Category: College Basketball (Page 48 of 153)

UConn’s tournament resume is looking better

February 23, 2010 / John Paulsen

The Huskies still have a lot of work to do, but last night’s big win over #7 West Virginia (73-62) puts UConn at 17-11 and 7-8 in the Big East. When Jim Calhoun rejoined the team after his three-week medical leave, they were 14-10 and 4-7 in the conference. After a 12-point loss to Cincinnati in his first game back, they’ve run off three straight, including wins over #3 Villanova and #7 West Virginia.

With Monday night’s win, Joe Lunardi bumped the Huskies up to his “last four in” list. However, the NCAA committee doesn’t often take teams that are sub-.500 in conference, so UConn needs to win at least two of its last three games — vs. LOU, @ ND, @ USF — to finish at least 9-9, and none of those teams are pushovers.

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College Basketball

2010 NCAA Tournament Connecticut Huskies Jim Calhoun

#21 Pitt upends #3 Villanova, 70-65

February 21, 2010 / John Paulsen

This game was decided on Villanova’s defensive glass, as the Panther big men were just too much for the Wildcats inside. Pitt posted 18 offensive rebounds in the game, which enabled the Panthers four extra shot attempts and 18 extra free throws.

The Wildcats have a nice group of guards, and promise to make some noise come tournament time, but they’re going to have major issues when they face a big and determined front line.

College Basketball

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G-town’s furious comeback falls short

February 18, 2010 / John Paulsen

The 10th-ranked Hoyas were down 23 points in the second half against #5 Syracuse, but poor free throw shooting down the stretch (4-9 in the last 5:31) did them in. The Orangemen held on to win, 75-71.

College Basketball

2009-10 college basketball season Georgetown Hoyas Syracuse Orangemen

UConn upsets #3 Villanova

February 15, 2010 / John Paulsen

It took 29 points from Kemba Walker, but the Huskies upset the Wildcats, 84-75, in Philadelphia.

Losers of five of its last seven, UConn still has a lot of work to do, but a win on the road against Villanova sure helps their tournament chances. The Huskies are sitting at 5-8, so they really need to go 4-1 down the stretch against Rutgers, West Virginia, Louisville, Notre Dame and South Florida to get back to 9-9 in conference and 19-12 overall. (A win against the Mountaineers would really help.) Then, a couple of wins in the Big East championship would give UConn 21 wins and a reasonably solid resume for an NCAA bid.

We’ll see.

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College Basketball

2009-10 College Basketball 2009-10 college basketball season Connecticut Huskies UConn Villanova Wildcats