Expect high turnouts for this one.
ARENA 01: [Louise Vallière] Fukuji Mihoko by >=800
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 02: Furude Hanyū [Hirasawa Ui] by >=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 03: Senjōgahara Hitagi [Hirasawa Yui] by <=800
Over/Under: 5600
Under
ARENA 04: [Misaka Mikoto] Aisaka Taiga by <=1000
Over/Under: 5300
Over
ARENA 05: Furude Rika [C.C.] by >=400
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 06: [Fate Testarossa] Holo by >700
Over/Under: 5200
Over
ARENA 07: Tōsaka Rin [Sakagami Tomoyo] by <=800
Over/Under: 5600
Under
ARENA 08: [Asahina Mikuru] Maria by >600
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 09: [Furukawa Nagisa] Saginomiya Isumi by <800
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 10: Nymph [Sunohara Mei] by >=700
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 11: Nagato Yuki [Akiyama Mio] by <=700
Over/Under: 5400
Over
ARENA 12: Fujibayashi Kyō [Katsura Hinagiku] by >=800
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 13: Haramura Nodoka [Saten Ruiko] by >=1100
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 14: Shiina Mafuyu [Nakano Azusa] by >=800
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 15: [Akaba Chizuru] Kushieda Minori by >500
Over/Under: 4950
Under
ARENA 16: Izumi Konata [Suzumiya Haruhi] by <=800
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 17: Ibuki Fūko [Takamachi Nanoha] by <=700
Over/Under: 5200
Over
ARENA 18: [Konjiki no Yami] Ikaros by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 19: Saber [Shana] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 20: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Fujibayashi Ryō by <600
Over/Under: 4500
Over
ARENA 21: [Okazaki Ushio] Minami Chiaki by <=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Under
ARENA 22: [Kawashima Ami] Shiina Minatsu by <=800
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 23: Ichinose Kotomi [Illyasviel von Einzbern] by >=800
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 24: Hiiragi Kagami [Sengoku Nadeko] by >=800
Over/Under: 5000
ARENA 25: [Sakurano Kurimu] Sanzen'in Nagi by <=500
Over/Under: 5500
Under
ARENA 26: [Yuffie Kisaragi] KOS-MOS by >=100
Over/Under: 4500
Under
Butler 52, Michigan State 50
Butler Bulldogs will play for national title with 52-50 win over Michigan State
By Steve Yanda
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 4, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS -- Playing in its first Final Four in school history, Butler struggled to shoot, but it did not struggle to handle the spotlight of performing on college basketball's grandest stage in front of a hometown crowd. The Bulldogs held off Michigan State for a 52-50 win and advanced to play in Monday night's national title game.
Led by junior forward Gordon Hayward, who tallied 19 points and eight rebounds, Butler shot just 30.6 percent but made up for it with stingy defense. The Bulldogs registered 12 steals and forced 16 Michigan State turnovers.
With 56.3 seconds remaining in the game, Michigan State forward Draymond Green made a pair of free throws to pull the Spartans within one point. Butler guard Ronald Nored missed a short-range shot attempt on the Bulldogs' ensuing possession, and the Spartans grabbed the rebound.
After a Michigan State timeout with 23 seconds to play, the Spartans inbounded the ball and found Green in the lane. He missed a turnaround jumper and Nored grabbed the rebound with 6.1 seconds left. Nored was fouled immediately and made both of his free throws at the other end, pushing Butler's lead to three.
Throughout the month of March, the Bulldogs have insisted to anyone who would listen that they are not the Cinderella that their conference affiliation would suggest. Yes, Butler plays in the Horizon League, and yes, technically, Butler is a mid-major program.
But Cinderella? The Bulldogs -- who were ranked in the top 10 at the season's outset and who carried a 24-game winning streak into Saturday's game -- will stick to sneakers instead of glass slippers, thank you.
Butler took the lead with just more than 18 minutes remaining in the second half and steadily built it from there. The Bulldogs -- not the Spartans, who were competing in their second Final Four in as many seasons -- played as though they were the experienced bunch that had played on this stage before.
With just more than 12 minutes to play, Butler forward Willie Veasley stole the ball from Michigan State point guard Korie Lucious and surged downcourt for a fast-break dunk to push the Bulldogs' lead to seven.
However, Butler would not record another made field goal for more than 10 minutes. The shooting of Lucious, Green and Durrell Summers kept Michigan State in contention. The Spartan trio shot a combined 13 for 27 from the field. Summers led the Spartans with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Hampering Michigan State's cause was the fact that senior forward Raymar Morgan -- one of the Spartans' leading scorers -- got into early foul trouble and never found his rhythm. Morgan picked up three fouls in the first 10 minutes of the game and played only eight minutes in the first half. He drew his fourth foul with 12 minutes 38 seconds remaining in the game and was benched immediately.
Butler had several opportunities to extend its lead and perhaps put the game away, but the Bulldogs struggled to find their shooting touch all night long. And it eluded them down the stretch, as well.
But Butler's defense continued to come through on a night when the shots did not often fall. With 2:27 to play, Nored stole the ball from Green and fed Veasley, who was fouled. Veasley made one of his two ensuing free throws to push Butler's lead to four.
Butler is not known for possessing a fluid and efficient transition offense. In fact, the Bulldogs make up for their lack of front-court size by frequently sending all five players to the defensive glass. They're not usually the most prolific bunch when it comes to forcing turnovers, either.
But against Michigan State, Butler played at a quicker tempo than usual. With 35 seconds remaining in the first half, Bulldogs guard Shawn Vanzant stole the ball from Lucious. Vanzant fed the ball to Shelvin Mack, who pulled up for a quick three-pointer before the Spartans' defense had a chance to get set. The shot was true, and the score was knotted up, 28-28, at halftime.
Made baskets came at a premium before the intermission, which shouldn't have come as much surprise considering the track records of each participant. Butler had not allowed an opponent to score as many as 60 points during its NCAA tournament run, and Michigan State's foes averaged 64.1 points per game on the season.
On Saturday, neither squad made more than 10 baskets before the break. During a stretch that lasted 4:39 during the latter part of the first half, the two teams registered three points -- combined.
Mack and Hayward shouldered the scoring load for Butler in the first half, combining to tally 25 of the Bulldogs' 28 points.
By Steve Yanda
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 4, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS -- Playing in its first Final Four in school history, Butler struggled to shoot, but it did not struggle to handle the spotlight of performing on college basketball's grandest stage in front of a hometown crowd. The Bulldogs held off Michigan State for a 52-50 win and advanced to play in Monday night's national title game.
Led by junior forward Gordon Hayward, who tallied 19 points and eight rebounds, Butler shot just 30.6 percent but made up for it with stingy defense. The Bulldogs registered 12 steals and forced 16 Michigan State turnovers.
With 56.3 seconds remaining in the game, Michigan State forward Draymond Green made a pair of free throws to pull the Spartans within one point. Butler guard Ronald Nored missed a short-range shot attempt on the Bulldogs' ensuing possession, and the Spartans grabbed the rebound.
After a Michigan State timeout with 23 seconds to play, the Spartans inbounded the ball and found Green in the lane. He missed a turnaround jumper and Nored grabbed the rebound with 6.1 seconds left. Nored was fouled immediately and made both of his free throws at the other end, pushing Butler's lead to three.
Throughout the month of March, the Bulldogs have insisted to anyone who would listen that they are not the Cinderella that their conference affiliation would suggest. Yes, Butler plays in the Horizon League, and yes, technically, Butler is a mid-major program.
But Cinderella? The Bulldogs -- who were ranked in the top 10 at the season's outset and who carried a 24-game winning streak into Saturday's game -- will stick to sneakers instead of glass slippers, thank you.
Butler took the lead with just more than 18 minutes remaining in the second half and steadily built it from there. The Bulldogs -- not the Spartans, who were competing in their second Final Four in as many seasons -- played as though they were the experienced bunch that had played on this stage before.
With just more than 12 minutes to play, Butler forward Willie Veasley stole the ball from Michigan State point guard Korie Lucious and surged downcourt for a fast-break dunk to push the Bulldogs' lead to seven.
However, Butler would not record another made field goal for more than 10 minutes. The shooting of Lucious, Green and Durrell Summers kept Michigan State in contention. The Spartan trio shot a combined 13 for 27 from the field. Summers led the Spartans with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Hampering Michigan State's cause was the fact that senior forward Raymar Morgan -- one of the Spartans' leading scorers -- got into early foul trouble and never found his rhythm. Morgan picked up three fouls in the first 10 minutes of the game and played only eight minutes in the first half. He drew his fourth foul with 12 minutes 38 seconds remaining in the game and was benched immediately.
Butler had several opportunities to extend its lead and perhaps put the game away, but the Bulldogs struggled to find their shooting touch all night long. And it eluded them down the stretch, as well.
But Butler's defense continued to come through on a night when the shots did not often fall. With 2:27 to play, Nored stole the ball from Green and fed Veasley, who was fouled. Veasley made one of his two ensuing free throws to push Butler's lead to four.
Butler is not known for possessing a fluid and efficient transition offense. In fact, the Bulldogs make up for their lack of front-court size by frequently sending all five players to the defensive glass. They're not usually the most prolific bunch when it comes to forcing turnovers, either.
But against Michigan State, Butler played at a quicker tempo than usual. With 35 seconds remaining in the first half, Bulldogs guard Shawn Vanzant stole the ball from Lucious. Vanzant fed the ball to Shelvin Mack, who pulled up for a quick three-pointer before the Spartans' defense had a chance to get set. The shot was true, and the score was knotted up, 28-28, at halftime.
Made baskets came at a premium before the intermission, which shouldn't have come as much surprise considering the track records of each participant. Butler had not allowed an opponent to score as many as 60 points during its NCAA tournament run, and Michigan State's foes averaged 64.1 points per game on the season.
On Saturday, neither squad made more than 10 baskets before the break. During a stretch that lasted 4:39 during the latter part of the first half, the two teams registered three points -- combined.
Mack and Hayward shouldered the scoring load for Butler in the first half, combining to tally 25 of the Bulldogs' 28 points.
ISML 2010: Railgun on the doorstep
ISML 2010: Railgun on the doorstep
April 2, 2010
The 2010 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Phase continued with Match Day 6, and Mikoto Misaka is now one victory away from securing the Aquamarine necklace. She crushed Nagisa Furukawa 3001-2093 on Holy Thursday.
"The job's not done yet for this one," Misaka said. "And even if I were to win on Sunday, it will still boil down to the numbers. I don't know who I'm facing, but Mio Akiyama can still jump past me if I don't win emphatically enough. So nothing should be left to chance."
Misaka will be wrapping up the Aquamarine against Taiga Aisaka. A win will certainly seal the deal for either one. Aisaka scored a businesslike 3101-1887 decision over Chizuru AKaba.
Akiyama herself will have more to gain from her match against Yuki Nagato on Match Day 7 after a 3157-1934 dismantling of Kotomi Ichinose. Nagato scored a 3126-2015 win over C.C. A victory for the main protagonist from "The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya" would inject new faith in the well-established SOS Brigade.
"The voters will be itching for a change," Akiyama said. "I think I can do the spearheading honors."
Hinagiku Katsura shouldn't overlook Kyou Fujibayashi, who took down Mikuru Asahina 2913-2116. But the student council president of the Hakuoh Academy argues that it isn't anything unmanageable.
"If you look at my recent match today, I dismantled Maria 3558-1151," the denfending ISML champion said after her contest. "Not only am I capable of putting up a good fight against Kyou, but I am capable of winning it handily."
In spite of the ambitious intentions, there is a chance that Katsura will be on the outside looking in even if she goes perfect because Saber and Shana are also unbeaten heading into Showdown Sunday, where they will be facing each other in what will be an exciting swordfight.
Saber, known also as Arthuria Pendragon, tore past Nanoha Takamachi 2932-1992 while Shana burned Minatsu Shiina 3411-1676.
Other exciting matches to look out for on Easter Sunday include Fate Testarossa vs. Holo, Yui Hirasawa vs. Hitagi Senjougahara, Nagi Sanzen'in vs. Kurimu Sakurano, Kagami Hiiragi vs. Nadeko Sengoku, Rika Furude vs. C.C. and Rin Tosaka vs. Tomoyo Sakagami.
In other Match Day 6 action...Isumi Saginomiya defeated MInori Kushieda 2448-2390, Yui Hirasawa rolled past Hanyuu Furude 3096-1799, Holo chomped Mei Sunohara 2951-1915, Kagami Hiiragi cruised past Nodoka Haramura 3476-1157, Sengoku was all business against Ruiko Saten 2837-1930 and Haruhi Suzumiya was never out of it against Chiaki Minami in a 3345-1606 thumping.
Azusa Nakano knocked down Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 2955-1969, Sakurano defeated Tsukasa Hiiragi 2705-2022, Sanzen'in scored a easy 3152-1793 victory over Ui Hirasawa, Testarossa put Ryou Fujibayashi to bed 2851-1861, Senjougahara was all over Nymph 2839-1769 and Mafuyu Shiina chalked up a 3323-1012 landslide victory over Mihoko Fukuji.
