March madness is still a bit away but last night there were some great games that one can only hope are precursors of what we have to look forward to when we complete the journey to the tourney.
1 Indiana survived 4 Michigan State in East Lansing, 72 – 68. Wild and crazy finish to this game as Michigan State had pulled ahead and Indiana went on a 9 – 1 run late in the game. The game remained in doubt until the very end, and who would believe Indiana would foul on a 3 point shot with a three point lead on the road?? But, first free throw missed, second one made, and third one missed on purpose, rebound Indiana, game over! Huge road win for Indiana as they take a one game lead in the Big Ten standings.
Elsewhere, 2 Miami survived a scare from UVA in Miami, overcoming a tremendous effort by the undersized Cavaliers to win 54 – 50. Again, down to the wire. Miami has now won fourteen games in a row and remains atop the ACC with an unblemished record. 5 Florida was not so lucky, going down on the road at Missouri, 63 – 60. Missouri stays undefeated at home.
In Atlanta, Georgia Tech fell to North Carolina, 70 – 58. Another poor free throw shooting performance by the Jackets, going 0 for 8 in the first. The second half was marred by too many turnovers for GT and they fall to4 – 9 in ACC play. North Carolina maintains its position in the upper tier of the ACC.
