Tournament day 4

Syracuse and Arizona State are already well underway. The Orangemen lead ASU at the half by a score of 41-32 and look as though they are picking up where they left off continuing their hot play of late. Jonny Flynn already has 5 assists at half for Syracuse. Also for the Orange, Devendorf and Onuaku already have double digit points with 11 and 10 respectively. Rautins has 2 three pointers and 8 points off the bench.

For the Sun Devils, Rihards Kuksiks has poured in 15 first half points and Ty Abbot has 8 but that is the extent of the production on that side. ASU is going to need to find some scoring in the second half if they hope to have a chance here.

Four more games are scheduled to start before noon on the west coast:

(4) Xavier v. (12) Wisconsin - Xavier is the better team in this one but the Badgers were able to slow the game down in their first round game against Florida State and will likely try to do the same here. Pace of the game should dictate who is ultimately victorious.

(3) Kansas v. (11) Dayton - Dayton is a dangerous team as they get scrappy play in the paint from their bigs and can shoot the equalizing three pointers. I wouldn't be surprised if Dayton showed up and gave the Jayhawks all they can handle and more in this one. Kansas doesn't impress me.

(13) Cleveland State v. (12) Arizona - Cleveland State beat arguably the most purely talented team in the ACC in the first round in Wake Forest and if they can pull that off they should be able to give the Wildcats of Arizona some fits. Arizona is wild at times but have been playing their best basketball in the tournament. I still like Cleveland State here.

(1) Pittsburgh v. (8) Oklahoma State - The Cowboys played tough in their first round game against Tennessee needing every minute of that game to advance. The Panthers of Pitt didn't find easy going of it in their first game either and it will be interesting to see who has what left in the tank after playing their tough games only a full day removed. I think Dejuan Blair will prove too much to handle down low and that means Pitt moves on.

The updated bracket looks like this after last night's games became final.