Finally, Tosaka whipped past Golden Darkness (Konjiki no Yami) 2812-1919, Sakagami slammed the door shut on Ikaros 2995-1780, Illyasviel von Einzbern rocked Fuuko Ibuki 2672-2120 and Konata Izumi laid the law on Ushio Okazaki 2758-1992.
In the special match, a different Suzumiya (not related to Haruhi) came out a big winner. Akana Suzumiya from Runbling Hearts defeated Kaleido Star's Sora Naegino 1784-1291.
Vote online for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com on April 4. The Topaz phase gets underway the following Sunday, April 11, 2010.
BoBA 2010 ISML Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 6
ARENA 01: Saginomiya Isumi [Kushieda Minori] >=1000
Over/Under: 4200
Over
ARENA 02: [Katsura Hinagiku] Maria by >=1000
Over/Under: 4500
Over
ARENA 03: [Nagato Yuki] C.C. by <=1400
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 04: Ichinose Kotomi [Akiyama Mio] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4700
Over
ARENA 05: [Hirasawa Yui] Furude Hanyū by >=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Under
ARENA 06: [Holo] Sunohara Mei by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 07: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Asahina Mikuru by >=800
Over/Under: 4200
Over
ARENA 08: [Hiiragi Kagami] Haramura Nodoka by >=1300
Over/Under: 4000
Over
ARENA 09: [Sengoku Nadeko] Saten Ruiko by <=1200
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 10: Furukawa Nagisa [Misaka Mikoto] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 11: Shiina Minatsu [Shana] by >=800
Over/Under: 4600
Over
ARENA 12: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Minami Chiaki by <=1300
Over/Under: 4300
Over
ARENA 13: [Nakano Azusa] Louise Vallière by >=1000
Over/Under: 4700
Over
ARENA 14: [Sakurano Kurimu] Hiiragi Tsukasa by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 15: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Hirasawa Ui by >=700
Over/Under: 4200
Over
ARENA 16: [Fate Testarossa] Fujibayashi Ryō by <=1000
Over/Under: 4200
Over
ARENA 17: Nymph [Senjōgahara Hitagi] by >=900
Over/Under: 4800
Under
ARENA 18: [Shiina Mafuyu] Fukuji Mihoko by >=800
Over/Under: 4800
Under
ARENA 19: [Kawashima Ami] Furude Rika by >=750
Over/Under: 4500
Over
ARENA 20: Konjiki no Yami [Tōsaka Rin] by >=1100
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 21: [Aisaka Taiga] Akaba Chizuru by <=1200
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 22: Ikaros [Sakagami Tomoyo] by >=1200
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 23: [Takamachi Nanoha] Saber by <=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 24: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Ibuki Fūko] by >=900
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 25: [Izumi Konata] Okazaki Ushio by >=700
Over/Under: 5000
Under
Special Match
ARENA 26: [Naegino Sora] Suzumiya Akane by <=1000
Over/Under: 3000
Over
Over/Under: 4200
Over
ARENA 02: [Katsura Hinagiku] Maria by >=1000
Over/Under: 4500
Over
ARENA 03: [Nagato Yuki] C.C. by <=1400
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 04: Ichinose Kotomi [Akiyama Mio] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4700
Over
ARENA 05: [Hirasawa Yui] Furude Hanyū by >=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Under
ARENA 06: [Holo] Sunohara Mei by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 07: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Asahina Mikuru by >=800
Over/Under: 4200
Over
ARENA 08: [Hiiragi Kagami] Haramura Nodoka by >=1300
Over/Under: 4000
Over
ARENA 09: [Sengoku Nadeko] Saten Ruiko by <=1200
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 10: Furukawa Nagisa [Misaka Mikoto] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 11: Shiina Minatsu [Shana] by >=800
Over/Under: 4600
Over
ARENA 12: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Minami Chiaki by <=1300
Over/Under: 4300
Over
ARENA 13: [Nakano Azusa] Louise Vallière by >=1000
Over/Under: 4700
Over
ARENA 14: [Sakurano Kurimu] Hiiragi Tsukasa by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 15: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Hirasawa Ui by >=700
Over/Under: 4200
Over
ARENA 16: [Fate Testarossa] Fujibayashi Ryō by <=1000
Over/Under: 4200
Over
ARENA 17: Nymph [Senjōgahara Hitagi] by >=900
Over/Under: 4800
Under
ARENA 18: [Shiina Mafuyu] Fukuji Mihoko by >=800
Over/Under: 4800
Under
ARENA 19: [Kawashima Ami] Furude Rika by >=750
Over/Under: 4500
Over
ARENA 20: Konjiki no Yami [Tōsaka Rin] by >=1100
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 21: [Aisaka Taiga] Akaba Chizuru by <=1200
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 22: Ikaros [Sakagami Tomoyo] by >=1200
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 23: [Takamachi Nanoha] Saber by <=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 24: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Ibuki Fūko] by >=900
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 25: [Izumi Konata] Okazaki Ushio by >=700
Over/Under: 5000
Under
Special Match
ARENA 26: [Naegino Sora] Suzumiya Akane by <=1000
Over/Under: 3000
Over
ISML 2010: Mio chases Mikoto to the top after Aquamarine 5
ISML 2010: Mio chases Mikoto to the top after Aquamarine 5
March 30, 2010
The chase for the 2010 International Saimoe League Aquamarine necklace continued on Match Day 5, and Mikoto Misaka stayed at the top of the table once again. The Railgun blasted her way to a 2855-1262 blowout of Minori Kushieda.
Chasing her at the top is Mio Akiyama. Known around Sakuragaoka High School as the "Dangerous Queen" for her long black hair and slanted eyebrows that imply a mysterious countenance, she slashed Illyasviel von Einzbern 2717-1547 to move up to second on the table.
Yuki Nagato remained third with a decisive 2800-1345 trouncing of Rika Furude. Fourth-place Taiga Aisaka kept her spot with an easy 2676-1456 walkover of Isumi Saginomiya. Saber kept her fifth-place spot with a 2575-1584 slashing of Fuuko Ibuki.
Others with an outside chance of winning the necklace include defending champion Hinagiku Katsura and Shana. Katsura was all over Mikuru Asahina, storming the gates 2764-1495 while Shana torched an overmatched Ami Kawashima 3067-1223.
The news of the seven remaining in the hunt sparked massive debate in the campus squads, co-ops classrooms and halls on who deserves the "Necklace that Controls the Oceans" across Hakuoh Academy in Nerima, Nishinomiya's East Senior High, Sakuragaoka and Tokiwadai Junior High in Academy City.
"I never thought that Mio-chan was going to be this serious of a contender for the necklace," said a beaming Yui Hirasawa, a few hours removed from a routine 2558-1511 domination of Nymph. "But it's looking real good. This is exciting!"
"I would think," Haruhi Suzumiya said after her 2653-1464 pounding of Ushio Okazaki, "that Mikoto has more to lose from the next two matches than anyone else in this tournament. But when Nagato has an outside shot, the ball will always be in her court."
It was made painfully clear that Saki was not going to get the love it earned from its Japanese voting constituents last year. Azusa Nakano destroyed Mihoko Fukuji 3052-922 while Nadeko Sengoku made cream puffs out of Nodoka Haramura 2815-911.
In other action, Rin Tosaka laid the whooping stick on Ikaros 2404-1638, Kyou Fujibayashi defeated Maria 2419-1765, Fate Testarossa cruised by Mei Sunohara 2444-1578, Nanoha Takamachi won a 2063-1976 classic against C.C. and the Shiina sisters chalked up victories: MInatsu with a 2051-1917 upset of Kotomi Ichinose and Mafuyu with a 2310-1682 thumping of Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere.
Nagi Sanzen'in did a demolition job on Hanyuu Furude 2655-1383, Nagisa Furukawa prevailed over Chizuru Akaba 2137-1850, Konata Izumi crushed Chiaki Minami 2358-1553, Horo chomped up Ui Hirasawa 2300-1809 and Tomoyo Sakagami delivered a 2518-1495 beatdown on Konjiki no Yami.
In the special match, Maetel of Galaxy Empress 999 defeated Nausicaä 1413-1080.
Aquamarine Match Day 6 (and this is no joke) will take place on April Fools Day, April 1, 2010. Vote for your favorite candidates online at InternationalSaimoe.com.
March 30, 2010
The chase for the 2010 International Saimoe League Aquamarine necklace continued on Match Day 5, and Mikoto Misaka stayed at the top of the table once again. The Railgun blasted her way to a 2855-1262 blowout of Minori Kushieda.
Chasing her at the top is Mio Akiyama. Known around Sakuragaoka High School as the "Dangerous Queen" for her long black hair and slanted eyebrows that imply a mysterious countenance, she slashed Illyasviel von Einzbern 2717-1547 to move up to second on the table.
Yuki Nagato remained third with a decisive 2800-1345 trouncing of Rika Furude. Fourth-place Taiga Aisaka kept her spot with an easy 2676-1456 walkover of Isumi Saginomiya. Saber kept her fifth-place spot with a 2575-1584 slashing of Fuuko Ibuki.
Others with an outside chance of winning the necklace include defending champion Hinagiku Katsura and Shana. Katsura was all over Mikuru Asahina, storming the gates 2764-1495 while Shana torched an overmatched Ami Kawashima 3067-1223.
The news of the seven remaining in the hunt sparked massive debate in the campus squads, co-ops classrooms and halls on who deserves the "Necklace that Controls the Oceans" across Hakuoh Academy in Nerima, Nishinomiya's East Senior High, Sakuragaoka and Tokiwadai Junior High in Academy City.
"I never thought that Mio-chan was going to be this serious of a contender for the necklace," said a beaming Yui Hirasawa, a few hours removed from a routine 2558-1511 domination of Nymph. "But it's looking real good. This is exciting!"
"I would think," Haruhi Suzumiya said after her 2653-1464 pounding of Ushio Okazaki, "that Mikoto has more to lose from the next two matches than anyone else in this tournament. But when Nagato has an outside shot, the ball will always be in her court."
It was made painfully clear that Saki was not going to get the love it earned from its Japanese voting constituents last year. Azusa Nakano destroyed Mihoko Fukuji 3052-922 while Nadeko Sengoku made cream puffs out of Nodoka Haramura 2815-911.
In other action, Rin Tosaka laid the whooping stick on Ikaros 2404-1638, Kyou Fujibayashi defeated Maria 2419-1765, Fate Testarossa cruised by Mei Sunohara 2444-1578, Nanoha Takamachi won a 2063-1976 classic against C.C. and the Shiina sisters chalked up victories: MInatsu with a 2051-1917 upset of Kotomi Ichinose and Mafuyu with a 2310-1682 thumping of Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere.
Nagi Sanzen'in did a demolition job on Hanyuu Furude 2655-1383, Nagisa Furukawa prevailed over Chizuru Akaba 2137-1850, Konata Izumi crushed Chiaki Minami 2358-1553, Horo chomped up Ui Hirasawa 2300-1809 and Tomoyo Sakagami delivered a 2518-1495 beatdown on Konjiki no Yami.
In the special match, Maetel of Galaxy Empress 999 defeated Nausicaä 1413-1080.
Aquamarine Match Day 6 (and this is no joke) will take place on April Fools Day, April 1, 2010. Vote for your favorite candidates online at InternationalSaimoe.com.
BoBA 2010 ISML Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 5
ARENA 01: [Tōsaka Rin] Ikaros by >=1000
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 02: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Maria by >=500
Over/Under: 4700
Over
ARENA 03: [Sakurano Kurimu] Fujibayashi Ryō by <=900
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 04: Sunohara Mei [Fate Testarossa] by >=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 05: Fukuji Mihoko [Nakano Azusa] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 06: [Takamachi Nanoha] C.C. by <=1000
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 07: Furude Rika [Nagato Yuki] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 08: [Hiiragi Kagami] Saten Ruiko by <=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 09: Louise Vallière [Shiina Mafuyu] by >=700
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 10: Shiina Minatsu [Ichinose Kotomi] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 11: [Senjōgahara Hitagi] Hiiragi Tsukasa by >=700
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 12: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Furude Hanyū by >=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 13: [Akaba Chizuru] Furukawa Nagisa by >=750
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 14: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Okazaki Ushio by >=1100
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 15: [Aisaka Taiga] Saginomiya Isumi by >=900
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 16: [Shana] Kawashima Ami >=950
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 17: Asahina Mikuru [Katsura Hinagiku] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 18: Ibuki Fūko [Saber] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 19: [Sengoku Nadeko] Haramura Nodoka by >=1000
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 20: [Misaka Mikoto] Kushieda Minori by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 21: Minami Chiaki [Izumi Konata] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 22: Hirasawa Ui [Holo] by >=800
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 23: [Akiyama Mio] Illyasviel von Einzbern by >=1050
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 24: Konjiki no Yami [Sakagami Tomoyo] by >=800
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 25: [Hirasawa Yui] Nymph by >=1200
Over/Under: 5100
Over
Special Matchj:
ARENA 26: [Maetel] Nausicaä by <=1000
Over/Under: 5300
Under
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 02: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Maria by >=500
Over/Under: 4700
Over
ARENA 03: [Sakurano Kurimu] Fujibayashi Ryō by <=900
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 04: Sunohara Mei [Fate Testarossa] by >=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 05: Fukuji Mihoko [Nakano Azusa] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 06: [Takamachi Nanoha] C.C. by <=1000
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 07: Furude Rika [Nagato Yuki] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 08: [Hiiragi Kagami] Saten Ruiko by <=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 09: Louise Vallière [Shiina Mafuyu] by >=700
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 10: Shiina Minatsu [Ichinose Kotomi] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 11: [Senjōgahara Hitagi] Hiiragi Tsukasa by >=700
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 12: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Furude Hanyū by >=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 13: [Akaba Chizuru] Furukawa Nagisa by >=750
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 14: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Okazaki Ushio by >=1100
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 15: [Aisaka Taiga] Saginomiya Isumi by >=900
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 16: [Shana] Kawashima Ami >=950
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 17: Asahina Mikuru [Katsura Hinagiku] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 18: Ibuki Fūko [Saber] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 19: [Sengoku Nadeko] Haramura Nodoka by >=1000
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 20: [Misaka Mikoto] Kushieda Minori by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 21: Minami Chiaki [Izumi Konata] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 22: Hirasawa Ui [Holo] by >=800
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 23: [Akiyama Mio] Illyasviel von Einzbern by >=1050
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 24: Konjiki no Yami [Sakagami Tomoyo] by >=800
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 25: [Hirasawa Yui] Nymph by >=1200
Over/Under: 5100
Over
Special Matchj:
ARENA 26: [Maetel] Nausicaä by <=1000
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ISML 2010: All the right moves for Mikoto Misaka in Aquamarine
ISML 2010: All the right moves for Mikoto Misaka in Aquamarine
March 29, 2010
The song "All The Right Moves" by the band OneRepublic may be seen as defeatist by those who acknowledge it. Or it can be seen the acknowledgement of a true necklace contender.
