“I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cow bell!” It’s time to #GIDDYUP!
#16 WKU (16-18, 7-9 SBC) VS. #1 KENTUCKY (32-2, 16-0 SEC) 2012 NCAA TOURNAMENT — SECOND ROUND
The Hilltoppers and the Wildcats have not played since 2001, but the two have met twice in the NCAA Tournament over the years, once of which was a 107-83 WKU win in the 1971 Mideast regional semifi nals en route to the Final Four. WKU has lost three times to a one-seed in the tournament, most recently to UCLA in the 2008 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, and the Hilltoppers are 0-6 all-time against the country’s number-one team in the polls. The Hilltoppers have already played a game in the KFC Yum! Center once this season, losing a 10-point decision to fourth-ranked Louisville on December 23 in a game that WKU led by as many as 13 at one point and again as late as 7:58 left in the game.
WKU Hilltoppers Kentucky Wildcats
2010-11 Record: 16-16 (8-8 SBC) 29-9 (10-6 SEC)
Coach: Ray Harper John Calipari
Career Record (Year): 353-70 (13th) 499-152 (20th)
Record at School (Year): 11-7 (1st) 96-14 (3rd)
Leading Scorer: Derrick Gordon (11.8) Anthony Davis (14.3)
Leading Rebounder: Derrick Gordon (6.8) Anthony Davis (10.0)
Leading Assists: Jamal Crook (2.7) Marquis Teague (4.8)
Series Record: Kentucky leads 3-2 (last meeting: 11/15/01, WKU 64-52)
#5 Wichita State Shockers (27-5) vs. #12 Virginia Commonwealth (28-6) South Region | Second Round | Portland, Ore. | Rose Garden Arena
Wichita State lost a 68-67 Bracketbusters game to VCU on Feb. 18, 2011 to even the series record to 1-1. VCU had previosu played in Wichita during a holiday tournament in the 1990s. In the most recent match-up, Joe Ragland had 15 points and Ben Smith had 11 in the loss a year ago. WSU returns the Bracketbuster game at VCU next November. Marshall is 0-1 against VCU as a head coach.
VCU is making its 11th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history and fourth in the past six years. This is the first back-to-back tourney appearances for the Rams since 1983-85, when VCU made three straight appearances in “The Big Dance.”
No. 7 Gonzaga (25-6/13-3 WEST COAST Conference) vs.No. 10 Seed West Virginia Mountaineers (19-13; 9-9 BIG EAST Conference)
While Gonzaga and West Virginia University have never played on the hardwood, the Zags have played a Bob Huggins-coached squad twice. The first came in 2000 when the Bulldogs faced the University of Cincinnati and National Player of the Year Kenyon Martin in the Rock-N-Roll Shootout in Cleveland, Ohio, the Bearcats prevailing 75-68. The second came in 2003 when the No. 9 seeded Bulldogs stopped the No. 8 seeded Bearcats 74-69 in a game Huggins wasn’t around to see the end of after being ejected with a pair of technical fouls with 16:17 remaining.
[3] Baylor (27-7) vs. [14] South Dakota State (27-7)
Baylor and South Dakota State, the automatic qualifier from The Summit League, will meet for the first time. Baylor is 8-4 all-time against current Summit League teams.
IOWA STATE (22-10, 12-6) VS. CONNECTICUT (20-13, 8-10)
Today marks the fi rst all-time meeting between Iowa State and UCONN. The two squads had a common opponent in Providence…the Cyclones defeated Providence, 64-54 at the South Padre Island Invitational, while the Huskies fell to the Friars 72-70 in Rhode Island. Iowa State is 6-15 all-time against Big East opposition. Iowa State is 5-0 all-time against teams from the state of Connecticut, holding a 2-0 all-time record against Central Connecticut State, 2-0 against Fairfi eld and 1-0 against Hartford…the last time the Cyclones faced a team from the Constitution State was during the 01-02 when Iowa State opened the campaign with an 83-54 win over Hartford. UCONN won the 2011 NCAA Championship…this is the fi rst time that Iowa State will take on the defending national champion in the NCAA Tournament. This marks the fi rst time Iowa State has played an active Big East member in the NCAA Tournament.
No. 13 NEW MEXICO STATE (26-9, 10-4 WAC) vs. No. 4 INDIANA (25-8, 11-7 BIG TEN)
The Aggies are 26-9 this season after winning the 2012 WAC Tournament Championship with an 82- 57 victory over Louisiana Tech, March 10 in Las Vegas, Nev. NM State has recorded the most wins in a season since the 1992-93 season. The Aggies have three players in double figures with redshirt senior Wendell McKines leading the way with 18.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Senior guard Hernst Laroche provides 12.0 points per game, and senior center Hamidu Rahman adds 10.0 points per game.
The Hoosiers enter the NCAA Tournament with a 25-8 record after a 79-71 loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament, March 9. Indiana has four players in double-digits with freshman forward Cody Zeller leading the way with 15.5 points per game. Junior forward Christian Watford and junior guard Jordan Hulls add 12.0 and 11.5 points per contest, respectively. Additionally, sophomore guard Victor Oladipo contributes 10.9 points per game. This is the second meeting between the Aggies and Hoosiers. Indiana won the first meeting, 74-68, in Bloomington, Ind., Dec. 7, 1961.
No. 2 Ohio State (27-7/13-6 Big Ten) vs. No. 15 Loyola University Maryland (2408/13-5 MAAC)
Loyola and Ohio State will meet for the first time when they take the court Thursday. The Greyhounds are 2-8 all-time against Big 10 schools. The last time Loyola met a team from the conference, it defeated Indiana University, 72-67, on December 22, 2010, in Bloomington.
Why aren’t the Jackrabbits in your title?? Gotta root for any team nicknamed the Jackrabbits.
Thanks to Baylor, this might be the first time I have to wear my sunglasses while watching the TV.
If VCU beats Wichita State – is it considered an upset?
I don’t think it is.
What? I see Jackrabbits. Hahaha.
Can Gonzaga avoid the trap of fool’s gold?
Oh snap..
That was sneaky.
Who is this guy from S. Dakota, Nate Wolters? This guy can score!!!
You have to think Coach Few is reminding his Zags of the last couple of nights. I think they won’t fall for it.