Cats Burst Cuses Bubble

Orange Crush

Villanova ended Syracuse’s hopes of an NCAA tournament bid after the Cats burst the Orange Bubble by beating Jim Boeheim’s club in the first round of the Big East Tournament. The only postseason play that the Orange will be participating in this March is the NIT, as key losses in must win games essentially did Syracuse in. Inconsistency by the Cuse down the final stretch of the season proves the inexperience and immaturity of a very young team. Freshman stars Johnny Flynn and Donte Green have some work to do if they hope to put themselves in better position next year in order to compete for a National Championship. Reality is that the slipper hasn’t fit the Cuse lately, but certainly the young Orange will hope to reverse the curse in the near future. Meanwhile, Jay Wright’s Wild Cats continue to scratch their way through an up and down season in hope of earning an at large bid into the field of 64. The Cats will now take on the Big East Regular Season Champion Georgetown Hoyas, a win by Nova would solidify an invitation to the big dance.

3/12

Cats Burst Cuses Bubble

Golden Eagles Soar to Victory

Marquette knew it had a tough task at hand facing a solid Notre Dame Ball Club, including Big East player of the year Luke Harangody, who had eaten up opponents all season long. The adversity at hand seemed to fuel the Golden Eagles fire, as Marquette soared to an 89-79 victory, holing Harangody to a mere 13 points. On the other hand, the smallest guy on the floor for Marquette, Maurice Acker, came up huge down the stretch for his team, as the 5’8” point guard scored eight straight points including two big threes to put the Golden Eagles up for good with less than four minutes left to play. With its win Marquette punched itself a ticket to take on Pitt in semi final action which resumes Friday night at MSG. Marquette won its last meeting with the Panthers and realizes that further solid play from its deep back court could be enough to capture another victory over Pittsburgh, which would earn the Golden Eagles a trip to the Championship game.

3/13

Houston Has No Problem

The Houston Rockets have launched their way into the record books, becoming only the fourth team in NBA History to win 19 straight games. The Rockets are the hottest team on the planet, being led by All-Star small forward Tracy McGrady. To the surprise of many, Houston has continued its winning ways even after its Great Wall of China, Yao Ming, went down with a season ending foot injury last month. The Rockets were left with big shoes to fill after the NBA’s most skilled and productive center went out of commission for the year. Houston has had no problem, climbing to the top of the West behind the astronomical play of McGrady’s crew members Carl Landry, Louis Scola, Rafer Alston, and the ageless one, Dikembe Mutombo. The Rockets look to continue their brilliant play and two step their way deep into the playoffs.

3/11

Mountaineers Climb Their Way to Victory

West Virginia earned itself a trip to the Big East Semi Finals after taking a big bite out of UCONN behind the fabulous play of Joe Alexander who poured in 34 points in his team’s 78-72 victory. Alexander has shined in the spotlight of New York City and has earned himself the name Broadway Joe thus far, leading his Mountaineers with huge numbers on the biggest stage at Madison Square Garden. West Virginia earned itself a date with the Hoyas after its win over the Huskies. The Mountaineers will be looking for some revenge, as they last lost a heart breaker to Georgetown due to a missed call as time expired.


3/13

New KIDD on the Block

The addition of future hall of fame point guard Jason Kidd has granted the Dallas Mavericks everything they had hoped for. Kidd has provided leadership on the court, being a mastermind with the ball in his hands. It is obvious that Mark Cuban and the Mavs understood that Kidd could provide the stardom that they needed at the point guard position in order to further compete with the likes of the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons. Not to say that Devin Harris did not fulfill his role in Dallas, but Kidd simply makes the game of basketball fun and easy for his teammates every time he steps on the court. ALL-STAR forward Dirk Nowitzki is loving the addition of Jason Kidd, as the former Net has increased his new teammates scoring average by feeding Dirk the Rock. Most importantly, Kidd has helped bring consistency to the most important position on the floor, as well as more wins for Dallas.

3/13

Panthers Prevail in OT

The Pittsburgh Panthers showed great resiliency down in overtime to oust the second seeded Louisville Cardinal in the quarter finals of Big East Tournament play, 76-69. A valiant effort by the back court tandem of Levance Fields and Selvon Young, as well as great play by freshman forward Dewan Blair propelled the Panthers to claw its way to another win at Madison Square Garden. Pittsburgh has certainly solidified a spot in the field of 64 and now is playing not only to advance its seeding in the NCAA tournament, but to win yet another Big East Championship. March has certainly been a month in which the Panthers have feasted in the past few years thanks to a tenacious defense and consistent play on the offensive end.