If you were to ask Mikoto Misaka, you wouldn't exactly get a clear answer. In fact, she probably would not be obliged to give you one.
"I keep my emotions to myself when it's battle time," said Misaka after her 3191-1945 victory over Konata Izumi in the fourth match day of the 2010 International Saimoe League Aquamarine phase. "When I keep my emotions to myself, I can perform and let fate chart its course. Whether or not I win a necklace has nothing to do with the intention to win. I can go perfect and not win a necklace. We have seen this many times. A necklace is just something on the side for me."
Chasing her are six others still in the hunt for the necklace. Taiga Aisaka kept her dominance over Azusa Nakano going with a 2912-2231 victory to stay in second. Yuki Nagato was never tested much by Kurimu Sakurano, winning 3146-1917 to stay in third.
In a battle of first-time entrants, Mio Akiyama stayed in the hunt for the Aquamarine with a 2910-2194 victory over Nadeko Sengoku. Her compatriot, Yui Hirasawa, was not as successful, falling 2797-2451 to Saber, who is in fifth place.
Defending champion Hinagiku Katsura remains unbeaten with a 3070-1985 decision over Rin Tosaka, while Shana rounds out the unbeatens with a 3120-2109 rout of Holo.
The first special match to draw a significant turnout of voters came on Aquamarine 4. Hecate defeated Charlotte Helene Tabitha D'Orleans 2819-1650.
"To think that I am the only new face that has yet to suffer a defeat, that has to say a lot of things," said Akiyama. "I plan to ride this wave as far as it will go."
"Misaka is going to be a problem for anyone she faces, even myself," said Aisaka after her win. "She is still recovering from not getting the respect she deserved last season and she is making a lot of people pay dearly. Anyone who stops her, I'm going to stop anoint them now as legit."
"We have to be very cautious about jumping to any conclusions," said Nagato. "However, I look forward to evaluating Ms. Misaka's fighting ability myself."
In a battle between mother and daughter, Ushio Okazaki chose to let Nagisa Furukawa win the contest. "I think Mama will do better than me," she said. "But when it's someone else, I want to win." While it was a mere formality, the vote count read, 3004-1205 in favor of Furukawa.
In other ISML action...Mikuru Asahina kept Ikaros winless with a 2867-2135 thumping, C.C. bounced back with a 2718-2267 win over Tsukasa Hiiragi, Maria scored a 2587-2157 decision over Konjiki no Yami, Mihoko Fukuji was shut out 3043-1386 by Izumi Saginomiya, Haruhi Suzumiya cruised to a 2763-2389 win over Fate Testarossa and Tomoyo Sakagami prevailed yet again over KYou Fujibayashi, this time by the score of 2280-2093.
Nanoha Takamachi scored a nailbiting 2420-2335 thriller over Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere, Minatsu Shiina got on the win column with a 2670-1957 blowout over Mei Sunohara, Kagami Hiiragi just got past Nagi Sanzen'in 2548-2467, Ami Kawashima punched out Chiaki Minami 2488-2169, Hitagi Senjougahara chalked up a 2491-2313 victory over Mafuyu Shiina and Kotomi Ichinose was all business in a 2726-1866 beatdown of Hanyuu Furude.
Minori Kushieda annihilated Nodoka Haramura 3083-1380, Rika Furude skated by Ryou Fujibayashi 2325-2267, Illyasviel von Einzbern dusted off Ui Hirasawa 2745-2299, Chizuru Akaba prevailed over Ruiko Saten 2430-2330 and Fuuko Ibuki trounced Nymph 2524-2062.
Aquamarine Match day 5 is scheduled for Tuesday, MAtch 30, 2010. Vote online for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com.
March 29, 2010
The song "All The Right Moves" by the band OneRepublic may be seen as defeatist by those who acknowledge it. Or it can be seen the acknowledgement of a true necklace contender.
If you were to ask Mikoto Misaka, you wouldn't exactly get a clear answer. In fact, she probably would not be obliged to give you one.
"I keep my emotions to myself when it's battle time," said Misaka after her 3191-1945 victory over Konata Izumi in the fourth match day of the 2010 International Saimoe League Aquamarine phase. "When I keep my emotions to myself, I can perform and let fate chart its course. Whether or not I win a necklace has nothing to do with the intention to win. I can go perfect and not win a necklace. We have seen this many times. A necklace is just something on the side for me."
Chasing her are six others still in the hunt for the necklace. Taiga Aisaka kept her dominance over Azusa Nakano going with a 2912-2231 victory to stay in second. Yuki Nagato was never tested much by Kurimu Sakurano, winning 3146-1917 to stay in third.
In a battle of first-time entrants, Mio Akiyama stayed in the hunt for the Aquamarine with a 2910-2194 victory over Nadeko Sengoku. Her compatriot, Yui Hirasawa, was not as successful, falling 2797-2451 to Saber, who is in fifth place.
Defending champion Hinagiku Katsura remains unbeaten with a 3070-1985 decision over Rin Tosaka, while Shana rounds out the unbeatens with a 3120-2109 rout of Holo.
The first special match to draw a significant turnout of voters came on Aquamarine 4. Hecate defeated Charlotte Helene Tabitha D'Orleans 2819-1650.
"To think that I am the only new face that has yet to suffer a defeat, that has to say a lot of things," said Akiyama. "I plan to ride this wave as far as it will go."
"Misaka is going to be a problem for anyone she faces, even myself," said Aisaka after her win. "She is still recovering from not getting the respect she deserved last season and she is making a lot of people pay dearly. Anyone who stops her, I'm going to stop anoint them now as legit."
"We have to be very cautious about jumping to any conclusions," said Nagato. "However, I look forward to evaluating Ms. Misaka's fighting ability myself."
In a battle between mother and daughter, Ushio Okazaki chose to let Nagisa Furukawa win the contest. "I think Mama will do better than me," she said. "But when it's someone else, I want to win." While it was a mere formality, the vote count read, 3004-1205 in favor of Furukawa.
In other ISML action...Mikuru Asahina kept Ikaros winless with a 2867-2135 thumping, C.C. bounced back with a 2718-2267 win over Tsukasa Hiiragi, Maria scored a 2587-2157 decision over Konjiki no Yami, Mihoko Fukuji was shut out 3043-1386 by Izumi Saginomiya, Haruhi Suzumiya cruised to a 2763-2389 win over Fate Testarossa and Tomoyo Sakagami prevailed yet again over KYou Fujibayashi, this time by the score of 2280-2093.
Nanoha Takamachi scored a nailbiting 2420-2335 thriller over Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere, Minatsu Shiina got on the win column with a 2670-1957 blowout over Mei Sunohara, Kagami Hiiragi just got past Nagi Sanzen'in 2548-2467, Ami Kawashima punched out Chiaki Minami 2488-2169, Hitagi Senjougahara chalked up a 2491-2313 victory over Mafuyu Shiina and Kotomi Ichinose was all business in a 2726-1866 beatdown of Hanyuu Furude.
Minori Kushieda annihilated Nodoka Haramura 3083-1380, Rika Furude skated by Ryou Fujibayashi 2325-2267, Illyasviel von Einzbern dusted off Ui Hirasawa 2745-2299, Chizuru Akaba prevailed over Ruiko Saten 2430-2330 and Fuuko Ibuki trounced Nymph 2524-2062.
Aquamarine Match day 5 is scheduled for Tuesday, MAtch 30, 2010. Vote online for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com.
Duke 78, Baylor 71
Duke punches another Final Four ticket
By Ken Tysiac
ktysiac@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Sunday, Mar. 28, 2010
HOUSTON -- Duke senior guard Jon Scheyer fiddled absently Sunday evening with the loop he'd cut from the net at Reliant Stadium that represented a lifetime goal fulfilled.
A baseball cap that proclaimed Duke regional champions sat on Scheyer's left knee as the last few reporters hung around the locker room. Scheyer and junior backcourt partner Nolan Smith had just shredded Baylor's zone defense, combining for 49 points to lift Duke to a 78-71 win in the NCAA tournament's South Regional final.
The win propelled top-seeded Duke (33-5) into its first Final Four in six years. The Blue Devils will meet West Virginia, the No. 2 seed out of the East Regional, at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the NCAA semifinals in Indianapolis.
"It's a dream come true," Scheyer said. "It just is. To get that win, we had to work our butts off for it, and it felt great."
Smith and Scheyer carried the Blue Devils, combining for nine of Duke's 11 3-pointers against a Baylor zone defense that held Duke to 11-for-38 shooting from two-point range.
With a career-high 29 points, Smith kept talented, No. 3 seed Baylor (28-8) from running away with the win early. He also put Duke ahead to stay after going to the free throw line with the Bears leading by a point with 3 minutes, 36 seconds remaining.
Smith made the first free throw to tie the game, but missed the second. Teammate Lance Thomas tipped the rebound free and dug the ball off the floor. He passed quickly to Kyle Singler, who found Smith open in front of the Duke bench.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski immediately yelled for Smith to shoot it. He did, sinking a 3-pointer that gave Duke the lead, and then shot Krzyzewski a smile.
On Duke's next possession, Brian Zoubek passed out to Scheyer in the short corner opposite the Blue Devils' bench. Scheyer, who's struggled with his shooting for most of the postseason, drilled a 3-pointer and ran back down the court pumping his fist.
Duke led 67-61 with 2:38 remaining, and Indianapolis was coming into focus.
"That kind of took the wind out of them a little bit," Zoubek said. ". . .I think it was a little bit of a dagger."
For much of the game it appeared that Baylor might put the dagger into Duke because of Blue Devil forward Singler's struggles. Singler was held to five points – all on free throws – as he missed all 10 of his field goal attempts.
He spent much of the game chasing around shooting guard LaceDarius Dunn, who led Baylor with 22 points but missed six of his eight 3-point attempts against Singler, who's 6-foot-8.
But Singler, who usually scores easily inside against smaller defenders, couldn't get a shot to fall against a defense that started players measuring 7-foot, 6-10 and 6-10.
"It was frustrating," Singler said. "But the good sign for our team was we played through it. . . .It didn't bother us at all. We were able to keep playing, and it shows the closeness of our group."
Krzyzewski, too, mentioned the closeness and character of Duke's players as a factor that helped a good team that's not a great team get to the Final Four.
This will be Krzyzewski's 11th Final Four trip in 30 seasons at Duke. It comes after four years of steady improvement in Duke's won-loss record and NCAA tournament results over the careers of seniors Scheyer, Zoubek and Thomas.
"It's as close a team as I've had," Krzyzewski said. "You want great things to happen for people who are great with us. I mean, they've been spectacular to coach. . . .I'm ecstatic about it."
As the buzzer sounded, Krzyzewski walked immediately over to Baylor coach Scott Drew to shake his hand. Duke's players jumped in the air, bumped chests and met at halfcourt, their shouting piercing the quiet of the mostly pro-Baylor crowd of 47,492 exiting into the Texas evening.
For Scheyer it was the culmination of a steady climb over four years. For Smith, it's a chance to return to the site of the 1980 Final Four, where his father, the late Derek Smith, won the NCAA title with Louisville.
Now it's Nolan's turn, and he can't wait.
"This team from the beginning of this tournament has been living in the moment, really enjoying every single game, and you know, just playing hard," Smith said. "And it just feels great right now."
ktysiac@charlotteobserver.com or 919-829-8942
By Ken Tysiac
ktysiac@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Sunday, Mar. 28, 2010
HOUSTON -- Duke senior guard Jon Scheyer fiddled absently Sunday evening with the loop he'd cut from the net at Reliant Stadium that represented a lifetime goal fulfilled.
