Day 4 Journal From NCAA Tournament In Denver

Chants of "You got Jimmered," "Spiders" and "Sweet 16" rang through the Pepsi Center in Denver Saturday night, as BYU and Richmond posted easy wins and moved on to the Regional Semifinals in New Orleans and San Antonio, respectively.

In the first-ever meeting between the two schools, the Richmond Spiders steadily pulled away from the Morehead State Eagles Saturday for a 65-48 victory.  It's just the second time in the school history the Spiders have advanced to the Sweet 16.  Justin Harper scored 19 points, Kevin Anderson had 14 and Dan Geriot added 13, as Richmond shot 47 percent from the field and limited Morehead State to only 37.5 percent.

Four Eagles scored in double figures led by Kenneth Faried and Sam Goodman with 11 points apiece.

Richmond is now 16-0 this season when holding an opponent under 60 points.  They're also 7-1 on a neutral court this season and 17-4 away from home.

The Spiders will face the winner of Sunday's Kansas-Illinois game in the Sweet 16 in San Antonio next Friday, March 25, 2011.

This game marked the ninth time since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams that a 12-seed was matched against a 13-seed.  The only time a 13-seed defeated a 12-seed was 1998m when Valparaiso knocked off Florida State.

Just like the Spiders, BYU will make only its second-ever appearance in the Sweet 16, thanks to 34 points and six assists from Jimmer Fredette, in an 89-67 victory over the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

A 22-2 run midway through the second half helped BYU pull away.  The Cougars hit 14 3-pointers in the game and forced 15 Bulldog turnovers, which led to 20 BYU points.  Fredette hit seven 3's, while Jackson Emery and Noah Hartsock each knocked down three 3's.  Emery had 16 points, while Hartsock added 13.

Gonzaga was led by Steven Gray and Elias Harris with 18 points apiece, while Robert Sacre added 17.

The 45 points BYU scored in the first half tied for the second-most points allowed in the first half by Gonzaga this season.  The Cougars also improved to 11-0 this season when they make 10 or more 3-pointers.  They are now 10-1 on the season when shooting 50 percent or better (52.5%).

The Pepsi Center crowed, filled with BYU fans, roared its approval, as the Cougars advance to face Florida Thursday, March 24, 2011 in New Orleans.

As for me, it was a highly enjoyable weekend to take in some great hoops action at a great venue.  The place was sold out for all three sessions.  Even MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson was pleased with how the weekend went.  You can hear his thoughts Monday on SLL.

Now I can't wait until the Women's Final Four comes to Denver next year, April 1 and 3, 2012.

Oh, and now that the tournament leaves Denver, I'll finally have to stop drinking "Coke" at the "Pepsi" Center.