NCAA Basketball Final Four: LIVE Blog

Today is the day for the NCAA Men's Basketball Semi-Finals, ala the Final Four...before we start the LIVE blog, it is time for me to make my picks:

Michigan State vs. UConn - UConn (in OT)

Villanova vs. North Carolina - North Carolina (they were my pick to win it all from the very beginning).

Sparty/Husky matchup begins in a few minutes. I'll be live blogging throughout this one....

(12:11 pm) - Early on, we at least see a glimpse of what UConn will do with Goran Suton, the big man with dangerous range. The smaller husky, Jeff Adrian, starts off on the big, with Hasheem Thabeet playing D around the paint. It's practically a 4 on 5 with one man in a zone.

(12:13) - Lucas 3 for Michigan State puts them up by 5, and a UConn turnover gives the Huskies their biggest deficit of the tourney. Wow. If you've only trailed at most 5, and now 7 with another two-pointer, you must be darn good.

(12:16) - The big man Thabeet causes our first injury of the game, knocking out MSU's Travis Walton. I love the hustle by the Spartans early on. Right now, they WANT it more than UConn does. They are grabbing too many offensive boards early.

(12:19) - Michigan State is attacking the inside early on, despite a few blocks from Thabeet and Jeff Adrian for UConn. They know if they can keep attacking, they can draw some whistles, and maybe knock some key players out of the game. Michigan State 14, UConn 10 at the first Media Timeout

(12:25) - The lovefest for Kemba Walker begins. I know he had a great game in the Regional Final, but let's slow it down just a little bit. Also, I HATE these raised floors. This is seriously gonna get someone hurt just for hustling.

(12:27) - UConn is on a nice run. Six straight after the timeout. They are getting Sparty in foul trouble, working the rock inside, and making the on the fly adjustments. Ibok already out with two fouls for Michigan State.

(12:28) - Hasheem Thabeet out to rest after a three-point play. Let's see how different the game is for UConn without their big man. Our second TV Timeout give us a UConn 19-16 lead over MSU.

(12:34) - I like how UConn has toughened up over the last several minutes, and Jeff Adrian has been the point person for that. 8 points early on to go with a block and good D. Michigan State is starting to go away from the inside attack, and looking more for outside shots, which has not been a strong success for them. Plus, UConn didn't drop off with Thabeet on the bench, and he is starting to impose himself on both sides of the floor.

(12:39) - Thabeet and Adrian combining for 15 of the 27 UConn points, and the Huskies lead at the next TV Timeout 27-23

(12:44) - Yet another UConn block, this time by Gavin Edwards on the fast break. And 4 Huskies went for the loose ball, and nearly crashed and burned on the raised court. Again, I DISLIKE the raised court. Michigan State is 2-7 from beyond the arc, something they can't rely on as the game progresses.

(12:47) - Via twitter, go2pinnacle says "Mich/UCONN game is basketball at it's finest." I personally think that fans are just happy that we have a competitive, close game so far. Kemba Walker just missed two free throws for Uconn, a rarity since they have been very good from the line during the tournament. UConn 29, Michigan St. 27 at the next media timeout.

(12:53) - Via twitter, Baron Davis (yes, B-Diddy from the Clippers) says "70k at the final four. That's a lot of people." Yes it is, a record. Unfortunately, the game is being played in Ford Field, which has NEVER been kind to the Detroit Lions, so why should it be kind to Michigan State? Big three earlier for Korie Luscious, and he'll try for three more at the charity stripe as Michigan State has the lead once again.

(12:57) - Welcome to the Final Four, boys. We have our first near fracas of the day.Remember, guys, this game is physical. No need to get chippy. Just a tough basketball play. If anything, I think we get a T on Jeff Adrian for a little unnecessary shove on Jeff Adrian, which started this. But, no T will be called. The foul on Walton for Michigan St. stands. Good job by the refs for clearing everything up.
(1:01) - Via twitter, iDews says "agreed, live or die by the three, and just as I tweet, they hit one! Go MSU!" Reference to the Luscious three, and he hit another one just a second ago. But, the big man Thabeet runs the floor and gets a fast break bucket, and a bump. Clark Kellog's voice just raised about three decibals when talking about Thabeet. Man crush?

(1:03) - Also via twitter, Dave Reardon of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin chimes in "UConn = thugs?". LOL....nah, I don't think that word would be accurate. Passionate? Yes. Timeout Michigan State tied at 36

(1:08) - You want a story of a freshman making a difference? Delvon Roe of Michigan State may be your guy. Big bucket before the end of the half to give MSU the lead. He's been quiet since being active in the first several minutes of the game.

