The Peach Basket Brief: 02.21.07

Michigan State 64, (2) Wisconsin 55. That's a pretty nice little resume builder, no? The bubble-bound Spartans might've done enough last night to get themselves on the good side of the bubble, knocking off the #2 (or #1, depending on who you believe) team in all of college basketball. Drew Neitzel was incredible all night long, making plays, willing the ball into the bucket, and willing his team to victory. Neitzel had 28, and it left Tom Izzo on the brink of tears. Which I didn't really need to see.

(20) Texas 80, Texas Tech 51. Texas Tech was another bubble team with a chance to make a statement against a highly-regarded opponent. And they did make a statement, but that statement was, "Yes, please ... go ahead and beat our ass." Texas just rolled. It wasn't close past the 4-minute mark in the first half. Stat of the night: Every Texas player was in double figures, while no Texas Tech player was in double figures. That has to be rare.

Providence 64, (18) West Virginia 61. You live by the three, you die by the three ... it's a cliche, but it's true. When your shot is falling, you're capable of beating teams that you have no business beating. When it's not, though, you can lose to teams who have no business beating you. West Virginia shot (State of the night #2) 9-of-41 on the evening from beyond the arc, and they still had a chance to win it at the end. Providence got 24 from Weyinmi Efejuku.

UNLV 60, (13) Air Force 50. Consider this all Stat of the night #3: Just one game seperates them in the standings. Both are 10-4 in the conference, Air Force is 23-5, while UNLV is 23-6. Air Force is 13th in the RPI, and UNLV is 14th. And yet, Air Force is ranked 13th in the country, while UNLV is still answering questions about their postseason resume. That's amazing... it's crazy how this all works. And, oh yeah, they knocked off Air Force last night, getting 14 points from Kevin Kruger.

Missouri State 71, Wichita State 65. That puts Wichita State's slide at three games, while Missouri State keeps itself in line for an at-large bid. The Shockers shot a much better percentage from the floor, but extra possessions (just 4 turnovers to Wichita State's 11) and three-point shooting earned them the road W.

Tennessee Tech 73, Austin Peay 72. And tonight's Player of the night: Ah, Neitzel will get enough attention, let's give it to Golden Eagle Anthony Fisher, who finished with 30 points. Austin Peay already has the regular season OVC title sewn up, so they probably won't lose a lot of sleep, but Anthony Fisher? You go ahead and party down in Cookeville, buddy.

Kentucky 70, LSU 63. If Kentucky had lost, it would've been their first four-game losing streak since John Pelphrey took the floor in a UK jersey. At least Tim Hardaway will be pleased.