The Bulldogs do their business and come back into the house ready for the next round

Bulldogs advance
By John Chagaris
March 18, 2006


America's team handed Mike Davis his ticket home to clear out his office and leave Indiana forever as the Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated Indiana 90-80. The bigger story was Adam Morrison was ice cold only scoring 14 points.

J.P. Batista took the team on his back with Morrison cold by scoring 14 points and having 9 rebounds, seven of them on the defensive end, while creating three steals and a blocked shot that is still being talked about.

"It's not going to be my night every night," said a cheerful Morrison. "We [can] still survive and win."

It certainly was not his night as his first two point basket came with 5:05 left in the first half, his only point before that came on his second free throw after blotching the first one. J.P. Batista began the game by making a jump shot and then just 61 seconds later makes a layup to give the Bulldogs a 5-2 lead. Batista had 6 of his teams first 7 points.

"People [teams] commit so many resources to stopping Adam [Morrison] that we try to play off that," explains Bulldogs head coach Mark Few. "If you really watched up, you can see that he's done a nice job of it, and the group has done a nice job of it."

Gonzaga either led or was tied for Thirty-nine minutes thirty-six seconds, keep inmind a college game is only forty minutes. Indiana's only lead came with 13 minutes remaining in the first half as Earl Calloway nailed a three pointer to give the Hoosiers a 10-9 lead, a lead that Erroll Knight would errase by hitting two free throws after he was fouled by Robert Vaden.

Mike Davis did give the BUlldogs some much needed dap, "they were a three seed and they probably should have been a one seed. They were the best three seed in the tournament for sure."

After Knight's free throws, the Bulldogs never trailed nor did the Hoosiers get closer than two points. They got to two points in the first quarter of the second half when Vaden hit another three pointer to cut the lead to 42-40, which sparked a Gonzaga 6-0 run to be matched by a Hoosiers 6-0 run ended by a three pointer by A.J. Ratliff. From there the closest they would get was three after a three pointer by, you guessed it Robert Vaden.

The only thing that keeped this game from being a blow out was the three pointers by Vaden and his teammates, hitting an amazing 13 in the second half, while only scoring 10 points inside the three point arc.

AFter the game Mike Davis was asked if he was upset this was his last game at Indiana. "My first thought was, I was just proud of the boys. Don't be sad for me. You should be happy for me because I had a great opportunity to coach one of the greatest schools in college basketball."

With less than 20 seconds left in the game, Davis pulled senior guard Marshall Strickland and the two hugged and Marshall burried his head into Davis' shoulder.

After the game, Sttickland and Robet Vaden had tearful goodbyes for their coach.

"[After losing my father last summer] He's like a father to me. I love him with all my heart. I'm sure he loves me forever. You've just got to move on," said Vaden.

"He helped me grow up. He tested me and really brought a lot of great things out in me," said Strickland.

Gonzaga moves on to face the number two seed UCLA Bruins on Thursday.

The "Bald" Eagles

Keep flying high
By John Chagaris
March 18, 2006



SALT LAKE CITY -- It proved to be the wake up call that the Eagles needed, no more hitting the snooze button and waiting for two overtimes to wake up and put away their foe. And the "Bald" Eagles came to play. Four men in double figures, Hinnant with 10, Rice with 14, Dudley with 20 and then the MVP of the game Smith with 22 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists.

The Montana Grizzlies had their chances, being down by two going into halftime but it could and should have been more. Jared Dudley with time running out misses a layup, no problem Craig Smith gets the rebound and misses a layup, no problem we'll get the ball to Sean Williams who will also miss the layup.

After halftime it was a different ball game. Jared Dudley comes out and nails a three pointer, after a dunk by Momtana, Boston College went on an 11-3 run, where the game was just about over. The score looks lopsided but one needs to keep inmind that the Eagles failed to score after Tyrese Rice made a layup with 3:51 remaining in the game. Slouches weren't in eather, Dudley was still in, Craig Smith was still in and Sean Williams was still in.

When it was all said and done Boston College ended their streak of six straight exits within the first two rounds, entering the Sweet Sixteen in the first time in 12 years.

"You've got to have [that] killer instinct," said Eagle Jared Dudley, "For the first tiem al year, we did that. You can't trade baskets, especially at this time because that's when you get beat."

The first half through had the Eagles hitting the snooze alarm and would have went into the half down if Craig Smith did not go on an 8-0 to get the Eagles back into the game.

"We've got guys who can do [a] lot of different things," said Smith.

The Eagles did catch heat for leaving their starters in late into the game when the scoreboard already dictated a winner. As the Eagles were walking toward their lockerroom Tyrese Rice threw his armbands into the crowd and the fan quickly threw it back as if he was playing hot potato.

"I thought it was funny because it wasn't the first time that's happened to me. We're moving on and they're going home and that's all that madders," Rice said. "Everywhere we go the crowd is always against us because everybody wants to see the upset."

The Eagles will be watching tomorrow as they face the winner of Villanova v. Arizona.

Montana v. Nevada

Filled with unfulfilled expectations.
By John Chagaris, College AP
March 17, 2006


SALT LAKE CITY -- With the exception of 1988 and in the year 2000, during the last 21 years a number twelve seed has upset a number five seed, Nevada hoped it would not be them. To contradict that history factoid, Montana had not won a NCAA Tournament game in Men's basketball since 1975. We now present the 21 year history curse v. the 31 year old curse, but as Sox fans know curses were meant to be broken.

A team concept propelled Montana as four different players scored over 15 points. Freshman forward Jordan Hasquet scored 16 points, Sophomore forward Andrew Strait scored a team leading 22, Senior guard Kevin Criswell scored 18 and senior guard Virgil Matthews scored 20. While the Wolf Pack depended on sophomore guard Marcelus Kemp and junior forward Nick Fazekas who scored 34 and 24 respectfully. And while the team concept defeated the two man tango, the team acted like they won a regular season contest.

