A.J. Price scored 36 points to lead UConn over Marquette. (ESPN)
By Michael Klopman
MichaelKlopman@gmail.com
Friday, February 27, 2009
1. GREIVIS VASQUEZ, Maryland: 35 pts, 11 reb, 10 ast, 2 stl, 3 blk – 2/21 vs. North Carolina
It's very difficult for any player to ever do what Greivis Vasquez did on Saturday against North Carolina. In what was supposed to an easy win for the No. 3-ranked Tar Heels, the game ended in an overtime loss to the desperate Terrapins – and it was all because of Vasquez. He dominated both inside and outside, scoring the first 16 points for the Terps and then knocking down two of his five 3-pointers in overtime. The 6-foot-6 guard recorded only the third triple-double in Maryland history.
2. JAMES ANDERSON, Oklahoma State: 30 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk – 2/25 vs. Colorado
Anderson put on another amazing performance on Wednesday night against Colorado. He made six 3-pointers and shot 9-for-16 from the field, scoring a game-high 30 points. Nobody on the Buffaloes could stop him as he recorded his second double-double of the season. The sophomore guard also shut down opposing guard Cory Higgins and held him to just nine points as Oklahoma State cruised past Colorado on the road.
3. A.J. PRICE, Connecticut: 36 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast – 2/25 vs. Marquette
Price was on fire all game on Wednesday night, and Marquette couldn't cool him off. He shot 12-for-20 from the field, burying eighth 3-pointers and scoring a career-high 36 points. The senior guard controlled the game, dishing out six assists and simply out-playing opposing guard Jerel McNeal. Price did a great job running the offense as the Huskies earned a tough road victory.
4. MARCUS THORNTON, LSU: 32 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk – 2/24 vs. Florida
In an important SEC showdown, Thornton was lights out and shooting from everywhere on the floor. He finished with a game-high 32 points, leading the Tigers to their 12th consecutive conference win. Thornton nailed six 3-pointers and shot 10-for-11 from the free-throw line as LSU took down Florida in Baton Rouge.
5. GERALD HENDERSON, Duke: 35 pts, 1 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl – 2/22 vs. Wake Forest
Henderson would not let Duke get swept by Wake Forest on Sunday night. He scored a career-high 35 points, leading the Blue Devils to a victory after letting the Demon Deacons chip away from 22 points behind. Henderson shot 11-for-15 from the field and made 12 free throws as Duke pulled away late and earned the win.
6. JAMES JOHNSON, Wake Forest: 28 pts, 18 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk – 2/26 vs. North Carolina State
Johnson had his best game of the season on Thursday night against North Carolina State. He recorded career highs with 28 points and 18 rebounds, recording a double-double by halftime. The 6-foot-9 sophomore shot 12-for-16 from the field and the Demon Deacons pulled away late and beat the Wolfpack.
7. PATRICK PATTERSON, Kentucky: 28 pts, 12 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk – 2/25 vs. South Carolina
The only bright spot that came out of Kentucky's embarrassing loss to South Carolina was the return of Patrick Patterson. It was just his second game back after missing two games due to an injury, and the 6-foot-9 forward dominated down low like he always does. He scored a game-high 28 points and finished with his 11th double-double of the season, but Kentucky couldn't get anything going on the road.
8. WILLIE WARREN, Oklahoma: 27 pts, 2 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl – 2/21 vs. Texas
Willie Warren stepped up when his team needed it most and kept the Sooners in the game, but fell short to Texas on Saturday. After Blake Griffin left the game early with a head injury, Willie Warren kept his team focused and almost helped Oklahoma pull of the victory with out their star. He scored a game-high 27 points, making six 3-pointers and shooting 50 percent from the field.
9. JOSH HEYVELT, Gonzaga: 28 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast – 2/21 vs. Pepperdine
Heytvelt just could not be stopped on Saturday as Gonzaga hosted Pepperdine. He shot 12-for-17 from the field scored a game-high 28 points. The 6-foot-11 senior finished with his fourth double-double of the season as the Bulldogs beat down the Waves by 34.
10. JAMES JOHNSON, Wake Forest: 26 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk – 2/22 vs. Duke
In what seemed like an insurmountable lead when Duke was leading by 22, James Johnson would not let Duke win that easily. He started Wake Forest's comeback, dominating inside with 11 rebounds and shooting 11-for-17 from the field. Johnson recorded his eighth double-double of the season, but it was not enough to complete the sweep of the Blue Devils.
11. DEJUAN BLAIR, Pittsburgh: 20 pts, 18 reb, 1 ast, 2 blk – 2/21 vs. DePaul
Blair was on a roll on Saturday, taking his momentum from the win over Connecticut into the game against DePaul. He shot 9-for-17 from the field and scored a game-high 20 points. Blair recorded his 17th double-double of the season as the Panthers cruised past the Blue Demons.
12. JON SCHEYER, Duke: 30 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl – 2/22 vs. Wake Forest
It's rare to see a player score 30 points in a game and not lead his team in scoring, but it's doubtful that Jon Scheyer even noticed. The 6-foot-5 guard shot 50 percent from the field, knocking down five shots from 3-point range and shooting 9-for-11 from the free-throw line. Scheyer's career high in scoring, along with superb play from teammate Gerald Henderson, pushed Duke past Wake Forest in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
13. JEFF PENDERGRAPH, Arizona State: 24 pts, 13 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl – 2/26 vs. Washington
Pendergraph did all he could to help the Sun Devils take down the Huskies in overtime, but they couldn't get the job done. He scored a game-high 24 points and shot 10-for-16 from the field. Pendergraph recorded his ninth double-double of the season, but Arizona State couldn't avoid getting upset.
14. COLE ALDRICH, Kansas: 15 pts, 20 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl, 4 blk – 2/23 vs. Oklahoma
Facing an Oklahoma team without star Blake Griffin, Cold Aldrich was able to control the game inside and dominate defensively. He blocked four shots and brought down 15 defensive rebounds. The Sooners tried to make it close, but Aldrich was too much, finishing with his 16th double-double of the season and leading Kansas to a huge victory on the road.
15. TREVOR BOOKER, Clemson: 21 pts, 12 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl – 2/22 vs. Georgia Tech
Booker and the Tigers were on a roll on Sunday, going on the road and completing the sweep over the Yellow Jackets. He shot 7-for-9 from the field and led Clemson in scoring with 21 points. The junior forward finished with his ninth double-double of the season.
16. GORDON HAYWARD, Butler: 27 pts, 9 reb, 2 stl, 1 blk – 2/21 vs. Davidson
Hayward exploited Davidson's weak interior defense on Saturday by getting to the free throw line. He shot 11-for-12 from the foul line and scored a game-high 27 points. The 180-pound freshman made four 3's and was just a rebound shy of a double-double as the Bulldogs beat down the Wildcats.
17. LUKE HARANGODY, Notre Dame: 20 pts, 15 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl – 2/25 vs. Rutgers
Although Harangody didn't have the best shooting performance, he still did what he usually does – out-rebound the opposing big men and get to the free-throw line. He recorded game-highs with 15 rebounds and 20 points, finishing with his 20th double-double of the season as Notre Dame beat Rutgers by five.
18. DEMARRE CARROLL, Missouri: 21 pts, 14 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl – 2/25 vs. Kansas State
Carroll got into a rhythm right from the start, and nobody on Kansas State could get him out of it. He led his team in scoring with 21 points and shot 7-for-13 from the field. Carroll recorded his fourth double-double of the season as Missouri ran all over Kansas State on Wednesday night.
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