallings' club had a couple nice spurts, but there was never any doubt that Ben Gordon, Emeka Okafor and Co. were headed towards the Elite Eight.
Game Ball Goes To Ben Gordon for scoring 20 points, grabbing nine boards and dishing out five assists.

Alabama 80, Syracuse 71

--Although Gerry McNamara finished with 24 points, Syracuse's star did so on 6 for 14 shooting. Save one second-half segment, McNamara could never find the bottom of the net during the game's critical moments. Hakim Warrick played well, but the Orangemen didn't have the firepower to keep up with Earnest Shelton, Chuck Davis, and Kennedy Winston. Alabama's balanced attack solved Syracuse's zone.
Game Ball Goes To Chuck Davis for scoring 17 of his 19 points in the second half, shooting well (8 for 12) from the floor and playing nearly the entire game (38 minutes).

St. Joseph's 84, Wake Forest 80

--A well played and exciting match that went to the team with more heart and experience, St. Joe's. Jameer Nelson and Delonte West demonstrated exceptional chemistry while the supporting cast made timely shots and played solid defense. Chris Paul's inexperience showed, as did Phil Martelli's frustration with his team's occasional carelessness.
Game Ball Goes To Tyrone Barley for contributing 34 huge minutes and going 4 for 6 from behind the arc. Barley played good defense and was tremendously helpful as a kickout option for Nelson and West.

Oklahoma State 63, Pittsburgh 51

--The Cowboys found a way to score against the vaunted Pittsburgh defense. The Panthers, however, struggled mightily against Oklahoma State's tight coverage. Tony Allen was sensational, as was John Lucas (senior), yelling from the sidelines. After being held to 30 percent shooting from the field in the first half, Oklahoma State hit 16-of-25 shots in the final 20 minutes.
Game Ball Goes To Tony Allen for scoring a game-high 23 points on 8 for 14 shooting. The Oklahoma State forward also blocked three Pittsburgh attempts and went 6 of 6 from the free throw line.