A baseball cap that proclaimed Duke regional champions sat on Scheyer's left knee as the last few reporters hung around the locker room. Scheyer and junior backcourt partner Nolan Smith had just shredded Baylor's zone defense, combining for 49 points to lift Duke to a 78-71 win in the NCAA tournament's South Regional final.
The win propelled top-seeded Duke (33-5) into its first Final Four in six years. The Blue Devils will meet West Virginia, the No. 2 seed out of the East Regional, at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the NCAA semifinals in Indianapolis.
"It's a dream come true," Scheyer said. "It just is. To get that win, we had to work our butts off for it, and it felt great."
Smith and Scheyer carried the Blue Devils, combining for nine of Duke's 11 3-pointers against a Baylor zone defense that held Duke to 11-for-38 shooting from two-point range.
With a career-high 29 points, Smith kept talented, No. 3 seed Baylor (28-8) from running away with the win early. He also put Duke ahead to stay after going to the free throw line with the Bears leading by a point with 3 minutes, 36 seconds remaining.
Smith made the first free throw to tie the game, but missed the second. Teammate Lance Thomas tipped the rebound free and dug the ball off the floor. He passed quickly to Kyle Singler, who found Smith open in front of the Duke bench.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski immediately yelled for Smith to shoot it. He did, sinking a 3-pointer that gave Duke the lead, and then shot Krzyzewski a smile.
On Duke's next possession, Brian Zoubek passed out to Scheyer in the short corner opposite the Blue Devils' bench. Scheyer, who's struggled with his shooting for most of the postseason, drilled a 3-pointer and ran back down the court pumping his fist.
Duke led 67-61 with 2:38 remaining, and Indianapolis was coming into focus.
"That kind of took the wind out of them a little bit," Zoubek said. ". . .I think it was a little bit of a dagger."
For much of the game it appeared that Baylor might put the dagger into Duke because of Blue Devil forward Singler's struggles. Singler was held to five points – all on free throws – as he missed all 10 of his field goal attempts.
He spent much of the game chasing around shooting guard LaceDarius Dunn, who led Baylor with 22 points but missed six of his eight 3-point attempts against Singler, who's 6-foot-8.
But Singler, who usually scores easily inside against smaller defenders, couldn't get a shot to fall against a defense that started players measuring 7-foot, 6-10 and 6-10.
"It was frustrating," Singler said. "But the good sign for our team was we played through it. . . .It didn't bother us at all. We were able to keep playing, and it shows the closeness of our group."
Krzyzewski, too, mentioned the closeness and character of Duke's players as a factor that helped a good team that's not a great team get to the Final Four.
This will be Krzyzewski's 11th Final Four trip in 30 seasons at Duke. It comes after four years of steady improvement in Duke's won-loss record and NCAA tournament results over the careers of seniors Scheyer, Zoubek and Thomas.
"It's as close a team as I've had," Krzyzewski said. "You want great things to happen for people who are great with us. I mean, they've been spectacular to coach. . . .I'm ecstatic about it."
As the buzzer sounded, Krzyzewski walked immediately over to Baylor coach Scott Drew to shake his hand. Duke's players jumped in the air, bumped chests and met at halfcourt, their shouting piercing the quiet of the mostly pro-Baylor crowd of 47,492 exiting into the Texas evening.
For Scheyer it was the culmination of a steady climb over four years. For Smith, it's a chance to return to the site of the 1980 Final Four, where his father, the late Derek Smith, won the NCAA title with Louisville.
Now it's Nolan's turn, and he can't wait.
"This team from the beginning of this tournament has been living in the moment, really enjoying every single game, and you know, just playing hard," Smith said. "And it just feels great right now."
ktysiac@charlotteobserver.com or 919-829-8942
Michigan State 70, Tennessee 69
Michigan State returns to Final Four...again
By NANCY ARMOUR (AP) – 25 minutes ago
ST. LOUIS — Don't bet against Tom Izzo and Michigan State this time of year.
Raymar Morgan's free throw with less than 2 seconds left gave the Spartans a 70-69 victory over Tennessee in the Midwest Regional final Sunday, sending Michigan State to its sixth Final Four in 12 years and second in a row.
No team in the country — not North Carolina, not Kentucky, not UCLA — has done it better during that span. And all six trips have come under Izzo, the hard-nosed coach who preaches defense, rebounding and physical play.
"I like it more than I used to," Izzo said of playing in March. "It's even better than I thought."
Oh, and how's this for some symmetry? This happens to be the 10th anniversary of the "Flintstones," the team that gave Michigan State its second national title. Highlights from that run were included in the video montage of past championships that played on the Edward Jones Dome's massive Jumbotron during halftime.
The fifth-seeded Spartans, last year's national runner-up, will be looking for championship No. 3 next weekend in Indianapolis. They play Butler, also a No. 5 seed and sure to be the hometown favorite, in the semifinals Saturday night.
The Spartans (28-8) led by as many as eight in the second half, but Brian Williams pulled sixth-seeded Tennessee (28-9) within 69-68 on a putback with 2:10 left. Korie Lucious, who took over as point guard after 2009 Big Ten player of the year Kalin Lucas ruptured his Achilles' tendon last weekend, missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 29 seconds left and Scotty Hopson got the rebound.
Hopson was fouled at the other end, and made the first. But after a Michigan State timeout, he missed the second and Lucious — generously listed at 5-foot-11 — ended up with the rebound.
Draymond Green fed the ball inside to Morgan, who got hacked by J.P. Prince with 1.8 seconds left. Morgan made the first and, after timeouts by both teams, missed the second — on purpose. Williams came up with the rebound but Prince fumbled the inbounds pass and had to heave up a prayer just before the buzzer.
"It's just tough, 1 second," Prince said. "You want to shoot it perfect but you've got to rush. You don't want it to come down to a half-court shot, but that's what it came down to."
Prince wasn't even close, and Michigan State and its fans — led by Spartan-in-chief Magic Johnson — began what's become a traditional postgame celebration.
"I'm not surprised," Johnson said. "Tom Izzo does his best in the NCAA tournament."
Hard to argue with that.
Izzo, who took over from longtime mentor Jud Heathcote for the 1995-96 season, is 6-1 in the regional finals. The only loss was to top-seeded Texas in 2003.
Michigan State is the only team from last year's Final Four to make it back. Heck, North Carolina, which demolished the Spartans in the title game, didn't even make the NCAA tournament. Neither did Connecticut, and Villanova was knocked out in the second round.
"There is nothing greater than going to a Final Four that I know of," Izzo said, "except winning it."
And while it's hard to beat that title in 2000, this might be the finest coaching job Izzo has done. In addition to losing Lucas, Delvon Roe is playing on a torn meniscus and Chris Allen has an aching foot. The Spartans have been forced to go to an offense-by-committee, led by Durrell Summers.
Summers, who played just 9 minutes in the first half because of foul trouble, finished with 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Morgan and Green added 13 each, and Morgan also had 10 rebounds.
Tennessee, meanwhile, will have to take comfort in knowing it got further than any other Volunteers team. This was their first appearance in the regional finals, and there is no question they belonged. They made their first six shots of the game — going 4 for 4 from 3-point range, shot 51 percent overall and had four players in double figures, led by senior Wayne Chism's 13 points.
Prince finished with 12 on 5-of-5 shooting, and Williams had 11.
Tennessee has long been a basketball powerhouse — in women's hoops. But coach Bruce Pearl has energized the men's program, as evidenced by the orange-hued dome and the Vols' first appearance in the regional final. Few would have thought the Tennessee men would last longer than the top-seeded women, who were beaten by No. 4 Baylor on Saturday in the regional semifinals.
"We came to St. Louis expecting to win two games and we played pretty well both nights," Pearl said. "We saw all that orange out there. This isn't close to home, either. They got in their car and they drove here. I think they enjoyed this group tremendously."
Though they were going against a program that oozes experience — "Final Fours are a big thing in this program," Green said Saturday — the Vols came in with swagger and strut.
Chism's 3-pointer put them up 50-45 with 15:46 left and prompted another roar from the thousands of Tennessee fans who had made the trek north. But come tournament time, the Spartans simply find a way to get it done. Cranking up the in-your-jersey defense that makes Big Ten opponents shudder, they held the Vols without a field goal for the next 7 1/2 minutes while ripping off a 14-1 run.
Chris Allen made a 3, and Summers converted a three-point play after being fouled on a jumper just inside the line. After Williams' free throw, Morgan scored on a layup and Lucious hit a 3-pointer to put the Spartans up 56-51 with 12:25 to play.
As a timeout was called, Lucious held up his right hand toward the Michigan State section as if to say, "Bring it on."
Green then converted another three-point play, giving the Spartans a 59-51 lead, the largest of the game, with 11:42 to play.
But the Volunteers had one more run in them. Bobby Maze scored on a layup — Tennessee's first field goal since 15:46 — and Williams followed with two jumpers to put the Vols back on top, 62-61, setting up the frenetic finish.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
By NANCY ARMOUR (AP) – 25 minutes ago
ST. LOUIS — Don't bet against Tom Izzo and Michigan State this time of year.
Raymar Morgan's free throw with less than 2 seconds left gave the Spartans a 70-69 victory over Tennessee in the Midwest Regional final Sunday, sending Michigan State to its sixth Final Four in 12 years and second in a row.
No team in the country — not North Carolina, not Kentucky, not UCLA — has done it better during that span. And all six trips have come under Izzo, the hard-nosed coach who preaches defense, rebounding and physical play.
"I like it more than I used to," Izzo said of playing in March. "It's even better than I thought."
Oh, and how's this for some symmetry? This happens to be the 10th anniversary of the "Flintstones," the team that gave Michigan State its second national title. Highlights from that run were included in the video montage of past championships that played on the Edward Jones Dome's massive Jumbotron during halftime.
The fifth-seeded Spartans, last year's national runner-up, will be looking for championship No. 3 next weekend in Indianapolis. They play Butler, also a No. 5 seed and sure to be the hometown favorite, in the semifinals Saturday night.
The Spartans (28-8) led by as many as eight in the second half, but Brian Williams pulled sixth-seeded Tennessee (28-9) within 69-68 on a putback with 2:10 left. Korie Lucious, who took over as point guard after 2009 Big Ten player of the year Kalin Lucas ruptured his Achilles' tendon last weekend, missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 29 seconds left and Scotty Hopson got the rebound.
Hopson was fouled at the other end, and made the first. But after a Michigan State timeout, he missed the second and Lucious — generously listed at 5-foot-11 — ended up with the rebound.
Draymond Green fed the ball inside to Morgan, who got hacked by J.P. Prince with 1.8 seconds left. Morgan made the first and, after timeouts by both teams, missed the second — on purpose. Williams came up with the rebound but Prince fumbled the inbounds pass and had to heave up a prayer just before the buzzer.
"It's just tough, 1 second," Prince said. "You want to shoot it perfect but you've got to rush. You don't want it to come down to a half-court shot, but that's what it came down to."
Prince wasn't even close, and Michigan State and its fans — led by Spartan-in-chief Magic Johnson — began what's become a traditional postgame celebration.
"I'm not surprised," Johnson said. "Tom Izzo does his best in the NCAA tournament."
Hard to argue with that.
Izzo, who took over from longtime mentor Jud Heathcote for the 1995-96 season, is 6-1 in the regional finals. The only loss was to top-seeded Texas in 2003.
Michigan State is the only team from last year's Final Four to make it back. Heck, North Carolina, which demolished the Spartans in the title game, didn't even make the NCAA tournament. Neither did Connecticut, and Villanova was knocked out in the second round.
"There is nothing greater than going to a Final Four that I know of," Izzo said, "except winning it."
And while it's hard to beat that title in 2000, this might be the finest coaching job Izzo has done. In addition to losing Lucas, Delvon Roe is playing on a torn meniscus and Chris Allen has an aching foot. The Spartans have been forced to go to an offense-by-committee, led by Durrell Summers.
Summers, who played just 9 minutes in the first half because of foul trouble, finished with 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Morgan and Green added 13 each, and Morgan also had 10 rebounds.
Tennessee, meanwhile, will have to take comfort in knowing it got further than any other Volunteers team. This was their first appearance in the regional finals, and there is no question they belonged. They made their first six shots of the game — going 4 for 4 from 3-point range, shot 51 percent overall and had four players in double figures, led by senior Wayne Chism's 13 points.
Prince finished with 12 on 5-of-5 shooting, and Williams had 11.
Tennessee has long been a basketball powerhouse — in women's hoops. But coach Bruce Pearl has energized the men's program, as evidenced by the orange-hued dome and the Vols' first appearance in the regional final. Few would have thought the Tennessee men would last longer than the top-seeded women, who were beaten by No. 4 Baylor on Saturday in the regional semifinals.
"We came to St. Louis expecting to win two games and we played pretty well both nights," Pearl said. "We saw all that orange out there. This isn't close to home, either. They got in their car and they drove here. I think they enjoyed this group tremendously."
Though they were going against a program that oozes experience — "Final Fours are a big thing in this program," Green said Saturday — the Vols came in with swagger and strut.
