Wisconsin-Davidson: Badgers Beware

Travis Bickmann — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:54:09 -0400

Many people predicted that the Davidson Wildcats would beat the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the opening round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, leading to a second round matchup with Big East powerhouse, the Georgetown Hoyas.

How many thought that David would beat Goliath for second time?

Not very many—if anyone at all—is what I would guess.

Well, it did happen again. The No. 10 Davidson Wildcats knocked off the No. 2 Hoyas in the second round, 74-70, in probably one of (if not the) biggest upsets in the tournament thus far.

Davidson was led by their sophomore stud Stephen Curry who got hot at just the right time with 30 points.

Curry was also the man that helped the Wildcats get to the second round as he literally took over the game against Gonzaga, scoring 30 of the 40 points earned in the half. He finished with 40 points total.

In the loss, the Hoyas were led by Jessie Sapp with 14 points.

Roy Hibbert was held in check due to foul trouble and finished his final game as a Hoya with six points as he fouled out of the game.

This now leads the Cinderella story into the Sweet 16 to face a tough but beatable Wisconsin Badger team.

Here's a question worth asking: Could this Davidson team be the next George Mason?

Yes! They have an excellent chance to get to the Elite Eight, and possibly the Final Four. To do this they would have to beat a tough, well-balanced Kansas Jayhawk team.

As long as you have a Stephen Curry on your team anything can happen—as Davidson proved during the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

I like Davidson in this matchup with the No. 3 seeded Badgers.

This Wisconsin team is going to have its hands full with Stephen Curry and the Davidson squad. If the Badgers take the Cats lightly, they will be in for a rude awakening.

NCAA: Texas Longhorns Outlast Miami Hurricanes

Travis Bickmann — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:05:05 -0400

It seemed as if the Texas Longhorns were going to walk their way into the Sweet 16 as they led the Miami Hurricanes by 17 with about four minutes left to play in the second half.

But a game that could have been a blow out soon turned into a close game as the Hurricanes' 19-4 run cut the Longhorn lead to two.

AJ Abrams then got fouled and went to the line where he calmly sank both free throws to put the Longhorns up by five. Miami came down and Jack McClinton, who finished with 18 points after a 38-point performance against St. Mary's (CA), hit a three to cut the lead to 74-72.

Texas then inbounded the ball to DJ Augustin, who was immediately fouled and went to the line to shoot the double bonus.

Augustin's first shot wasn't even close, as he got nothing but air. He then drained the second one to give the Longhorns a three-point lead at 75-72.

Miami threw the ball down the court only to have it stolen by Damion James. James then threw the ball down the court to let time expire, and the Longhorns advanced to their fifth Sweet 16 in seven years.

AJ Abrams again led the Longhorns (30-6) in scoring with 26 points on 7-13 shooting and 6-6 from the free throw line. DJ Augustin added 12 points and eight assists.

Damion James also had a good game, scoring 16 points and grabbing 16 boards.

The Hurricanes were led by Jack McClinton, who finished with 18 points, and Lance Hurdle who finished with 11.

With the loss, the seventh seeded Hurricanes finish their season with a record of 23-11 and 8-8 in the ACC.

No. 2 Texas will now play No. 3 Stanford. Stanford beat Marquette 82-81 in overtime on a game winning shot by Brook Lopez to advance to the Sweet 16, for a berth in the Elite Eight.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Travis Bickmann

Wisconsin-Davidson: Badgers Beware

NCAA: Texas Longhorns Outlast Miami Hurricanes