2009-2010 college basketball tournament

[collegesportsfanms]

For those of you who are still reading and wondering, I haven't abandoned this dynasty report, and I'm not going to. Things are hectic right now with the holidays coming up, thanksgiving this week, and a computer that only wants to work when it feels like it. I'm hoping to get the round of 64 games completed by the weekend, but no promises. Keep checking in, I'll have reports soon hopefully

[collegesportsfanms]

#3 Duke (ACC, 35-5, 13-3) vs. #62 Texas (Big 12, 24-10, 9-7)

Pregame

The Dukies ran through their group undefeated, but only had 2 wins of 20 or more. Texas had the highest point differential within their group, but 3 losses by a total of 13 points dropped them into a wildcard slot.

My Prediction

I like Duke to win this game, however Texas is tough. I wouldn't be surprised if the Longhorns pulled it out, but I'm still going with Duke.

The Game

This one was a shootout from the opening tip. Duke scored 62 points in the second half to pull away late, defeating Texas 103-92.

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#4 Notre Dame (Big East, 23-12, 10-8) vs. #61 Virginia Tech (ACC, 25-9, 10-6)

For the Round of 64, starting with this game, I'm going to scrap the pregame part of the game, and just give my prediction and game result. This will help me get through the round of 64 quicker. With the later rounds, I will give more coverage. If there is something in these reports that somebody wants to see, let me know.

My Prediction

This should be another great battle, and I'm going out on a limb here and picking Virginia Tech to upset Notre Dame. I'm not sold on the Fighting Irish.

Result

Unfortunately my prediction was wrong. While the game was close all the way, Notre Dame was able to pull out the victory 88-80.

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#5 Georgia Tech (ACC, 23-13, 7-9) vs. #60 Portland (WCC, 21-11, 10-4)

My Prediction

Georgia Tech and Portland played in the same group and Georgia Tech won twice, so I'm expecting the Yellow Jackets to win this one as well.

Game Result

I expected G-Tech to win, and they didn't dissapoint. Running off to a 15 point halftime lead, they eliminated Portland with a 73-55 victory.

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#6 Ohio St. (Big Ten, 29-8, 14-4) vs. #59 Siena (MAAC, 27-7, 17-1)

My Prediction

I'd like to see Siena win this game, as I'm not an Ohio State fan, but I think the Buckeyes will have enough to see off Siena.

Game Result

Siena did what they needed to do, taking Ohio St. out of their gameplan. Siena won 79-65 in a game that really wasn't that close in the second half.

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#7 New Mexico (MWC, 30-5, 14-2) vs. #58 Appalachian St. (Southern, 24-13, 13-5)

My Prediction

Appalachian State is a surprising entrant in the round of 64, but I honestly don't think they'll have a chance to advance. I think New Mexico wins easily.

Game Result

This one was a lot closer than I thought it would be. New Mexico had to fend off a furious rally, but held on to win 79-75.

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#8 Maryland (ACC, 20-11, 9-7) vs. #57 Montana (Big Sky, 22-10, 10-6)

My Prediction

I look for Maryland to win this game. I think they have more depth than Montana. It could be close for a while but I see the Terps winning by double digits.

Game Result

Montana proved to be a tougher foe for the Terps as I thought, sending this game into overtime. Maryland was able to hang tough though, and eventually win 88-82 in the extra frame.

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#9 Kansas (Big 12, 33-3, 15-1) vs. #56 South Carolina (SEC, 15-16, 6-10)

My Prediction

I know that Northern Iowa upset Kansas in the real NCAA tournament this past season, but South Carolina won't share that same success. Kansas wins in a walk.

Game Result

The Jayhawks came out flat, very flat. In fact, they were down by 8 points going into the locker room at halftime. But they outscored South Carolina 52-35 in the second half to win 79-70.

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#10 Miami (ACC, 20-13, 4-12) vs. #55 UNLV (MWC, 25-9, 11-5)

My Prediction

I think UNLV is the better team, they just had a tough run in their group. Miami had an easier group to work with, so I'm saying the seedings don't matter much in this particular game. I'm picking UNLV to win and I'm not considering it an upset.

Game Result

I called this one. UNLV led early and often. Miami kept it close, but UNLV eventually won 78-66.

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#11 Xavier (Atlantic Ten, 26-9, 14-2) vs. #54 Mississippi St. (SEC, 24-12, 9-7)

My Prediction

I can see this game going either way. I'm going to pick Xavier in a close game.

Game Result

The first half was close, but in the second half Xavier blew the game open and won by a much higher margin than I expected. They advance to the round of 32 with an 81-63 victory.

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#12 Georgetown (Big East, 23-11, 10-8) vs. #53 Tulsa (Conference USA, 23-12, 10-6)

My Prediction

I think Georgetown is a bigger and stronger team, and I think the Hoyas will win this game by double digits.

