Creighton Guard: Ryan Nembhard #2
Creighton Blue Jays guard Ryan Nembhard committed a foul with under five seconds left in the game to give San Diego State a one-point lead and a trip to the Men’s NCAA March Madness Final Four. The unexpected fifth-seed San Diego State Aztecs make it to the Final Four for the first time in program history after defeating Creighton 57-56 in the Elite 8.
Nembhard, who appeared to have injured his hand, finished the game with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. The Canadian struggled from mid-range shooting 3/8 from the field, but was lethal on the defensive side of the ball. Nembhard’ perimeter defense helped contain San Diego to just 37% success from the field and a low 23% from the 3-point line.
Creighton was not able to produce from the three-point in the game, which was led by guards Nembhard and Trey Alexander all tournament long. They were kept to just a 11% from the 3-point line and gave the Aztecs breathing room to control the final ten minutes of the second half.
The Aztecs and their prime scorer Darrion Trammel will go on to play the dominant ninth-seed Florida Atlantic on April 1 in the Final Four.
Texas Forward: Marcus Carr #5
Madness ensues as the second-seed Texas Longhorns are upset 88-81 by the fifth-seed Miami Hurricanes in the Elite 8 putting an end to the Canadian star Marcus Carr’ spectacular performance in this year’s tournament.
Despite being eliminated, the Longhorns forward was once-again a difference maker for his team. The Toronto native finished the game with 17 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists in 38 minutes, the most on the team. Carr shot almost 40% from the 3-point line, scoring 9 of his 17 points from the perimeter and shot 6/15 in the entire game.
Despite leading the game 45-37 at halftime, the Longhorns were pressured immensely throughout the second half and were outscored 51-36 to end the game. Miami was able to establish their offensive game inside the paint, scoring 34 of their 88 points under the Texas basket.
Foul trouble marred the Longhorns, as they picked up 23 personal fouls, 10 more than their opponent in the game.
The Hurricanes, led by guard Jordan Miller who scored 27 points against Texas, will go on to play the fourth-seed Connecticut Huskies in the Final Four on Saturday April 1.
