Elite 8

Wow, what a night of basketball. It definitely made up for the disappointing showing by Miami hockey tonight in their NCAA tournament (5-0 loss).

We're down to the Elite 8:

• George Mason 63, Wichita St. 55. In what's turned into Homecoming for the Patriots, GMU started with a 9-0 run and never looked back. GMU shot 46%, 50% from 3 while holding the Shockers, who rely on the jump shot inside and out, to 31% shooting. I can't imagine what the atmosphere will be like on Sunday. GMU better bring the D, they'll need every bit of it.
• Villanova 60, Boston College 59. This wasn't the prettiest or the best played game, but it was a game that displayed two teams' collective heart, fire, effort, and competitiveness. There was BC, trying to impose their physicality on the game, running their flex offense and playing tight perimeter defense. Then there's little, overmatched Villanova, fighting to guard BC's big guys, fighting for every rebound, driving into the lane with no fear. BC led 25-9 with about 6 min. to go in the 1st half when Villanova decided to increase the defensive pressure. BC's guards couldn't handle it, turned the ball over and let Nova get within 4 at the half. BC was forced to have Craig Smith and Jared Dudley bring the ball up, which didn't allow them to attack the pressure. Sean Williams was huge inside for BC, making big plays at each end. But the Villanova guards wouldn't be denied. Foye, Ray, and Lowry just refuse to lose. Ray was ice cold all night, but he still found a way to hit 2 big 3s late in regulation. Foye and Lowry appeared to put it away for Nova with their drives late, but Dudley came back and hit a 3 to send it to overtime. Nova went up by 5, BC came back, leading by 1 with 10 sec. left and Nova ball out of bounds under the BC basket. With no timeouts, Nova couldn't setup a play in the huddle, but they didn't need to. They ran the same inbounds play they used to beat Cincinnati late in the season and it resulted in a goaltending call (good call). What a battle, neither team gave an inch. Villanova just refuses to lose, I love watching them battle.
• Florida 57, Georgetown 53. The young Gators overcame Georgetown's awkward style and will play Villanova in the regional final. Joakim Noah for Florida: 15 points, 10 boards, and 5 blocks, but it was Corey Brewer's acrobatic shot and ensuing free throw that put the Gators ahead for good. Florida stayed aggressively offensively, getting good shots and getting to the foul line. They have cut down on their turnovers which has been the difference for them in my opinion. But, they haven't played anyone like Villanova yet in this tournament. Still, nice to see Billy Donovan have some success after getting rid of some of the spoiled brats he's had the last couple of years.
• UConn 98, Washington 92. Washington did everything but win the game. Their gameplan was perfect. Although smaller, UW is quicker and they got after UConn early. They sacrificed foul trouble for aggressive play, and it almost paid off. They forced 26 turnovers, 26?!?!?! Brandon Roy was unguardable and UConn was frustrated. But early in the 2nd half, UW missed their chance to put UConn in serious trouble. There was a 3-4 minute stretch where UConn took bad shots or turned the ball over, yet UW also turned the ball over or took bad shots, most coming from their freshmen guards. Then after the double technical foul with Roy and Rudy Gay, UConn's run was cued. But UW hung tough with Roy on the bench, Jamaal Williams is an unbelievable 6'6 post player. UW was up 5 in the last minute, but inexplicably let Rashard Anderson touch the ball twice. And guess what, he made 2 big 3s. Add the stupid foul by Mike Jensen that gave Marcus Williams a 3 point play and the game went to OT. UW couldn't afford to go to OT because of their foul trouble and they lost 3 guys to fouls. But they never quit and had the ball down 2 after a Ryan Appleby steal. But UW turned it over and UConn survived. I really don't like UConn's attitude, they came out flat, complained, then flipped the switch and were very fortunate. I just don't know why you wouldn't want to play hard all the time, that doesn't make sense to me. But they have talented players, and they live another day.

I promise I'll write about other things again soon, but it's late and I'm tired. I like Texas and UCLA tomorrow, in close games.