Hurricanes Top Wolfpack

Today the number 14 Miami Hurricanes (FL) visited the number 19 NC State Wolfpack. This game was a thriller, as expected. NC State hasn't been too good since beating Duke, when Duke was ranked number one. The first half was all NC State, outscoring the Hurricanes 40-34. This was the halftime score. The Hurricanes ripped through, in the second half, outscoring NC State 45-38. What a game this was. The Hurricanes had a late surge, thanks to Reggie Johnson. He had the go-ahead basket with :04 remaining to win. This was one of the best games to watch, because this was an ACC battle. The Hurricanes are still unbeaten in the ACC. Both teams have beaten Duke when Duke was at number one. Both teams beat Duke at home. The ACC is one of the toughest conferences in college basketball. Durand Scott led NC State with 18 points. Reggie Johnson led the Wolfpack with 8 rebounds and added 15 points. Shane Larkin had 5 assists, leading the team and had 13 points. Julian Gamble added 16 points. This Miami team could make it into the top ten, after having Syracuse and Kansas losing. C.J. Leslie led NC State with 18 points and led the team with 12 rebounds. A double-double for him. He is a player who has done a great job in his college career so far. Tyler Lewis led NC State with 5 assists and also had 16 points. Richard Howell had 15 points and 8 rebounds. Finally, Rodney Purvis had 13 points. Many players were in double figures, but Miami hung in there.

By Ameen I.

Michigan vs. Indiana: Preview

Tonight the number 1 Michigan Wolverines are headed to Assembly Hall to play number 3 Indiana. This is the fist time Michigan has been number one in 20 years. Indiana has been at number 1 this season, but lost it. Cody Zeller is the talk for Indiana, who leads the team in points and rebounds. He averages 16.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Kevin Ferrell leads Indiana in assists with 4.5 and also averages 7.4 points. This Indiana team hasn't met the standards people had for them. If they win tonight, they will surely be the number one team. Being number one has been a danger this season, instead of a luxury. I think there are two reasons:One, the number one team thinks they are too good and gets cocky. Two, the opposing team tries harder than ever to try and be the best team. Meanwhile, Michigan is led by Trey Burke, arguably, one of the best point-guards in the nation. He averages 17.9 points and 7.1 assists per game, both a team lead. Finally, Mitch McGary leads the team in rebounds with 6, and also adds 5.6 points. I think that Indiana will win this game because they have the home-court advantage. This is a very difficult place to play in for opposing teams. Whoever wins this game will have the number one spot in the Big Ten Conference. This is probably the toughest conference in the country. This game will be on ESPN at 9:00 PM EST. By Ameen I.

'Cuse Goes Down Again

The Pittsburgh Panthers beat the Syracuse Orange today, with a final score of 65-55. Syracuse was playing without two important players, James Southerland and DaJuan Coleman. Coleman is out with a knee injury, and Southerland is out with eligibility issues. If he played today I think Syracuse could've won. The Panthers bench outscored the Syracuse bench. You have to tip your hats to Pittsburgh though, pulling off an upset against Syracuse. Syracuse was playing sloppy and was outscored 27-25. That would be the halftime score. The Panthers brought their "A game" today. The second half was even worse for Syracuse, being outscored 38-30. Steven Adams, for Pitt, went out in the second half after being poked in the eye. Still, the Panthers won. Michael Carter-Williams fouled out for the Orange with one minute to go. This was an ugly game for Syracuse. Pitt, however, proved that they can beat anyone. C.J. Fair led the way for Syracuse with 20 points and added only three rebounds. Jerami Grant led Syracuse in rebounds, with only five. This is where not having DaJuan Coleman hurt the Orange, rebounds. Michael Carter-Williams leads the country with 8.9 assists per game, and only had 2 assists today. Tray Woodall led the way for the Panthers with 13 points, and added 4 assists and 5 rebounds. He was the only Pittsburgh player who was in double figures. Talib Zanna had 12 rebounds, leading the team. Lamar Patterson had 5 assists, a team lead, and tacked on 7 points and 4 rebounds. I think the reason Pitt won this game was their rebounding. They were grabbing most of the shots put up. Other teams in the Big East should look out, because Pittsburgh is a team that can beat anyone. I also think Syracuse will drop out of the top ten after losing two straight games. Syracuse plays Notre Dame next on Monday. The Panthers are now 18-5. The Orange are 18-3. If Syracuse wants to win, they have to play with much more intensity.

