SB Nation New York - NCAA Final Four: Kentucky, VCU Join UConn And Butlerhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-03-27T19:51:48-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18314342011-03-27T19:51:48-04:002011-03-27T19:51:48-04:00NCAA Tournament Final Four: VCU Stuns Kansas, Continues Magic Ride
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<p>San Antonio, TX (Sports Network) – The magical ride continues for <span class="caps">VCU</span>.</p>
<p>Jamie Skeen poured in 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, as the Rams took down top-seeded Kansas, 71-61, to move into the Final Four for the first time in school history.</p>
<p><span class="caps">VCU</span> looked and played like the better team Sunday, using a three-point barrage and effective defense to build a double-digit lead in the first half. The Rams (28-11) held on and made big shots down the stretch to pull off the upset and win the Southwest Region.</p>
<p>They will play Butler, last year’s runner-up, in the national semifinals on April 2.</p>
<p>Their run is reminiscent of George Mason’s during the 2006 tourney. Like <span class="caps">VCU</span>, the Patriots were seeded 11th and reached the Final Four. Like <span class="caps">VCU</span>, they defeated their region’s top seed along the way. The schools even belong to the same conference — the Colonial Athletic Association.</p>
<p>The 2006 tourney was also the last time there were no No. 1 seeds in the Final Four.</p>
<p>But there is a primary difference between the two runs — <span class="caps">VCU</span> had to win an extra game to get there. The Rams beat <span class="caps">USC</span> in a First Four matchup, and defeated Georgetown, Purdue, and Florida State before beating Kansas.</p>
<p>Four of their victories have come by double digits, an amazing feat considering VCU’s longshot status. The Rams’ only close game of the tourney was their 72-71 overtime win against the Seminoles in the Sweet 16.</p>
<p>Sunday’s contest never came down to a final shot, though, as <span class="caps">VCU</span> used a dominating first half to put the Jayhawks (35-3) on their heels. Marcus Morris finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds, while twin brother Markieff had 13 and 12 for Kansas, which had an 11-game win streak broken.</p>
<p>The Jayhawks scored the game’s first six points and were still up after Marcus Morris sank a layup about six minutes in.</p>
<p>But at the other end, Skeen connected on a three-pointer to start an 11-0 run that he ended with another three for a 20-10 advantage. The Rams made shot after shot from beyond the arc, increasing their lead and making it clear that their shooting success wasn’t short-lived.</p>
<p>Brandon Rozzell drilled one from the left wing for a 31-17 <span class="caps">VCU</span> lead. He made two more in the following minutes to help the Rams gain a 39-21 advantage with 3:53 left in the half.</p>
<p>While <span class="caps">VCU</span> was having great success on the offensive end, it also stifled the Jayhawks’ offense. The Rams packed bodies into the lane to help keep the Morris twins in check. While the Morrises scored, they didn’t dominate and were often forced into bad shots. Markieff turned the ball over six times in the first half.</p>
<p>The strategy also forced the Morrises’ teammates to make shots, and they didn’t hit many. Aside from the twins, Kansas went 2-for-13 from the floor in the first half.</p>
<p><span class="caps">VCU</span>, on the other hand, made nine three-pointers in the opening period and rolled into the break with a 41-27 lead.</p>
<p>Kansas, which was trying to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2008, when it won the national title, got back into the game early in the second half.</p>
<p>Tyshawn Taylor’s layup capped a 12-0 run to cut the Jayhawks’ deficit to 43-39. Taylor, who didn’t score in the first half, netted six during the run.</p>
<p>He added a three-point play a few possessions later to bring Kansas within two, and the Big 12 champions had a chance to pull even after Markieff Morris stole the ball.</p>
<p>But he turned it back over to <span class="caps">VCU</span>, starting a critical series of possessions. Skeen made 2-of-3 free throws before a Marcus Morris turnover resulted in Darius Theus driving for a bucket and a 50-44 lead.</p>
<p>By the time Skeen drilled a three with 10:29 to go, the Rams’ lead was up to 55-46.</p>
