AP: NCAA Basketball

Here's how you could have turned $10 into $400 at a Las Vegas sports book

March 16, 2012

Staff and wire reports

A wager on Norfolk State in the NCAA Tournament could have given your sports betting bankroll a boost. Kyle O'Quinn had 26 points and 14 rebounds, making several big plays in the closing minutes to help No. 15 seed Norfolk State stun second-seeded Missouri 86-84 on Friday in the West Regional.

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Florida State rallies to avoid upset against Bonnies, fails to cover betting spread

March 16, 2012

By Teresa M. Walker, Associated Press

Bernard James scored 19 points and Florida State barely avoided a big upset, rallying to beat St. Bonaventure 66-63 on Friday in the NCAA tournament.

Jones' block lifts Creighton over Alabama 58-57

March 16, 2012

By Steve Reed, Associated Press

Josh Jones figured he owed his teammates one. After missing two crucial free throws with 8.7 seconds left, the junior guard blocked a 3-point attempt by Trevor Releford on the other end of the floor to help Creighton end its 10-year NCAA tournament drought with a 58-57 victory over Alabama on Friday.

Georgetown moves on 74-59 over Belmont

March 16, 2012

By Tom Withers, Associated Press

Jason Clark scored 21 points, Otto Porter added 16 and Georgetown's ruthless defense bottled up Belmont's shooters during a 74-59 NCAA tournament win Friday, sending the Hoyas into the next round after early exits the past two years.

Beal, Prather lead Gators to 71-45 win over Cavs

March 16, 2012

By Eric Olson, Associated Press

So much for Virginia's vaunted defense shutting down Florida's up-tempo offense. Even on a day when the Gators couldn't find the basket with their 3-pointers, they had no trouble beating the Cavaliers 71-45 Friday in the NCAA Midwest Regional.

Cincinnati holds off Texas 65-59 in NCAA tourney

March 16, 2012

By Beth Rucker, Associated Press

With Texas shooting poorly, Cincinnati grabbed a comfortable lead early — maybe a little too comfortable. The Bearcats faded but still managed to withstand a late rally by Texas to win 65-59 on Friday in the second round of the NCAA tournament's East Regional.

Howell leads 'Pack past Aztecs 79-65

March 16, 2012

By Rusty Miller, Associated Press

Getting into the NCAA tournament is the hard part for North Carolina State. Winning a first game? Not that difficult, apparently.Howell leads 'Pack past Aztecs 79-65

Ohio State cruises past Loyola, Md. 78-59

March 15, 2012

Jim O'Connell, Associated Press

Ohio State made sure there wouldn't be a second scare for a top seed at the Consol Energy Center.

Indiana impressive in 79-66 win over NM State

March 15, 2012

Tim Booth, Associated Press

Jordan Hulls went on a second-half shooting spree and finished with 22 points, and fourth-seeded Indiana rolled to an impressive 79-66 win over New Mexico State in the second round of the South Regional on Thursday night.

Cyclones take out defending champ UConn 77-64

March 15, 2012

Nancy Armour, Associated Press

The national champions are one and done, thanks to Iowa State. When Jim Calhoun and Connecticut will be back in the NCAA tournament is anybody's guess.

66 years later, Harvard endures a tough loss

March 15, 2012

Eddie Pells, Associated Press

Hard to imagine it will take Harvard another 66 years to get back to the tournament.

Gonzaga races by listless West Virginia 77-54

March 15, 2012

Will Graves, Associated Press

Gonzaga flew 2,200 miles looking for a fight. The Bulldogs never got one. West Virginia left all its moxie on the bus.

Baylor holds off South Dakota State 68-60

March 15, 2012

Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press

Pierre Jackson scored 18 points and Baylor held off 14th-seeded South Dakota State 68-60 Thursday night in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Kentucky routs Western Kentucky

March 15, 2012

Jerry Tipton, Associated Press

A telling moment in Kentucky's 81-66 victory over Western Kentucky on Thursday night came early in the second half.

Ware, Long Beach State lose to New Mexico 75-68

March 15, 2012

Tim Booth, Associated Press

Casper Ware was largely responsible for getting Long Beach State back to the NCAA tournament and the biggest reason the 49ers were such a popular upset pick.

VCU defeats Wichita State 62-59 to advance

March 15, 2012

Anne M. Peterson, Associated Press

Bradford Burgess hit a key 3-pointer with 1:33 left and Shaka Smart coached VCU to another tournament surprise, holding off Wichita State 62-59 in the South Regional on Thursday.

Led by Crowder's 25, Marquette holds off BYU 88-68

March 15, 2012

By Nancy Armour, Associated Press

Marquette was simply too big and too strong for BYU to overcome. Jae Crowder finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds, Darius Johnson-Odom had 12 of his 20 points in the second half and Marquette withstood another furious BYU rally for an 88-68 victory in the NCAA tournament Thursday.

Syracuse avoids being first No. 1 to lose to 16

March 15, 2012

By Jim OConnell, Associated Press

Reserve James Southerland had 15 points and a season-high eight rebounds and Syracuse avoided becoming the first No. 1 seed to lose to a 16 when it rallied for a 72-65 victory over UNC-Asheville on Thursday in the East Regional.

Evans, Taylor lead Wisconsin past Montana 73-49

March 15, 2012

By Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press

Backseat Badger? Not on this day. All-America point guard Jordan Taylor deliberately diminished his offensive output during his senior season, knowing he had to nurture three new starting forwards if Wisconsin was to have any chance of another NCAA tournament run in March.

Louisville downs Davidson 69-62 in West Regional

March 15, 2012

Anne M. Peterson, Associated Press

Louisville is finally moving on in the NCAA tournament. Peyton Siva scored 17 points and the fourth-seeded Cardinals beat Davidson 69-62 on Thursday for their first tournament victory since 2009.

Canaan lifts Murray State over Colorado State, 58-41

March 15, 2012

Colin Fly, Associated Press

Isaiah Canaan is making the most of his do-over.

Kansas State tops Southern Miss by six points, covers the spread on late free throws

March 15, 2012

Staff and wire reports

Rodney McGruder scored 30 points and Jordan Henriquez added 15 points, nine rebounds and six blocks to lead eighth-seeded Kansas State over ninth-seeded Southern Miss 70-64 in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday.

This year's NCAA Tournament schedule

March 15, 2012

Associated Press

A look at this year's NCAA Tournament lineup.

Kentucky the new Las Vegas favorite for NCAA title

March 27, 2011

OSKAR GARCIA, Associated Press

Las Vegas casinos have tabbed Kentucky the latest favorite in an NCAA tournament full of upsets, and are hoping that Virginia Commonwealth ends its improbable run without a title.

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