Gonzaga Out Too Early

 Is that the last time we see Adam Morrison in a Gonzaga uniform?

*  Adam Morrison does not deserve to go out like that.  In a game Gonzaga led by 17 points in the first half, UCLA clawed back to beat the Zags, 73-71.  In my honest opinion, J.P. Batista single-handedly gave the Bruins this game.  He grabbed a rebound with about a minute left and tried to score when all he had to do was get the ball back out and run more clock.  Batista then fouled giving UCLA a chance to get within four without time running off the clock from the line.  Jordan Farmar's steal on Batista, who seemed a little careless with the ball, and pass to a wide-open Luc Richard Mbah a Moute gave the Bruins their only lead of the game with ten seconds left.  UCLA deserves credit for fighthing back to make this a game at the end, but Gonzaga should be moving on.  In ten years I will have one vision of this year's tournament and that will be of Adam Morrison sprawled out on the court in tears. 

 Kenton Paulino shoots the gamewinner over Frank Young of West Virginia with less than a second on the clock.

*  The finish ten minutes earlier in the Texas vs West Virginia game was absolutely spectacular.  Texas led the entire game, but couldn't put the Mountaineers away.  With five seconds left, West Virginia center, Kevin Pittsnoggle, hits a three that looks to be sending the game to overtime.  Think again.  Longhorns point guard, A.J. Abrams, rushes the ball up the court, quickly gets the ball to Kenton Paulino who calmly nails a three at the buzzer to give Texas the win, 74-71 and a spot vs LSU in the Elite Eight. 

 LSU freshman Garrett Temple blocks Redick's shot in the final minutes of the Tiger's upset on Thursday night.

*  Duke senior J.J. Redick (3 of 16 shooting for 11 points) was completely shut down by LSU's long and athletic 6'5 Garrett Temple.  Temple was fantastic but the Tigers' scheme was even better.  Every Tiger player jumped into passing lanes to keep Redick from the ball and as already pointed out Temple, just a freshman, was fantastic.  Another freshman for the Tigers, Tyrus Thomas, had five blocked shots and seemed to alter another ten.  Thomas also blocked a lay-up by Duke freshman Greg Paulus in the final minute and had a few big dunks to take the Duke crowd completely out of the game.  Glen Davis scored 14 points despite being in foul trouble throughout the entire game.  Duke senior Sheldon Williams had a great game with 23 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks, but Duke needed more help inside. 

 Darius Washington and Memphis move on to Saturday's Regional final vs UCLA after thumping Bradley.

*  In a game that was bound to happen, Memphis ran over Bradley, 80-64.  Memphis senior Rodney Carney scored 23 points, point guard Darius Washington 18 and freshman Shawne Williams scored 12 points, eight rebounds and had four blocks.  Bradley committed 14 first-half turnovers which led to a 35-30 Memphis lead at the break.  Bradley center Patrick O'Henry had 11 rebounds in the first half, yet only three in the second and only eight points for the game.  To have any chance at all, Bradley knew they would need a big game from O'Henry and Marcus Sommerville (18 points). 

Washington and Memphis are far removed from last year.  Washington had two free throws in the final of the Conference USA tournament vs Louisville to make the NCAA's.  Washington missed both and headed to the NIT.  This year they're a number one seed and now play UCLA with a Final Four berth hanging in the balance.