3/13

Top DAWGS

The Georgia Bull Dogs are now dancing, punching their ticket to the NCAA tournament after capturing the SEC Championship on Sunday. Georgia, a team who had only won four conference games all season, capped off an unbelievable run including four wins in four days after beating Arkansas 66-57 on the SEC’s biggest stage. Being victorious in four straight games is a tough feat in the midst of the parody in college basketball. Winning four consecutive games in the SEC tournament is utterly remarkable. Ironically, Georgia would not have been invited to the NIT, let alone the Big Dance as of a week ago. However, the Bull Dogs clearly desired to continue their season with post season play, as the team’s hard work, dedication, and solid play produced great dividends. Clearly, Georgia has instantly turned their season from disappointment to success. The Bull Dogs are now playing with a swagger and confidence, as they have been big bark and all bite, leaving opponents feeling that they “Don’t want to mess with these Dawgs!” Will this Cinderella story continue, only time will tell whether Georgia fights their way toward basketball prominence in San Antonio.

3/16

The Big Disappointment?

The Phoenix Suns have been anything but hot since acquiring Shaquille O’Neal from the Miami Heat. GM Steve Kerr and Head Coach Mike Dantoni had hoped that the Big Aristotle would have provided the Suns with the spark that would propel Phoenix over the top and into the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, the only thing that this Aristotle has done is make the world question a block buster trade. It is evident that O’Neal, arguably the most dominating big man to ever play the game, has hit the wall that all great players eventually run into—AGE. After three rings with the Lakers and another in Miami, Shaq may think about retiring after this season. However, the Suns have been dragged down by the weight of their massive center, going from one of the top positions in the West to the bottom echelon of the playoff picture. Clearly, the only thing that Shaq has been lately is a big disappointment. One question looms over the basketball world, especially those in Phoenix. How much longer will O’Neal see court time before Kerr and the Suns pull the plug on the aging one? What seemed to be a move that would bring Phoenix a title has become a desert disaster. Time is running out before the Sun goes down on Phoenix, as this season’s Western Conference is much too deep and can extinguish any team from the playoff picture.

3/13

The HEAT Is OFF in Miami

The Miami Heat officially mailed in their season Monday Night with the announcement that All-Star Guard, Dwayne Wade will sit out the remaining 20 games of the season to rest an ailing knee. Miami sits at an NBA worst 11-51 and definitely will not even reach the twenty win mark now that Wade is gone for the year. There is no doubt that Pat Riley’s Heat is strictly playing for Ping Pong Balls in hopes of winning the lottery and acquiring the number one pick in the draft come July. It is hard to believe that Miami is only a year and a half removed from an NBA title. Who ever thought that D-Wade’s team from South Beach could be so cold for so long. Miami fans have to be wondering if a disastrous season like this can be overcome next year. Michael Beasley is awesome there is no doubt about that, maybe acquiring a talent like B-Easy might be enough to eventually defrost the frozen Heat in Miami.

The SAINTS are MARCHing On

The Slipper Fit the Saints Friday Night, as Siena Danced its Way to the second round of the NCAA Tournament behind outstanding play by Kenny Hasbrouck who cashed in 30 points and the leadership of senior guard Tay Fisher, who netted 19 points in route to a blowout victory over #4 seeded Vanderbilt. With Siena’s season on the line, first team all-MAAC junior guard Kenny Hasbrouck led the Saints along with captain Tay Fisher who shot his way into the spotlight, drilling six threes to lead his Saints to a runaway victory over the Commodores 83-62. Fisher was the spark plug and X Factor which ignited Siena, earning the team a trip to the second round. Although a small mid major school, the Cinderella story for Siena may be far from over, as the Saints upset the nationally ranked Stanford Cardinal and a solid Boise State Bronco club earlier this year. A season of dreams is unfolding into a story book ending for the Saints who continue to play Cinderella as the Saints marched one step closer toward basketball immortality.

The Saints are Marching In

The Slipper Fit the Saints Monday Night, as Siena Danced its Way into the NCAA Tournament behind the leadership of senior guard and birthday boy, Tay Fisher, who netted 21 points in route to a MAAC Tournament Championship in Albany, New York. After little court action in the first two games and Siena’s season on the line, captain Tay Fisher shot his way into the spotlight, drilling six threes to lead his Saints to a runaway victory over conference foe Rider, 74-53. Fisher was the spark and X Factor which ignited Siena, earning the team its fourth trip to the Big Dance. Although a small mid major school, the Cinderella story for Siena may be far from over, as the Saints upset the nationally ranked Stanford Cardinal and a solid Boise State Bronco club earlier this year. A season of dreams is unfolding into a story book ending for the Saints who cut down the nets and get one step closer toward basketball immortality.

3/10