Spartans Prevail
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Michigan State boarded its flight back to East Lansing a happy team while BYU boarded its bus back to Provo a solemn bunch.
December 08, 2007
Free Throw Ills
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - BYU may be haunted by its free-throw shooting when this thing is over.
Bloody Plaisted Stays In Game
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - BYU junior Trent Plaisted was bleeding from his nose during a timeout with 9:17 remaining.
Game On
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Now we have a game.
Neitzel Finds His Form
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - So much for Drew Neitzel's shooting slump.
BYU Leads, But Morgan Presents Problems
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - BYU has a 35-25 lead over Michigan State at halftime at Energy Solutions Arena.
Continue reading "BYU Leads, But Morgan Presents Problems" »
At-Large Looming Large In Anaheim
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- While neither team was lighting it up in the first half, both SDSU and Saint Mary's are finding a rhythm in the second as the Gaels' hold a 45-44 lead with about 11 minutes left in regulation. While this is certainly not a playoff game, it could end up being an elimination game once NCAA at-large bids are handed out. And it looks like it's going to come down to the wire.
Both teams are off to hot starts on the season, but have to contend with powerful squads in their own conferences to seal up an automatic bid come March. They're both looking up the national polls in their respective conferences with the Aztecs likely doing battle with No. 20 BYU for MWC supremecy, while No. 17 Gonzaga is the favorite in the WCC.
If both SDSU and Saint Mary's end up battling for at-large bids, the outcome of this game will likely weigh heavily in the committee's collective mind.
BYU Hot From Outside
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - BYU has found its range from the outside and started raining down jump shots on Michigan State.
BYU Out To Early Lead
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - BYU has jumped out to an early 5-2 lead over Michigan State on the strength of a Trent Plaisted hook shot and 3-pointer by Lee Cummard.
Ainge In The Arena
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is in attendance to watch the BYU-Michigan Stage matchup at Energy Solutions Arena.
Big Game Atmosphere
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- It can't get much better for the first weekend free of college football than a matchup of two ranked 7-1 teams on the hardwood.
That's what fans are going to get here at Energy Solutions Arena this afternoon, when No. 9 Michigan State plays No. 20 BYU.
November 25, 2007
UNC Leaves Vegas With Very Different Wins
LAS VEGAS -- Roy Williams hit the nail on the head in Saturday's post-game press conference.
"I thought it was ugly as all get out," Williams said of UNC's 73-63 win over BYU tonight. "The toughness is what you've got to have [in a game like this]...For a while we were playing football under our basket and football under the other basket."
Tonight's win over a good BYU team was 180 degrees from the vintage fast-breaking offensive showcase Carolina put on in a 99-82 victory over Old Dominion on Friday. And it was good for Carolina.
Continue reading "UNC Leaves Vegas With Very Different Wins" »
Tar Heels Hold on Against Feisty Cougars
LAS VEGAS -- North Carolina got all it could handle from a very tough BYU squad but held on for a 73-63 victory to secure the Las Vegas Invitational title and likely its No. 1 ranking. Tyler Hansbrough led the way with 21 points while Wayne Ellington dropped in 15, including the clutch 3-pointer down the stretch that secured the victory.
Danny Green and Wayne Ellington earned All-Tournament honors while Tyler Hansbrough was named MVP. I'll check back in one more time after hitting up the press conference.
From Down Town
LAS VEGAS -- After struggling all night from the field, Wayne Ellington picked a clutch time to find his stroke. With about two minutes left, he launched a shot from well behind the NBA 3-point line to give UNC a 67-61 lead, his first make in five attempts from long range.
UNC Holds on to Slim Lead
LAS VEGAS -- Carolina holds a 64-61 lead with 2:46 to go. BYU is clearly not going to back down. This one's coming down to the wire.
Phantom Basket... Almost
LAS VEGAS -- Carolina almost just got two points without putting the ball in the hoop. Quentin Thomas drove the lane and drew a blocking foul, and the officials put up two points on the scoreboard after his shot missed. Of course this put BYU coach Dave Rose into fits. It's a good thing he was paying attention.
Had he not loudly protested, the refs probably wouldn't have reviewed the game tape to make the correction. In the mean time, BYU holds a 59-58 lead with about seven minutes left.
November 24, 2007
It Feels Like March
LAS VEGAS -- I know it's only November, but this is starting to feel like a tournament game. Players are almost getting into fights battling for balls, the pro-Carolina crowd has gotten irate over some calls that went BYU's way and both teams are fighting back and forth in the post trading blows as Carolina holds a 51-50 lead with 11:30 to go. This game is shaping up to have a great finish. The only thing missing is the pep bands.
Only in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS -- While a basketball game has broken out at the Orleans Arena, the fans were just treated to the timeout entertainment antics of Roger Clamens, a ridiculous blow-up doll of a giant clam wearing a baseball uniform.
His act consisted primarily of playing fetch with a giant pearl and evidently eating a man. I love this town.
Meanwhile the game is tied at 46 and Tyler Hansbrough and BYU guard Ben Murdock almost got into a fight battling for a loose ball.