Chism's 3-pointer put them up 50-45 with 15:46 left and prompted another roar from the thousands of Tennessee fans who had made the trek north. But come tournament time, the Spartans simply find a way to get it done. Cranking up the in-your-jersey defense that makes Big Ten opponents shudder, they held the Vols without a field goal for the next 7 1/2 minutes while ripping off a 14-1 run.
Chris Allen made a 3, and Summers converted a three-point play after being fouled on a jumper just inside the line. After Williams' free throw, Morgan scored on a layup and Lucious hit a 3-pointer to put the Spartans up 56-51 with 12:25 to play.
As a timeout was called, Lucious held up his right hand toward the Michigan State section as if to say, "Bring it on."
Green then converted another three-point play, giving the Spartans a 59-51 lead, the largest of the game, with 11:42 to play.
But the Volunteers had one more run in them. Bobby Maze scored on a layup — Tennessee's first field goal since 15:46 — and Williams followed with two jumpers to put the Vols back on top, 62-61, setting up the frenetic finish.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
BoBA 2010 ISML Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 4
ARENA 01: [Asahina Mikuru] Ikaros by >= 700
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 02: [Hirasawa Yui] Saber by <= 800
Over/Under: 5500
Under
ARENA 03: [C.C.] Hiiragi Tsukasa by >=600
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 04: [Furukawa Nagisa] Okazaki Ushio by >=1000
Over/Under: 4700
Over
ARENA 05: [Aisaka Taiga] Nakano Azusa by >=800
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 06: [Akiyama Mio] Sengoku Nadeko by <=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 07: Holo [Shana] by >=900
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 08: [Maria] Konjiki no Yami by >=900
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 09: Fukuji Mihoko [Saginomiya Isumi] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 10: [Nagato Yuki] Sakurano Kurimu by <=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 11: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Fate Testarossa by >=700
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 12: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Sakagami Tomoyo by <=800
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 13: Louise Vallière [Takamachi Nanoha] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 14: [Hiiragi Kagami] Sanzen'in Nagi by <=900
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 15: [Sunohara Mei] Shiina Minatsu by >=800
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 16: [Senjōgahara Hitagi] Shiina Mafuyu by >=900
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 17: [Kawashima Ami] Minami Chiaki by >=800
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 18: [Ichinose Kotomi] Furude Hanyū by <=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 19: Tōsaka Rin [Katsura Hinagiku] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 20: Haramura Nodoka [Kushieda Minori] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 21: [Furude Rika] Fujibayashi Ryō by <=900
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 22: [Hirasawa Ui] Illyasviel von Einzbern by >=1000
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 23: Akaba Chizuru [Saten Ruiko] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 24: [Ibuki Fūko] Nymph by >=700
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 25: [Misaka Mikoto] Izumi Konata by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
Special Match
ARENA 26: Tabitha [Hecate] by <=500
Over/Under: 3500
Under
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 02: [Hirasawa Yui] Saber by <= 800
Over/Under: 5500
Under
ARENA 03: [C.C.] Hiiragi Tsukasa by >=600
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 04: [Furukawa Nagisa] Okazaki Ushio by >=1000
Over/Under: 4700
Over
ARENA 05: [Aisaka Taiga] Nakano Azusa by >=800
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 06: [Akiyama Mio] Sengoku Nadeko by <=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 07: Holo [Shana] by >=900
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 08: [Maria] Konjiki no Yami by >=900
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 09: Fukuji Mihoko [Saginomiya Isumi] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 10: [Nagato Yuki] Sakurano Kurimu by <=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 11: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Fate Testarossa by >=700
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 12: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Sakagami Tomoyo by <=800
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 13: Louise Vallière [Takamachi Nanoha] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 14: [Hiiragi Kagami] Sanzen'in Nagi by <=900
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 15: [Sunohara Mei] Shiina Minatsu by >=800
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 16: [Senjōgahara Hitagi] Shiina Mafuyu by >=900
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 17: [Kawashima Ami] Minami Chiaki by >=800
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 18: [Ichinose Kotomi] Furude Hanyū by <=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 19: Tōsaka Rin [Katsura Hinagiku] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 20: Haramura Nodoka [Kushieda Minori] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 21: [Furude Rika] Fujibayashi Ryō by <=900
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 22: [Hirasawa Ui] Illyasviel von Einzbern by >=1000
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 23: Akaba Chizuru [Saten Ruiko] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 24: [Ibuki Fūko] Nymph by >=700
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 25: [Misaka Mikoto] Izumi Konata by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
Special Match
ARENA 26: Tabitha [Hecate] by <=500
Over/Under: 3500
Under
West Virginia 73, Kentucky 66
WVU headed to Final Four
Mountaineers methodically conquer Kentucky, 73-66
by Mike Casazza
Daily Mail sports writer
The Associated Press
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - West Virginia's basketball players were ready for biggest game of their still young lives Saturday night when they began the short jog from the tunnel inside the Carrier Dome to the floor. The pep band played their song. The fans sprang suddenly to their feet and cheered. Jonnie West was first to squeak his sneakers across the floor. Then came Cam Payne.
And that was it.
"Once we saw Jonnie and Cam go out there, we stopped to see how far they'd go before they noticed," said point guard Joe Mazzulla, who with teammate Cam Thoroughman orchestrated this Elite Eight prank.
West and Payne eventually realized it and Mazzulla and Thoroughman led the rest of the laughing Mountaineers toward tipoff against Kentucky.
"That wasn't very nice," West would say later, "but that shows who we are. We're loose. Everyone stays loose before the game and even during it, but when we get in the games, we have a killer mentality and it's going to wear you down."
After wondering for most of the season if they'd ever figure out who they are, the Mountaineers have for the entire month mastered their identity, cemented an approach and insisted their way would cut it.
And now they're cutting down nets.
In the only matchup of a region's top two seeds in this NCAA Tournament, No. 2 seed WVU defeated No. 1 seed Kentucky, 73-66, before a crowd of 22,497. The Mountaineers advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1959 when West's father, Jerry, was a junior.
WVU (31-6) plays the winner of the South Region championship game between No. 1 seed Duke and No. 3 Seed Baylor Saturday in Indianapolis.
"We win games because of our tempo," senior Da'Sean Butler said. "We don't do well going up and down the court with other people. We're not a fast break team. If we control the tempo, nine times out of 10 we win that game."
Ten times in the past 10 games, WVU been funny before and then ferocious within and won each with discipline on offense and determination on defense. Noted for man-to-man throughout the season, the Mountaineers played a 1-3-1 zone for the majority of the game. The Wildcats (35-3) shot 34.3 percent for the game, missed their first 20 3-point attempts on the way to 4-for-32 shooting and had 16 turnovers that led to 19 WVU points.
"It was pretty tough," said Kentucky freshman point guard John Wall. "They're a long, athletic team. They did a great job denying us getting to the wings and we weren't making shots. I think if we would have made shots, it would have spread them out. Hats off for them. Their defense did a great job on us."
Wall was 7-for-18 and banked in a 3-pointer after missing four others. He added five assists, but also five turnovers and five fouls in what is likely his last college game. Shooting guard Eric Bledsoe, who was 8-for-9 from 3-point range in the first round, was 0-for-5 and had seven points. Guard Darnell Dodson was 2-for-9 from 3-point range.
WVU caused problems inside, too, and center DeMarcus Cousins had 15 points and eight rebounds, but also five turnovers. He was often made to deal with Mazzulla at the bottom of the zone.
"At one point he looked and me and said, 'Are you serious?'" Mazzulla said. "I said, 'Yeah, I'm serious. You're going to have to punch me in the face to get me off you.'"
The Mountaineers turned a two-point halftime lead into a nine-point advantage early in the second half and built it to 11 points when Mazzulla drove for an open layup when Cousins walked back up the court on defense. The margin grew to be as large as 16 points and WVU felt they had the Wildcats, who start three freshmen and a sophomore and have two sophomores and a freshman in their rotation.
"They outplayed us," Kentucky Coach John Calipari said. "I think there were times that the inexperience hurt us. Understanding you're not going to catch it all at once. Knowing that this is the guy we have to stop and then you lose him. There were things that happened. And I think their veterans - especially Mazzulla - were good. He got some layups that were back-breaking. He just played so well and ran their team."
Mazzulla played a season-high 30 minutes and scored a career-high 17 points. He also made his first 3-pointer since Nov. 28, 2008. Butler had 18 points and made four 3-pointers. Kevin Jones added 13 points and eight rebounds and Devin Ebanks had 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Mountaineers were 10-for-23 from 3-point range and 8-for-15 in the first half. They were also 0-for-16 from 2-point range and outrebounded 29-16. WVU shot 57.1 percent in the second half and outrebounded the Wildcats by one.
"We're not as good in the first half as we are in the second because people get tired of chasing it," said Coach Bob Huggins, who returns to the Final Four after appearing there in 1992. "They get tired of chasing it. They get tired of being screened. They get tired of chasing those curls. We got nothing at the rim in the first half. We got a lot of things at the rim in the second half."
The game unfolded not only in the fashion predicted by the Mountaineers, who believed their grinding style could trump Kentucky's talent, but also by Cornell Coach Steve Donahue.
"I think there are a lot of positives about Kentucky," Donahue said after Thursday's Sweet Sixteen loss to the Wildcats. "My concern is that I don't necessarily think for 40 minutes that they may be able to handle this against a team like us that's a little more longer and athletic with experience the next game. West Virginia is terrific."
The Mountaineers were in their third regional final and first since 2005, when they lost in overtime to Louisville. The team has broken every huddle in practice and before games this season by reminding one another they want to be national champs. Not since WVU lost to Cal 71-70 in the final in 1959 has the school been as close. The team that's 8-0 in this state this year will play Saturday in Hoosier State, where WVU is 0-2 with losses to Purdue and Notre Dame.
"The first day I was there I told them I came back to win a national championship," Huggins said. "I came back to win it for the university, having played there and for the great people in our state. And it's going to take a lot of work. And I said this many times, the wonderful thing about these guys is they never doubt. They never ask why. They never kind of bucked it. They just said, 'OK, that's what we have to do. We're going to go do it.' And they've done it and done with it great enthusiasm and great vigor. And they deserve all the credit for it. They're really good guys."
Mountaineers methodically conquer Kentucky, 73-66
by Mike Casazza
Daily Mail sports writer
The Associated Press
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - West Virginia's basketball players were ready for biggest game of their still young lives Saturday night when they began the short jog from the tunnel inside the Carrier Dome to the floor. The pep band played their song. The fans sprang suddenly to their feet and cheered. Jonnie West was first to squeak his sneakers across the floor. Then came Cam Payne.
And that was it.
"Once we saw Jonnie and Cam go out there, we stopped to see how far they'd go before they noticed," said point guard Joe Mazzulla, who with teammate Cam Thoroughman orchestrated this Elite Eight prank.
West and Payne eventually realized it and Mazzulla and Thoroughman led the rest of the laughing Mountaineers toward tipoff against Kentucky.
"That wasn't very nice," West would say later, "but that shows who we are. We're loose. Everyone stays loose before the game and even during it, but when we get in the games, we have a killer mentality and it's going to wear you down."
After wondering for most of the season if they'd ever figure out who they are, the Mountaineers have for the entire month mastered their identity, cemented an approach and insisted their way would cut it.
And now they're cutting down nets.
In the only matchup of a region's top two seeds in this NCAA Tournament, No. 2 seed WVU defeated No. 1 seed Kentucky, 73-66, before a crowd of 22,497. The Mountaineers advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1959 when West's father, Jerry, was a junior.
WVU (31-6) plays the winner of the South Region championship game between No. 1 seed Duke and No. 3 Seed Baylor Saturday in Indianapolis.
"We win games because of our tempo," senior Da'Sean Butler said. "We don't do well going up and down the court with other people. We're not a fast break team. If we control the tempo, nine times out of 10 we win that game."
Ten times in the past 10 games, WVU been funny before and then ferocious within and won each with discipline on offense and determination on defense. Noted for man-to-man throughout the season, the Mountaineers played a 1-3-1 zone for the majority of the game. The Wildcats (35-3) shot 34.3 percent for the game, missed their first 20 3-point attempts on the way to 4-for-32 shooting and had 16 turnovers that led to 19 WVU points.
"It was pretty tough," said Kentucky freshman point guard John Wall. "They're a long, athletic team. They did a great job denying us getting to the wings and we weren't making shots. I think if we would have made shots, it would have spread them out. Hats off for them. Their defense did a great job on us."
Wall was 7-for-18 and banked in a 3-pointer after missing four others. He added five assists, but also five turnovers and five fouls in what is likely his last college game. Shooting guard Eric Bledsoe, who was 8-for-9 from 3-point range in the first round, was 0-for-5 and had seven points. Guard Darnell Dodson was 2-for-9 from 3-point range.
WVU caused problems inside, too, and center DeMarcus Cousins had 15 points and eight rebounds, but also five turnovers. He was often made to deal with Mazzulla at the bottom of the zone.
"At one point he looked and me and said, 'Are you serious?'" Mazzulla said. "I said, 'Yeah, I'm serious. You're going to have to punch me in the face to get me off you.'"