Michigan State 38, UConn 36 At Halftime!

Key 1st Half Stats:

MSU: 9 Off Reb, 40% Shooting, 12 Fouls
UConn: 52% Shooting, 6 Fouls, 4 Blocks

(1:30) - We start the second half with UConn on a 6-0 run. The one thing UConn has done well with in this game is adjustments, and I think we are seeing that at the start of this half. Add another two for Thabeet, and UConn is 4-5 shooting to start the half.

(1:31) - Big foul on Goran Suton as he is called for his third on the offensive end. Suton has been a non-factor. As iDews said on twitter earlier, "Goran Suton, where are you?" Coach Izzo is keeping him in the game, surprisingly.

(1:33) - Out of nowhere, Sparty starts to get on a roll, with six in a row, including the first points for Suton, and MSU retakes the lead, paving the way for a Calhoun time out.

(1:36) - Suton finally leaves with his 3 fouls at the 16:56 mark of the second half. Ibok in with a few fouls, so lets see if they go right to Thabeet. Nope, and no Huskies basket. I do want to say, btw, that I am a fan of Clark Kellogg's work, but I don't like him on Color. He's better in the studio, right now I feel he's trying too hard. TV Timeout here as we are tied at 46

(1:43) - A couple of big fouls to note for Michigan State. Ibok just picked up his third foul. He's matched up with Thabeet, so I think that makes him very vulnerable on the floor. Draymond Green just picked up his third as well. He's matched up with Adrian, whos been a solid player in this game. Stanley Robinson gets a bucket for UConn and then a big block on the other end. But, Michigan State recovers and gets a fast break flush. The Spartans are running, which despite the conference affiliation, suits them well. The Big Ten isnt known for being a run and gun offense. Michigan State is on fire! Up 4 53-49 with 13 Minutes to go and a timeout.

(1:55) - Big 3 for Michigan State and Summers to extend their lead to 6. Michigan State has improved its 3-Pt shooting percentage to 33%. I really think they are starting to wear UConn out.

(1:58) - Important Stat: Bench Scoring (Michigan State - 22, UConn - 5)

(2:07) - Dunk of the year? Durrell Summers jam on Stanley Robinson has to be one of the best I've seen all year! Summers has been a part of the deep bench that Michigan State has employed, scoring 28 of their 66 points. UConn needs some bench support quick.

(2:10) - Via Facebook, Reid says "damn!!! What a dunk by Summers." Indeed.

(2:11) - Thabeet just swatted away another one, and on the other end, AJ Price is at the line hitting two free throws. Price is the 4th starter in double figures in points for UConn. Kalin Lucas just hit a clutch three for MSU to put them up 9, and then Morgan with a fast break flush to go up 11 with just over 3 Minutes to play.

(2:14) - Via text message, our own JE says "MSU Championship bound if they keep up the rebounding"....that stat is even right now, but I don't think that was expected by many.

(2:17) - Can UConn make up an 11 point deficit with 1:54 remaining? I'm not so convinced, especially with how Michigan State has dialed up their defense.

(2:23) - UConn is determined to close this gap within 32 seconds of game time, they've brought this game down to 6, plus a very questionable whistle on Goran Suton with 1:26 to go on Suton. Big injury as Thabeet has to come out of the game as he limps off.

(2:26) - Lead down to 4 as UConn makes that a 4 point trip with Austrie's two free throws. Still a lot of time with it a two possession game. Big missed throw for MSU, and Robinson gets a HUGE rebound jam to get within three, followed by Michigan State breaking the press and getting a bucket and a foul. Terrible time for a defensive lapse.

(2:29) - Michigan State starting to struggle a bit from the free throw line. 7 point game with 48 seconds to go. Missed layup on Price, foul on Thabeet, and nowthis game appears to be close to out of reach.

(2:31) - UConn within 7 after a layup with 30 seconds left. They need to force a turnover off this inbound or foul and hope for two missed free throws. Not over yet, but definitely far away from them.

(2:35) - It's just not meant to be for UConn. The "home" team Michigan State wins in front of 72,000+ by the score of 82-73 over the Huskies. Sparty plays either Villanova or North Carolina.

FINAL SCORE: Michigan State 82, UConn 73

Alright, second game will be up in about 30 minutes. I'll be up with another live blog for Wildcats and Heels shortly. See you then!