Cougars Explode To Open Second Half
LAS VEGAS -- It's taken BYU four minutes to turn a 38-31 halftime deficit into a 44-42 lead. Joe Tavernari just hit his sixth 3-pointer of the night to take the lead and force UNC Head Coach Roy Williams into taking a timeout. Trent Plaisted is leading the way for the BYU run with seven quick points during the run.
With Ty Lawson out for the game, Carolina could be in trouble.
Lawson's Out For Carolina
LAS VEGAS -- UNC SID Steve Kirschner just told me that Ty Lawson will likely not return to action tonight because of his rolled ankle.
Tavernari Gives BYU Boost at Half
LAS VEGAS -- North Carolina goes into halftime with a 38-31 lead, but news is not all good for the Tar Heels. They've been able to slow down a fast-paced BYU attack primarily through forcing 13 turnovers. But they don't have an answer for Joe Tavernari who hit his fifth 3-pointer of the game at the buzzer to up his scoring total to 15.
Ty Lawson was still sitting in his warmups at halftime and we don't know yet if he'll be back in the second half. UNC SID Steve Kirschner says trainers will test his rolled ankle out at the half to determine if he can come back in the game. Bobby Frasor has filled in for most of Lawson's minutes with Quentin Thomas and Will Graves seeing extra time as well.
The Tar Heels obviously miss Lawson as they settled more into a halfcourt set than you normally see out of Carolina.
Tyler Hansbrough has been the top threat for UNC with 11 points, including 7-of-7 shooting from the line.
Change of Pace With Lawson On Sidelines
LAS VEGAS -- Neither team has kept up the torrid pace of the first five minutes as UNC holds a 31-25 lead with 3:29 left in the first half. With Ty Lawson on the sidelines it's a completely different game. Where it started with a run-and-gun style, both teams have settled into a halfcourt rhythm.
Heels on Top, Lawson Still on Bench
LAS VEGAS -- The pace has slowed down a bit at the Orleans Arena as Carolina goes into the third media timeout holding a 26-21 lead over BYU with 7:53 left in the first half. As usual, the Heels are going early and often to Tyler Hansbrough who has nine points and two rebounds.
But Carolina can't find and answer for BYU star Joe Tavernari, who already has 12 points. Tavernari lit up Louisville for 29 and looks intent on campaigning for Most Outstanding Player honors.
As for Ty Lawson, he appears to be walking comfortably on his rolled ankle, but is still wearing his warmups on the sideline. It's not looking like he'll see any more action tonight.
Lawson Update
LAS VEGAS -- I just got an assist from Sports Illustrated writer Seth Davis who spoke with UNC SID Steve Kirschner about Ty Lawson's injury. The Carolina point guard rolled his ankle and is going to try to come back in. He just put his right shoe back on and walked down the tunnel to test it out.
Meanwhile, UNC has a 26-19 lead with 10:45 left in the first half.
Lawson Icing Foot On The Sidelines
LAS VEGAS -- Bad news for the Tar Heels. Starting point guard Ty Lawson is out of the game and icing his right ankle on the bench and does not look like he's coming back in. I'll check back in as we find out more details.
Fast and Furious In Vegas
LAS VEGAS -- As expected, North Carolina and BYU are lighting up the scoreboard early as the Tar Heels hold a 15-11 edge at the 14:27 mark. BYU runs the secondary break that Roy Williams has made famous at Kansas and Carolina, so neither team is using much of the shot clock. Deon Thompson has been the go-to guy for the Tar Heels with five points as he's looking for his first breakout game of the season.
UNC, BYU Square Off For Vegas Title
LAS VEGAS -- The anthem has been sung and Elvis is blaring over the loudspeakers, so that means we're about to tip off for the Las Vegas Invitational championship.
BYU enters the game fresh off an impressive win over sixth-ranked Louisville on Friday to face an even stiffer test against top-ranked North Carolina. Though it's the second of six straight games away from Chapel Hill for Carolina, tonight should feel like a home game with baby blue shirts filling most of the Orleans Arena.
For BYU, it's a chance to pull off another top 10 upset and truly enter the national spotlight. For Carolina, it's one of the first of a slew of tough non-conference matchups as trips to Ohio State and Kentucky are on the slate for next week.
November 23, 2007
Pitino: "BYU A Better Basketball Team"
LAS VEGAS -- Facing a high-octane BYU team without key players David Padgett and Juan Palacios, Louisville coach Rick Pitino was honest in his assessment of the Cougars' 78-76 win tonight in Las Vegas.
"We're a depleted team," Pitino said. "We were looking forward [to facing North Carolina], too. But Brigham Young is a better basketball team."
Now, unless Old Dominion pulls of the upset in the night cap, BYU will face the Tar Heels on Saturday.
Cougars Secure Win Over No. 6 Cardinals
LAS VEGAS -- Unless we see another upset tonight, there will be no Carolina-Louisville matchup in Las Vegas. Behind a relentless offensive attack and a ball-hawking defense, BYU just stunned the No. 6-ranked Cardinals, 78-76.