<p><span class="caps">VCU</span> continued to lead down the stretch, and every time Kansas threatened to get close, the Rams scored a timely bucket. They got a few from Bradford Burgess, whose three stretched VCU’s lead to nine with under four minutes left.</p>
<p>His layup with two minutes to go, off a quick feed from Joey Rodriguez, made it a 65-57 game.</p>
<p>Markieff Morris followed with a layup, but Kansas couldn’t cut into VCU’s lead, and the Rams secured the win with free throws in the final minute.</p>
<p>The Jayhawks, meanwhile, didn’t take advantage of 28 attempts from the line, making only 15.</p>
<p>Back in 2006, George Mason’s run to the Final Four was a singular event that morphed into a modern standard for <span class="caps">NCAA</span> tourney underdogs. The Patriots came out of nowhere to reach the Final Four, and in following tourneys the question was, “Who will be this year’s George Mason?”</p>
<p>After Sunday, it might be time to ask who will be the next <span class="caps">VCU</span>.</p>
<p><strong>Updated 2011 Final Four bracket and TV schedule (all times ET):</strong></p>
<p><strong>April 2</strong></p>
<p>Final Four, Houston</p>
<p>No. 11 <span class="caps">VCU</span> vs. No. 8 Butler, 6:09 p.m. on <span class="caps">CBS</span></p>
<p>No. 4 Kentucky vs. No. 3 UConn, 8:49 p.m. on <span class="caps">CBS</span></p>
<p><strong>April 4</strong></p>
<p>National Championship, 9 p.m. on <span class="caps">CBS</span></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/3/27/2075716/ncaa-tournament-brack-update-final-four-vcu-stuns-kansas-continues-magic-rideEd Valentine2011-03-27T19:49:28-04:002011-03-27T19:49:28-04:00NCAA Final Four: Kentucky Holds Off North Carolina, 76-69
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<p>Brandon Knight scored 22 points and pulled down seven rebounds, leading Kentucky back into the Final Four with a 76-69 victory over North Carolina. Kentucky led most of the game before the Tar Heels tied the score at 67. The Wildcats made all the key plays down the stretch, however.</p>
<p>DeAndre Liggins ended with 12 points, including a crucial three-pointer in the final minute that helped the fourth-seeded Wildcats (29-8) win the East Region.</p>
<p>Kentucky reached the Final Four for the first time since 1998, when it won the national title. The Wildcats will face UConn Saturday (8:49 p.m., CBS).</p>
<p>Tyler Zeller had 21 points and nine boards for the second-seeded Tar Heels (29-8).</p>
<p><b>Updated 2011 Final Four bracket and TV schedule (all times ET):</b></p>
<p><b>April 2</b></p>
<p><b>Final Four, Houston</b></p>
<p>No. 11 VCU vs. No. 8 Butler, 6:09 p.m. on CBS</p>
<p>No. 4 Kentucky vs. No. 3 UConn, 8:49 p.m. on CBS</p>
<p><b>April 4</b></p>
<p>National Championship, 9 p.m. on CBS</p>
<p>For more on these teams, VCU fans should join <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/">SB Nation DC</a> and <a href="http://midmajormadness.com/">Mid Major Madness</a>; Butler fans should join <a href="http://indiana.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Indiana</a> and <a href="http://midmajormadness.com/">Mid Major Madness</a>; Kentucky fans should join <a href="http://aseaofblue.com/">A Sea Of Blue</a> and <a href="http://teamspeedkills.com/">Team Speed Kills</a>; and UConn fans should join <a href="http://theuconnblog.com/">The UConn Blog</a>.</p>
<p>More 2011 March Madness resources: Visit our <a style="outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #c52126; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;" target="_blank" href="../../../ncaa-basketball/2011/2011-ncaa-tournament">NCAA Tournament hub</a> for up-to-date news and information ... updated <a style="outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #c52126; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;" target="_blank" href="../../../ncaa-basketball/2011/3/11/2044866/ncaa-bracket-2011">printable NCAA 2011 Tournament bracket</a>.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/3/27/2075694/ncaa-final-four-kentucky-holds-off-north-carolina-76-69-uconn-tv-timesEd Valentine2011-03-26T21:38:05-04:002011-03-26T21:38:05-04:00NCAA Basketball Bracket Update: Butler Basketball Advances To Second Straight Final Four