By Ameen I.

Syracuse at Pittsburgh

Today the Syracuse Orange are visiting the Pittsburgh Panthers. Syracuse is coming off of a loss against Villanova, and now DaJuan Coleman is out with a knee injury. James Sutherland is also out, but with eligibility problems. Syracuse is ranked number 6 in the country. This is another Big East battle between these teams, and have always had a rivalry. The Big East is one of the toughest conferences in the country. Michael Carter Williams for Syracuse leads the nation in assists per games with 8.9. He also averages 12.6 points and 4.9 rebounds. Michael is one of the tallest point-guards in the country, listed at 6 feet 6 inches. He is number 5 in the country with 3 steals per game. He is one of the best points-guards in the nation. C.J. Fair averages 13.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per a game. He has stepped up big for the Orange. Brandon Triche is averaging 14.9 points,3.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds. He leads the team in points. Brandon has upper-body strength and can shift his shoulders to get through the defense. Pittsburgh has Talib Zanna. He has 11.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. Steven Adams averages 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds. He is from New Zealand. Finally, Tray Woodall is averaging 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. I think Syracuse will come out on top. After losing to Villanova, I think Syracuse will get and early lead and hang on. This game will be on ESPN at 12:00 PM EST.

By Ameen I.

Lakers Hold On

Last night the Lakers started their annual seven game road-trip to play the Minnesota Timberwolves. They played without Dwight Howard, having a shoulder injury, and still put up a great performance. The Lakers were strong in the first quarter, outscoring the Timberwolves 37-24. This game would end up being high-scoring. Again, in the second quarter the Lakers outscored the Timberwolves 31-29. The halftime score would be 68-53 with the Lakers on top. Finally, the Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 23-17 in the third quarter. This made it a very interesting game. In the fourth quarter the Lakers outscored Minnesota 26-24, capping of a win. The final score would be 111-100. This win snapped the Lakers eight-game road losing streak. Maybe this win can carry them for the rest of their road trip. Pau Gasol led the way for the Lakers with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Kobe Bryant had 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. This looks like the new Kobe Bryant, the one who passes. Finally, Steve Nash scored 17 points, had 7 assists, and 7 rebounds. Ricky Rubio had 9 points, but led the Timberwolves with 7 assists. I don't think Minnesota will be able to win without Kevin Love, who is out with a fractured hand. The only way Minnesota has a chance of having a winning season is for them to get Kevin Love back. He needs to stay healthy. The Lakers are now 21-26. The Timberwolves are 17-26. If the Lakers play like this, nothing can stop them, no matter who is injured.

By Ameen I.

Heat vs. Pacers

The Miami Heat are visiting the Indiana Pacers. The Miami Heat are having yet another great season with the Big three. The Pacers have had some good wins this season too. A couple of weeks ago they had a huge win against the Memphis Grizzlies, when the Grizzlies had Rudy Gay. The Heat are led by LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. LeBron James averages 26.5 points, 7.1 assists, and 8.3 rebounds. He is having another great season, maybe another MVP Award. Dwayne Wade is averaging 20.7 points and 4.6 assists. Chris Bosh has 17.2 points, 7.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game. The Big three is having much better communication than they did in the beginning of the season. The Pacers are a great team too. They have been having a much better season than most people had expected. Paul George averages 17.4 points and 7.7 rebounds. That is close to a double-double. David West is averaging 16.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks a game. Finally, Roy Hibbert has 10 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.6 rejections per game. These three are great, and help teach younger, less experienced players the qualities they have. I am predicting that the Heat will come out on top, due to the fact that that they have won many important games, against great teams. This game will be on at 7:00 PM EST on ESPN.

By Ameen I.

Howard Out

Center for the Los Angeles Lakers Dwight Howard has been having a rocky season and it is only getting worse. Howard currently suffered a left shoulder injury during the Lakers game against the Suns. He injured the shoulder when he was blocked by Suns Shannon Brown in the fourth qaurter of the Lakers loss to the Suns. Doctors said that the injury is coming back after he injured the shoulder on January fourth. The Lakers are hoping that their 6 foot 11 center will be back before their second game after their next against the Timberwolves tonight.