Suns hold off Pelican for third straight

Phoenix Suns (47-31) 94

New Orleans Pelican (32-46) 88

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

With just under two minutes left in Wednesday nights match up between the Suns and Pelicans, the Pelicans led by one in a game that could be crucial in the Suns playoff race. That is when the Suns looked towards one of their best player, Eric Bledsoe, and he delivered. Bledsoe took a shot from about 18 feet out and drained it giving the Suns the one point lead they would hold on to untill the finish. After great defense on the other end of the court, the Suns forced a shot clock violation, and the Suns would score a again when Bledsoe assisted a Markieff Morris jump shot.

The game started off well for the Suns, they scored the first six points and eight of the first ten. Their offense seemed in sync and their defense managed to hold the Pelicans to only 14 in the first period of play.

The second quarter would belong to the Pelicans. They started off with a bang scoring eight straight point in the span of a little over two minutes, and made it a one point game. From their on out they managed to match the suns and keep up with them. They would even take their first lead of the game about 5 minutes in. The Pelicans looked nothing like they did in the first half, scoring 32 to the Suns 24, and cutting the halftime lead to only one point.

Tyreke Evans made a layup on the Pelicans first possession of the third quarter, immediately giving the Pelicans a lead coming out of the break. Both teams wold then go on to a four minute drought with nothing but missed shots and turnovers, until Brian Roberts finally broke the cold stretch with an 18 foot jumper that extended the Pelican lead to three. After Roberts scored, he broke the drought on both sides. The Suns would answer with three straight shots from Bledsoe, and four of their next five, and an assist on the fifth. The Suns would begin to pull away towards the end of the quarter that was capped off with a Gerald Green three pointer with two seconds to play, and went into the fourth up by 7.

Gerald Green would pick up where he left off in the third by hitting a three pointer to start off the fourth on his huge day off of the bench. Green would score the first 8 for the Suns in the fourth as they tried to hold off a good offensive showing from the Pelicans in the final quarter. The Pelicans regained the lead on a quick one minute run led by Austin Rivers that scored 7 points in 60 seconds, and put them up 81-79 with 5:30 to play. After a Gerald Green technical, the Pelicans added to their lead and it looked like they were gaining momentum.  But a Goran Dragic layup followed by a Eric Bledsoe jumper put them right back in front. And this time, the Suns would hold on to win,

The Suns were led by their top three players in Green, Dragic and Bledsoe. Dragic finished the game with 20 points and almost had a double double with 9 assists. Bledsoe scored 16 and grabbed 6 rebounds and earned 6 assists for his big day. Green was huge off of the bench scoring 21 points off of 8/14 shooting.

The Pelicans top scorer was Darius Miller who scored 14, along with 10 from Tyreke Evans in a day where they missed star Anthony Davis who was out with Back Spasms.

Dayton stuns Syracuse; Advances to Sweet 16

#11 Dayton Flyers 55

#3 Syracuse Orange 53

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

With under a minute to play in Saturdays game between Syracuse and Dayton, the Flyers led by 3. Devin Oliver threw a pass over to teammate Jordan Sibert. Sibert stood around 3 feet behind the three point arc, but was not fazed. He put up a shot, and nailed it giving Dayton a 6 point lead late in the game. The Flyers would hold on to upset the Orange, and now will head to the sweet 16.

Dayton came into the game riding a lot of momentum that they received in the previous round, where they knocked off in state rival Ohio State with a late shot. The game started off well for Dayton, they created a turnover on Syracuse’s first possession, and it led to a Khari Price three pointer on the other end. The first half would be played very defensively, with only 38 total points. The Flyers looked much better in the early stages, even jumping out to a 7 point lead, which would be the biggest of the game. Vee Sanford hit a jump shot with about a minute to go in the first, breaking an 18-18 tie before the break.

Jordan Sibert would make a three pointer early in the second half which were his first point of the game. The basket would put Dayton up by 3, but neither team could pull away. Dayton would make it a two possession game, but Syracuse would never let them lead by more than 5. The Orange would take their first lead of the game when Michael Gbinije would make a layup with about nine and a half to play. But only a few minutes later, Dayton would regain the lead, and hold on to it this time. Sibert would be the one to step up for the Flyers making plays on both defense and offense, and eventually making the three pointer that would make it a two possesion game. The Orange would bring it to within two, and had an opportunity to tie on their final possession, but Tyler Ennis’s game tying shot came off the front end of the rim winning the game for Dayton.

Jordan Sibert finished with 10 points and 4 rebounds for Dayton, with all of his points in the second half. Dyshawn Pierre was the Flyers leading scorer with 14 points, he would also pull down 6 boards. Dayton had trouble holding on to the ball, committing  16 turnovers and only getting 14 assists.