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<p>Junior guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52849/shelvin-mack">Shelvin Mack</a> scored five of his game-best 27 points in overtime Saturday to guide the No. 8-seeded Bulter Bulldogs to their second straight Final Four with a 74-71 OT victory over No. 2 Florida Gators in a Elite-8 NCAA Tournament contests in New Orleans, LA. Bulter will now face either No. 1 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/kansas-jayhawks">Kansas Jayhawks</a> or No. 11 VCU Rams next Saturday in the national semifinals in Houston, TX.</p>
<p>Senior forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/27063/matt-howard">Matt Howard</a> scored 14 points and freshman foward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123279/khyle-marshall">Khyle Marshall</a> chipped-in with 10 for the Bulldogs, who trailed 33-32 at halftime. Butler trailed by as much as 11 points in the second half, but mounted another dramatic comeback to send the game into OT.</p>
<p>Brooklyn, NY native <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53420/erving-walker">Erving Walker</a> had a tough day finishing with just eight points, made 1-of-10 shots from the field, including a game-winning 3-pointer at the end of regulation. Teammate senior center <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26036/vernon-macklin">Vernon Macklin</a> scored a team-best 25 points, while senior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29062/alex-tyus">Alex Tyus</a> tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds.</p>
<p><i>-- Visit SB Nation's</i><a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/"> </a><a href="http://www.alligatorarmy.com/">Alligator Army</a><i> for Florida basketball.</i></p>
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<th class="td-left"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/76073">Final - 3.26.2011 </a> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/butler-bulldogs">Butler Bulldogs</a> </span></td>
<td>32</td>
<td>28</td>
<td class="highlight">74</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/florida-gators">Florida Gators</a> </span></td>
<td>33</td>
<td>27</td>
<td class="highlight">71</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/76073">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/3/26/2074345/ncaa-basketball-bracket-update-butler-basketball-florida-basketballJared Smith2011-03-26T21:37:55-04:002011-03-26T21:37:55-04:00NCAA Bracket Update: UConn Survives Arizona To Reach Final Four
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<p>Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) – Connecticut won the West Regional of the <span class="caps">NCAA</span> Tournament and is headed to the Final Four, but only after surviving two potential game-winning three-point attempts in the closing seconds to edge Arizona, 65-63.</p>
<p>The matchup between Kemba Walker and Derrick Williams lived up to the billing, with both superstars posting 20 points.</p>
<p>It was Walker, though, who drained a step-back jumper over Williams for a 65-60 lead with under 80 seconds to play. Jamelle Horne hit a three to get the Wildcats within two, then grabbed the rebound on Shabazz Napier’s errant trey.</p>
<p>After calling timeout with 18.2 seconds left, Arizona swung the ball out to Williams at the top of the key. He was long on his deep try, but Kyle Fogg secured the offensive rebound and kicked it back out to Horne.</p>
<p>Horne was off from the right wing, sending the Huskies (30-9) to the Final Four for the second time in three years, where they will face the winner of the North Carolina/Kentucky matchup in the national semifinals next Saturday.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/3/26/2074388/ncaa-bracket-update-uconn-survives-arizona-to-reach-final-four-west-region-resultsEd Valentine2011-03-26T07:55:06-04:002011-03-26T07:55:06-04:00NCAA Bracket Update: VCU Beats Florida State In Overtime To Reach Elite Eight
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<p>Eleventh-seeded VCU reached the Elite 8 of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Friday night with a dramatic 72-71 overtime victory against Florida State. <font><font size="2">The Rams (27-11) will next face Kansas, the lone remaining top-seeded team in the tourney. The Jayhawks blew out No. 12 seed Richmond, 77-57, in the first game Friday at the Alamodome.</font></font></p>
