You know what they say, don't bury the lede. Other stuff of note that happened on Friday...
- West Virginia continued their "close shave" strategy in the Big East tourney by holding off a Notre Dame team that's probably played their way into the Dance, 53-51.
- Illinois bucked the trend of bubble teams largely crapping out this week by besting Wisconsin, 58-54.
- Minnesota remains in the running for a spot off the bubble with a huge overtime win over Michigan State, featuring 2 extremely ballsy overtime 3s by Devoe Joseph, 72-67.
- Kansas State set up the game of the day, earning a tough 82-75 win over a good Baylor team to reach a Big 12 title game rematch with 1-seed lock Kansas. No way the Wildcats don't relish another shot to finally get KU this year. Should be great one in Kansas City.
- In the ACC, bubble team Virginia Tech made their lives a lot more nervewracking by losing 70-65 to a Miami team with a sparkling 4-12 ACC record. Georgia Tech bested Maryland 69-64 in a game that presaged almost exactly the shot clock woes out in Vegas. With 1:19 left and nursing a 62-59 lead, Georgia Tech's Maurice Miller badly missed a layup, not drawing rim as the shot clock expired. Derrick Favors rebounded and dunked, and the officials did not make a call. Greivis Vasquez came down and hit a 3, and the officials told an apoplectic Gary Williams, tough shit. Couldn't have been clearer as a violation. Something has to be done about that kind of situation.
- New Mexico State beat Nevada in the WAC semis in a wild one, 80-79 by virtue of a clutch mid-range jumper by Jahmar Young with 5 seconds left.
- Akron 2, State of Michigan 0: The Akron Zips are quietly having as exciting a week as anyone in the MAC tourney. On Thursday against Eastern Michigan, after EMU's Jay Higgins hit a go-ahead 3 with 8 seconds left, Akron's Steve McNees dribbled across half court and hit a fadeaway 3 with 1 second left to send the game to overtime. Akron prevailed 97-89 in the extra period. Then last night the Zips' Chris McKnight scored on a putback with 6.8 seconds left to get Akron past Western Michigan, 66-64. Having dispensed with the state of Michigan, Akron meets in-state foe Ohio in today's MAC title game.
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