Bests
Cougars mount super surge
Run.
After being tied at 29 at the break, Washington State’s adjustments against Winthrop worked and the Cougars went on a 38-5 run to move on in the tourney.
Alley-oop.
Pitt’s Gilbert Brown from Levance Fields early in the first half against an unsuspecting Oral Roberts defense. The rim-rattler tied the game at 10 and started the Panthers’ blowout.
Block.
As Notre Dame’s 6-foot-8 forward Luke Harangody was floating through the lane trying to avoid a George Mason defender, 6-0 Patriots guard Jordan Carter slid over and got a clean swat on Harangody’s shot.
David Krause, The Denver Post
Worsts
No presents for Christmas
Start.
Temple’s Dionte Christmas, left, missed his first six shots, including five 3-pointers, and got his only basket, which was a layup, 6 1/2 minutes into the second half.
Takedown.
Pittsburgh’s Levance Fields was driving the lane when he was flipped to the floor by Oral Roberts’ Robert Jarvis in the second half. Jarvis got his hands on the ball, but the contact whipped Fields to the floor and into the first row of photographers, drawing boos from the crowd.
Finish.
Down 17 points with 22 seconds to play, ORU was fouling on the Pitt inbounds. Fans were chiding ORU coaches to call a timeout.
David Krause; The Denver Post
CRUISING THE MALL
Night on the town.
Some of the teams walked up and down the 16th Street Mall on Wednesday night. The Pittsburgh team had a bowling night on the mall. “People showed us the love,” said guard Levance Fields, who led five Panthers in double figures with 23 points Thursday. “They were taking pictures with us (on cellphones).”
PEPSI SUPPORTER
Brand in house.
When you’re president of the NCAA, you can pick any tournament site to attend. Myles Brand picked Denver.
“It’s a terrific place,” he said, taking an anonymous seat on press row next to a TV monitor.
“Denver has great fans. Look how full the house is,” noting the seats filled to the Pepsi Center rafters for every game.
He can play favorites with host cities, but not teams.
“It doesn’t matter who wins, as long as the games are well-played,” Brand said.
LIFE EXPERIENCE
Sinking in.
Thursday was the last game in Oral Roberts swingman Moses Ehambe’s career. He finished as one of the school’s all-time best 3-point shooters, ranking in the top 10 in 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage, but he’ll remember something more about his four years there.
“It’s meant everything to me,” Ehambe said. “It’s been a great journey. Oral Roberts University has just taught me a lot in life. I’m thankful for that.”
LIVES UP TO BILLING
Harangody vs. Thomas.
Through more than 11 hours of team mismatches, one individual battle lived up to its billing.
Hulking Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody overcame four fouls to record a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds. His sleeker George Mason counterpart Will Thomas had 25 points.
Natalie Meisler, Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
