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Late Night Snacks: Mid-major tournament upsets litter college hoops landscape

Michael White

Louisiana Tech coach Michael White react as his team lose to UTSA during the second half of a Western Athletic Conference tournament NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, March 14, 2013 in Las Vegas. UTSA won 73-67. (AP Photo/David Becker)

AP

Game of the Day: Oklahoma State 74, Baylor 72

This one didn’t look like a candidate for this spot in the first half, as the Cowboys were in firm command and led 42-24 at the half. But Travis Ford’s team didn’t retain control of the game, and the end result was Baylor’s Pierre Jackson getting one last shot for the win. Jackson scored 24 of his 31 points in the second half to get Baylor back into the game, but if anything the result is a microcosm of the season for the Bears. Scott Drew’s team will in all likelihood end up in the NIT, while Oklahoma State advances to take on Kansas State in the Big 12 semifinals.

Important Outcomes

1. Illinois 51, Minnesota 49

Brandon Paul’s jumper as time expired proved to be the difference in a game the Fighting Illini looked to be in control of for much of the first half. John Groce’s team will hear its name called on Sunday, regardless of what happens against Indiana on Friday afternoon. Poor offensive execution and early foul trouble (and Tubby Smith’s refusal to play either Trevor Mbakwe or Austin Hollins with two fouls) put Minnesota in a tough spot, and they don’t have the look of a team that will be around very long next week.

2. Iowa State 73, Oklahoma 66

Will Clyburn sparked a 12-0 second half run the Cyclones needed in order to avoid possibly landing squarely on the NCAA tournament bubble. Clyburn finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, and forward Melvin Ejim led ISU with 23 points and 12 rebounds. The victory gives Iowa State one more shot at Kansas, who beat them twice during the regular season (with the loss in Ames being a controversial one). Is Iowa State in? Only the selection committee knows for sure but Thursday’s result certainly doesn’t hurt.

3. Utah 79, California 69 (OT)

While the victory is certainly a good one for Larry Krystkowiak’s Utes the concern is what this defeat does to Cal’s resume. At 20-11 on the season the Golden Bears do have five RPI Top 50 wins to their credit according to warrennolan.com, but the loss to Utah is their first to a team ranked outside of the Top 100 this season. If anything this could be more of an issue from a seeding standpoint rather than whether or not Cal will get into the NCAA tournament. But if they’re going to be successful next weekend, the Golden Bears need a third scoring option to emerge alongside Justin Cobbs (26 points) and Allen Crabbe (21).

Starred

1. G Olivier Hanlan (Boston College)

The ACC Rookie of the Year went off in the Eagles’ 84-64 win over Georgia Tech, scoring 41 points and grabbing five rebounds. At one point Hanlan made 12 consecutive field goals, and his point total sets an ACC tournament record for points in a game by a freshman.

2. F Chris Evans (Kent State)

Evans accounted for 25 points (10-of-17 FG) and 15 rebounds to lead the Golden Flashes past Buffalo, 70-68, in a MAC quarterfinal.

3. G Pierria Henry (Charlotte)

The 49ers won the wildest game of the day 68-63 over Richmond, and without Henry they wouldn’t have been in position to take advantage of the Spiders’ meltdown. Henry finished the game with 28 points (8-of-14 FG), 12 rebounds, four assists and no turnovers.

Struggled

1. G Sean Kilpatrick (Cincinnati)

Kilpatrick shot 2-of-12 from the field (0-of-8 3PT), scoring just four points in the Bearcats’ 62-43 loss to No. 5 Georgetown in a Big East tournament quarterfinal.

2. F Rodney Williams (Minnesota)

Five points (2-of-7 FG), two rebounds and four turnovers in the Golden Gophers’ 51-49 loss to Illinois in a Big Ten tournament quarterfinal.

3. G Darrun Hilliard and G Ryan Arcidiacono (Villanova)

Hilliard and Arcidiacono struggled against the Louisville pressure, combining for ten points (4-of-14 FG), five assists (three by Hilliard) and ten turnovers (Hilliard- 7) in the 74-55 defeat.

Three Facts

1. There were a number of mid-major favorites that met their demise on Thursday, including WAC co-champions Louisiana Tech and Denver, and in the MEAC none of the top four seeds reached the semifinals.

2. Both UCLA and Arizona advanced on Thursday, meaning that the Wildcats get a third shot at the Bruins this season. UCLA swept the season series, and if Arizona is to have a shot at winning Friday night they need to defend as they did in the first half of their win over Colorado.

3. Villanova struggled mightily against Louisville’s pressure defense, turning the ball over 24 times in their 74-55 loss to No. 4 Louisville. By head coach Rick Pitino’s estimation the Cardinals tallied 58 deflections, and if they can continue to play that well defensively Louisville may repeat as Big East tournament champions. Russ Smith, playing with a heavy heart following the passing of his high school coach, scored a game-high 28 points.

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