Round of 32 Breakdown
Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young University Cougars cuts through UNLV defenders (L-R) Anthony Marshall #3, Tre'Von Willis #33 and Chace Stanback #22 during a semifinal game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball tournament. (March 12, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
Welcome to the round of 32 hoops fans. We're hoping there are some tight games today. The first round was great with three overtime games (one went double OT) and some really big time performances. Jimmer Fredett's 37-point game, Armon Bassett's 32-point outburst in Ohio's win over Georgetown and the 28 points dropped by Xavier's Jordan Crawford highlighted the first two days.
Here's a breakdown of the first set of second-round games.
East Region second round games
West Region second round games
At Oklahoma City: No.7 BYU (30-5) vs. No.2 Kansas State (27-7) – This will be the biggest challenge yet for Kansas State. Jimmer Fredette scored 37 against Florida despite being surrounded by multiple defenders on a lot of occasions. Fredette has such great range that he has to be picked up as soon as he steps over the halfcourt line. Kansas State has everything it takes to be a Final Four team. Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente are a great guard combo, while Bronx native Curtis Kelly stepped up in a big way against North Texas in the first round. BYU’s Fredette will get his, but the Cougars need more than just him to slow down the Wildcats.
Midwest second round games
At Providence: No.10 St. Mary’s (27-5) vs. Villanova (25-7) – Villanova needed all of the strength it could muster to get by Robert Morris in overtime. Scottie Reynolds was terrible from the field (2-for-15), but he was money on the free throw line (15-for-16) and finished with 20 points. You can be sure that won’t happen twice. But he’ll need some help. Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes managed only six points each, while Antonio Pena didn’t even score. Omar Samhan (29 points, 12 rebounds) and Mickey McConnell (23 points) were just money against Richmond. It won’t be that easy against Villanova, which has the size to bang with Samhan. But Samhan usually finds a way to get it done. This will be another barn-burner for the Wildcats.