The regulars, Tyler Ennis and CJ Fair stepped up for the Orange. Ennis would lead all scorers with 19 points. Fair earned a double double with his 14 points and 10 rebounds. Fair also played well on the defensive end, earning 3 blocks and a steal. Gbinije also had a big day off of the bench with 8 points off of 4/5 shooting.

With the win, the Flyers advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 30 years.

3 Point shooting leads Michigan to Sweet 16

#7 Texas Longhorns 65

#2 Michigan Wolverines 79

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

Although they were up by 18 early on in the second half, the Michigan Wolverines allowed the Texas Longhorns to bring the game to within 6 off of an Isiah Taylor jump shot with 8 minutes left to play. The Longhorns were on a 17-3 run, and suddenly Michigan had something to worry about. But big plays down the stretch made by Jordan Morgan, Spike Albrecht and Big 10 Player of the Year Nik Stauskas helped them pull away to win.

The Wolverines let the three pointer carry them for the first half. Their first three baskets all came from beyond the arc, 2 of them from Stauskas. Many others got involved from beyond the arc, including Caris LeVert, Glenn Robinson III and even Zak Irvin off of the bench. They would open up an 18 point lead just over 10 minutes into the game, as Texas’s zone could not stop the three point barrage they were suffering from the Wolverines. The Longhorns put together a small run to make it a 12 point game, and ended the half down 13.

The second half started off just the like first for Michigan, as Derrick Walton Jr. hit a three pointer to start off the half, and would nail another minutes later. Two free throws made by Stauskas would give the Wolverines an 18 point lead just before the first media timeout. Texas would recover with a run led by Isiah Taylor and Martez Walker, and make the game close. But a three pointer by Robinson, followed by another three by Albrecht with 6 minutes to play would open it up for Michigan and they would hold on to win.

Michigan was lead by Nik Stauskas who score 17, 12 from beyond the arc, and 8 assists. Jordan Morgan had an impressive day, managing a double double with 15 points and 10 boards. Robinson and LeVert also added 14 each. The Wolverines as a team shot 14-28 from three, producing 42 points.

Texas was lead by Isiah Taylors 22 points, many of those on the Longhorns to comeback into the game. Martez Walker had a big 14 point game off of the bench, including 2 three pointers.

The Wolverines advance to play either Tennessee or Mercer in the round of 16.

Louisville dominates first AAC title game

#4 UCONN Huskies (26-8, 12-6 AAC) 61

#2 Louisville Cardinals (29-5, 15-3 AAC) 71

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Many analysts have Louisville sitting at a four or five spot in their most recent bracketology. But coach Rick Pitino and his Cardinals came in with something to prove. The Cardinals came into the game on a tear, dominating all of their previous games in the tournament. And they did not slow down against the Huskies, and the defending champs made their case for a #1 seed.

UCONN manged to keep up with the Cardinals early, and kept within 8 for nearly the entire first half. But with about 4 minutes to play, Terry Rozier and Russ Smith led the Cardinals to a 10-2 run and they would close out the half up by 14.

In the second half it would only get worse for the Huskies. The Cardinals would slowly build up their lead, and even go up by 20 at one point. Late in the game, Shabazz Napier and Niels Giffey did all they could to lead UCONN back into it, but could only manage to bring it to within 10, giving Louisville the AAC title.

Montrezl Harris led the Cardinals with 22 points on a great night as he was 9 for 14 from the field. Harris also grabbed 11 boards for the double double. AAC Tournament MVP Russ Smith added 19 points to the winning effort, and had a great defensive day as he came up with 5 steals on the night. Guard Chris Jones would also add 11.

DeAndre Daniels led the Huskies with 17 points and 10 rebounds for a double double. Shabazz Napier also had a big day as he scored 16 in the winning effort. Amida Brimah had a huge day off of the bench for the Huskies, scoring 14 on 7 for 10 shooting and pulled down 7 rebounds.

Both teams enter Sunday knowing that they will play in the NCAA tournament, only needing to know where they will play and against whom.

UCLA upsets Arizona to win PAC 12

#2 UCLA Bruins (26-8, 12-6 PAC 12) 75

#1 Arizona Wildcats (30-4, 15-3 PAC 12) 71

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

With less than a minute to go, the PAC 12 championship game was tied at 68. UCLA’s Jordan Adams caught a pass from teammate Kyle Anderson and took a shot from beyond the arc. He made it and the outnumbered UCLA crowd went crazy. In what was basically a home game for the #1 seeded Wildcats, UCLA had just taken a late lead. An Aaron Gordon air ball on the other end would give UCLA back the ball and they would hold on to win.