Game Result

This one was actually close all the way, as Tulsa actually had a late lead. The Hoyas survived though, 78-73

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#13 Baylor (Big 12, 28-8, 11-5) vs. #52 UAB (Conference USA, 25-9, 11-5)

My Prediction

I see this being a close game. These 2 teams were in the same group, and while I don't remember how the 2 games went, I would expect it to be a hard fought game. I'm picking Baylor to win.

Game Result

Baylor did prove to be the stronger team today, holding the Blazers to just 47 points in a 66-47 victory.

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#14 West Virginia (Big East, 31-7, 13-5) vs. #51 Utah St. (WAC, 27-8, 14-2)

My Prediction

This is a really tough one to call. I think Utah St. if everything goes right, can beat West Virginia. However I think the Mountaineers will take advantage of the fact that the play in the Big East, and I see them winning this one.

Game Result

It was a good game, just as I expected. Utah St. actually led by 2 at halftime, but West Virginia took a little bit of control in the second half, winning 73-64.

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#15 Texas A&M (Big 12, 24-10, 11-5) vs. #50 Northeastern (CAA, 20-13, 14-4)

My Prediction

I think Northeastern will have a tough time in this game. I look for Texas A&M to win fairly easily.

Game Result

It wasn't as easy as I expected it to be, but Texas A&M does get the victory by a 69-58 margin.

[collegesportsfanms]

#16 Missouri (Big 12, 23-11, 10-6) vs. #49 William and Mary (CAA, 22-11, 12-6)

My Prediction

This should be a really good game too. I'm going with Missouri, but I think it'll be close.

Game Result

This one was close, as Missouri needed a last second turnover to get the win 73-70. Nice effort for W&M though.

[collegesportsfanms]

#17 Arizona St. (Pac Ten, 22-11, 12-6) vs. #48 Old Dominion (CAA, 27-9, 15-3)

My Prediction

This is another tough one to call. I think this is a good match-up for Old Dominion, as this isn't a strong ASU team. However, I think that Arizona St. will prevail, but they'll have a fight on their hands.

Game Result

I had a feeling Old Dominion would come out strong this game. Actually what they did in the first 40 minutes is wear the Sundevils down, taking the game to OT. Then they proceeded to outscore Arizona St. 11-2 in the extra 5. Old Dominion wins in overtime, 88-79.

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#18 Wake Forest (ACC, 20-11, 9-7) vs. #47 BYU (MWC, 30-6, 13-3)

My Prediction

Another matchup with 2 teams that were in the same group. Wake Forest won the group, but I think BYU will get their revenge in this round of 64 game.

Game Result

As I expected, BYU does get some sweet revenge, knocking Wake Forest out with a 76-61 win. The score was actually a lot closer than the game indicates, as BYU was in command all the way.

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#19 Kansas St. (Big 12, 29-8, 11-5) vs. #46 Marshall (Confrence USA, 24-10, 11-5)

My Prediction

Kansas State all the way. Of course I would say that being a Wildcat fan. But I think they will have enough to see off Marshall.

Game Result

It was tougher than I expected it to be, as the Wildcats had to work hard to get this victory. Kansas State does win though, 75-71.

[collegesportsfanms]

#20 Florida St. (ACC, 22-10, 10-6) vs. #45 California (Pac Ten, 24-11, 13-5)

My Prediction

I like California in this one. I think they are a little stronger than the Seminoles.

Game Result

It was a tale of 2 halves, as Cal only scored 18 points in the first half, but erupted for 57 points in the second half. Cal gets a 75-67 win.

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#21 Gonzaga (WCC, 27-7, 12-2) vs. #44 Illinois St. (MVC, 22-11, 11-7)

My Prediction

I like this matchup of 2 midmajor teams. Although this wasn't Gonzaga's strongest year, they are still strong enough to beat Illinois State.

Game Result

This game was tied at halftime, but Gonzaga broke it open in the second half to win 71-62.

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#22 Ole Miss (SEC, 24-11, 9-7) vs. #43 Florida (SEC, 21-13, 9-7)

My Prediction

I'm going upset in this one, I like Florida to score a close victory.

Game Result

Florida did win this game quite convincingly. They outscored the Rebels by 16in the second half to win 78-56.

[collegesportsfanms]

#23 Dayton (Atlantic Ten, 25-12, 8-8) vs. #42 UTEP (Conference USA, 26-7, 15-1)

My Prediction

I think UTEP is the stronger team here, and I look for them to knock off Dayton.

Game Result

A little bit of a surprise in this one, as Dayton holds off UTEP's second half rally. Dayton wins it 60-52.

[collegesportsfanms]

#24 Kentucky (SEC, 35-3, 14-2) vs. #41 Butler (Horizon, 33-5, 18-0)

My Prediction

Wow, talk about a tough game to call. This one has the potential to go a few overtimes. I'm going to pick Kentucky, but I think it should be a heck of a game.

Game Result

The big surprise in this game is that it wasn't at all close. Kentucky rolled to an early lead and never looked back. Final score: Kentucky wins 85-64.

