Morning Dribble: UNLV Shocked By TCU, Virginia Falls To Clemson

UNLV first took an 18-point lead with just under 15 minutes remaining, but TCU didn’t exactly come storming back at that time. They started chipping into the lead very slowly, with UNLV making baskets to extend it again, over and over. It wasn’t until 5:54 remaining in the second half that the Horned Frogs got the lead under double digits for good. That was when things got interesting; Garlon Green’s basket that made it 81-73 at 5:54 remaining was the first of four consecutive TCU baskets.

Overtime was a back and fourth affair in which TCU put on a clinic, improbably scoring 15 points in five minutes en route to a big victory. Hank Thorns was TCU’s big star with a career high 32 points. He was an incredible 8-12 from behind the arc. TCU also got a major contribution out of their bench, which kicked in 33 points. UNLV shot 53 percent from the floor, but was out-rebounded significantly and had five more turnovers than their opponents.

Mike Smith was held to just 13 points, while second-leading scorer Joe Harris managed just two points in 21 minutes off the bench. The Cavaliers turned the ball over 18 times to Clemson’s nine, and the Tigers forced 14 steals on the night. Virginia was very ineffective from behind the arc, shooting just 3-16 from three-point range.

For more on the two teams, check out Virginia Cavaliers blog Streaking The Lawn and Clemson Tigers blog Shakin The Southland.

Alabama is 16-9 overall and 5-6 in the SEC, and is in need of an extremely strong finish in the SEC to keep themselves into the at-large bid discussion.

For more on the two teams, check out Florida Gators blog Alligator Army and Alabama Crimson Tide blog Roll Bama Roll.