The Mountaineers turned a two-point halftime lead into a nine-point advantage early in the second half and built it to 11 points when Mazzulla drove for an open layup when Cousins walked back up the court on defense. The margin grew to be as large as 16 points and WVU felt they had the Wildcats, who start three freshmen and a sophomore and have two sophomores and a freshman in their rotation.
"They outplayed us," Kentucky Coach John Calipari said. "I think there were times that the inexperience hurt us. Understanding you're not going to catch it all at once. Knowing that this is the guy we have to stop and then you lose him. There were things that happened. And I think their veterans - especially Mazzulla - were good. He got some layups that were back-breaking. He just played so well and ran their team."
Mazzulla played a season-high 30 minutes and scored a career-high 17 points. He also made his first 3-pointer since Nov. 28, 2008. Butler had 18 points and made four 3-pointers. Kevin Jones added 13 points and eight rebounds and Devin Ebanks had 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Mountaineers were 10-for-23 from 3-point range and 8-for-15 in the first half. They were also 0-for-16 from 2-point range and outrebounded 29-16. WVU shot 57.1 percent in the second half and outrebounded the Wildcats by one.
"We're not as good in the first half as we are in the second because people get tired of chasing it," said Coach Bob Huggins, who returns to the Final Four after appearing there in 1992. "They get tired of chasing it. They get tired of being screened. They get tired of chasing those curls. We got nothing at the rim in the first half. We got a lot of things at the rim in the second half."
The game unfolded not only in the fashion predicted by the Mountaineers, who believed their grinding style could trump Kentucky's talent, but also by Cornell Coach Steve Donahue.
"I think there are a lot of positives about Kentucky," Donahue said after Thursday's Sweet Sixteen loss to the Wildcats. "My concern is that I don't necessarily think for 40 minutes that they may be able to handle this against a team like us that's a little more longer and athletic with experience the next game. West Virginia is terrific."
The Mountaineers were in their third regional final and first since 2005, when they lost in overtime to Louisville. The team has broken every huddle in practice and before games this season by reminding one another they want to be national champs. Not since WVU lost to Cal 71-70 in the final in 1959 has the school been as close. The team that's 8-0 in this state this year will play Saturday in Hoosier State, where WVU is 0-2 with losses to Purdue and Notre Dame.
"The first day I was there I told them I came back to win a national championship," Huggins said. "I came back to win it for the university, having played there and for the great people in our state. And it's going to take a lot of work. And I said this many times, the wonderful thing about these guys is they never doubt. They never ask why. They never kind of bucked it. They just said, 'OK, that's what we have to do. We're going to go do it.' And they've done it and done with it great enthusiasm and great vigor. And they deserve all the credit for it. They're really good guys."
Butler 63, Kansas State 56
THE ROAD WINDS HOME
Bulldogs shock Kansas State as their miracle run continues
By David Woods, Indianapolis Star
Posted: March 28, 2010
SALT LAKE CITY -- Restrained and corporate-looking as he is, Brad Stevens finally let his guard down.
On the bus ride home from the airport a week ago, Butler's basketball team passed Lucas Oil Stadium. Wouldn't it be something, the coach told wife Tracy, if the Bulldogs played there in the Final Four?
"That hit a little bit," he said. "That was the first time I even thought about it."
Now, that's almost all anyone in Indianapolis will be thinking about. Home-grown Gordon Hayward, who led Brownsburg High School to a state title, has taken his act to a larger stage.
Hayward scored eight of his 22 points in the closing six minutes, and Butler knocked off Kansas State 63-56 Saturday in the NCAA West Regional final.
No. 5 seed Butler (32-4) will play in a national semifinal next Saturday against the winner of today's Midwest Regional final between Michigan State and Tennessee at St. Louis.
In running its winning streak to 24 and going farther in the NCAA Tournament than ever before, Butler became the smallest school (enrollment: 4,200) in the Final Four since seeding was introduced in 1979. Butler will be the first team to play in a Final Four in its home city since champion UCLA in 1972.
By the way, Butler is 15-0 in Indy.
"Our dreams definitely didn't stop at getting to the Final Four," said Hayward, voted outstanding player of the West Regional. "We want to win the whole thing."
The Bulldogs' defense was so suffocating that they held No. 1 seed Syracuse and No. 2 seed Kansas State (29-8) to season lows and a collective 46 points under their averages. Butler is 19-0 when holding opponents under 60 points, and Kansas State fell to 2-5 when scoring fewer than 70.
Wildcat guards Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen, who totaled 53 points in a Thursday's double-overtime win over Xavier, were limited to 32 on 11-of-30 shooting. Pullen, shadowed by an omnipresent Ronald Nored, scored 14 points -- 12 under his tourney average.
Hayward's nine rebounds led the outsized Bulldogs to a 41-29 edge in that category, compensating for 20 turnovers. Butler's Shelvin Mack scored 16 points and joined Hayward on the all-regional team.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Restrained and corporate-looking as he is, Brad Stevens finally let his guard down.
On the bus ride home from the airport a week ago, Butler's basketball team passed Lucas Oil Stadium. Wouldn't it be something, the coach told wife Tracy, if the Bulldogs played there in the Final Four?
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"That hit a little bit," he said. "That was the first time I even thought about it."
Now, that's almost all anyone in Indianapolis will be thinking about. Home-grown Gordon Hayward, who led Brownsburg High School to a state title, has taken his act to a larger stage.
Hayward scored eight of his 22 points in the closing six minutes, and Butler knocked off Kansas State 63-56 Saturday in the NCAA West Regional final.
No. 5 seed Butler (32-4) will play in a national semifinal next Saturday against the winner of today's Midwest Regional final between Michigan State and Tennessee at St. Louis.
In running its winning streak to 24 and going farther in the NCAA Tournament than ever before, Butler became the smallest school (enrollment: 4,200) in the Final Four since seeding was introduced in 1979. Butler will be the first team to play in a Final Four in its home city since champion UCLA in 1972.
By the way, Butler is 15-0 in Indy.
"Our dreams definitely didn't stop at getting to the Final Four," said Hayward, voted outstanding player of the West Regional. "We want to win the whole thing."
The Bulldogs' defense was so suffocating that they held No. 1 seed Syracuse and No. 2 seed Kansas State (29-8) to season lows and a collective 46 points under their averages. Butler is 19-0 when holding opponents under 60 points, and Kansas State fell to 2-5 when scoring fewer than 70.
Wildcat guards Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen, who totaled 53 points in a Thursday's double-overtime win over Xavier, were limited to 32 on 11-of-30 shooting. Pullen, shadowed by an omnipresent Ronald Nored, scored 14 points -- 12 under his tourney average.
Hayward's nine rebounds led the outsized Bulldogs to a 41-29 edge in that category, compensating for 20 turnovers. Butler's Shelvin Mack scored 16 points and joined Hayward on the all-regional team.
Although Butler often has been compared to the small-town Milan team that inspired the movie "Hoosiers," the Bulldogs have instead resembled the gritty racehorse from "Seabiscuit." In three tournament games, the Bulldogs lost leads in the closing minutes, only to thunder down the homestretch to finish first.
After leading by 11 points in the first half and 10 in the second, the Bulldogs fell behind 52-51 with less than five minutes left. They trailed for all of 35 seconds.
Clemente scored on a runner to tie it at 54. Then the Bulldogs secured the victory with a 9-0 run beginning with Hayward's layup off Nored's lob. Nored drove for a left-handed layup to make it 58-54 with 2:04 left, and Hayward's drive extended that to 60-54 with 62 seconds on the clock.
Kansas State coach Frank Martin said the Bulldogs "kicked our tails" and "annihilated us" on the glass.
"It's hard to be happy for someone when you lose," Martin said. "But I've got to think it's going to be a great, great week for Butler people and people in the city of Indianapolis to have one of their own in the Final Four."
One of the Bulldogs' unusual features is that three sophomores -- Hayward, Mack and Nored -- are starters and they lack the experience supposedly necessary for a mid-major to make a lengthy tourney run.
Yet national championships have been won by Butler before -- in an AAU Tournament in 1924 and a mythical one from 1929. There are banners at Hinkle Fieldhouse commemorating those titles.
It's a big place, though. There's plenty of room left to hang another.
If you don't believe it, Stevens said, you can't achieve it.
"This is a very special moment in our life," Mack said. "We all believed in each other."
Bulldogs shock Kansas State as their miracle run continues
By David Woods, Indianapolis Star
Posted: March 28, 2010
SALT LAKE CITY -- Restrained and corporate-looking as he is, Brad Stevens finally let his guard down.
On the bus ride home from the airport a week ago, Butler's basketball team passed Lucas Oil Stadium. Wouldn't it be something, the coach told wife Tracy, if the Bulldogs played there in the Final Four?
"That hit a little bit," he said. "That was the first time I even thought about it."
Now, that's almost all anyone in Indianapolis will be thinking about. Home-grown Gordon Hayward, who led Brownsburg High School to a state title, has taken his act to a larger stage.
Hayward scored eight of his 22 points in the closing six minutes, and Butler knocked off Kansas State 63-56 Saturday in the NCAA West Regional final.
No. 5 seed Butler (32-4) will play in a national semifinal next Saturday against the winner of today's Midwest Regional final between Michigan State and Tennessee at St. Louis.
In running its winning streak to 24 and going farther in the NCAA Tournament than ever before, Butler became the smallest school (enrollment: 4,200) in the Final Four since seeding was introduced in 1979. Butler will be the first team to play in a Final Four in its home city since champion UCLA in 1972.
By the way, Butler is 15-0 in Indy.
"Our dreams definitely didn't stop at getting to the Final Four," said Hayward, voted outstanding player of the West Regional. "We want to win the whole thing."
The Bulldogs' defense was so suffocating that they held No. 1 seed Syracuse and No. 2 seed Kansas State (29-8) to season lows and a collective 46 points under their averages. Butler is 19-0 when holding opponents under 60 points, and Kansas State fell to 2-5 when scoring fewer than 70.
Wildcat guards Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen, who totaled 53 points in a Thursday's double-overtime win over Xavier, were limited to 32 on 11-of-30 shooting. Pullen, shadowed by an omnipresent Ronald Nored, scored 14 points -- 12 under his tourney average.
Hayward's nine rebounds led the outsized Bulldogs to a 41-29 edge in that category, compensating for 20 turnovers. Butler's Shelvin Mack scored 16 points and joined Hayward on the all-regional team.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Restrained and corporate-looking as he is, Brad Stevens finally let his guard down.
On the bus ride home from the airport a week ago, Butler's basketball team passed Lucas Oil Stadium. Wouldn't it be something, the coach told wife Tracy, if the Bulldogs played there in the Final Four?
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"That hit a little bit," he said. "That was the first time I even thought about it."
Now, that's almost all anyone in Indianapolis will be thinking about. Home-grown Gordon Hayward, who led Brownsburg High School to a state title, has taken his act to a larger stage.
Hayward scored eight of his 22 points in the closing six minutes, and Butler knocked off Kansas State 63-56 Saturday in the NCAA West Regional final.
No. 5 seed Butler (32-4) will play in a national semifinal next Saturday against the winner of today's Midwest Regional final between Michigan State and Tennessee at St. Louis.
In running its winning streak to 24 and going farther in the NCAA Tournament than ever before, Butler became the smallest school (enrollment: 4,200) in the Final Four since seeding was introduced in 1979. Butler will be the first team to play in a Final Four in its home city since champion UCLA in 1972.
By the way, Butler is 15-0 in Indy.
"Our dreams definitely didn't stop at getting to the Final Four," said Hayward, voted outstanding player of the West Regional. "We want to win the whole thing."
The Bulldogs' defense was so suffocating that they held No. 1 seed Syracuse and No. 2 seed Kansas State (29-8) to season lows and a collective 46 points under their averages. Butler is 19-0 when holding opponents under 60 points, and Kansas State fell to 2-5 when scoring fewer than 70.
Wildcat guards Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen, who totaled 53 points in a Thursday's double-overtime win over Xavier, were limited to 32 on 11-of-30 shooting. Pullen, shadowed by an omnipresent Ronald Nored, scored 14 points -- 12 under his tourney average.
Hayward's nine rebounds led the outsized Bulldogs to a 41-29 edge in that category, compensating for 20 turnovers. Butler's Shelvin Mack scored 16 points and joined Hayward on the all-regional team.
Although Butler often has been compared to the small-town Milan team that inspired the movie "Hoosiers," the Bulldogs have instead resembled the gritty racehorse from "Seabiscuit." In three tournament games, the Bulldogs lost leads in the closing minutes, only to thunder down the homestretch to finish first.
After leading by 11 points in the first half and 10 in the second, the Bulldogs fell behind 52-51 with less than five minutes left. They trailed for all of 35 seconds.
Clemente scored on a runner to tie it at 54. Then the Bulldogs secured the victory with a 9-0 run beginning with Hayward's layup off Nored's lob. Nored drove for a left-handed layup to make it 58-54 with 2:04 left, and Hayward's drive extended that to 60-54 with 62 seconds on the clock.
Kansas State coach Frank Martin said the Bulldogs "kicked our tails" and "annihilated us" on the glass.
