NCAA 2010 Conference Tournaments: Four Up, Four Down

We are a little over two hours away from the Memphis-Houston game, in order to get you guys and gals ready for the day’s action in college basketball, here’s my four up and four down from yesterday’s games.

FOUR UP

For a school that has yet to win an NCAA Tournament game and has finished in the cellar of the Big 12, the Nebraska Cornhuskers had nothing to play for but pride on Wednesday afternoon. With that pride, the Cornhuskers pulled off the first big upset of March Madness, beating Missouri 75-60

Cincinnati, which only has a silver of a chance to make the field of 65, defeated Louisville 69-66 and advances to face Bob Huggins and West Virginia.

Yancey Gates scored 16 points in the win for the Bearcats.

The Marquette Golden pulled off yet another tough one.The Golden Eagles defeated a spirited St. John’s squad to advance against 4th-seeded Villanova.

Did anyone see the Big Sky final? Anthony Johnson scored 34 of his career-high 42 points to help the Grizzlies return to the Big Dance for the first time since 2006. His 42 points are the ninth highest in any tournament championship game since 1996-97.

FOUR DOWN

There is no doubt in my mind Missouri looked lifeless against the Cornhuskers. Even though they’re going to make the NCAA Tournament, they could be in for a short trip away from Columbia.

The Pac-10 has an actual play-in game in which Oregon and Washington State played in. With the Ducks winning over Washington St., it gives them a chance to face top-seeded Cal today.

Despite the fact Tulsa won last night, they looked vulnerable with a capital V. If the Golden Hurricane had lost to the Rice Owls, Doug Wojick and his family would be in the witness protection program.

Louisville’s loss to Cincinnati, four days after their win over No. 1 Syracuse, has not only made people like Pat Forde mad, but me as well. You have the length and the athleticism advantage, why would you go out and lay an egg?

That’s all I have for now. Be back later with thoughts from today’s Tigers game.