<p><font><font size="2">Bradford Burgess scored a layup off a bounce pass from Joey Rodriguez on a well-designed inbounds play with 7.1 seconds left in overtime for the game-winning basket. VCU's </font></font><font><font size="2">Rob Brandenberg blocked a last-second shot by Florida State's Chris Singleton to ensure the victory.</font></font></p>
<p>This is VCU's first trip to the Elite Eight. In fact, it is the first time the Rams have reached the Sweet 16.</p>
<p><font><font size="2"> </font></font></p>
<p><font><font size="2">Burgess led the way with 26 points for the Rams, who also received 16 from Brandon Rozzell and 11 with eight boards from Jamie Skeen.</font></font></p>
<p><font><font size="2">
<p>Derwin Kitchen had 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Singleton totaled 16 points and nine rebounds in defeat.</p>
</font></font></p>
<p>-- <b>For more on the game, VCU fans should celebrate at <a target="_blank" href="http://dc.sbnation.com/">SB Nation DC</a></b><b>, while dejected Florida State fans should head to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tomahawknation.com/">Tomahawk Nation</a></b><b> to sulk.</b></p>
<p><b><i>-- See SB Nation's <a target="_blank" href="../../../2011-ncaa-tournament">NCAA Tournament hub</a>. SB Nation New York also offers a <a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/section/2011-ncaa-basketball-tournament">complete tournament section</a>. </i></b></p>
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<th class="td-left"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/76036">Final - 3.25.2011 </a> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/va-commonwealth-rams">Va. Commonwealth Rams</a> </span></td>
<td>36</td>
<td>29</td>
<td class="highlight">72</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/florida-st-seminoles">Florida St. Seminoles</a> </span></td>
<td>31</td>
<td>34</td>
<td class="highlight">71</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/76036">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/3/26/2073244/ncaa-bracket-update-vcu-beats-florida-state-in-overtime-to-reachEd Valentine2011-03-26T07:43:43-04:002011-03-26T07:43:43-04:00NCAA Bracket Update: Kentucky Knocks Off Ohio State To Reach Elight 8
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<p>Kentucky knocked off No. 1 ranked Ohio State, 62-60, Friday night in an East Region Sweet 16 match-up to advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.<br><br>Yep, your bracket, along with the Buckeyes' hopes of winning a national championship, is wrecked.</p>
<p>Brandon Knight his a jump shot with 5.4 seconds left to provide Kentucky, seeded No. 4 in the East Region, with its margin of victory. Ohio State's William Buford had a chance to win it for the Buckeyes, but missed a contested 3-point shot as time expired.</p>
<p><font><font><font size="2"><font class="TSN1">Ohio State's on Diebler had tied the game at 60 with 23 seconds remaining, hitting a long 3-pointer. Kentucky opted not to call a timeout and instead let Knight go to work. </font></font></font></font></p>
<p><font><font><font size="2"><font class="TSN1">Kentucky advances to play another of college basketball's preeminent programs in North Carolina, which crushed Marquette, 81-63, in Friday's other East semifinal at Prudential Center. </font></font></font></font></p>
<p>Ohio State finishes the season 34-3.</p>
<p><i>-- See SB Nation's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/2011-ncaa-tournament">NCAA Tournament hub</a>. SB Nation New York also offers a <a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/section/2011-ncaa-basketball-tournament">complete tournament section</a>.</i></p>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/kentucky-wildcats">Kentucky Wildcats</a> </span></td>
<td>30</td>
<td>32</td>
<td class="highlight">62</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/ohio-st-buckeyes">Ohio St. Buckeyes</a> </span></td>
<td>30</td>
<td>30</td>
<td class="highlight">60</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/76015">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/3/26/2073239/ncaa-bracket-update-kentucky-knocks-off-ohio-state-to-reach-elight-8Ed Valentine2011-03-25T21:46:09-04:002011-03-25T21:46:09-04:00NCAA Basketball Update: Kansas Romps Past Richmond, 77-57, Advances To Elite 8
