The March Through The Madness: Day Three Recap

Just a couple since Butler is taking up most of the space...

BYU gets to the Sweet 16 with a blowout win over Gonzaga. A lot of people, including some of us at the HQ, thought that without an inside presence the Cougs would be in trouble. Now, they're back to the Sweet 16 since Danny Ainge...

Here's a wrap with BYU voice Greg Wrubel
((HT: KSL-TV))

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

It took an extra ten minutes for San Diego State to get rid of Temple...
Billy White had a double-double...
((HT: CBSSports/NCAA/TNT))


And Wisconsin withstood Jacob Pullen's 38 points and move on after a win over Kansas State... and, no, we're not going to show the Jacob Pullen postgame- just because K-State head coach Frank Martin was a bit of a jerk about it...
((HT: CBSSports/NCAA/TNT))

NCAA Tournament: The Right "Juan" For Temple. Owls Defeat Penn State At The Buzzer

March Madness has pegged the needle now. Temple's Juan Fernandez threw up an off balanced 18 footer with .4 seconds left as the Owls survive and advance 66-64.

Here's the game winner (Thanks TNT Sports/SI.com/CBS Sports/NCAA)

Broseph's Bits And The Friday Gospel

Conference tournaments are such a wonderful thing. They represent an early taste of the madness to come in March. There's games on in the afternoon that even the beginner sports fan can latch on to. I mean there hasn't been basketball this exciting played at Madison Square Garden in a long time. Ooh, I know....cheap shot at the Knicks. Whatever, the Big East tournament has some amazing basketball and a lot of excitement when NY's team takes the court in Syracuse. We've gotten tastes of the big boy tournaments with the best to come this weekend.

The other thing that's coming is Selection Sunday which could be more intriguing then it has been in years. There are so many bubble teams who aren't helping their case at the end of the season that there truly will be some surprises in the field of 68. Not only that, but, the NIT could be intriguing this season as well. We already have eight number one seeds who fell in their conference tourneys and are guaranteed spots in that postseason tourney. We have the potential to have a field that even the biggest college basketball fans will pay attention to.

You should be paying attention to the picks lately. We've enjoyed some success in the conference tournaments. Just one pick as of now as Vegas takes their time releasing spreads.

Temple/La Salle Over 143 -- The Philadelphia rivals will take their show to Atlantic City for the A-10 tournament on Friday night. Temple has swept the series so far this season winning 71-67 and 90-82 on the final day of the Atlantic 10 regular season. The Explorers aren't exactly defensively inclined as they routinely have given up at least 80 points this season. They've done that in nine of their 17 conference games and is coming off allowing 73 to St. Bonaventure. The problem for La Salle is that their poor defense hides a pretty potent offense. They've scored over 70 points in four straight and 13 of their last 16 games. Aaric Murray (14.9 ppg), Jerrell Williams (13.8 ppg) and Ruben Guillandeaux (12.5 ppg) lead the way for the Explorers. They'll face steady Temple who is 24-6 this season. They are led by Ramone Moore (14.8 ppg), Lavoy Allen (11.8 ppg) and Juan Fernandez (10.5 ppg). There is a chance they may get Scootie Randall back as well as he recovers from a broken foot. Temple's defense has been the stellar part of their season. They have held multiple teams to 60 points or less this season, but for some reason can't do that to La Salle. Temple will try to slow the Explorers down, but will struggle to be able to.

Temple-Villanova Highlights, On and Off The Field- Field Goals And Fights

You know it's football season when there are wacky finishes on the field and fights in the stands... especially in Philadelphia...

Since the stuff in the stands happened first, technically, here you go...
"Fire hydrant head butts Villanova fan..."
We've been told to listen for the "old guy..."
((HT: mlandisjr))


And it wasn't even in the upper deck...

For the record, here's your "Alcoa Fantastic Finish..."
Thanks to our friends at the Colonial Athletic Association...


Enjoy your Saturday...

TWTW: Passion Buckets Invade Nation's Capital, Take Out Toledo

((HT: KCBS-TV, Los Angeles))

You never know what happens when Passion Buckets invade Washington, DC, but after UCLA's win over Temple in their bowl game they may want to keep going back.

The Owls were playing in their first bowl game in thirty years- which speaks volumes about the job Coach Golden has done while he's been with the program. They even had the early lead at the half, but someone reminded them that they were actually playing in a bowl game for the first time in thirty years.

Akeem Ayers returned an interception 2 yards for a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter for a 30-21 win.

You could see the wheels come off for Temple, and you kinda felt for them, but they've done really well once they were abolished to the MAC.

The Bruins (7-6) finish with a winning record for the first time since 2006. Temple's only previous bowl appearance were the inaugural Sugar Bowl in 1935 and the Garden State Bowl in 1979.

SpoertsCentral's Jim Hill has your highlights...

College Basketball Predictions: Atlantic 10 Conference

Of all the mid-majors, the Atlantic 10 may be the best top to bottom. Potentially, 6 or 7 A-10 teams could see post season play. 14, yes there are 14 teams in the A-10 (that new math again), back to my thought, 14 could be 1 in the league. A-10 fans, here’s your forecast.

Best Team In The A-10: Xavier Musketeers
The core of Xavier’s 30 win season a year ago, Stanley Burrell, Josh Duncan and Drew Lavender have moved on however there is still plenty of talent. Derrick Brown and C.J. Anderson return and give X a outstanding frontcourt. The challenge for the Musketeers will be in the backcourt but a pair of highly touted freshman, Terrell Holloway and Mark Lyons should fill those roles. Head coach Sean Miller could have move on to bigger and better things but got a contract extension through 2018, that’s job security. Xavier knows they have a good thing with Miller calling the shots.

Best Player In The A-10: Dionte Christmas – Temple
He has been a gift for the Owls. Twice Christmas has led the league in scoring. Last season he averaged 19.7 PPG to lead the A-10. No one has ever led the A-10 in scoring 3 times and Christmas is going for it. He is the best NBA prospect in the league.

Team That Could Surprise – Saint Joseph
How could you not like Phil Martelli, he’s entertaining. Check out his coaches show if you get a chance. Make no mistake, Martelli can coach and has a strong team again this year that’s not getting much pre-season respect. If things fall right for the Hawks they will challenge Xavier for the league title.

Who Goes Dancing: Xavier & Temple

Who Plays For Number 66: Charlotte, St. Joseph’s, Dayton, UMass

A-10 (Actually 14) Points:
The A-10 is a strong league that should get more NCAA bids but with the trend going toward the big conferences, 2 looks like the max. A strong case could be made for 4 out of the A-10. Saint Louis looks like the team on the upswing. Through the Billikens couldn't score last year, they have some more talent this year to go with their outstanding backcourt and a new arena to play in. By the way, do you know what a Billiken is?

Photo Courtesy: AP

Free Willy and the Temple Of Doom

In baseball these days, this would be called a "walk-off Hail Mary"

Let's just call it a game winner and leave it at that...
((thanks, the youtube and ESPNPlus))

Let's Go Buffalo...