MARCH MADNESS March 29, 2013 Recap....LOUISVILLE takes it to the Feisty DUCKS....MAIZE and BLUE stun ROCK CHALK Nation...SPARTY not enough Firepower vs DUKE...GATORS figure out FGCU

Who needs the entire back court when one can do the trick as Louisville Guard Russ Smith goes for 31 points on the Ducks as the Cards head to the Midwest Bracket Final with a 77-69 win. The Ducks could've folded early but kept coming at the Cards and in the end it was too little too late for the Ducks. The play of the Cards Freshman Guard Kevin Ware (11 points) proved to be what the Cards ordered as Star PG Peyton Siva again got in early foul trouble. The difference in the game was the Cards were just way more aggressive at the beginning and it proved to overwhelm the Ducks until they settled down. E.J. Singler led the Ducks with 15 points as they couldn't find the range early and often enough to stay within striking distance. 

The Kansas Jayhawks looked the part for about 35 minutes or so then they all watched the "Trey Burke Show" as the Maize and Blue come from 5 points down with just under a minute and a half to go to send the Game into extras to beat the Rock Chalk. Critical Errors in judgement doomed the Jayhawks late and even in overtime. Burke had 23 points and ten helpers as his point Guard Play distributing the Orange kept Big Blue in the game for the duration until Burke went to "Me" Time. Wolverines Freshman Big Mitch McGary played extremely well as he led UM with 25 points and fourteen rebounds. McGary played big against Kansas' Big Jeff Withey and that was huge considering Bloodlines Hardaway Jr. and Robinson III didn't have their best games. Kansas was led by Redshirt Freshman Ben McLemore's 20 points and the other four Kansas Starters were in double figures as well.   

An issue for the Michigan State Spartans all season was Offensive Production at times as in games they had stretched were they were it was a challenge to get Offense. Well tonight vs Duke all that came to a head and Sparty ran up against a Team that if you struggle scoring you will get an L. Behind tough half court disciplined D and excellent Transition D the Duke Blue Devils played an almost perfect game from a defensive standpoint to beat Sparty 71-61. State didn't get the Memo or did get it and couldn't do anything about it stopping Duke Sr Sniper Seth Curry who poured in 29 points. He might as well been wearing a #DUBnation Jersey looking like Big Bro with that quick-release and High Basketball IQ.  Ironically enough both teams shot 40% from the field as it came down to Hustle Plays and the Dukies come out on top. Sparty Junior Guard Keith Appling led the Spartans with 16 points as they couldn't find the Range at all through the whole 40 minutes. 

Cinderella came out blazing then the Gators calmed down and got timely dunk from Casey Prather and the Gators took off. Florida and Lead man Billy Donovan simply slowed the Game down and used their athleticism and Power inside to attack FGCU and ultimately in the end that prevailed as UF wins 62-50. Yes Dunk City was in effect early but the Gators also shut that down. Led by Mike Rosario's 15 points and the Gator's D holding the Eagles under 40% from the field was the answer in this one. That sets up a Florida vs Michigan Regional Final on Sunday in Big D.