NBK in the NCAAs: Day Two

Yuuuuuge day for the NBK, as we continue our quest of tracking those schools who have never been to the Sweet Sixteen.  The Never Been Kissed has never fared better.

Through Round One, including Friday games. Five still alive.
Through Round One, including Friday games. Five still alive.

The bearded warriors of Stephen F. Austin looked Stephen Effing Awesome while crushing West Virginia in a dominating 70-56 win.  Thomas F. Walkup was a ludicrous 19-20 from the line and bagged 33 points in total.  West Virginia was led by Devin Williams with only 12 points (17 boards).  We enjoy Devin Williams’ work and look forward to seeing the goggled one again next year.  But today it’s Hail, Hail Lumberjacks!   SFA will take on Notre Dame Sunday for the right to go to the Sweet Sixteen, and the Jacks will be favored.

Hail, Hail Hawai’i!!  The Rainbow Warriors blasted California 77-66 with a balanced attack.  Big West Player of the Year and Lug of the Century Stefan “Jimmy Chitwood” Jankovich kicked in 16 points and a pair of Senior guards — Quincy Smith (19) and Roderick Bobbitt (17) — were also in double figures.  Glue guy Mike Thomas picked a great day to have his best effort of the year, logging 23 minutes of ruthless efficiency:  153 ORtg, 2/3 2-pointers, 1/2 3-pointers, 2/2 Free Throws, 6 reb, 1 blk, 0 TO.  The islanders will take on Maryland Sunday.

While Stephen F. Austin was favored in our metrics, and Hawai’i had a strong chance given Cal’s sudden disarray, we at the NBK had no idea what Middle Tennessee was going to bring on Friday.  The Blue Raiders invaded our hometown of St Louis and pillaged everyone’s bracket by upending Michigan St 90-81, leading wire-to-wire.  For the Spartans, Denzel Valentine was good (13 points, 12 assists, 6 reb) and Matt Costello was great (22 pts on 9-10 from the field, 9 reb, 2 assists, a block and a steal) but overall their defense was abysmal.  The BRs five starters all logged double-figure points and triple-figure Offensive Ratings.    Hail, Hail the entire Middle of Tennessee!  The Blue Raiders take on Syracuse in St Louis on Sunday for the right to go to the Sweet Sixteen.

We say goodbye until next year to Oregon St, Cal St Bakersfield, Green Bay, Weber St, South Dakota St and UNC Asheville.  Bakersfield hung tight with Oklahoma for a bit, and South Dakota St only lost by 7, but on balance these teams maxed out.

Honorable mention to Northern Iowa, who acted like they’ve been there before because they have.