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And then there were 6. With the NIT wrapping up last night, the only postseason games still to be played are the decisive Game 3 of the CBI between Morehead State and Nevada (more on that later) and the NCAA Final Four that will tip off tomorrow night in Houston.
As for the NIT, George Washington was able to take advantage of a Valpo lineup that would not be at 100% because of an injury to Keith Carter, and it showed in the 2nd half with a decisive 76-60 victory. It wasn’t just the front line of the Colonial Army that contributed, but it was the 2nd line that helped the Colonials to a decisive 16-4 run early in the 2nd half of the game. The Crusader reserves actually outscored GW 16-13 for the game, but they needed a lot more with only Valpo’s Alec Peters in double-figures for scoring (15 pts, 10 rebounds). The Colonials had much more balanced scoring between Kevin Larsen’s 18 pts, Patricio Garino’s 14 pts, Joe McDonald’s 13 pts and Tyler Cavanaugh’s 12 pts. Valparaiso finished the season with a school-record 30 wins; GW finished 28-10.
CBI Championship Series (Game 3)
MOREHEAD STATE AT NEVADA (9:00 PM, ESPNU) – Morehead State was not able to cash in on their first of two opportunities to close out the CBI Championship; thus they are now in win-or-go-home mode along with Nevada tonight. D.J. Fenner and Cameron Oliver were the heroes of Game 2 for the Wolf Pack; they won 77-68 to force Game 3 tonight. Lyonell Gaines was the hero for Morehead in Game 1 when the Eagles won 86-83 in Morehead, Kentucky.
COACHING CAROUSEL
- Just 24 hours after Columbia learned that they would need a new head coach, they looked to the other side of the Lincoln Tunnel for a head coach; indications are that Jim Engles will be the new head coach for Columbia.
- Bryce Drew has been rumored for both the openings at Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt, but now that the Crusaders’ season is finally finished, he can begin to search for other openings if he so desires.