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Thursday, February 15, 2001
A holiday weekend hoopfest
By Will Weiss
ABC Sports Online
So many upsets have occurred this week, the bracketmakers are having fits right about now. We're starting to see the NCAA tournament take shape, but before anything happens, there are still important games that will help determine the 65-team field. This weekend, two bubble teams, Temple and UMass, look to improve their chances, while Oklahoma State, also on the bubble, continues its emotional run against Texas. In Ames, No. 6 Kansas and No. 9 Iowa State duke it out for Big XII supremacy.
Here's a preview of what to expect in this weekend's key games:
No. 6 Kansas at No. 9 Iowa State (CBS, Sat., 1 p.m.)
| Last time they played: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| It was a battle from the opening tip at Allen Fieldhouse, but Iowa State's smothering defense and practically flawless perimeter shooting led to a 79-77 victory on Feb. 5. The Cyclones shot 11-for-17 from three-point range, including Kantrail Horton's 4-for-4 effort. |
Martin Rancik: The senior forward has been on a tear since the four-overtime classic against Missouri, averaging 15.2 points and 6.6 rebounds over that nine-game span. Rancik missed some time after rolling his ankle in the first half of last Sunday's Missouri rematch, but came back to lead the Cyclones. Rancik will challenge the glass against a Jayhawk team that can dominate the boards. |
A physical battle that should stay close throughout. Iowa State has yet to truly put together a 40-minute effort this season. At home, expect the Cyclones to come out flying, but don't count out the Jayhawks, who, although they have suffered a couple of disappointing losses of late, are primed for a big game from Kenny Gregory and Nick Collison. |
Temple at UMass (ABC, Sat., 1 p.m.)
| Last time they played: |
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| A Kitwana Rhymer layup with 26 seconds left in overtime gave UMass a 65-64 victory on Jan. 27. Temple forward David Hawkins had a chance to send the game into a second OT, but only hit one of his free throws. The Owls had five players score in double figures, but missed 10 free throws. Minutemen guard Monty Mack led all scorers with 20 points. |
Mack: There's a reason UMass is 9-2 in the Atlantic 10, and it's the senior tri-captain from Boston. He has game-breaking scoring ability, with excellent penetration skills, and is not afraid to shoot the jumper. When he gets hot, he is one of the most dangerous scorers in the country. Watching Mack against Quincy Wadley will be a treat. |
The rivalry seems to have lost a bit of its luster since the departure of John Calipari, but it's still one of the best in college basketball. Any time Temple and UMass get together, you can expect the players to beat each other senseless, John Chaney to yell incessantly, and the officials to call a tight game. Both teams are in must-win situations to improve their NCAA tourney chances. |
Texas at Oklahoma State (ABC, Sat., 1 p.m.)
| Last time they played: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| In the Big XII opener for both teams, Texas got 18 points from guard Maurice Evans and 17 from freshman forward Brian Boddicker in a 78-71 victory. There were nine lead changes in the first half, but the Longhorns quickly built a double-digit lead in the second half and OSU never recovered. |
Victor Williams: The Cowboy guard is coming off a 26-point night against Oklahoma, and has put up 15.4 points per game in the four games since OSU's fatal plane crash. He controls the team's tempo from the perimeter, and with Texas' inability to rebound of late, look for him to take advantage and pound it inside. |
Texas has its work cut out, for sure. Gallagher-Iba Arena was a tough place to play before, but now it's nearly impossible. Oklahoma State thoroughly destroyed a strong Oklahoma team Wednesday night, and with its size and experience up front, a similar result can be expected on Saturday. |
Louisville at Utah (ABC, Sat., 1 p.m.)
| Last time they played: |
Who to watch: |
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| It wasn't even close, as Louisville jumped all over Utah from the outset, beating the Utes 75-55 last year in Louisville. The Cardinals used relentless pressure to confuse Utah, which generated no offense outside of Hanno Mottola's 27 points. |
Kevin Bradley: The junior guard is shooting more than 42 percent from three-point range this season, and has keyed the Utes' recent hot streak. Although he is only a part-time starter, coach Dick Hunsaker will tell you the Utes are a much better team with him in the lineup. |
With the turmoil surrounding Denny Crum's impending forced retirement, it's difficult to tell which Louisville team will show up. Conversely, the Utes seem to be peaking at just the right time, having won four in a row, with five looking highly probable. |
No. 2 Stanford at Cal (ABC, Sat., 6 p.m.)
| Last time they played: |
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What to expect: |
| Cal hung with Stanford for a little more than a half before Casey Jacobsen and the Collins twins opened it up, as the Cardinal ran away from the Bears 84-58. Stanford shot close to 53 percent from the field, and Jacobsen led the way with 19 points. And yes, the Stanford crowd let Cal know who was the supreme team in the Bay Area. |
Sean Lampley: The Cal forward averaged 24.5 points in two games last weekend against Oregon State and Oregon, and has been Cal's best player this season. He will have a tough task, going inside against Jason and Jarron Collins, but if he can be successful on the glass, Cal has a chance at winning this game. |
Stanford has shown vulnerability since losing to UCLA two weeks ago, and a loss at Cal would make things very interesting in the Pac-10. The Bears have lost eight straight to the Cardinal, and could open some eyes in Bracketville with an upset victory. But, with only one scoring threat in Lampley, Cal is at a disadvantage. Stanford has a horde of scoring weapons, not limited to its starting five, which could prove too much, even in the craziness that will be Haas Pavilion. |
No. 3 Duke at St. John's (CBS, Sun., 12 p.m.)
| Last time they played: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| It was another classic, as the game seesawed in the second half. Bootsy Thornton's jump shot ended Duke's 64-game winning streak against non-ranked opponents, as St. John's upset the Blue Devils 83-82 at Cameron Indoor Stadium last season. All 10 starters scored in double figures. |
Jason Williams: The Duke point guard has not played up to his midseason form in the last two weeks. He shot a dreadful 5-for-21 against Virginia Wednesday night, including 2-of-9 from three-point land. Williams is usually one of the most consistent shooters in the game. If he's even close to being on his game, this one could be a blowout early. |
St. John's has been an enigma this season, but Mike Jarvis will have his team well-prepared for Duke. He must be careful catching them after a loss, though, as Duke hasn't played its best game of the season yet. St. John's will try to wear down Coach K's squad, and Omar Cook and Jason Williams going at it will entertain the raucous New York City crowd. Duke has too much talent, though, and should win this one handily. |
All game times Eastern
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 Fredrik Jonzen finds Antoine Broxsie under the hoop for an OSU dunk.
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RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
OSU's Terrence Crawford kicks it over to Melvin Sanders for a fast-break dunk.
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The Cowboy's Victor Williams buries a 3-pointer in the second half.
avi: 889 k
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Virginia's Donald Hand drives into the lane, but Duke's Shane Battier comes out of nowhere for the rejection.
avi: 646 k
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Duke's last attempt for a win or tie falls short.
avi: 908 k
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Nick Collison takes the dish under the hoop and makes an easy score.
avi: 545 k
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Nick Collison works in the lane and knocks down the jumper.
avi: 744 k
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