Warriors Pull Away in Chippy Showdown With Thunder
Every time the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder go head to head, you can expect a physical, controversial matchup for multiple reasons. Saturday night was no different, including Zaza Pachulia (intentionally?) falling on Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony getting into a shoving match, and yes, another Draymond Green technical foul. With all that taking place, in the end, the cream rose to the top, as the Warriors pulled away for a 112-80 blowout of the Thunder. Kevin Durant had 28 points to avenge the two previous losses this year, including one at Oklahoma City. Steph Curry added 21 points, including five three-pointers, and had nine rebounds, six assists, and three steals in the win. It was the first time in five games that the Thunder did not reach 100 points, as Westbrook had just 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Their 80 points tied a season low for them, this after they scored at least 100 in 14 of their past 16 games. Their offensive struggles included Paul George being held to just five points. They will hope to find that offensive stroke again when they host the Orlando Magic on Monday. The Warriors hit the road to visit the New York Knicks that same night.
Kansas Clinches Share of Big 12 Title
It looked for a little bit this season that the Kansas Jayhawks' streak of Big 12 regular season tittles would come to an end, but the recent struggles of the Texas Tech Red Raiders and a big top-10 win on Saturday put an end to that chance. The eighth-ranked Jayhawks clinched a share of their 14th straight regular season Big 12 Championship with a 74-72 win over the sixth-ranked Red Raiders on the road. Devonte Graham had 26 points to lead Kansas, who hit half of their shots overall, in their 12th Big 12 win of the year. Graham hit the tiebreaking shot with 1:30 left to lead the Jayhawks, who never trailed on the night, and now hold a two-game lead on Texas Tech and West Virginia. All 14 of the Jayhawks' titles during the streak have been under coach Bill Self, with only four of them being shared. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders have now dropped three in a row for the first time this season, which started when leading scorer Keenan Evans went down with a toe injury against Baylor. He had just six points on Saturday, which was his third straight game in single digits. Zhaire Smith led the way yet again with 20 points, but it was not enough for Texas Tech, who is now 10-6 in conference play. They will hope to get back going when they visit No. 21 West Virginia on Monday. The Jayhawks will also be back at it on Monday when they play host to the Texas Longhorns.
Nova Falls in Overtime Against Creighton
The Villanova Wildcats have been a Final Four favorite for much of the season, but recent upset losses may be enough to have fans scratching their heads. They fell again on Saturday afternoon, this time in overtime against the Creighton Blue Jays, 89-83. Marcus Foster had 28 points to lead the Blue Jays in the upset, while Davion Minz gave his team the lead for good in the extra period. The win for Creighton is the highest-ranked upset in program history, and they had to do it in comeback fashion. The Wildcats led, 68-60, late in the second half thanks to eight straight points from Jalen Brunson. Although, they would miss seven of their last nine shots in regulation, giving Creighton the chance to force overtime. Brunson did lead the Wildcats with 22 points, Mikal Bridges had 18 points, and Omari Spellman added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. The loss for the Wildcats is their first against the Blue Jays in nine games, which dates back to 2014. That includes a 20-point win over Creighton back on February 1st. Nova will definitely fall when the new rankings come out on Monday, as they get ready to visit Seton Hall on Wednesday. The Blue Jays earned their 20th win of the year on Saturday and will play host to DePaul on Tuesday.
Every time the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder go head to head, you can expect a physical, controversial matchup for multiple reasons. Saturday night was no different, including Zaza Pachulia (intentionally?) falling on Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony getting into a shoving match, and yes, another Draymond Green technical foul. With all that taking place, in the end, the cream rose to the top, as the Warriors pulled away for a 112-80 blowout of the Thunder. Kevin Durant had 28 points to avenge the two previous losses this year, including one at Oklahoma City. Steph Curry added 21 points, including five three-pointers, and had nine rebounds, six assists, and three steals in the win. It was the first time in five games that the Thunder did not reach 100 points, as Westbrook had just 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Their 80 points tied a season low for them, this after they scored at least 100 in 14 of their past 16 games. Their offensive struggles included Paul George being held to just five points. They will hope to find that offensive stroke again when they host the Orlando Magic on Monday. The Warriors hit the road to visit the New York Knicks that same night.
Kansas Clinches Share of Big 12 Title
It looked for a little bit this season that the Kansas Jayhawks' streak of Big 12 regular season tittles would come to an end, but the recent struggles of the Texas Tech Red Raiders and a big top-10 win on Saturday put an end to that chance. The eighth-ranked Jayhawks clinched a share of their 14th straight regular season Big 12 Championship with a 74-72 win over the sixth-ranked Red Raiders on the road. Devonte Graham had 26 points to lead Kansas, who hit half of their shots overall, in their 12th Big 12 win of the year. Graham hit the tiebreaking shot with 1:30 left to lead the Jayhawks, who never trailed on the night, and now hold a two-game lead on Texas Tech and West Virginia. All 14 of the Jayhawks' titles during the streak have been under coach Bill Self, with only four of them being shared. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders have now dropped three in a row for the first time this season, which started when leading scorer Keenan Evans went down with a toe injury against Baylor. He had just six points on Saturday, which was his third straight game in single digits. Zhaire Smith led the way yet again with 20 points, but it was not enough for Texas Tech, who is now 10-6 in conference play. They will hope to get back going when they visit No. 21 West Virginia on Monday. The Jayhawks will also be back at it on Monday when they play host to the Texas Longhorns.
Nova Falls in Overtime Against Creighton
The Villanova Wildcats have been a Final Four favorite for much of the season, but recent upset losses may be enough to have fans scratching their heads. They fell again on Saturday afternoon, this time in overtime against the Creighton Blue Jays, 89-83. Marcus Foster had 28 points to lead the Blue Jays in the upset, while Davion Minz gave his team the lead for good in the extra period. The win for Creighton is the highest-ranked upset in program history, and they had to do it in comeback fashion. The Wildcats led, 68-60, late in the second half thanks to eight straight points from Jalen Brunson. Although, they would miss seven of their last nine shots in regulation, giving Creighton the chance to force overtime. Brunson did lead the Wildcats with 22 points, Mikal Bridges had 18 points, and Omari Spellman added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. The loss for the Wildcats is their first against the Blue Jays in nine games, which dates back to 2014. That includes a 20-point win over Creighton back on February 1st. Nova will definitely fall when the new rankings come out on Monday, as they get ready to visit Seton Hall on Wednesday. The Blue Jays earned their 20th win of the year on Saturday and will play host to DePaul on Tuesday.