"It's hard to be happy for someone when you lose," Martin said. "But I've got to think it's going to be a great, great week for Butler people and people in the city of Indianapolis to have one of their own in the Final Four."
One of the Bulldogs' unusual features is that three sophomores -- Hayward, Mack and Nored -- are starters and they lack the experience supposedly necessary for a mid-major to make a lengthy tourney run.
Yet national championships have been won by Butler before -- in an AAU Tournament in 1924 and a mythical one from 1929. There are banners at Hinkle Fieldhouse commemorating those titles.
It's a big place, though. There's plenty of room left to hang another.
If you don't believe it, Stevens said, you can't achieve it.
"This is a very special moment in our life," Mack said. "We all believed in each other."
ISML 2010: Misaka still first; Aisaka, Nagato, seven others give chase
ISML 2010: Misaka still first; Aisaka, Nagato, seven others give chase
March 26, 2010
Mikoto Misaka is known as the Railgun in Academy City for one major reason: her namesake attack that involves a silver coin and a large shot of electricity powerful enough to shut down a district or two.
Today, she electrocuted Chiaki Minami 3609-1530 in Match Day 3 of the 2010 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Phase to stay in first.
Among those giving chase, Taiga Aisaka pummeled Mihoko Fukuji 4009-1184 to stay in second. Yuki Nagato kept pace with a 3680-1641 annihilation of Ryou Fujibayashi to move up to third in the standings.
"It's too early in the season to make conclusions," said Mio Akiyama, who scored a 3991-949 walkover of Ui Hirasawa. "But now we have an idea of who's in contention for the first prize of this tournament."
Others in contention for the Aquamarine include Nadeko Sengoku, Azusa Nakano, Saber, defending champion Hinagiku Katsura, Kyou Fujibayashi and Shana.
Sengoku defeated Minori Kushieda 3046-2026, Saber easily dominated Nymph 3515-1662, Nakano cruised past Isumi Saginomiya 3158-2048, Kyou rocked Golden Darkness (Konjiki no Yami) 3020-2004, Katsura torched Ikaros 3421-1703, and Shana scored a 4186-1160 walkover of Nodoka Haramura.
In other ISML action... Ruiko Saten defeated Mei Sunohara 2744-24146, Holo chomped up Ami Kawashima 3041-2078, Rin Tosaka prevailed over Mikuru Asahina 2865-2519, Illyasviel von Einzbern knocked Konata Izumi from Aquamarine contention with a 2665-2641 thriller, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere defeated Tsukasa Hiiragi 2632-2493 and Nagi Sanzen'in stomped Kotomi Ichinose 2848-2363.
Once again, the first-timers made some huge gains. Yui Hirasawa rocked Fuuko Ibuki 2938-2197, Ushio Okazaki prevailed over Hanyuu Furude 2397-2297, Hitagi Senjougahara stunned Nanoha Takamachi 2729-2400, Kurimu Sakurano trounced Rika Furude 2757-2190 and Mafuyu Shiina defeated C.C. 2782-2464.
Finally, in other action from today...Kagami Hiiragi cruised past Chizuru Akaba 2889-2307, Fate Testarossa delivered a 2716-2317 defeat to Minatsu Shiina and in a clash of regulars, Haruhi Suzumiya had the upper hand over Nagisa Furukawa, 2893-2376.
In a special match, Niche defeated Excel 1725-1641.
Aquamarine Match Day 4 is scheduled for Sunday, March 28, 2010. As always, you make the call. Vote online for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com.
March 26, 2010
Mikoto Misaka is known as the Railgun in Academy City for one major reason: her namesake attack that involves a silver coin and a large shot of electricity powerful enough to shut down a district or two.
Today, she electrocuted Chiaki Minami 3609-1530 in Match Day 3 of the 2010 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Phase to stay in first.
Among those giving chase, Taiga Aisaka pummeled Mihoko Fukuji 4009-1184 to stay in second. Yuki Nagato kept pace with a 3680-1641 annihilation of Ryou Fujibayashi to move up to third in the standings.
"It's too early in the season to make conclusions," said Mio Akiyama, who scored a 3991-949 walkover of Ui Hirasawa. "But now we have an idea of who's in contention for the first prize of this tournament."
Others in contention for the Aquamarine include Nadeko Sengoku, Azusa Nakano, Saber, defending champion Hinagiku Katsura, Kyou Fujibayashi and Shana.
Sengoku defeated Minori Kushieda 3046-2026, Saber easily dominated Nymph 3515-1662, Nakano cruised past Isumi Saginomiya 3158-2048, Kyou rocked Golden Darkness (Konjiki no Yami) 3020-2004, Katsura torched Ikaros 3421-1703, and Shana scored a 4186-1160 walkover of Nodoka Haramura.
In other ISML action... Ruiko Saten defeated Mei Sunohara 2744-24146, Holo chomped up Ami Kawashima 3041-2078, Rin Tosaka prevailed over Mikuru Asahina 2865-2519, Illyasviel von Einzbern knocked Konata Izumi from Aquamarine contention with a 2665-2641 thriller, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere defeated Tsukasa Hiiragi 2632-2493 and Nagi Sanzen'in stomped Kotomi Ichinose 2848-2363.
Once again, the first-timers made some huge gains. Yui Hirasawa rocked Fuuko Ibuki 2938-2197, Ushio Okazaki prevailed over Hanyuu Furude 2397-2297, Hitagi Senjougahara stunned Nanoha Takamachi 2729-2400, Kurimu Sakurano trounced Rika Furude 2757-2190 and Mafuyu Shiina defeated C.C. 2782-2464.
Finally, in other action from today...Kagami Hiiragi cruised past Chizuru Akaba 2889-2307, Fate Testarossa delivered a 2716-2317 defeat to Minatsu Shiina and in a clash of regulars, Haruhi Suzumiya had the upper hand over Nagisa Furukawa, 2893-2376.
In a special match, Niche defeated Excel 1725-1641.
Aquamarine Match Day 4 is scheduled for Sunday, March 28, 2010. As always, you make the call. Vote online for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com.
BoBA 2010 ISML Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 3
ARENA 01: Sunohara Mei [Saten Ruiko] by >=500
Over/Under: 4900
Under
ARENA 02: Fukuji Mihoko [Aisaka Taiga] by >=800
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 03: Maria [Sakagami Tomoyo] by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 04: Haramura Nodoka [Shana] by >=600
Over/Under: 4600
Over
ARENA 05: [Kawashima Ami] Holo by >=300
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 06: Tōsaka Rin [Asahina Mikuru] by <=300
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 07: [Nagato Yuki] Fujibayashi Ryō by >=400
Over/Under: 4700
Over
ARENA 08: [Izumi Konata] Illyasviel von Einzbern by >=500
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 09: [Sengoku Nadeko] Kushieda Minori by >=400
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 10: [Saber] Nymph by >=500
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 11: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Louise Vallière by <=600
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 12: [Ichinose Kotomi] Sanzen'in Nagi by <=600
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 13: Saginomiya Isumi [Nakano Azusa] by >=400
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 14: Minami Chiaki [Misaka Mikoto] by >=500
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 15: [Hirasawa Yui] Ibuki Fūko by >=300
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 16: [Akiyama Mio] Hirasawa Ui by >=600
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 17: Ikaros [Katsura Hinagiku] by >=500
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 18: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Konjiki no Yami by >=300
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 19: [Furude Hanyū] Okazaki Ushio by >=300
Over/Under: 4700
Over
ARENA 20: [Takamachi Nanoha] Senjōgahara Hitagi by >=300
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 21: Furude Rika [Sakurano Kurimu] by <=500
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 22: Shiina Mafuyu [C.C.] by >=200
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 23: [Hiiragi Kagami] Akaba Chizuru by >=400
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 24: [Fate Testarossa] Shiina Minatsu by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 25: Furukawa Nagisa [Suzumiya Haruhi] by >=300
Over/Under: 4800
Over
Special Match:
ARENA 26: Excel [Niche] by by <=400
Over/Under: 3000
Under
Over/Under: 4900
Under
ARENA 02: Fukuji Mihoko [Aisaka Taiga] by >=800
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 03: Maria [Sakagami Tomoyo] by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 04: Haramura Nodoka [Shana] by >=600
Over/Under: 4600
Over
ARENA 05: [Kawashima Ami] Holo by >=300
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 06: Tōsaka Rin [Asahina Mikuru] by <=300
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 07: [Nagato Yuki] Fujibayashi Ryō by >=400
Over/Under: 4700
Over
ARENA 08: [Izumi Konata] Illyasviel von Einzbern by >=500
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 09: [Sengoku Nadeko] Kushieda Minori by >=400
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 10: [Saber] Nymph by >=500
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 11: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Louise Vallière by <=600
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 12: [Ichinose Kotomi] Sanzen'in Nagi by <=600
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 13: Saginomiya Isumi [Nakano Azusa] by >=400
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 14: Minami Chiaki [Misaka Mikoto] by >=500
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 15: [Hirasawa Yui] Ibuki Fūko by >=300
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 16: [Akiyama Mio] Hirasawa Ui by >=600
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 17: Ikaros [Katsura Hinagiku] by >=500
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 18: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Konjiki no Yami by >=300
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 19: [Furude Hanyū] Okazaki Ushio by >=300
Over/Under: 4700
Over
ARENA 20: [Takamachi Nanoha] Senjōgahara Hitagi by >=300
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 21: Furude Rika [Sakurano Kurimu] by <=500
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 22: Shiina Mafuyu [C.C.] by >=200
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 23: [Hiiragi Kagami] Akaba Chizuru by >=400
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 24: [Fate Testarossa] Shiina Minatsu by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 25: Furukawa Nagisa [Suzumiya Haruhi] by >=300
Over/Under: 4800
Over
Special Match:
ARENA 26: Excel [Niche] by by <=400
Over/Under: 3000
Under
A fatwa...
Praise be to the Sheik of America, President Barack Hussein Obama II of the United States of America. Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Most...Cool.
TO ALL THOSE WHO CUT GAS PIPES, THROW BRICKS AT GLASS HOUSES AND HURL RACIAL EPITHETS,
TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE POLITICAL SORE LOSERS IN MIND, BODY, AND SOUL,
TO ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF AMERICA AND HAVE DECIDED TO RESORT TO ACTS OF VIOLENCE IN THE STYLE OF AL-QAEDA AND OF THE TALIBAN,
I ISSUE THIS EDICT:
I encourage you to keep them coming. Keep them going. For we will use your sore-losing acts and childish behavior against you in the upcoming elections.
Why desist your violent behavior? After all, destiny has assigned you to the wrong party. Therefore, keep the hate mail and death threats going. Pay the price for everything that will go against you come this November.
-Sheik Bongaboi
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
ISML 2010: Railgun to the top as Bakemonogatari, TSAB contestants, veterans roll
ISML 2010: Railgun to the top as Bakemonogatari, TSAB contestants, veterans roll
March 24, 2010
Turnout for the second match day of the 2010 Aquamarine phase was not the flood of voting that defined the regular season opener on Sunday. Nonetheless, Mikoto Misaka took the overall lead in a day that saw Nanoha Takamachi, Fate Testarossa and the Bakemonogatari representatives of Hitagi Senjougahara and Nadeko Sengoku score major victories.
Misaka had no trouble defeating Ruiko Saten in a 3494-1175 walkover. Takamachi was all business in her 2597-2234 win over Ryou Fujibayashi while Testarossa prevailed over Ami Kawashima 2927-2156.
Senjougahara earned her first victory of the season with a 2814-2008 thumping of Rika Furude. Sengoku made a huge statement with a 2677-2412 victory over Yui Hirasawa.
"It has to be quite disappointing that the turnout for this match day was not what it was the last time," Misaka said after her victory. "You would think that we would see over 5,000 votes in each arena after Aquamarine 1. Aside from that, this is a step in the right direction."
A number of veterans also picked up major victories today. Haruhi Suzumiya defeated Minori Kushieda 3179-1944 while Konata Izumi scored a 2542-2390 victory over Kurimu Sakurano. Maria rolled past Ikaros 2571-2180 while C.C. picked up her first victory of the season with a 2728-2054 beatdown of Nymph. Kotomi Ichinose chalked up her first W of the campaign with a 2808-2188 victory over Ui HIrasawa, Nagisa Furukawa pummeled Nodoka Haramura 3318-1366 and Yuki Nagato cruised past Ushio Okazaki 3483-1591.
Match Day 2 featured some impressive victories by the upstarts. Minatsku Shiina crushed Mihoko Fukuji 3246-1266, Chizuru Akaba thrashed Chiaki Minami 2666-1952, Mafuyu Shiina stomped Isumi Saginomiya, Mio Akiyama scored a decisive 3495-1644 victory over Hanyuu FUrude and Azusa Nakano took out Holo 2623-2479.
In other Aquamarine Match Day 2 action, Tomoyo Sakagami routed Mikuru Asahina 2956-2203, Hinagiku Katsura destroyed Golden Darkness (Konjiki no Yami) 3369-1545, Nagi Sanzen'in bowled past Illyasviel von Einzbern 2593-2379 and Shana torched Mei Sunohara 3701-1498.
