NCAA IRON THRONE ELITE EIGHT: FIRST ROUND COVERAGE
Mar 28, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski during practice the day before the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
(1) UCLA def. (8) Indiana 96-52
Stats Leaders:
Points: 45 Lew Alcindor
Rebounds: 22 Bill Walton
Assists: 12 Isiah Thomas
Blocks: 8 Lew Alcindor
Steals: 5 Isiah Thomas
Game Notes:
Alcindor and Walton dominated the paint offensively, defensively, and rebounding. Two of the most dominant big men in the history of the NCAA proved to be far too much for Walt Bellamy and Alan Henderson to handle.
Isiah Thomas was relentless in penetration and ball pressure, but his effort wasn’t nearly enough.
Bob Knight was tossed from the game after a tirade midway through the second half that included him ripping off his shirt and throwing it in the referee’s face.
During Knight’s outburst, John Wooden shook his head in disgust on the UCLA bench.
Game Quotes:
Reggie Miller before game, “If they double down low, I’ll be wide open for three, but I still expect Lew and Bill to throw down dunks anyways. Should be a quiet night for me.”
Knight after game, “We were getting our asses kicked. That’s why I lost it. Is that OK with you chief?”
John Wooden after game, “We need to sharpen our offensive game. The ball movement was poor and we relied too heavily on our big guys.”
Game MVP: Lew Alcindor
(4) Duke def. (5) LSU 77-76
Stats Leaders:
Points: 38 Pete Maravich
Rebounds: 18 Shaq
Assists: 14 Bob Hurley
Blocks: 5 Shaq
Steals: 4 Grant Hill
Game Notes:
Pistol Pete and Shaq were dominant in the pick and roll game throughout both halves, despite the Blue Devils being in good position.
Bob Hurley did a masterful job managing the team, getting every starter in double figures scoring.
J.J. Redick splashed a three with six seconds left to give Duke a one point lead
Grant Hill was the difference down the stretch, guarding Pistol Pete and forcing him into an extremely difficult shot at the buzzer for the win, which went in and out.
Game Quotes:
Shaq before game, “It is a shame what I am going to do Elton Brand, dude seems like a nice guy.”
Pistol Pete after game, “It was nice defense by Grant Hill, but I should have made that shot.”
Coach K after game, “Our defense won the game. Shaq and Pistol Pete was a deadly combination, only the very highest level of team defense could counteract that.”
Game MVP: Duke’s defense
(3) Kansas def. (6) Kentucky 86-72
Stats Leaders:
Points: 43 Wilt Chamberlain
Rebounds: 24 Wilt Chamberlain
Assists: 10 John Wall
Blocks: 6 Wilt Chamberlain
Steals: 3 Tayshaun Prince
Game Notes:
Wilt “the Stilt” dominated Kentucky inside and got all of their bigs in foul trouble.
Antoine Walker did his shimmy shake after a three in the opening minutes of the game. Wilt promptly dunked on him the next play and stared at Walker.
Danny Manning knocked down wide open mid-range jumpers off of Wilt double teams. Pierce also had a great deal of open looks.
Anthony Davis had no effect on Wilt whatsoever.
Game Quotes:
Wilt before game, “Anthony who? Never heard of him.”
Antoine Walker before game, “We ain’t scared. Bring it.”
Tony Delk after game, “What am I supposed to say? They kicked our butts.”
Game MVP: Wilt Chamberlain
(2) UNC def. (7) Ohio St. 94-51
Stats Leaders:
Points: 28 Michael Jordan
Rebounds: 17 Greg Oden
Assists: 14 Ty Lawson
Blocks: 6 Greg Oden
Steals: 7 Michael Jordan
Game Notes:
Ty Lawson, Michael Jordan, and Vince Carter proved to be an unstoppable highlight reel in the open court. Ohio St. seemed demoralized after a particularly spicy Carter double-pump reverse dunk five minutes into the game.
Oden got the best of Hansbrough down low, simply overpowering him.
UNC had four players (Jordan, Carter, Jamison, and Hansbrough) with over twenty points
John Havlicek played a hell of a game, despite facing Jordan and Carter throughout the game.
Game Quotes:
Dean Smith before game, “We have to do this as a team.”
Jordan after the game, “We don’t celebrate first round victories around here.”
Havlicek after game, “They were the better team. That was clear.”
Game MVP: Ty Lawson (floor management)
Semifinals Previews:
(1)UCLA vs. (4) Duke
Alcindor/Walton vs. Brand/Laettner down low
Bob Hurley creating fast tempo game
Wooden vs. Coach K gameplans
UNC vs. (3) Kansas
Wilt vs. Hansbrough on the block
Lawson/Jordan/Carter in open court
Manning/Pierce offensive output