Although UCLA came in to the game as an underdog, they looked like the favorites early on. The 14 of the first 17 and lead for practically the entire first half. But Arizona would not go away quietly, the went on a run in the latter stages of the first half, and managed to bring it to within 3 at the half.

Arizona would come out of the half with momentum, almost immediately tying the game at 46, and then minutes late taking their first lead since the beginning of the game off of an Aaron Gordon free throw. The game would then swing back and forth with neither team stepping down. With 4 minutes to go, the game tied up a 68, and both teams got sloppy. They continuously turned the ball over to each other, and were deadlocked for 3 minutes. And then with under a minute left, Jordan hit the shot to break the deadlock and give his team the win.

Kyle Anderson led the Bruins with 21 points, and grabbed 15 boards to earn a double double and lead UCLA to the win. Adams scored 19 including the big three to win. Adams shot 50% from the field, and the same percentage from beyond the arc.

The Wildcats were led by Nick Johnson who scored 22, and grabbed 5 boards. Freshmen Aaron Gordon scored 11 points, and 8 of both rebounds and assists to help his team down the stretch. Although they lost, the Wildcats are still expected to be a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Michigan holds off the Buckeyes to advance to conference championship

#5 Ohio State Buckeyes (25-9, 10-8 Big 10) 69

#1 Michigan Wolverines (25-7, 15-3 Big 10) 72

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

With under ten seconds to go, Ohio State guard and team leader Aaron Craft rushed down the court with the ball. His team was down by 3, and needed something fast in order to tie it up, and have a chance at the Big 10 title. But as he was throwing up the last second shot, the ball slipped from his hands and was recovered by Michigan, securing a Wolverines victory.

The victory is the first for the Wolverines in a Big 10 semifinal since 1998, when they would when the title only to have it stripped from them. But this time around, the Wolverines finally advance to the tournament final, and now have a chance to win the Big 10.

The Wolverines started off with a bang, and jumped out to a 13 point lead only minutes into the game. They would dominate majority of the first half, even leading by 16 an one point. But Ohio State would not go away. Led by Aaron Craft, the Buckeyes put together a huge run and got to within four at the break

The second half started off similar to the first with Michigan extending their lead. But the Buckeyes would quickly bring it back to a one possession game. The Buckeyes would finally take their first lead of the game when Sam Thompson slammed it down with just under 8 minutes to play. Michigan would stay close and only allow Ohio State to lead by up to 3. They would regain the lead in the final 3 minutes off of two made free throws by Glenn Robinson III, and then go on a 7-1 run to end the game and advance to play state rival Michigan State in the final.

Michigan was lead by Big 10 player of the year Nik Stauskas who scored 18, including 4 three pointers and an overall of 50% shooting on the day. Caris LeVert added 17, and 8 rebounds, including a huge offensive rebound late in the game to help Michigan hold on to the win.

LaQuinton Ross led the Buckeyes with 19 points, and Craft added 9 in the losing effort. Craft also pulled in 7 boards and earned 6 assists.

With the win, the top seeded Wolverines have improved their resume to earn a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and a chance to play rival Michigan State in the Big 10 championship. The Buckeyes will certainly make the NCAA tournament, but now await Sunday to see where they end up.

Michigan holds of Indiana on senior night

Indiana Hoosiers (17-14, 7-11 Big 10) 80

Michigan Wolverines (23-7, 15-3 Big 10) 84

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN

With Michigan already having clinched the #1 seed in next weeks Big 10 tournament, and little chance of moving up to a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament, they did not have much to play for. But, if anything, they played for lone senior on the team, Jordan Morgan on senior night. Morgan came to play in his final home game scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 boards in the Wolverines win.

The Wolverines were led by Morgan, Nik Stauskas, who had 21 points coming off of his nomination for the Wooden Award, and Glenn Robinson III, who added 20. Caris LeVert would also add 13, as the Wolverines got revenge on a team that beat them earlier in the season.

Like many other games this season, the Wolverines go off to a slow start. They allowed Indiana to jump out to a huge lead, the Hoosiers were even up 10 at one point in the early first half. The Wolverines led a comeback in the late stages of the first half, even bringing it to within two. But Indiana would go on a late run and head into the break up by 6.

It only took the Wolverines a few minutes to take the lead in the second, though. Showing again that they are a totally different team in the second half than they are in the first. Michigan would go on to continuously jump out to small leads, only to have the Hoosiers fight back and bring back to a one possession game.

Indiana would manage to tie up the game in the late stages when Troy Williams stole the ball off of Stauskas and the ensuing Indiana fast break led to a Stanford Robinson jump shot to even it up at 75. But at the other side off the court, Robinson III hit a big 3 pointer from the corner and Michigan wouldn’t look back.

