Associated Press
The NCAA Tournament roundup …
NEW ORLEANS ó Alex Tyus is like most of these Florida Gators ó good at a lot of things, but lacking one dominant skill. Heís usually content to blend in and be just another part of the teamís effectively anonymous style.
On the biggest stage of his career, the seniorís impact was obvious.
Tyus had 19 points and 17 rebounds as Florida beat BYU 83-74 in overtime Thursday night, chasing a bloodied Jimmer Fredette and the Cougars out of the NCAA tournament.
Now the Gators will be playing for a spot in the Final Four for the first time since 2007 ó ascending back into the nationís elite after a hiatus from the spotlight following back-to-back national championships in 2006 and ë07.
ěItís been so rewarding for me to see them make the journey theyíve made to this point now,î Florida coach Billy Donovan said. ěItís been very, very rewarding and fulfilling for me, and I hope in some way Iíve been able to give them as much as theyíve given me.î
While Fredette was the star attraction, scoring 32 points on 11 for 29 shooting in the final game of his college career, Florida countered with balance.
Kenny Boynton added 17 points ó while also playing tight defense on Fredette ó and Erving Walker and Chandler Parsons both scored 16. Boynton and Parsons each hit 3-pointers in overtime as Florida outscored BYU 15-6.
UConn 74, SDSU 67
ANAHEIM, Calif. ó Kemba Walker sliced up San Diego Stateís defense for 22 points on shots from all angles and distances in the second half of Connecticutís West regional semifinal.
The Aztecs only kept him down once: A shoulder bump from Jamaal Franklin sent Walker crashing to the Honda Center floor, drawing a technical foul and two momentum-killing free throws.
Walker denied doing any acting on the play. Heís still the star of these resilient Huskiesí remarkable production.
Walker scored 36 points in yet another dynamic postseason performance, driving UConn down the stretch Thursday night to a 74-67 victory that put the Huskies on the brink of another Final Four.
ěIím just trying to do the best I can do,î said Walker, who scored 12 straight points for UConn in the final minutes. ěWhether itís scoring, talking, getting their confidence up or giving an assist, Iím just trying to do whatever is possible to enhance this team.î
Butler 61, Wisconsin 54
NEW ORLEANS ó Matt Howard had 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Butler sent home yet another higher seed in the NCAA tournament with a 61-54 victory over Wisconsin on Thursday night.
Shelvin Mack scored 13 points and Shawn Vanzant had 10 for the eighth-seeded Bulldogs (26-9), who led by 20 points in the second half before withstanding a late rally by the fourth-seeded Badgers.
Jordan Taylor scored 22 for Wisconsin (25-9), which shot 30.4 percent (17 of 56). Jon Leuer, normally one of the Badgersí top offensive forces with 18.7 points per game coming in, was 1 of 12 shooting and finished with three points.
The victory sends Butler into the Southeast regional final, where the Bulldogs meet Florida (29-7) for a trip to the Final Four.
The Associated Press
03/25/11 00:41