By Anthony Weihofen
Now that we are in the middle of February one of the biggest topics in sports will be preparing for the NCAA March Madness Tournament. It becomes a battle of not just who has more talent, but who can handle the pressure of single-game elimination and fighting off the wild and loud taunts of fans and student sections in the crowd.
Elias Harris
By Michael Almonte
Is the 2012-2013 season the year the Gonzaga Bulldogs finally reach the Final Four after so many close calls the past several years? The run for Gonzaga started back in 1999 when they made an incredible run to the Elite Eight losing to eventual champion Connecticut 67-62 in a very close battle. They have made the tournament each season, yet 1999 remains the only year they have been so close. They have a tournament record of 17-15 and last reached the Sweet 16 in 2009 losing to the eventual champions once again in North Carolina.
By Michael Almonte
There are three games left in the college basketball season as all eyes will be on the Superdome this weekend when the Final Four takes place setting the stage for a new champion to be crowned.
The last four squads Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio St. and Kansas have endured a tough season and overcame all those challenges to be making the journey to New Orleans. Going into the weekend, the Wildcats are the prohibited favorites to be cutting down the nets next Monday night and have their One Shining Moment. The other three teams will look to spoil Kentucky’s championship plans and leave their mark on the 2012 college basketball season.
Terrence Jones; Credits Getty Images
By Chris Ramirez
Atlanta, GA – For the second straight year, the Kentucky Wildcats are headed to the Final Four. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 17 of his 19 points in in the first half to a Kentucky 82-70 win over the Baylor Bears in the South Regional finals of the NCAA Tournament.
Sunday’s victory did come with a scare for Kentucky as Anthony Davis injured his left knee on a collision early in the second half. After a brief stay on the bench, during which he received treatment, Davis checked back into the game and wound up finishing with 18 points, 11 rebounds, six blocks and two steals. Doron Lamb supplied 14 points and Terrence Jones posted 12 points with nine rebounds, six assists and three blocks for the Wildcats.
Tyshawn Taylor; Credit AP
By Chris Ramirez
St. Louis, MO – Tyshawn Taylor poured in a game-high 22 points and the Jayhawks scored 12 unanswered points before time expired to secure their trip to New Orleans with an 80-67 victory over North Carolina in the Midwest Regional final on Sunday.
All of KU’s starters finished in double-figures, including 18 points from Thomas Robinson to go with nine rebounds and 15 points from Jeff Withey, who also supplied eight boards and three blocks, two of which came in the final minutes and helped prevent a final UNC run. Travis Releford and Elijah Johnson netted 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Jayhawks.
Jared Sullinger and William Buford; Credits AP
By Chris Ramirez
Jared Sullinger scored 19 points and pulled down seven rebounds, to lead the Buckeyes over Syracuse by the score of 77-70, in the East Regional final of the NCAA Tournament. Lenzelle Smith Jr., who had three stitches to close a cut near his right eye early in the first half, scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half to help the victorious Buckeyes.
Brandon Triche had 15 points and Scoop Jardine added 14 for Syracuse. Ohio State went 31- 42 at the foul line, compared to 20-25 for Syracuse. Deshaun Thomas hit a layup to cap eight straight Ohio State points for a 41-33 difference with 15 1/2 minutes left. Smith’s 1-of-2 effort
