NCAA Roundup: Wildcats Win the Sunflower Showdown, Volunteers and Duke Steady

It was an interesting night in the NCAA basketball. All the best programmes were playing, and we saw one surprise which took place in the Sunflower Showdown.

The Kansas State Wildcats have managed to defeat No.13 Kansas Jayhawks, 74-67.

After eight straight losses the Wildcats won, and not only that but also, they rose to the first place in the Big 12 Conference. One of the best defenses in the college basketball continually harassed the more famous from the same state, forcing them to commit 23 turnovers, and to have numerous tough shots. But according to coach Bill Self, the defense wasn’t the only thing which decided the winner in this great spectacle.

“People think there’s a common theme: turnovers,” Kansas coach Bill Self stated at the press conference.

“It’s leadership. It’s toughness. It’s inexperience. There are a lot of things that go into it. We could have come over here and played great tonight and still lost.” said quite disappointed self.

We need to say that the level of physicality in their game was high above than Jayhawks could handle, and it is no surprise to see this outcome.

Barry Brown Jr. scored 18 points for the home team, Xavier Snead 14, while Dean Wade had an all-around game with 12 buckets, 9 boards, and 5 assists.

Among the losing team, Dedric Watson with 18 points and 9 boards, was the only bright spot.

Tennessee Notches 17th Straight Win

The Tennessee Volunteers (21-1) recorded their 17th win in a row, by easily handling Missouri Tigers (11-10). A 9-0 run in the early part of the second half decided the game, when Volunteers gained a 15-point lead, 50-35.

Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams had 13 points each for the hosts, while Jordan Bowen added 12 off the bench.

Coach Rick Barnes was more than happy with the performance of his team, saying that the boys are doing a great job, but reminded that is only half of the season now, and that they have a lot more to do.

“You’ve got to give these guys credit,” Barnes said. “They’ve done the work, put it in. Now we’re getting toward the end of the regular season, we’re halfway through the conference season, I guess.”

The Volunteers are going this well against all the odds, and many of the experts believe that they are going crack under pressure at some point. Time will show, were they right.

Duke Too Strong for Boston

Now, the one thing which probably won’t crack under pressure is Duke. The No.2 Blue Devils (20-2) easily trashed Boston College Eagles (11-10), 80-55, with a terrifying second half.

Coach K’s boys demolished the guests with 52-25 in that part of the contest, displaying their strength in full measure.

“They ramped it up all over the floor,” Boston’s coach Jim Christian said

It is an excellent intro for the upcoming showdown against No.3 Virginia this Saturday.

Cam & Ques headline the #DukeMBBTop5 from the win over 🦅 😈😈💪👌👀 pic.twitter.com/bdyyaRrS4a

— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) February 6, 2019

Cameron Reddish led Duke in this one, dropping 24 points, RJ Barrett had 19, while Zion Williamson added 16 along with 17 rebounds. After the game, Krzyzewski praised Reddish because of his game, and his ability to show up when things get tough. Among other things, Coach K said that Reddish reminds him of one former Blue Devil, who we all know.

“It reminded me of Grant Hill, what he was doing, because he’s 6-foot-8 and he’s so long.”

In other games, No.5 Kentucky Wildcats (19-3), have trashed South Carolina Gamecocks (11-11) with 76-48, clinching their 9th straight win. P.J Washington led the way with 20 points for the home team.

Ignas Brazdeikis was pulling his No.7 Michigan Wolverines (21-2) to a win over Rutgers Scarlet Knights (11-11), 77-65. The Lithuanian freshman had 23 points and five threes made.

No.8 Tar Heels were ruthless against their state rivals, North Carolina State Wolfpack, 113-96, with Luke Maye’s unreal performance. The 6-8 forward posted 31 points and 12 boards, shooting 10 of 15 from the field, and 10 of 10 from the line.