Ah, the promise of a new day! How great thou art! My Siena is an awesome Siena.
OK, enough of the platitudes. Let's get down to hoops. We start off with what should be the most competitive block of games....American vs. Tennessee, Gonzaga vs. Davidson, St. Mary’s vs. Miami, and Western Kentucky vs. Drake.
We're getting started with the hip clothing store vs. the Volunteers.
Jeff Jones returns to the big time as he was 6-5 in the dance with Virginia. I didn't think he was a bad coach at all and got a raw deal in Charlottesville.
And we're off!
Tyler Smith gets open easily and starts the ball rolling for UT.
Tennessee is the broadband connection vs. American's DSL. The Eagles are playing smart but look outmatched athletically. However, UT does go into brain-lock mode—the Birds have to take advantage.
Cornelio Giubunda nearly matches his scoring average with a basket for American.
Smith gets open down low again. Knotted at 4.
American has used floaters effectively to outscore Tyler Smith and have rebounded fairly well. They're up 6-5 with the under-16 mark.
Zags go up early 2-0.
Bruce Pearl wants to talk it over. American is playing with a lot of early confidence. We may see another 2-15 barnburner.
But for the moment, us here in the Bluegrass will not as we kick it over to Drake/Western Kentucky. Seven seniors are starting this game. A rare sight in this day and age.
Jason Evans continues his hot play with a thunder dunk for Western. He reminds me a lot of Perry Stevenson for Kentucky.
Adam Emmenecker eschews the trey for a drive and gets hacked. You won't see him spot up for the bonus shot.
Crisp passing by the Toppers and they're up 6-2.
St. Mary's is off to a strong start over the 'Canes, 9-2.
Kyle Korver's brother drains a three for Drake then takes the charge. He will then take off with Demi and the kids to Turks and Caicos.
Drake 15-10, St. Mary's 9-7, Tenn 18-15, Zags 20-15.
If a Korver can't shoot the three, is he disowned?
Steven Gray is on fire for Gonzaga with a dozen already. He's one of the few Zags players I hadn't heard of. Shades of '99 perhaps?
American is owning the glass but turning the ball over rapidly.
Nobody can shoot in the Canes-Gaels matchup which resembles a grey drizzle so far.
OK, Evans has a much more defined offensive game than Stevenson. 20s in Tampa.
This is a fun game to watch. Both teams have athleticism and smarts. It wouldn't surprise me if either is still playing next week. (BTW, Drake is a Sweet 16 pick in my bracket.)
Tennessee up by seven at the half, St. Mary's riding Patty Mills to a short lead, Western with a bucket advantage over Drake, Zags up by five over Davidson.
Courtney Lee tries to take it coast to coast and into Chicago but gets stopped with a charge in Gary, Indiana. Four Toppers have two fouls.
No free throws for Western yet. Drake is living on the line at 12-for-14.
Gonzaga up by five at the half.
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