Despite missing out on their conference tournament championship, the Duke Blue Devils are back in the NCAA Tournament. This marks the 18th consecutive season in which coach Mike Krzyzewski’s crew has made the big dance. So what do you need to know about this year’s Dukies? Here are five facts. 1. Of their 27 wins, four have come against teams that were ranked in the Top 5 at the time they played. That includes Louisville, Ohio State, Miami (FL) and Kentucky. They’ve
The Derrick Rose injury saga has been going on, well, since Rose got hurt in Game 1 of the first round against the Sixers last year. First he was supposed to be back around Christmas, then sometime in January, and now it’s mid-March and he’s been close to coming back for several weeks. But we still don’t have definitive word, which has to be frustrating for Bulls fans waiting for their franchise player. Not having played a minute so far this
The Pittsburgh Panthers will go dancing for the 24th time as an 8-seed in the West region. Here are five fast facts about the Panthers to help you as you fill out your bracket: 1. Their best NBA prospect is a 7-foot freshman center named Steven Adams, who is a native of New Zealand. He’s averaging 7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2 blocks per game as he adjusts to the collegiate game. 2. They have only two players averaging double figures in scoring;
After months of invigorating highs and devastating lows, the North Carolina State Wolfpack have finally made it to the NCAA Tournament. The star-studded N.C. State team had underachieved, but the committee clearly valued their late-season push. So what should we know about the Wolfpack? 1. The North Carolina State Wolfpack are one of the most under-achieving teams in college basketball. They began the season as the No. 6 ranked team in the AP and Coaches Polls, yet finished the season unranked. Fortunately, they’ve turned
The Wisconsin Badgers have become the most overlooked power in the Big Ten, despite finishing the regular season at 21-10. After downing both Michigan and Indiana, however, Wisconsin reminded the world of their status by reaching the Big Ten Championship. While there, Wisconsin WON/LOST. The question is, what should we know about Wisconsin for the upcoming NCAA Tournament? 1. The Wisconsin Badgers are the nation’s 10th ranked scoring defense. They’re 39th in opponent field goal percentage, 28th in opponent three-point field goal
The Michigan State Spartans have methodically paced themselves to a 25-8 season. Led by legendary head coach Tom Izzo, MSU has run through the out-of-conference competition and performed at a high level against a stacked Big Ten. So what do you need to know about this powerhouse? 1. The Michigan State Spartans own victories over current No. 6 Michigan, No. 7 Kansas, No. 10 Ohio State and two over No. 22 Wisconsin. They did so without a single first team All-Big Ten
Quietly but surely, the Ohio State Buckeyes have reclaimed their status as one of the nation’s elite. They’ve done so by reaching 25-7 overall and 13-5 in the Big Ten, which earned them a season-ending ranking of 10th in the AP Polls. So what do you need to know about the Buckeyes? 1. The Ohio State Buckeyes boast an elite defense that ranks in the Top 25 in opponents points and steals. Led by Aaron Craft and Shannon Scott, whom were both
1. Often viewed as a defensive-minded team, the Indiana Hoosiers are second in the nation in points per game. shot attempt. They’re lead NCAA Division 1 schools in points per shot attempt, are seventh in field goal percentage and third in three-point field goal percentage. This supposedly defensive-minded team is an offensive juggernaut. 2. You know how Indiana’s offense is all high-powered and disproving the notion that Indiana is all about defense? Well, the Hoosiers are holding opponents to 38.8 percent