General

Tracking the Madness: Memphis in Trouble Early

Mar 19, 2009, 5:30 PM UTC

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â†µCal State Northridge is summoning the spirits of the 2001 Hampton Pirates by doing its best to upset No. 2-seeded Memphis. Northridge took an early lead, which Memphis quickly made up. But at the half it’s still dangerously close with the Tigers leading by just two, 33-31. â†µâ†µThe cause? Early foul trouble for several of Memphis’ key players forcing them to sit, combined with an inability to crack Northridge’s zone defense. As a team, the Tigers shot 39% from the field, a huge chuck of which came thanks to Roburt Sallie (6-8, 17 points), the only man who seems able to hit a shot for Memphis. Seven turnovers certainly haven’t helped matters either. Although Cal State has nine turnovers of their own, which likely cost them that early first-half lead.â†µ

â†µâ†µMaryland fans: remain calm -- there’s no way Cal State can pull this off. (This is what we call “the power of the reverse jinx.” It is strong.)â†µ

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â†µElsewhere in the Noon-ish session:â†µâ†µ

â†µâ†µ-- Texas A&M jumped all over BYU early, making 10 of its first 11 shots from the field for a 26-8 lead. BYU closed the gap by half, but is still down 12 at the half. â†µ

â†µâ†µ-- LSU had led Butler from the jump and is up 35-29 at halftime. Butler’s been cold from beyond the arc while LSU is 50% from the field.â†µ

â†µâ†µ-- Spencer Hall and Drinkability are going to be sworn blood enemies. When this is over, he promises to be drinking the first beer advertising itself as “corrosively inconsumable.” â†µ

â†µâ†µ-- This year’s March Madness On Demand from CBS.com is unbelievable. No more signing up, waiting in line (wondering what you have to do to be “VIP” ... story of our lives) and, most importantly, it’s in stunning high def. Glorious. â†µ

â†µâ†µEnjoy the second half(s). We’ll be back from a post-session recap. â†µ

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This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.

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