First set wrapping up

As mentioned, Syracuse is already awaiting the winner of the Arizona State v. Temple game that will be played later today.

North Dakota State played a very tough game against Kansas until the very end. However, Aldridge proved to be too much for the Bison as he collected a double double in his return to his home state of Minnesota. Woodside scored a game high 37 points for NDSU but couldn't find any help on the offensive end. Too much size and talent for the Jayhawks in this one. At least it was a close game all the way through. 84-74 was the eventual final. Kansas will play the winner of the 6 v. 11 match-up between West Virgina and Dayton coming up later.

Oklahoma State stayed alive in another tight ball game. Tennessee was leading by 1 with less than 30 seconds to go, but Byron Eaton wasn't having any of that. Eaton drove to the hoop hard and some how converted a diving layup, absorbing contact and a foul. After making the free throw the Cowboys were up 2 and the Vols final shot would fall short. 77-75 was the final here, and this was a close game wire to wire. I think the biggest lead for either team was 8. OK State will likely play the top seed in the East region, Pittsburgh Panthers unless Eastern Tennessee State becomes the first 16 seed to dethrone a number 1.

In the fourth and final game of the early session on day two we find another great game. 11 seeded Utah State trailed the entire game against the Marquette Golden Eagles but that didn't stop this game to come down to the final seconds. Behind a late flurry of jumpers from Quayle and the rest of the Aggies they pulled the margin to 3 and had the ball with less than 20 seconds to go. They got a decent look at a three for the tie but the effort came up short and Marquette corralled the rebound. After a foul and one Golden Eagle free throw the margin was 4. Utah State hit a three pointer at the buzzer to make the final score 57-58. A great game and effort for the Aggies but they came up 1 short in the end. Marquette will play either 3 seeded Missouri or 11 seeded Cornell in the next round.

Arizona State and Temple have just tipped off. Other games included in the second session of games today include Eastern Tennessee State versus Pittsburgh, Dayton versus West Virginia, Cornell taking on Missouri. Dayton/WV and Temple/ASU are the potentially entertaining games in this group.