Kentucky has finally extracted a little bit of revenge on West Virginia for cutting short last year’s Final Four run. The No. 4 seeded Wildcats became the first team to advance to the Sweet 16 in this year’s NCAA bracket, topping the No. 5 seeded Mountaineers, 71-63, in a third-round NCAA Tournament game.
NCAA Bracket Update, West Virginia Vs. Kentucky: Brandon Knight Carries Wildcats To Sweet 16
Brandon Knight rebounded from a horrendous first game against Princeton to carry the Wildcats to the win. Knight had 30 points in all, one game after hitting his only bucket in the closing seconds. Josh Harrellson added 15 points, and Terrence Jones chipped in with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Joe Mazzulia scored 20 points for Wet Virginia, who took a 41-33 halftime lead and looked to be in control. But Kentucky began the second half on an 11-0 run, and eventually took the lead for good on a Harrellson layup with 5:23 remaining. The Wildcats will next play the winner of the game between No. 1 seed Ohio State and No. 8 seed George Mason.
Here’s the East region bracket as it stands right now.
SECOND ROUND
No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 8 George Mason; Sunday, March 20, 5:15, CBS
No. 4 Kentucky def. No. 5 West Virginia, 71-63, will face Ohio State/George Mason winner
No. 2 North Carolina vs. No. 7 Washington; Sunday, March 20, 12:15, CBS
No. 3 Syracuse vs. No. 11 Marquette; Sunday, March 20, 7:45, truTV
FIRST ROUND
No. 1 Ohio State def. No. 16 Texas-San Antonio, 76-45
No. 8 George Mason def. No. 9 Villanova, 61-57
No. 5 West Virginia defeats No. 12 Clemson, 84-76
No. 4 Kentucky def. No. 13 Princeton, 59-57
No. 2 North Carolina def. No. 15 Long Island, 102-87
No. 7 Washington def. No. 10 Georgia, 68-65
No. 3 Syracuse def. No. 14 Indiana State, 77-60
No. 11 Marquette def. No. 6 Xavier, 66-55
March Madness resources: Printable 2011 NCAA Tournament bracket ... Full 2011 NCAA Tournament schedule.
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