East Regional

Trice as nice: Senior leads Michigan State to Final Four
By Tyler Piccotti
March 29, 2015 - 10:06pm
The Michigan State senior scored 17 points to continue what his head coach called a "most improbable" tournament run to the Final Four.

Travis Trice wasn't supposed to have this moment.

He wasn't a sought-after recruit in high school, only gracing the wish list of Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo amid the courting of current teammate Branden Dawson.

Then he had a brain infection... and two concussions... and a number of other dings and dents once he arrived in East Lansing.

East Regional: Trice's clutch shooting leads Michigan State past Oklahoma
By Tyler Piccotti
March 28, 2015 - 5:12pm
The senior nailed four clutch foul shots as the Spartans fought off an athletic Sooner team.

With 14 seconds left and seventh-seeded Michigan State clinging to a slim two-point lead in Friday’s East Regional semifinal game against third-seeded Oklahoma, Spartans guard Travis Trice took a long look at the rim and walked to the free-throw line. 

With the game on the line, Trice cleared his mind and didn’t ponder the magnitude of the moment. 

“To be honest with you, I’m just thinking knock them down,” Trice said. “I just want to win the game. That’s all. Really.” 

It worked. 

East Regional Friday notebook: Barber hampered by illness
By Tyler Piccotti
March 28, 2015 - 1:13pm
The N.C. State sharpshooter dealt with an ailing stomach, while Michigan State squeezed in a few laughs before the big game.

As Louisville and North Carolina State battled each other on the court, the Wolfpack’s Anthony “Cat” Barber and Louisville’s Terry Rozier were battling their own bodies. 

Both Barber and Rozier were significantly ill the night before and hours leading up to their clash in the East Regional semifinal at the Carrier Dome on Friday night. 

Barber, one of N.C. State’s potent backcourt shooters, showed violent symptoms of a stomach virus according to head coach Mark Gottfried. 

East Regional: Gill's surprising spurt powers Louisville to Elite Eight
By Tyler Piccotti
March 27, 2015 - 11:58pm
After not scoring for nearly a month, the sophomore helped the Cardinals pull away in the second half.

Louisville head coach Rick Pitino said he had a conversation with reserve guard Anton Gill earlier this week and told the sophomore he was “mentally in a funk.” 

But instead of giving Pitino lip service, Gill responded with a promise that he would be ready to play. So when Pitino was forced to go to his bench in the second half of Friday’s East Regional at the Carrier Dome against North Carolina State, he chose Gill over Shaqquan Aaron at the three-spot. 

Then Gill delivered on his promise in the biggest way. 

East Regional notebook: An apology for Obama
By Tyler Piccotti
March 27, 2015 - 11:08am
One N.C. State player reached out to the president, while coaches reflected on their own friendships and relationship with Jim Boeheim.

N.C. State guard Anthony “Cat” Barber is locked in for Friday night’s Sweet 16 matchup against Louisville. 

But only after reaching out to the leader of the free world during the week. 

After the Wolfpack upset top-seeded Villanova in the third round, television cameras caught Barber asking, “The f--- wrong with Barack Obama?” The obscenity was an obvious reference to the president’s bracket, which had the Wildcats advancing to the next round. 

Broadcaster Verne Lundquist talks March Madness, Syracuse sanctions
By Tyler Piccotti
March 26, 2015 - 9:32pm
Lundquist has been calling NCAA Tournament games for more than 30 years.

Verne Lundquist witnessed the legendary Iron Bowl in 2013 between Alabama and Auburn and famously narrated the rise to fame of an uncontrollable golfer in the 1996 comedy film “Happy Gilmore.” 

Still, the 74-year-old broadcaster said the excitement surrounding the NCAA Tournament beats all other scenes in sports. 

NCAA East Regional open practice: What you need to know
By Tyler Piccotti
March 25, 2015 - 5:17pm
Fans of all ages will be able to see each of the four teams competing at the Carrier Dome during Thursday's fan-friendly event.

Looking to be a part of this weekend's NCAA East Regional without having to break open your piggy bank?

Well then you're in luck.

On Thursday, practice for Friday's Sweet 16 games will be open with free admission at the Carrier Dome to all fans, including those without tickets to the rest of the "Madness." Gates open to the public at 11 a.m., with practices beginning at noon.

Each of the four teams competing (North Carolina State, Louisville, Michigan State and Oklahoma) will take the court for 50 minutes throughout the afternoon. The schedule is as follows:

Mountaineers’ Truck breaks down before East Regional
By Kyle C. Leach
March 24, 2010 - 10:35pm
The Syracuse regional has the Big Red, the Big Blue, and now the Big Hurt. West Virginia lost its point guard to a foot injury yesterday; yet as they’ve done all season, keep rolling with the punches.

It’s February 23, 2002 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the University of Rochester is playing at Carnegie Mellon University in the final regular season game.

The Yellowjackets (21-4) need the victory to assure the at-large bid to the upcoming NCAA Tournament. I was a senior wing on Rochester, and with the game tied at 11-11, point guard Tim Sweeney (now an assistant coach at Elon University) got the outlet pass and passed the ball to me streaking up the sideline.