Leonard Hamilton Seminoles Enter Sweet 16 In A Defensive State Of Mind

Leonard Hamilton will lead his Florida State Seminoles into the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Florida State #10 seed will take on #11 VCU for the right to move on to the Elite 8. The Seminoles stormed into Chicago and the United Center during the opening weekend of the NCAA's. FSU is the ACC leading defensive team in terms of points per game and field goal percentage. The Noles defeated Texas A&M & Notre Dame only giving up 50 and 57 points respectively. This great defensive was played mostly without the Seminoles leader Chris Singleton. Singleton played limited minutes over the weekend after playing his first pair of games after missing several weeks after a lower body injury. Kitchen and Singletary are the only FSU players that average double figures, obviously this team makes their living on the defensive end. There is a potential Elite 8 matchup between FSU and Kansas. Could you imagine Noles defense vs. Jayhawks offense. However Richmond and VCU both teams from Richmond,VA will have something to say about that. You never know, it could be an all city of Richmond Elite 8.

VCU Are Heading To The Sweet 16

VCU, had to be selected for the NCAA Tournament game. Many experts argue should they be in or out. Not only did VCU win in Dayton, Ohio during the First Four, VCU won 3 games in 5 days. Defeating USC (Pac 10), then VCU traveled to Chicago and defeated Georgetown (Big East) and Purdue (Big Ten). Now VCU has the CAA conference on their back, similar to George Mason. George Mason made the 2006 NCAA Final Four. 33 year old Shaka Smart has led VCU to the Sweet 16. Many experts believe Shaka is a wanted man. It's up to Smart to leave VCU for a bigger school one the season ends.

Possible NCAA Tournament Return For Duke Freshman Kyrie Irving

Coach K said a day prior to the tournament, their is a possibly his super freshman from New Jersey Kyrie Irving could return to the lineup. The freshman point guard hasn't played since suffering an injury three months ago vs. Butler. How ironic Butler is the team Duke defeated to win the 2010 National Championship. The Bluedevils begin their 2011 title defense as a #1 seed in the West Region. If Duke can get Irving back it puts everyone else in their natural positions. Especially All American Nolan Smith, who's been everything for Duke this season, he could move back to his natural shooting guard position. Duke would be one step closer to the likes of Kansas and Ohio State in terms of winning the championship, as many experts have the Jayhawks and Buckeyes as the favorites to cut down the nets.

Talor Battled Penn State Into NCAA Tournament

Thursday #7 Temple will face #10 Penn State during a West Region first round NCAA Tournament game at the University of Arizona. Penn State led by senior guard Talor Battle, made an incredible run through the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis this past weekend. Prior to losing to #1 overall seed Ohio State, Penn State knocked off Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan State respectively. Penn State probably needed those three postseason victories to make the field of 68. Temple hasn't won a NCAA Tournament game since 2001, head coach Fran Dunphy has won since 1994 while at UPenn. Penn State hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament since 2001. How ironic that postseason the two schools met in New Orleans in the Sweet 16 as Temple won that contest. Something has to give seniors Lavoy Allen of Temple and Talor Battle will leave the court Thursday with their 1st tournament win or for the final time in their college career. Senior forward Jeff Brooks is a key player for the Nittany Lions as he can post up and stretch the defense from three point land. Battle's backcourt made Jennings has extremely quick hands, really isn't a jump shooter. However he's a theft artest defensively and can push the basketball on offense. Both teams on paper match up extremely well.

UConn You Have Won 5 Games In 5 Days As Big East Champs

Jim Calhoun, has seen plenty of positive moments since he's been head basketball coach of the University of Connecticut program. Calhoun has led the Huskies to a pair of National Championships in 1999 & 2004 respectively and 3 Final Four appearances most recently in 2009. Calhoun has also won several Big East Tournament titles. However the 2010-11 UConn Huskies were led by senior guard Kemba Walker, a player from the Bronx that's in the conversation for Big East and National Player Of The Year awards. Walker has set a conference tournament record for most points scored in a single tournament, while assisting UConn to a five games in five days run. Saturday night in Madison Square Garden, UConn defeated Louisville to make history. The Huskies were victorious Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Many fans will remember the game winning shot Walker hit vs. Pitt to send his team to the semifinals. Sunday UConn will find out where they'll be seeded and playing come NCAA Tournament time.

Philadelphia Have A Problem Utley Injured

Chase Utley, Philadelphia's all star second basemen has yet to play during Spring Training 2011. Charlie Manuel initially said Utley was sore from off season workouts. Later it was reported Utley knee was injured and was given a cortisone shot. Chase Utley has a history in recent years of acquiring nagging injuries. Where do the Philadelphia Phillies go from here? Wilson Valdez the utility infielder will probably fill in like he did last season for Utley and Rollins. How much time will Utley miss? No one truly knows what will happen next. It's simply a wait and see process at this point, nevertheless this doesn't look good. Could the Phillies be forced to make a move at somepoint, especially if the offensive struggles? Philadelphia has already loss Jason Werth to free agency, he'll be playing in Washington, without Utley, Ryan Howard will need protection. The Phillies are build to win now, GM Ruben Amaro has some decisions to make, along with Utley concerning his health.

Kemba Walker Hits Another Game Winner Advances Past Pittsburgh

Kemba Walker, the University of Connecticut senior guard has carried the Huskies all season. UConn came into the 2011 Big East Tournament as a #9 seed. Pittsburgh came in with a double bye prior to Thursday's game and they were the number #1 seed. Pitt opened up a double digit lead in the first half at Madison Square Garden. However Walker and the Huskies have done what they have done all season long, make a strong comeback. Walker helped UConn start the season winning the Maui Invitational while defeating a pair of ranked teams in the process. With the game tied at and a spot in the Big East seminfinals at stake, Pitt was caught in a switch. During the switch Walker was guarded by a big man. Game set match point, swish. UConn defeats Pitt as time expires. Friday, the Huskies will play their 4th game in 4 days vs. Syracuse. The Orange defeated the hometown St. John Red Storm.