Page 2661 of 2957

Boy, it really looked like G-Town was going down. After back-to-back-to-back dumb fouls (with the lead!) by the Hoyas, Vanderbilt jumped ahead by one point with 0:16 on the clock. During the three previous possessions, Georgetown (for some reason) refused to get the ball to Big East POY Jeff Green, instead electing to take off the dribble jumpers. But on the last possession, they got the ball to Green in the post and he delivered. He got away with a travel, but he delivered.

Florida outlasted a tough Butler squad. They continue to find ways to win down the stretch, but they don’t utilize Al Horford enough. If everyone declares for the draft, I think Horford is the third best prospect after Greg Oden and Kevin Durant.

Man, the Buckeyes just keep playing with fire. Down 20 in the first half, they stormed back early in the second and were able to sneak past the Volunteers to advance to the Elite Eight. You have to like the “sticktoitiveness” they’ve shown over the last two games, but if they get down big against Georgetown, Florida or Kansas, it’s doubtful that those teams will let them back in the game.

Two other top seeds – #1 Kansas and #2 Memphis – dodged bullets as well. If not for two blown (moderately contested) layups by Texas A&M, the Aggies would be facing the Buckeyes on Saturday. I thought this would be a 8-10 point win for A&M, but the Tigers showed some poise in crunch time despite having a regular season schedule where only six games were decided by fewer than 10 points.

Southern Illinois gave Kansas a great run, and it just goes to show how a stout defense will keep you in games. Hats off to Chris Lowery, who will probably get a few job offers after his team’s march into the Sweet Sixteen.