The Hoosiers were led by Williams 16, along with 16 from Yogi Ferrel, who also added 8 assists. With the loss, the Hoosiers will now most likely need to win the Big 10 tournament to play in the NCAA tournament.

Veterans Shine as Wizards beat Jazz

Utah Jazz (21-40) 91

Washington Wizards (32-29) 104

WASHINGTON DC-

Recent signing Drew Gooden scored 12 points for the Wizards in last nights win against the Jazz, his first double digit game since 2012. He, along with Andre Miller, who managed to get 6 assists, lead a Wizards team in the second quarter and helped give them a 10 point lead. And at the end when it came down to it, the two veterans were the ones who stepped up to help the Wizards maintain the lead.

They along with Trevor Ariza, 26 points, Bradley Beal, 22 points, and a double-double from John Wall, 14 points and 10 assists, helped lead the Wizards to their seventh win in the last 8 games. A run that has put them now 3 games over .500 and into the 5 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff seeding.

Gooden has stepped up at the right time for the Wizards. He was amnestied last summer and now has signed to a 10 day contract, and has a chance to prove why he deserves to play in this league. And he helped his case last light with his 6-7 shooting, helping the team with depth as starting PF Nene is injured.

For the Jazz, rookie Trey Burke got off to a great start, getting 10 points in the first quarter. But the Wizards defense would slow him down, and he would finish with 14. Alec Burks came off the bench to lead the Jazz with 19 points, and also finished 4 assists. Teams leading scorer for the season Gordon Hayward added 12 along with 6 assists. The Jazz have now lost 4 straight.

Michigan escapes West Lafayette with buzzer beater in OT

Michigan Wolverines (20-7, 12-3 B1G) 77

Purdue Boilermakers (15-13, 5-10 B1G) 76

WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA

With 2.9 seconds remaining to play in Wednesday’s game between the Wolverines and Boilermakers, the Wolverines where down by one with the ball. The Wolverines had just used their only timeout of the overtime period, and had to quickly do something to avoid getting upset.

The inbound pass was a cross court lob to forward Glenn Robinson III, who caught the pass, took a few dribbles before laying it in right at the buzzer. The crowd went silent and the Michigan bench erupted, as the Wolverines had manged to get out with a win.

For the Robinson family, this was an odd incident. Robinson’s father, Glenn Robinson Jr. was a former Boilermaker, and Robinson’s brother, Gelen, is a soon to be football player for Purdue.

It was a game that could have been over after the first half for Michigan, they got out to a slow start, losing by as much as 17 in the first half. They would go into the break down by 13, with a long road to coming back. They came out of the halftime break firing from all cylinders, and by the halfway point of the second, they managed to bring to a one possession game.

But Purdue wouldn’t allow them to do it without a fight. The Boilermakers started to match Michigan’s points on the other side of the court, and managed to hold on to a lead almost the entire game. But with 29 seconds to go, Michigan guard Nik Stauskas made two free throws to tie it up at 65. They would go into overtime tied at 65.

The Wolverines would take their first lead of the entire game 34 seconds into the extra period, with a Nik Stauskas dunk. The teams would go back and forth for majority of the period, neither team taking a strong lead. After a foul by Zak Irvin with 31 seconds to play, Purdues Ronnie Johnson went to the free throw line. He made two free throws and gave Purdue a late lead. After Stauskas missed a layup on the other end, Michigan was forced to foul.

Kendall Stephens went to the line with 13 seconds to play, with his team up by one. If he made two free throws, he had a chance to make it a 3 point game. But he missed it.

Jordan Morgan would grab the rebound, and the Wolverines would manage to score the game winner after a timeout.

The win puts Michigan in sole possession of first place in their conference.

Green leads Suns to OT win

Phoenix Suns (31-21) 112

Denver Nuggets (24-28) 107

DENVER, COLORADO

Suns shooting guard Gerald Green got into foul trouble early in Tuesday nights game against the Nuggets. He would sit a lot of the first half. But in the second half, he went off. He would score 27 points, including 8 in overtime, after only 9 in the first,  to help lead the Suns to a win on the road.

Goran Dragic, as always, was also a huge factor for the Suns. He added 21 points and 14 assists for a double-double.

The Nuggets were led by Evan Fournier’s 25 points, and another 21 from Kenneth Faried. Faried would finish with a double double as he grabbed 10 rebounds. But it was no enough as the Nuggets, without leading scorer Ty Lawson, would get swept in the season series with the Suns. First time they have been swept by the Suns in 9 years. The Nuggets also suffered their 5 loss in a row.