Despite upsets in both brackets, Sunday’s Phil Knight championship games have plenty of intrigue. CBB_Central previews Duke vs. Purdue and UConn vs. Iowa State
Here’s a look at what to expect from Sunday’s title games.Troy Wayrynen/USA TODAY Sports; Rick Bowmer/AP; Craig Mitchelldyer/APDuke was unimpressive in a Thanksgiving Day slugfest against Oregon State, barely escaping the lowly Beavers in a game it should have dominated on paper. The Blue Devils’ response Friday was much better: Duke led for more than 36 of the 40 minutes against Xavier, holding off second-half runs by the Musketeers and claiming a 71–64 win.
Purdue, meanwhile, has learned that its young backcourt is ahead of schedule. It’s one thing to do it in buy games or even a home matchup against Marquette, but Smith and Fletcher Loyer rose to the moment in a huge way against Gonzaga and looked like future all–Big Ten players. They’re both quintessential Purdue players: Smart, extremely skilled, willing passers and mature beyond their years.
Iowa State has played a pair of thrillers thus far, needing overtime to get past Villanova in the quarterfinals before rallying past No. 1 North Carolina for an early season-defining win for T.J. Otzelberger’s club. ISU dominated the paint against Villanova, outscoring the Wildcats 40–16 down low. Then, the three-point shooting came alive against UNC, as veteran guard Caleb Grill exploded for seven triples that helped the Cyclones rally from seven down with less than four minutes to play.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Purdue basketball storms past Gonzaga, advances to Phil Knight Legacy title gameThe Boilermakers overcame a slow start and pulled away to defeat the Bulldogs 84-66 at Moda Center
Read more »
Purdue basketball storms past Gonzaga, advances to Phil Knight Legacy title gameThe Boilermakers overcame a slow start and pulled away to defeat the Bulldogs 84-66 at Moda Center
Read more »
Phil Knight Legacy: Purdue basketball takes down West Virginia with late runThe Boilermakers led start to finish in beating the Mountaineers at the Phil Knight Legacy in Oregon
Read more »
Michelle Dockery to Lead BBC Drama This Town From Steven KnightMichelle Dockery has signed on for the leading role in Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight's upcoming BBC drama titled This Town.
Read more »
Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith give Purdue basketball veteran presence in win over GonzagaThe Boilermakers trailed by eight points early but ran away from Gonzaga 84-66 in the semifinals of the Phil Knight Legacy in Portland
Read more »
Phil Mickelson No Longer Affiliated With ‘The Match’The LIV Golf member is no longer associated with the made-for-TV golf series, according to producer Bryan Zuriff.
Read more »