Thursday News and Notes

Thursday, March 23, 2006

America’s greatest sports service the Dream Team at Godspicks.com sweeps the board again last night as the 16 hour days continue to make you a fortune.  We go 3-0 in the Big Dance plus we have NBA. Note, in the conference tournaments and the Big Dance, we will update with steam throughout the day inclusive in all purchases. Check JoeDuffy.net for info on updates.  

Scary thing is despite winning days 10-of-12 this may not be one of our Top 7 March Madness performances ever.  That’s how high the bar has been set and why we are the Industry Standard.  Have you been on the outside looking in since our Cadillac Club scorephone days of the 1980s?

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CBB

LSU-Duke

The Advocate

As well as it played on defense in its first two NCAA tournament games, the LSU basketball team knows it needs to pick it up another notch this week. Of course, no one needs to remind the Tigers that giving No. 13 seed Iona and No. 12 seed Texas A&M fits in their first- and second-round games is one thing. Doing the same to top-ranked and top national seed Duke is an entirely different — and critical — challenge. Their names are J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams, a pair of All-Americans who average 27.2 and 18.7 points, respectively. Duke has advanced to the Sweet 16 nine straight years and 23 times overall, while LSU will be making its ninth appearance in the regional semifinals.Duke is 17-5 all-time in the Sweet 16 and LSU is 5-3. Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski is 11-5 in this round, while Brady is 0-1 with that appearance coming in 2000.

Bradley-Memphis

Detroit News

Bradley was the lowest seed to reach the regional semifinals. The Braves are the first No. 13 seed to get that far since 1999, when Oklahoma won its first two games before losing to Michigan State in the round of 16. Only two teams seeded lower than 13 have reached the round of 16: Cleveland State in 1986 and Chattanooga in 1997 were 14 seeds. Both lost in the third round. While the power conferences kept looking weaker, Memphis cruised through the Tournament’s first weekend with a pair of double-digit victories.

West Virginia-Texas

Associated Press

West Virginia (22-10) will play Texas on Thursday in an Atlanta Regional semifinal. The Longhorns beat West Virginia, 76-75, Nov. 21 at a tournament in Kansas City, Mo.

Gonzaga-UCLA

Associated Press

Pundits contend the Zags defense is too porous. Some opponents are upset that the Zags (29-3) shoot so many more free throws than their rivals, hinting at referee intimidation by their fans at home.Coach Mark Few is exasperated by the free throw controversy. The Zags do have a big advantage at the line, making 647 of 827 attempts this season, for 78 percent. Their opponents have attempted only 607 free throws, making 418 for 68 percent.That means the Zags score an average of seven points per game more than opponents from the charity stripe. But the advantage is the same on the road and at home. Gonzaga’s 20-game winning streak is the longest in the nation. Second is UCLA’s nine straight wins. The Zags are 17-7 against Pacific-10 teams since 1999, 2-1 this year. Gonzaga has a 12-8 record in the NCAA tournament and has never advanced beyond the Elite Eight. UCLA is 87-32 with 11 national titles. Gonzaga won 59-43 the only previous time the teams played, in 1999. The defensive-minded Bruins (29-6) have held their last nine opponents to 60 or fewer points, while Gonzaga (29-3) — winner of 20 straight — has never been held under 62 in 20 NCAA-tournament games.

NBA

Timberwolves-Nets

Journal News

The Nets finally are getting the consistent production out of their bench that they’ve been searching for all season. The Nets have won six straight games heading into tonight’s contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves. And the reserves have played a part in just about all of them.

Rockets-Mavericks

Mercury News

Dallas has lost four games in March, which is more than it lost in January and February combined. Fewer three-point attempts has translated into fewer fast-break points for the opponent and allowed the defense to set up, which is why Dallas is allowing just 92.5 points per game.

Blazers-Suns

East Valley Tribune

The Amaré Stoudemire watch is over. After missing five months and 66 games while recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee, Stoudemire has been activated by the Suns. Stoudemire’s return might cure the Suns of a recent malaise perhaps caused by the fact that they seemingly have been locked into the No. 2 seed for weeks. The Suns (45-21) have lost four of their past seven games. Stoudemire’s return will give the Suns all their big men back except for Kurt Thomas, who is expected to miss at least the rest of the regular season with a foot injury. Brian Grant returned Tuesday night at Utah after missing three months with a knee injury.