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Late Night Snacks: Teams do harm to NCAA tournament resumes on Super Bowl Sunday

Austin Hollins, Kendal Shell

Minnesota’s Austin Hollins, right, celebrates with Kendal Shell after defeating Iowa 62-59 in an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013 in Minneapolis. Hollins led Minnesota, scoring with 17 points. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

AP

Game of the Day: No. 23 Minnesota 62, Iowa 59

The Golden Gophers found a way to win at home, as Austin Hollins’ three-pointer with 11.6 seconds remaining gave Minnesota a 60-59 lead. Two things that stand out from this one: Iowa allowing a needed resume-building win slip from their grasp and the lack of production from Minnesota’s bench. On the first point, Fran McCaffery’s team is now 3-6 in Big Ten play, and losing contact with the top half of the conference is a major issue for the Hawkeyes in their quest to get into the NCAA tournament discussion. As for Minnesota’s reserves, who didn’t even attempt a shot much less score, someone has to step up this month despite Tubby Smith’s desire to lean on his starters for production if they’re to have a shot at knocking off No. 13 Michigan State on Wednesday night.

Important Outcomes

1. Georgia Tech 66, Virginia 60

The Cavaliers have done themselves no favors when it comes to their NCAA tournament resume. While Tony Bennett’s team has some good wins they also have stunning losses that will not help their cause, and this one can be added to the list. Virginia led 57-48 with 8:12 remaining but scored just three points the rest of the way, and the Yellow Jackets took advantage with a game-ending 18-3 run. Mfon Udofia scored 15 points to lead the way with Robert Carter Jr. and Chris Bolden scoring 14 apiece for Georgia Tech. Joe Harris led all scorers with 18 points.

2. Providence 55, Villanova 52

Jay Wright’s team has two wins over Top 5 teams on their resume, and now they’ve also got a season sweep at the hands of Providence. Bryce Cotton’s three-pointer with just over two seconds remaining proved to be the difference, with the Friars avoiding an epic collapse after leading by nine with two minutes remaining. Cotton finished with 18 points and six rebounds and Josh Fortune added 15 on five three-pointers. Darrun Hilliard shot 3-of-13 from the field but still managed to score 17 points (10-of-10 FT) to lead Villanova.

3. Wisconsin 74, Illinois 68

John Groce brought Brandon Paul off the bench today and the move didn’t work, as Illinois’ leading scorer struggled offensively and as a team the Fighting Illini continued to have issues defensively. Wisconsin shot 55.6% in the second half and Ben Brust led three Badgers in double figures with 20 points. Illinois may have shot just 2-of-13 from beyond the arc but if they show the ability to get stops consistently their chances of winning would have improved greatly. Now 2-7 in conference play, Illinois has a lot of work to do if they’re to factor into the NCAA tournament conversation.

Starred

1) F Rhamel Brown (Manhattan)

Brown posted his fourth double-double of the season in the Jaspers’ 57-49 win over Saint Peter’s, scoring 21 points (8-of-10 FG), grabbing ten rebounds and blocking seven shots.

2) G Shabazz Napier (Connecticut)

In the Huskies’ 64-59 overtime win over South Florida the junior point guard accounted for 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.

3) F Josh Huestis (Stanford)

Huestis finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots in Stanford’s 81-73 win over Oregon State.

Struggled

1) G Brandon Paul (Illinois)

Head coach John Groce made the decision to bring Paul off the bench and Illinois’ leading scorer didn’t react well, shooting 3-of-13 from the field in a 74-68 loss to Wisconsin.

2) G Roy Devyn Marble (Iowa)

Marble went scoreless for the first time since his freshman year in the Hawkeyes’ 62-59 loss at No. 23 Minnesota, attempting just two shots in 17 minutes of action.

3) Villanova

Rough day for the Wildcats, who shot 27.5% from the field and committed 18 turnovers in their 55-52 loss to Providence.

Other Notable Happenings

1) Stanford picked up its third consecutive victory, beating Oregon State 81-73 in Palo Alto. Chasson Randle scored 20 points and Josh Huestis added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Cardinal, who have been successful in part due to their improved perimeter shooting (14-of-25 3PT on Sunday). Next up for Stanford is a trip to Arizona on Wednesday, and a win there could vault them into the Pac-12 race.

2) No. 12 Louisville closed the first half on a 37-15 run, going on to beat No. 25 Marquette 70-51. Russ Smith and Peyton Siva combined to score 32 points for the Cardinals, and as a result of Louisville’s win the top seven teams in the Big East standings are separated by just one game in the loss column.

3) Mackey McKnight scored 21 points to lead five Lehigh starters in double figures in the Mountain Hawks’ 85-76 win at Army. Lehigh remains in a tie for first place in the Patriot League with Bucknell, and with Lafayette two games back at 4-3 in the standings the two preseason favorites have some separation at the halfway point.

Raphielle also writes for the NBE Basketball Report and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.