Tourney Updates

This is your Basketball SNOB writing live from Sin City (Las Vegas for those not in touch with the COPA) where basketball in the sports books is King at this time right now. Nothing like it, tournament time and a million games on at once. Of course next week's NCAA tournament time beats this but this is warm-up is still the next best thing. Had to place a couple of wagers and so far the SNOB is 2-2. I did bet on my Cuse and have to admit it was with my heart and not my head, which is never a good thing to do, but this time it paid. Syracuse was giving three and they won 79-73. The other bet was a mystery to me, it seemed so easy that I almost didn't bet it. Kent, who had the best overall record of all MAC teams and was the Eastern Division champ, was getting a point vs. Buffalo. I kept wondering what is up with this? Was one of their star players out, did players have the flu? Well I bet it and they won the game outright by 9.

College Tourney Updates:

Syracuse advances to Semi's with nice 79-73 win in a good back and forth basketball game over St. John's.

UConn beats Pitt as Kemba Walker hits a sick step back, ankle breaking, and unbelievable jumper at the buzzer to beat Pitt 76-74. Kemba is now in an even race with Jimmer Fredette for National Player of the Year. Walker plays at the pro level right now. The Pitt loss could cost them the #1 seed in the field of 68 next week. It opens up the door for Notre Dame to grab it.

Miami overcomes a 10 point deficit to Virginia with 40 seconds to play and wins in OT by 7. Virginia did everything they could to lose this game......and they did......what a choke job.

USC beats Cal in their opening game, 70-56 as Saginaw Arthur Hill's own Pookie Jones lead the team in scoring and assists in this one with 16 pts and 4 assists.

Michigan State rides an unbelievable game by Draymond Green to beat Iowa 66-61 in a game Iowa could have tied with a 3 pointer with 5 seconds to go. Green had a monster game with

Kansas barely escapes with one point win over Oklahoma State as Oklahoma State had the ball for final shot and never got one off.

Oakland University wins big the other night and secures another spot in the tournament as Keith Benson was huge. Definitely a lottery pick next year and could be top 3 pick. Oakland deserves at least a 12 seed if not better. We will see what kind of respect they get; they certainly have earned it this year.

Western Michigan (My daughter's Alma matter and current school that my son attends) won their opening game today and are hoping to play their way into the tournament but have to win it to get in. Will be an uphill battle but I expect them to make it to the Championship game. GO BRONCOS.

Have to tip my cap to the refs, two very senior officials, Tim Higgins & Jim Burr, who expelled themselves from the remainder of the Big East tournament for missing two calls at the end of the game. Class move - if you don't perform, you remove yourself. I applauded this move, takes guts and shows character.

HIGH SCHOOL

Early exits and upsets and close calls are the highlight of this blog tonight.

CLASS A -
CLOSE CALLS
Kalamazoo Central, Saginaw, Romulus, Ann Arbor Huron and Warren DeLaSalle, the top 5 teams all win close games in the districts
Kazoo Central beats Niles by a 42-36 score
Saginaw plays a tough opponent in Flint Carmen-Ainsworth and wins 56-54
Ann Arbor Huron gets by Ann Arbor Pioneer by 4
Romulus beats Inkster by 4
Warren DeLaSalle beats a weak Warren Mott team by 55-50 margin

UPSETS
Rockford loses to Grand Rapids Northview in OT 57-54
Novi losses to Canton
White Lake Lakewood gets stunned by White Lake Northern on a 3 pointer at the buzzer, 58-57
East Lansing loses to Okemos by 6 - mild upset
Lansing Waverly gets blown out by St. John's - didn’t see that one coming
Taylor Truman losing to Belleville 35-32
Rochester losing to Stoney Creek by a 1 point

NEXT ROUND BEST GAMES
Avondale vs. Pontiac
Okemos Lansing Eastern


CLASS B
UPSETS = Not many at all but a Big One. #3 seeded Gull Lake loses to Parchment by 11.

Next Round BEST Game
Lansing Sexton vs. Okemos


CLASS C
UPSETS
Sutton's Bay loses close one, 72-69 to Traverse City St. Francis

BEST UPCOMING GAME
Flint Beecher - Burton Bindle

Fennville continues its HOPE ON THE HARDWOOD with its second straight win since losing their star player, Wes Leonard, to a tragic illness. I am pulling for you Fennville.

Finally I have to comment on Detroit Country Day's 77-13 win over Madison Heights Lamphere. Yes you read that score right, 77-13. Shame on coach Keener for allowing this to happen. You beat a team by 64 and they only score 13 points then I lose some respect. Now I know DCD is a competitive school both academically and athletically but there are no good lessons to be learned in this one, only bad. Poor sportsmanship and poor leadership by their coach. Now I realize he played their bench a bit in this one but at some point you have to stop the embarrassment as it not only is the right thing to do but because at some time it will come back to bite you as well. This is not New York where they have a shot clock, how about holding the ball, how about working on your stall game in preparation where you may need it in a close game. How about instructing your team that you want a minimum of 10 passes or even 20 passes before a shot goes up. All I have to say is Shame on You Coach.