2012 NCAA Tournament: Great start for local teams
By: Raashaan Myers
The University of Louisville – The Cards 2012 tournament started out with an excellent showing vs. the Davidson Wildcats in a 69-62 win. Louisville PG Peyton Siva continued to build on his Big East tournament MVP showing last week in New York with an equally impressive 2nd round performance on Thursday afternoon. Though hampered with foul trouble in the second half Siva would total 17 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals in the victory. Louisville also got strong performances from its frontcourt tandem of Chane Behanan (14 pts and 11 rebs) and Gorgui Dieng (9 pts and 7 rebs). Next up for the Cardinals will be a tough New Mexico Lobos squad led by UCLA transfer forward Drew Gordon (13 ppg, 10 rpg). Former Indiana University all American Steve Alford coaches the Lobos and reflect the gritty Big Ten style he played under Hall of Fame coach Bobby Knight. For the Cards to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 they will have to continue their efficient work on the offensive end of the court against the stingy Lobo defense and Peyton Siva will have to continue his hot play. The Card tip off tonight at 9:40 on TBS.
The University of Kentucky – As expected the Cats had a rather easy time of it against the feisty Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky. Clearly overmatched WKU tried their best to keep pace with the #1 Wildcats but it was for not as UK would roll to an 81-66 win to open the tournament. Kentucky big man Anthony Davis was as good as advertised totaling 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 blocks to lead the strong effort with Terrence Jones (22 pts, 10 rebs) and Doron Lamb (16 pts, 4 rebs) also helping the cause. While the much anticipated matchup with UConn did not come to pass UK will have an equally stern test from the upstart Iowa State Cyclones and all-Big 12 forward Royce White (13 ppg, 10 rpg, 5 apg) and an arsenal of talented 3 points shooters. The Wildcats will need to get their always excellent defensive effort out of Davis and they will have to make sure to put a lock down on the perimeter if they want to make their way to Atlanta and the Sweet 16. Terrence Jones will also have to be a factor as well as he has seen his play step up late in the season offensively. The Cats will tip off at 7:45 on CBS.
Indiana University – The Hoosiers got a warm welcome back to the NCAA tournament with an impressive 79-66 victory over the New Mexico State Aggies. Head Coach Tom Crean has done a magnificent job getting IU back to prominence in college basketball but even more important making them a factor in March. Indiana used a balanced offensive attack to take down the Aggies with PG Jordan Hulls going for 22 points and 3 assists for the Hoosiers. Center Cody Zeller and forward Christian Watford both chipped in with 14 points apiece in the win as well. Next for Indiana will be a showdown with last year’s darling of the tournament VCU and their energetic head coach Shaka Smart. And while this year’s incarnation of the Rams does not feature two of the stars of the Final Four team they are still tough and smart on the court. IU will need to continue to feed Zeller in the paint as VCU does not have the size to compete down low and when the opportunity is there continue to knock down the 3 point shot with consistency. The Hoosiers begin play tonight at 7:15 on TBS.
Murray State University – The Racers have been talked about as the dark horse pick to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament and they got things rolling early with a dominant 58-41 win against the Colorado State Rams. Isaiah Canaan the do everything point guard for the Racers again led his team to victory with a 15 point, 7 rebound, and 2 assist performance and 2-guard Donte Poole also added 13 points in the win as well. Next up for the Racers will be Big East power Marquette in a game that may be the most entertaining of all the games this Saturday. Canaan will once again be front and center for the Racers and he will have to take his game to the next level to get the win over the #2 team in the Big East this season. Also big man Ivan Aska had an off night against CSU and he will have to have a much bigger impact on the game if Murray will want to make their way to Phoenix and the Sweet 16. The Racers and Golden Eagles will get things going at 5:15 on CBS.
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