And if you haven't heard of Jonathan Taverneri, it's time to start paying attention. The 6-foot-6 BYU wing was a beast tonight, scoring 29 points, including a 5-of-11 performance from behind the arc and the game-clinching free throws with 1.4 seconds to go.
Top-ranked North Carolina will look to avoid the same result as it prepares to take on Old Dominion at 9 p.m. PST for the right to face the Cougars in Saturday's Las Vegas Invitational finale.
BYU Pulls Off Upset Of No. 6 Louisville
LAS VEGAS -- It's all but official. BYU is at the line for one more free throw with a 77-73 lead, 1.4 seconds left on the clock and an upset over the sixth-ranked Cardinals in the making.
Louisville Forced To Foul
LAS VEGAS -- I've never understood how every person in the stands knows what to do when the players on the court don't. Facing a 74-70 deficit with about 40 seconds remaining, Louisville let 12 seconds run off the clock before committing a foul. And BYU still wasn't in the bonus as the Cardinals had to foul again to stop the clock.
Now BYU has the ball with a 76-73 led and 11.3 seconds remaining. The Cardinals need a miracle.
No. 6 Louisville On The Ropes
LAS VEGAS -- Albeit premature, but the always annoying overrated chant tried to make its voice heard as BYU holds a 74-67 lead over No. 6 Louisville with 1:19 to go. A three-pointer by Jonathan Taverneri for his 25th point gave the Cougars their current lead.
Louisville will be at the foul line coming out of the timeout with a chance to cut the deficit to five.
Caracter in Foul Trouble
LAS VEGAS -- Derrick Caracter just picked up his fourth foul and went to the bench with BYU holding a 67-61 lead. Louisville can't afford to be without its leading scorer for long as it's already thin up front with the injury to David Padgett. In fact, as I wrote this, Rick Pitino put him back in the game after just a few seconds on the bench.
With an attacking BYU offense, Caracter will have trouble playing effective defense down the stretch. This could be a big turning point.
BYU Mixed Tape
LAS VEGAS -- And one's got nothing on the Cougars. BYU just took a 62-57 lead courtesy of a sweet behind-the-back pass from Jonathan Tavernari that led to a Trent Plaisted dunk that got the Cougar faithful on their feet.
BYU Takes Back Lead
LAS VEGAS -- BYU just took a 54-52 lead thanks to a four-point swing courtesy of a missed layup by Earl Clark. Clark, who had hit five of seven shots prior, left a finger roll short on a fast break leading to an easy two for the Cougars on the other end.
BYU, Louisville Nip and Tuck
LAS VEGAS -- This game just feels like one that will go down to the wire. After struggling early, Louisville has jumped right back into the game and taken a 51-48 lead six minutes into the second half. Jonathan Taverneri continues to shine with 17 points for the Cougars while Derrick Caracter is taking on his newfound leadership role head first with a team-best 14 points in place of the injured David Padgett.
The crowd has livened up too as North Carolina fans are filling in the empty seats in anticipation of the night cap between UNC and Old Dominion. A lackluster atmosphere is starting to feel more and more like a tournament as the Louisville fans are energized by the Cardinals' comeback.
Pitino's Presence
LAS VEGAS -- This is the first time I've watched a Rick Pitino team live and he's one of the more vocal coaches I've ever seen. Whenever the action's near the Louisville bench he's barking instructions to his players that I can hear from the other side of the court. And he's not the only one. His assistants are giving their vocal cords a workout. Maybe they need to yell a little louder with BYU taking a 41-37 lead into halftime.
Turnovers Killing Louisville
LAS VEGAS -- I just got handed a box score for the first 12 minutes of the BYU-Louisville game and it's one of the stranger ones I've seen. The Cougars shot 26 percent from the field while Louisville shot 67 percent; yet the Cougars held a 20-18 lead. The problem for Louisville is that BYU has taken twice as many shots. The Cardinals just can't hold on to the ball. They've given it up 10 times already.
It's a few minutes later and the Cougars have extended that lead to 36-21. Rick Pitino's going to have to figure out a solution or Louisville won't stand a chance. When they're not giving the ball up, they're outplaying the Cougars by leaps and bounds, but you can't win if you give your opponent so many opportunities to beat you.
BYU Playing Fast and Furious
LAS VEGAS -- Anyone who expected Louisville to coast through BYU is in for a surprise tonight. About eight minutes into the game, the Cougars have jumped out to a 15-11 lead over the shorthanded Cardinals. BYU is playing a shoot first, ask questions later style that has resulted in a lot of missed shots but a lead on the scoreboard.
Live From Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS -- The folks at CSTV.com called me up and asked if I wanted to spend a weekend in Las Vegas and cover a potential Final Four matchup preview with top-ranked North Carolina and No. 6 Louisville playing in the Las Vegas Invitational. Ummmmm - yeah.
So I'm here at the Orleans Arena just off The Strip getting ready to watch Louisville take on BYU in the first game of the evening session with North Carolina and Old Dominion set to tip off at 9 p.m. PST. Both Carolina and Louisville need to win tonight to set up a potential Final Four preview matchup on Saturday night.
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