Thursday Reaction

North Carolina 68 — Washington State 47

What happened to my Cougs? The game didn’t stray too far from what I thought it would be (slower, UNC between 65 and 75), except for the fact that Wazzu couldn’t make anything. As much as I’d like to give credit to the Heels’ defense, the Cougars missed a lot of open looks during that 15-minute stretch bridging halftime when UNC took control. By the way, brilliant inbounds play drawn up by Roy Williams for the last shot of the half and Lawson’s killer three. Tip of the hat.

Xavier 79 — West Virginia 75

Oh, I feel so bad for Joe Alexander, who missed the potential game-winning free throw with 15 ticks left in regulation. B.J. Raymond hit two enormous 3-pointers in overtime, including one with 30 seconds left to beat the shot clock buzzer and put the Musketeers up four. Interesting that the Mountaineers got back in the game by borrowing some defensive principles from Huggins’ predecessor, John Beilein. The 1-3-1 matchup that Beilein employed (often not that well) really stifled Xavier and allowed WVU to get back in the game. Oh, and my call on Josh Duncan looks pretty good. For all the talk about Danny Green as a sixth man (and Green was terrific last night), Duncan may be the nation’s best.

Louisville 79 — Tennessee 60

I picked the Cardinals, but I didn’t expect them to cruise. They built an early lead, and although Tennessee got it down to seven (maybe a little closer), the Vols never seriously challenged Louisville. I must admit: I’ve talked a lot about David Padgett, but now I realize that Terrence Williams is their best player (I’m probably late on that bandwagon). The wrap-around-the-head pass he threw to Padgett last night for an open dunk is something you don’t see too many 6-foot-6 college players do. And was this Bruce Pearl’s last game in orange? (It was Chris Lofton’s, and man, wha’ happened?)

UCLA 88 — Western Kentucky 78

For the last two months or so, I’ve heard how Courtney Lee was the best player I didn’t know about. But it wasn’t until a week ago that I heard of Tyrone Brazelton. The same Tyrone Brazelton that scorched Drake for 30+ and the game-winning assist (a nice pass but not “one of the best plays ever” as Bob Knight ludicrously asserted), and the Tyrone Brazelton that utterly dominated the guy I thought was the nation’s best point guard in Darren Collison last night. When Collison fouled out with 5:40 to play, Bruins up only six, and Lee going to the line for three free throws, UCLA had to be a little nervous right. I was thinking of a Xavier-Western Kentucky Regional Final, and who would have the advantage, and what major job Darrin Horn would be offered. But the Bruins rebounded and showed some mettle down the stretch, and I can’t help but think this team is going to keep finding ways to win all the way to April 7.