By CHUCKIE MAGGIO The Big 12 Conference was a gauntlet this year, as evidenced by a 7-0 start to NCAA Tournament and NIT Tournament play before No. 1 seed Baylor lost to North Carolina in the second round on Saturday. Eight of the 10 Big 12 teams rank in KenPom.com’s top 50, tied with the Big 10 for the most of any conference. Oklahoma stands 26th in that ranking, the best … [Read more...] about Bonnies travel to Big 12 country for NIT matchup against Porter Moser, Oklahoma
Cooley’s Friars use 3-pointers and stifling defense to advance to first Sweet 16 since 1997
By CHUCKIE MAGGIO BUFFALO – Noah Horchler calmly deposited Jacob Gilyard’s 3-point try into the scorer’s table, unable to contain a smile as he fixed his hair and returned to his defensive stance. The play resembled a big brother swatting his younger brother in a game of one-on-one in the driveway, only the stakes attached to this performance were far greater. The Richmond … [Read more...] about Cooley’s Friars use 3-pointers and stifling defense to advance to first Sweet 16 since 1997
Upset-minded Richmond and deep Providence squad meet with Sweet 16 on the line
By CHUCKIE MAGGIO BUFFALO – Pulling off one NCAA Tournament upset as the No. 12 seed is a difficult task. Achieving a second is even tougher, although 12s have experienced a resurgence over the last decade. No. 12 seeds are 10-13 in the second round since the 2012 Tourney, with just one of those wins occurring against a team seeded worse than fifth in their region. Most … [Read more...] about Upset-minded Richmond and deep Providence squad meet with Sweet 16 on the line
Arkansas doesn’t follow Iowa and UConn, avoids being next NCAA Tournament upset
By CHUCKIE MAGGIO BUFFALO — Eric Musselman climbed the chairs lining the Arkansas bench and posed for a few photos with the fans, his face emanating the relief that accompanies an opening round NCAA Tournament win. Not even a barking shoulder he placed in a heating pad at the postgame podium could dampen his joy after the team's performance. "Just getting the first win, it's … [Read more...] about Arkansas doesn’t follow Iowa and UConn, avoids being next NCAA Tournament upset
Second round Spiders: Richmond upsets Iowa
By CHUCKIE MAGGIO BUFFALO -- Chris Mooney remarked before Richmond’s NCAA Tournament game against Iowa that even during the losing seasons from 2017-19, despite a billboard being commissioned near his own workplace three years ago advocating for his firing, vindication never entered his mind. “I feel like it's so common, especially in sports, to worry about the doubters,” … [Read more...] about Second round Spiders: Richmond upsets Iowa