By Paul Gotham BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Shabazz Napier managed just five points in the first 20 minutes of Thursday's NCAA Tournament second round matchup at the First Niagara Center. UConn's senior guard netted nine of his game-high 24 points in five minutes of overtime as the No. 7 seed Huskies came from behind and defeated the No. 10 seed Saint Joseph's Hawks 89-81 to advance … [Read more...] about Napier and UConn use overtime to defeat St. Joseph’s
Villanova Wildcats
Which Team From The South Will Try On The Slipper?
By Paul Gotham It is kind of hard to imagine that a region with three Big East teams (Villanova, Louisville, and Notre Dame) and two teams from the Big 12 (Baylor and Texas A&M) could have the makings for a Cinderella run. Especially, when one looks at the fact that Baylor and A&M have the chance to play third and fourth round games in Houston. Still, Cinderella … [Read more...] about Which Team From The South Will Try On The Slipper?
Personal Fouls and the Sliding Fortunes of the Villanova Wildcats
By Paul Gotham Thirty-three days ago, Jay Wright's Villanova Wildcats dispatched the Seton Hall Pirates, 81-71. A No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament dangled in front of the denizens of Philly. Only days prior, they easily defeated Notre Dame. Analysts praised Wright and pointed to a deep bench that the ninth-year coach deftly deployed to his team's advantage. … [Read more...] about Personal Fouls and the Sliding Fortunes of the Villanova Wildcats
Burning Questions For This Final Weekend of Regular Season Play
By Paul Gotham In less than 48 hours, we will be fully immersed in conference tournaments. As the regular season of college basketball ends, here is a smattering of questions to consider. 1. Does Jim Boeheim have any voodoo is in his bag of tricks? Louisville is 11-4 against Syracuse, including a Cardinal win less than a month ago. Rick Pitino seems to have a hex on his … [Read more...] about Burning Questions For This Final Weekend of Regular Season Play
West Virginia-Villanova: Tale Of The Tape
By Paul Gotham Setting: West Virginia and Villanova close their Big East regular seasons at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia Center when Bob Huggins brings in his No. 10 Mountaineers (23-6/ 12-5) for a clash with Jay Wright's No. 8 Wildcats (24-5/ 13-4). Plot: Both of these teams have clinched byes into the Big East quarter-finals. Sub-plot: Neither of these teams … [Read more...] about West Virginia-Villanova: Tale Of The Tape