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<p>Senior guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/25971/brady-morningstar">Brady Morningstar</a> scored a team-best 18 points to help the No. 1-seeded Kansas Jayhawks romp No. 12 Richmond Spiders, 77-57, in a fourth-round NCAA Tournament contests in San Antonio, TX. The Jayhawks advance to play either No. 11 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/va-commonwealth-rams">Va. Commonwealth Rams</a> or No. 10 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/florida-st-seminoles">Florida St. Seminoles</a> on Sunday.</p>
<p>Junior forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52448/marcus-morris">Marcus Morris</a> chipped in with 13 points and eight rebounds for Kansas (35-2), which moves onto its first Elite 8 appearance since '08. That seasons the Jayhawks won their third National Title. Sophomore forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99945/thomas-robinson">Thomas Robinson</a> tallied 12 points and 14 rebounds.</p>
<p>The Richmond basketball program finished the season 28-9 overall, the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament champions and with its best run in the NCAA Tournament since 1988. Senior froward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/25637/justin-harper">Justin Harper</a> netted a game-best 22 points in his collegiate-finale, while senior guard Kevin Anderson finished with 13 points.</p>
<p>Kansas had 22 assists to Richmond's seven, and outrebounded the Spiders, 40-33.</p>
<p><i>-- Visit SB Nation's<a href="http://www.rockchalktalk.com/"> Rock Chalk Talk</a> for everything Kansas basketball.</i></p>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/richmond-spiders">Richmond Spiders</a> </span></td>
<td>22</td>
<td>35</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/kansas-jayhawks">Kansas Jayhawks</a> </span></td>
<td>41</td>
<td>36</td>
<td class="highlight">77</td>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/3/25/2072758/ncaa-basketball-updtate-kansas-basketball-richmond--advances-to-eliteJared Smith2011-03-25T21:28:49-04:002011-03-25T21:28:49-04:00NCAA Bracket Update: UNC Routs Marquette, 81-63, In Newark
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<p>Junior forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52240/tyler-zeller">Tyler Zeller</a> tallied a game-best 27 points to help the No. 2-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels easily defeat the No. 11 Marquette Golden Eagles, 81-63, in a fourth-round NCAA Tournament contest in Newark NJ. The Tar Heels (29-7) advance to the Elite 8 to face either No. 1 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/ohio-st-buckeyes">Ohio St. Buckeyes</a> or No. 4 Kentucky on Saturday. Marquette ends its season 22-15.</p>
<p>The Golden Eagles, which trailed 40-15 at halftime, were able to trim the margin to 17 points with 5:22 remaining in the contest, but couldn't get any closer. Senior forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52442/jimmy-butler">Jimmy Butler</a> finished with 14 points in his collegiate finale. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123855/davante-gardner">Davante Gardner</a> had 16 points for the Golden Eagles, who shot just 22-63 (36.5 percent) from the field and committed 18 turnovers.</p>
<p>Freshman forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124044/harrison-barnes">Harrison Barnes</a> scored 20 points for the Tar Heels, who advance to the Elite 8 for the fourth time in five seasons. Sophomore forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99813/john-henson">John Henson</a> netted 12 of his 14 points in the first half.</p>
<p><i>-- Visit SB Nation's </i><a href="http://www.anonymouseagle.com/">Anonymous Eagle</a><i> for more Marquette basketball information</i><i>. </i><a href="http://www.carolinamarch.com/">Carolina March</a><i> for everything UNC basketball.</i></p>
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<th class="td-left"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/76034">Final - 3.25.2011 </a> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/marquette-golden-eagles">Marquette Golden Eagles</a> </span></td>
<td>15</td>
<td>48</td>
<td class="highlight">63</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/north-carolina-tar-heels">North Carolina Tar Heels</a> </span></td>
<td>40</td>
<td>41</td>
<td class="highlight">81</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/76034">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/3/25/2072725/ncaa-bracket-update-unc-basketball-routs-marquette-basketballJared Smith