[collegesportsfanms]

#25 Michigan St. (Big Ten, 28-9, 14-4) vs. #40 N.C. State (ACC, 20-16, 5-11)

My Prediction

I like Michigan St to win this one in a game I think won't be close.

Game Result

Things just get crazier and crazier in this tournament. N.C. State rolled to an 82-63 victory, shocking everybody.

[collegesportsfanms]

#26 Providence (Big East, 12-19, 4-14) vs. #39 South Florida (Big East, 20-13, 9-9)

My Prediction

2 subpar Big East teams in my opinion, with both lucky to advance out of their group. I'm going with South Florida in this one.

Game Result

Wow what a game this was. South Florida scored 73 points in the second half alone, but only managed 29 in the first half. Providence scored 49 in the first and 54 in the second. The result: a 103-102 Providence victory.

[collegesportsfanms]

#27 Tennessee (SEC, 28-9, 11-5) vs. #38 Wisconsin (Big Ten, 24-9, 13-5)

My Prediction

This ought to be a really good game, but I'm picking Tennessee to win it in a tough one.

Game Result

The game was tied at 44 after 1 half, but Wisconsin blew open the second half, rolling to an 84-65 victory.

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#28 New Mexico St. (WAC, 22-12, 11-5) vs. #37 Iona (MAAC, 21-10, 12-6)

My Prediction

A good game between a mid major and a small conference team. I'm actually going with the small conference team in this one and picking Iona to win.

Game Result

The trend of good games continues. This one took overtime to complete, as New Mexico St. battled back from a 10 point halftime deficit to force the extra frame. Iona controlled the OT though, winning 93-85.

[collegesportsfanms]

#29 Richmond (Atlantic Ten, 26-9, 13-3) vs. #36 Northern Iowa (MVC, 30-5, 15-3)

My Prediction

Being a Missouri Valley Conference guy, I have to go with Northern Iowa in this one.

Game Result

Unfortunately my prediction was wrong. In the lowest scoring game we've had in a while, Richmond outlasted Northern Iowa 66-56.

[collegesportsfanms]

#30 St. Johns (Big East, 17-16, 6-12) vs. #35 Arizona (Pac Ten, 16-15, 10-8)

My Prediction

It's hard to go against either team here, but I'm going with Arizona. I wouldn't be surprised to see St. Johns win though.

Game Result

St. Johns does win a hard fought game as both teams had their chances. But the Red Storm survive, 65-61.

[collegesportsfanms]

#31 Clemson (ACC, 21-11, 9-7) vs. #34 St. Marys (WCC, 28-6, 11-3)

My Prediction

Again I'm going with the lower seeded team. I feel that St. Marys is a stronger team than Clemson.

Game Result

We had another close game tonight, but Clemson survived 71-67.

[collegesportsfanms]

#32 Illinois (Big Ten, 21-15, 10-8) vs. #33 Cornell (Ivy, 29-5, 13-1)

My Prediction

Even though it's hurt me the last few games, I'm going with the lower seed again, picking Cornell. I just think they are better.

Game Result

Again the lower seeded team lets me down, ending a bad stretch of games for the mid and low major teams. Illinois gets the win, 72-65.

[collegesportsfanms]

So that completes the round of 64, I will have round of 32 pairings up later. Hope you all are enjoying thus far.

[collegesportsfanms]

Sorry for the long delay folks. I have been away on business, and I will be leaving again on Thursday. Over the next 2 days I am going to have no choice but to finish this quickly, which means there won't be detailed reports. Pretty much what you'll get is a quick recap of the scores from each round. I hate to do it this way, but I'm going to have no choice. It may be a couple months before I would be able to get back to it otherwise. I will probably do this recap tomorrow, and then when things settle down with the job and they stop sending me on business trips, I will hopefully do this again when the 2010 NCAA basketball teams come out on whatifsports. I normally don't have much going on in the summer so hopefully the next time I do this, I can get more detailed with it. Hope you all understand.

[collegesportsfanms]

Second Round Results

#32 Illinois beat #64 Marquette 77-68
#16 Missouri routed #48 Old Dominion 79-50
#9 Kansas handled #24 Kentucky 79-61
#40 N.C. State shocked #9 Maryland 82-76 in overtime
#29 Richmond upset #4 Notre Dame 80-77
#45 California took out #13 Baylor 91-82
#21 Gonzaga survived against #12 Georgetown 76-75
#5 Georgia Tech beat #37 Iona 90-82
#31 Clemson beat #2 Villanova 83-75
#15 Texas A&M got by #47 BYU 79-72
#55 UNLV took care of #23 Dayton 78-74
#7 New Mexico beat #26 Providence 96-86
#3 Duke blew out #30 St. Johns 82-65
#19 Kansas State surprised #14 West Virginia 64-51
#11 Xavier got by #43 Florida 79-70
#38 Wisconsin took care of #59 Siena 71-64