Faculty basketball's showcase month heads into earnest Saturday with a powerful slate that includes a handful of video games pitting AP High 25 groups. There's a showdown for first place within the SEC, a battle between Jap powerhouses making an attempt to enhance their NCAA event standings and a few video games with main bubble implications.
Right here's a take a look at essentially the most thrilling video games left in March's opening weekend. All occasions listed are Jap.
With a lot of final 12 months's Candy 16 crew returning and a powerful freshman class able to contribute, this was purported to be Michigan State coach Tom Izzo's finest remaining likelihood to win his elusive second nationwide title. As a substitute, the Spartans' prime 5 within the preseason have upset so badly that they're not even a surefire NCAA Match crew. A win at Mackey Enviornment would probably eradicate any doubt, however Purdue isn't simply handing them out. If Michigan State loses, it can fall to 17-12 general and .500 within the Huge Ten, with regular-season contests remaining at house towards Northwestern and at Indiana.
On one facet is Alabama, 12-Three within the SEC due to the highest-scoring, fastest-paced offense in faculty basketball. On the opposite facet is Tennessee, additionally 12-Three within the SEC, however fueled by the dynamic Dalton Knecht and a bodily, defense-oriented strategy. At stake is the possibility to take management of the league title race – and extra. Tennessee is among the many groups vying for the ultimate No. 1 seed within the NCAA Match, together with projected prime three Purdue, Houston and UConn. Alabama nonetheless has hopes of a No. 2 seed. It additionally must show its protection is competent sufficient to make a run to the Last 4.
No. 23 Gonzaga at No. 17 St. Mary's, 10 p.m. (ESPN2)
Whereas Saint Mary's already clinched the WCC title with Thursday night time's win over Pepperdine, this sport nonetheless has huge implications for Gonzaga. The Zags probably have to win in Moraga to keep away from the WCC Match, needing to safe the automated bid to increase an NCAA bid streak courting again to 1999. Robust pc numbers and an enormous February street win at Kentucky l- they lifted Gonzaga general. rivalry, however the Zags have little room for error. They’re nonetheless simply 2-5 in Quad 1 video games and Four-6 towards the highest two quadrants.
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The large second is altering in Pullman.
UCLA leads Washington State 58-55 after erasing an Eight-point halftime deficit.
Lower than Eight minutes of play.
In the meantime, No. 1 Houston is getting all it could possibly out of Oklahoma.
Sooners lead 29-28, finish of first half.
The Spartans are taking part in impressed to date at Purdue, main 26-19.
A fast take a look at the highest 25 scores in motion. No. 2 Purdue on the early upset clock vs. MSU
Tennessee jumped out to an early 9-5 lead over Alabama, turning protection into offense:
One other enjoyable end as FIU's Javaunte Hawkins drills powerful jumper to beat Western Kentucky
Wazzu turned issues round in Pullman, ending the half with a 27-9 run.
This one wasn't shut and should have an effect on Virginia's place within the event. The Hoos are firmly on the bubble with only one sport left within the common season. They might want to put in some work within the ACC event to succeed.
The Cougars have settled down a bit in Pullman. They only took the lead for the primary time within the sport at 32-30 with underneath Three minutes left within the first half.
Huge win tonight for Iowa, who’re a bubble crew and have been in determined want of a top quality win.
Iowa retains its general hopes alive with an enormous win at Northwestern. The Hawkeyes have gained 4 of 5 and have an enormous alternative subsequent weekend at house towards Illinois.
UCLA obtained off to a quick begin in Pullman, taking an 11-2 lead over No. 19 Washington State.
No. 10 Duke leads Virginia 40-18 at halftime because the Blue Devils surrender the fewest factors in a primary half all season.
It's additionally Virginia's largest halftime deficit in 15 years because the Cavaliers look to solidify their event standing. Getting into Saturday, Virginia was a consensus No. 1 seed. 10 within the Bracket Matrix.
Duke's Kyle Filipowski has 15 factors. Virginia shoots 6 of 26 from the sector.
Halftime Replace: Duke 40, Virginia 18
Issues are nonetheless not going nicely for the Hoos. Now they have been up 25 factors with Four minutes left within the half and confirmed no semblance of offense.
Tony Bennett would possibly retire at halftime from this one.
No. 10 Duke is throughout Virginia early in Durham.
The Blue Devils lead 21-9 on the underneath 12 timeout. Kyle Filipowski has as many factors because the Cavaliers. Filipowski is taking part in in his second sport after struggling a knee harm throughout a tough one at Wake Forest.
Duke is Eight-10 from the sector to date.
FINAL: Iowa State 60, UCF 52
No. Eight Iowa State survives on the street at UCF. The Knights shot an abysmal 1-of-19 from Three-point vary because the Cyclones went on an 11-2 run to shut issues out.
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FINAL: UNC 79, NC State 70
Going into halftime, No. 9 North Carolina outscored NC State 42-25 within the second half to tug away from its in-state rival. Harrison Ingram's 22 factors led the best way for the ACC-leading Tar Heels.
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USC edges Washington due to Collier's profession day
USC's solely hope for an NCAA bid is a run by means of the Pac-12 event, but it surely's good to see Isaiah Collier wholesome and taking part in like he's able to taking part in. He finishes USC's win over Washington with a career-high 31 factors.
Yahoo Sports activities' Krysten Peek caught up with him earlier this week in regards to the challenges he and the Trojans have confronted this season:
USC freshman star Isaiah Collier follows by means of with a profession day towards Washington.