"We're not a team that goes out and celebrates," said guard Kevin Criswell," hoots and hahs. But there was a lot of emotion in the locker room."

Senior guard Virgil Matthews, took it as in insult when Nevada said yesturday they did not have a chance to study a lot of film and knew little about the Grizzleies.

"I bet they'd go watch film more if they had to do it again," proclaimed a very joyous Matthews.

Montana was red hot in the second half going 19 for 23 while making 23 of 27 free throws in the game. the Montana Grizzlies advance to face The Boston College Eagles on Saturday.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Montana v. Nevada

Filled with unfulfilled expectations.
By John Chagaris, College AP
March 17, 2006


SALT LAKE CITY -- With the exception of 1988 and in the year 2000, during the last 21 years a number twelve seed has upset a number five seed, Nevada hoped it would not be them. To contradict that history factoid, Montana had not won a NCAA Tournament game in Men's basketball since 1975. We now present the 21 year history curse v. the 31 year old curse, but as Sox fans know curses were meant to be broken.

A team concept propelled Montana as four different players scored over 15 points. Freshman forward Jordan Hasquet scored 16 points, Sophomore forward Andrew Strait scored a team leading 22, Senior guard Kevin Criswell scored 18 and senior guard Virgil Matthews scored 20. While the Wolf Pack depended on sophomore guard Marcelus Kemp and junior forward Nick Fazekas who scored 34 and 24 respectfully. And while the team concept defeated the two man tango, the team acted like they won a regular season contest.

"We're not a team that goes out and celebrates," said guard Kevin Criswell," hoots and hahs. But there was a lot of emotion in the locker room."

Senior guard Virgil Matthews, took it as in insult when Nevada said yesturday they did not have a chance to study a lot of film and knew little about the Grizzleies.

"I bet they'd go watch film more if they had to do it again," proclaimed a very joyous Matthews.

Montana was red hot in the second half going 19 for 23 while making 23 of 27 free throws in the game. the Montana Grizzlies advance to face The Boston College Eagles on Saturday.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

March Madness begins

With a BANG
By John Chagaris, College AP
March 16, 2006


SALT LAKE CITY -- When a number four seed and a number thirteen seed meet in the first round of the NCAA Men's basketball tournament meet, most would not figure on a good game. When the teams in question are Boston College and Pacific, nobody would figure on a good game, well maybe a good game but not a close game.

Clutch Free Throws, key turnovers, scoring streaks a plenty, add that with two overtime periods and the game of the tournament is created.

"People look forward to having the underdog come up and win," said Eagles guard Louis Hinnant, "fortunately, we didn't allow that to happen."

For 45 minutes the game could have gone either way as The Eagles and the Tigers both had leads they could not hole on to, the Tigers actually had a six point lead in the first overtime. With 4.3 seconds remaining in the first overtime, the ball was handed to Senior Craig Smith, who was fouled and had to hit two free throws to send it into a second overtime. The career 66 percent shooter nailed both to send the game into a second overtime.

"I thought this was the first game all year we deserved to win and didn't," claimed Bob Thomason the coach of Pacific.

But how did the game go into overtime? Christian Maraker of the Pacific Tigers nailed a clutch three pointer as time was winding down in regulation to tie the game at 65. That ended a rally by Pacific to climb out of a 13 point hole.

"I thought we have a veteran club and we made a very big mistake there," Eagles headman Al Skinner said, "we were fortunate to overcome that [shot]."

In the second overtime the Eagles decided to end their migration as Tyrese Rice threw up an alley-oop to Sean William, then next position nailed a three pointer.

"We were fortunate to have a number of individuals on this team who want the ball," said Skinner, "and when they get the ball in their area, they're going to take it."

Pacific went cold at the wrong time, they did not score until there was only 1:45 left in the second overtime after the Eagles began their 9-0 run. What also did not help Pacific was the Eagles held Christian Maraker scoreless in both overtimes, Maraker did have a shot roll in and out in the second overtime. The Eagles advanced to play the winner of the Montana vs. Nevada game.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Just when we think we're out

Just when we think we're out, it's like the mob
By John Chagaris, College AP
March 17, 2006


ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The roller coaster ride continues and the only team the United States has to thank is Korea. No they cannot take credit for assuring themselves a chance to advance in the World Baseball Classic.

"I'll tell you what, I don't know that I've ever been as nervous watching a baseball game as I was in this one," mentioned Buck Martinez, manager of Team USA.

Buck seems to be the only person who has the fire and energy that has lacked from Team USA, Red Bull should have invested it's money in Team USA instead of trying to buy every MLS team that would listen to them. But Martinez was not done.

"It's a big relief, obviously. We were all very anxious for this game tonight. Japan is a very good baseball team."

It is a big relief but Deja Vu takes place and tonight Team USA has to face Team Mexico for the right to advance, just last week The United States had to beat 2-0 to advance into the second round.

Nearly 40,000 fans cheered loudly for the Korean team, even going to the extent of booing Seattle superstar Ichiro each time he made a play or came to bat. Blue and White Thundersticks could be seen all around Angle Stadium and left nobody wondering who the crowd was pulling for.

Chan Ho Park was fantastic from the mound, going five innings, striking out three men, walking nobody and only giving up four hits. 50 out of his 64 pitches were strikes.

Korea advances to the Semifinals and Finals, held in San Diego, California at Petco Park. The Dominican Republic will face Cuba on Saturday at noon and Korea will face either The United States, Japan, or Mexico at 4:30.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.