Kagami Hiiragi scored her first win with a 2853-2035 beatdown of Fuuko Ibuki, Saber slashed past Tsukasa Hiiragi 3126-2012, Kyou Fujibayashi edged Rin Tosaka 2643-2337 and Taiga Aisaka was never out of it in a 3303-1562 trouncing of Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere.
In a special match that took place, Nodoka Miyazaki defeated Tamaki Kousaka in a rematch of 2008 ISML opponents, 1906-1792.
There is sure to be more moving and shaking with Aquamarine Match Day 3, scheduled for Thursday, March 25. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com.
March 24, 2010
Turnout for the second match day of the 2010 Aquamarine phase was not the flood of voting that defined the regular season opener on Sunday. Nonetheless, Mikoto Misaka took the overall lead in a day that saw Nanoha Takamachi, Fate Testarossa and the Bakemonogatari representatives of Hitagi Senjougahara and Nadeko Sengoku score major victories.
Misaka had no trouble defeating Ruiko Saten in a 3494-1175 walkover. Takamachi was all business in her 2597-2234 win over Ryou Fujibayashi while Testarossa prevailed over Ami Kawashima 2927-2156.
Senjougahara earned her first victory of the season with a 2814-2008 thumping of Rika Furude. Sengoku made a huge statement with a 2677-2412 victory over Yui Hirasawa.
"It has to be quite disappointing that the turnout for this match day was not what it was the last time," Misaka said after her victory. "You would think that we would see over 5,000 votes in each arena after Aquamarine 1. Aside from that, this is a step in the right direction."
A number of veterans also picked up major victories today. Haruhi Suzumiya defeated Minori Kushieda 3179-1944 while Konata Izumi scored a 2542-2390 victory over Kurimu Sakurano. Maria rolled past Ikaros 2571-2180 while C.C. picked up her first victory of the season with a 2728-2054 beatdown of Nymph. Kotomi Ichinose chalked up her first W of the campaign with a 2808-2188 victory over Ui HIrasawa, Nagisa Furukawa pummeled Nodoka Haramura 3318-1366 and Yuki Nagato cruised past Ushio Okazaki 3483-1591.
Match Day 2 featured some impressive victories by the upstarts. Minatsku Shiina crushed Mihoko Fukuji 3246-1266, Chizuru Akaba thrashed Chiaki Minami 2666-1952, Mafuyu Shiina stomped Isumi Saginomiya, Mio Akiyama scored a decisive 3495-1644 victory over Hanyuu FUrude and Azusa Nakano took out Holo 2623-2479.
In other Aquamarine Match Day 2 action, Tomoyo Sakagami routed Mikuru Asahina 2956-2203, Hinagiku Katsura destroyed Golden Darkness (Konjiki no Yami) 3369-1545, Nagi Sanzen'in bowled past Illyasviel von Einzbern 2593-2379 and Shana torched Mei Sunohara 3701-1498.
Kagami Hiiragi scored her first win with a 2853-2035 beatdown of Fuuko Ibuki, Saber slashed past Tsukasa Hiiragi 3126-2012, Kyou Fujibayashi edged Rin Tosaka 2643-2337 and Taiga Aisaka was never out of it in a 3303-1562 trouncing of Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere.
In a special match that took place, Nodoka Miyazaki defeated Tamaki Kousaka in a rematch of 2008 ISML opponents, 1906-1792.
There is sure to be more moving and shaking with Aquamarine Match Day 3, scheduled for Thursday, March 25. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com.
BoBA ISML 2010 Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 2
ARENA 01: [Shiina Minatsu] Fukuji Mihoko by >=500
Over/Under: 5200
Over
ARENA 02: Asahina Mikuru [Sakagami Tomoyo] by <=500
Over/Under: 5600
Under
ARENA 03: Furude Hanyū [Akiyama Mio] by >=750
Over/Under: 5600
Over
ARENA 04: [Hirasawa Ui] Ichinose Kotomi by <=600
Over/Under: 5500
Under
ARENA 05: [Takamachi Nanoha] Fujibayashi Ryō by >=500
Over/Under: 5500
Under
ARENA 06: [Fate Testarossa] Kawashima Ami by <=500
Over/Under: 5300
Over
ARENA 07: Shiina Mafuyu [Saginomiya Isumi] by <=800
Over/Under: 5700
Under
ARENA 08: [Nagato Yuki] Okazaki Ushio by >=700
Over/Under: 5600
Over
ARENA 09: Suzumiya Haruhi [Kushieda Minori] by >=600
Over/Under: 5500
Under
ARENA 10: Konjiki no Yami [Katsura Hinagiku] by >=500
Over/Under: 5600
Under
ARENA 11: Haramura Nodoka [Furukawa Nagisa] by >=500
Over/Under: 5200
Over
ARENA 12: [Hirasawa Yui] Sengoku Nadeko by >=400
Over/Under: 5400
Over
ARENA 13: [Aisaka Taiga] Louise Vallière by >=600
Over/Under: 5800
Under
ARENA 14: [Akaba Chizuru] Minami Chiaki by <=500
Over/Under: 5400
Over
ARENA 15: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Sanzen'in Nagi by <=600
Over/Under: 5600
Under
ARENA 16: Holo [Nakano Azusa] by >=500
Over/Under: 5500
Over
ARENA 17: Sunohara Mei [Shana] by >=800
Over/Under: 6000
Under
ARENA 18: Saten Ruiko [Misaka Mikoto] by <=800
Over/Under: 6000
Under
ARENA 19: [C.C.] Nymph by >=400
Over/Under: 5500
Under
ARENA 20: [Ibuki Fūko] Hiiragi Kagami by >=200
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 21: Hiiragi Tsukasa [Saber] by >=400
Over/Under: 5300
Over
ARENA 22: Tōsaka Rin [Fujibayashi Kyō] by >=500
Over/Under: 5500
Over
ARENA 23: [Sakurano Kurimu] Izumi Konata by >=300
Over/Under: 5500
Over
ARENA 24: [Furude Rika] Senjōgahara Hitagi by >=500
Over/Under: 5600
Under
ARENA 25: [Ikaros] Maria by >=100
Over/Under: 5500
Under
Special Match:
ARENA 26: Kōsaka Tamaki [Miyazaki Nodoka] by >=200
Over/Under: 5400
Over
Over/Under: 5200
Over
ARENA 02: Asahina Mikuru [Sakagami Tomoyo] by <=500
Over/Under: 5600
Under
ARENA 03: Furude Hanyū [Akiyama Mio] by >=750
Over/Under: 5600
Over
ARENA 04: [Hirasawa Ui] Ichinose Kotomi by <=600
Over/Under: 5500
Under
ARENA 05: [Takamachi Nanoha] Fujibayashi Ryō by >=500
Over/Under: 5500
Under
ARENA 06: [Fate Testarossa] Kawashima Ami by <=500
Over/Under: 5300
Over
ARENA 07: Shiina Mafuyu [Saginomiya Isumi] by <=800
Over/Under: 5700
Under
ARENA 08: [Nagato Yuki] Okazaki Ushio by >=700
Over/Under: 5600
Over
ARENA 09: Suzumiya Haruhi [Kushieda Minori] by >=600
Over/Under: 5500
Under
ARENA 10: Konjiki no Yami [Katsura Hinagiku] by >=500
Over/Under: 5600
Under
ARENA 11: Haramura Nodoka [Furukawa Nagisa] by >=500
Over/Under: 5200
Over
ARENA 12: [Hirasawa Yui] Sengoku Nadeko by >=400
Over/Under: 5400
Over
ARENA 13: [Aisaka Taiga] Louise Vallière by >=600
Over/Under: 5800
Under
ARENA 14: [Akaba Chizuru] Minami Chiaki by <=500
Over/Under: 5400
Over
ARENA 15: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Sanzen'in Nagi by <=600
Over/Under: 5600
Under
ARENA 16: Holo [Nakano Azusa] by >=500
Over/Under: 5500
Over
ARENA 17: Sunohara Mei [Shana] by >=800
Over/Under: 6000
Under
ARENA 18: Saten Ruiko [Misaka Mikoto] by <=800
Over/Under: 6000
Under
ARENA 19: [C.C.] Nymph by >=400
Over/Under: 5500
Under
ARENA 20: [Ibuki Fūko] Hiiragi Kagami by >=200
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 21: Hiiragi Tsukasa [Saber] by >=400
Over/Under: 5300
Over
ARENA 22: Tōsaka Rin [Fujibayashi Kyō] by >=500
Over/Under: 5500
Over
ARENA 23: [Sakurano Kurimu] Izumi Konata by >=300
Over/Under: 5500
Over
ARENA 24: [Furude Rika] Senjōgahara Hitagi by >=500
Over/Under: 5600
Under
ARENA 25: [Ikaros] Maria by >=100
Over/Under: 5500
Under
Special Match:
ARENA 26: Kōsaka Tamaki [Miyazaki Nodoka] by >=200
Over/Under: 5400
Over
ISML 2010: A new season begins with the Aquamarine Phase...and upsets?
ISML 2010: A new season begins with the Aquamarine Phase...and upsets?
March 22, 2010
Finally, the moment has arrived. The 2010 International Saimoe League begins in earnest, and we kick things off with the battle for the Aquamarine Necklace, representing the power of the oceans.
Shana is the defending champion, and she went off to a flying start, defeating 2008 ISML Tiara Champion Fate Testarossa 3528-2060 in a record turnout for the first match day of the regular season marked with a number of veterans losing to many new faces in the fold.
Forget the March Madness in the North American collegiate basketball universe; how about some ISML March Madness early on!
"I was stunned by the overall turnout for this one," said Shana after her victory. "The message seems to be brought out loud and clear. This tournament DOES matter in their eyes. We hope it continues."
"I admit it did exceed expectations," said defending champion HInagiku Katsura, who didn't miss a beat with her 3093-2356 victory over Tomoyo Sakagami. "But this adds a lot of good publicity to this tournament."
The K-ON! entries had a perfect day for their first forays of competition outside the preliminary stages. Yui Hirasawa took down C.C., whose star seems to be fading after a 2816-2637 victory.
"Wow, to beat someone like this is huge," Yui said after her win. "This is great. I'm ready to keep this going."
Her younger sister Ui was even more emphatic in her first match, routing Mihoko Fukuji 3067-1800. "I agree with onee-chan, I was lucky to have made it to this field of 50," she said. "And I made up for it in a big way by beating someone who had literally a free pass to the regular season. When I think about it, I wonder if she really deserved to be here."
Mio Akiyama thumped Nagi Sanzen'in 3235-2337 in her first contest. "Hopefully the voters in Japan will note be giving me the middle finger and support some over-the-hill character from a show like The Minami Family or somewhere of that caliber," Akiyama said. "I think the healing process got accelerated a bit. This is great."
Azusa Nakano was all smiles after crushing Kotomi Ichinose 2935-2382. "It feels so great to get a victory over somebody Mio-sempai defeated. I think anything is possible!"
"By golly, it feels good to come out with revenge," said Mikoto Misaka, who ripped apart Kagami Hiiragi 3160-2312. "I will never forgive how I was disrespected last season. Now I am fired up and ready to show the world who Mikoto Misaka is!"
"That's my onee-sama!!!" exclaimed Kuroko Shirai, who was with her after her victory. "I may have been eliminated in the prelims, but I am in onee-sama's corner, and will be to the end."
Making it a perfect day for the Railgun faction was Ruiko Saten, who stunned Rika Furude 2746-2388. "Just about everywhere you go you are seeing somebody familiar get beaten by somebody whose in it for the first time," Saten said after her win. "The voters want change. They want somebody new. If these results hold up, Hina's defense is going to be put to the test early."
Perhaps the biggest upset of the day was Kurimu Sakurano's 2714-2442 win over Nanoha Takamachi. "While I have respect for Nanoha and her legacy," Sakurano said on her win, "the buck stops here."
"Easy for you to say, you're the only one in the Student Council who hasn't loss yet!" said a disgruntled MInatsu Shiina, who lost to Holo 2767-2546.
"That's not the point!" she whined. "The point is that the big names can be felled in this tournament! Nothing is sacred. Nothing, I say! Mou! >_< "
Adding to Hekiyou's woes were Taiga Aisaka's 2980-2448 victory over Mafuyu Shiina and KOnata Izumi's 2768-2572 victory over Chizuru Akaba. Izumi won on a day where the Hiiragi sisters suffered their first defeats early. Along with Kagami's defeat, Tsukasa fell to Fuuko Ibuki 2645-2409.
Other noteworthy victories by the first-timers include Nadeko Sengoku's 2804-2458 win over Nagisa Furukawa and Nymph's thrilling 2425-2412 win over Chiaki Minami.
"Man, that was a d-o-o-z-y with a capital D," said Nymph after her win. "I hope I am able to survive this phase, this sure won't any easier for me!" she said with a giggle.
Indeed there were a number familiar contenders that withstood the firestorm that was Aquamarine Match Day 1. The Toradora! trio were among the veterans that stayed intact. Aside from Aisaka, Ami Kawashima defeated Mei Sunohara 2631-2506 and Minori Kushieda took out Ushio Okazaki 2717-2343.
Kyou Fujibayashi clipped Ikaros's wings 3144-2180, Yuki Nagato defeated Hitagi Senjougahara 2977-2454, Ryou Fujibayashi cruised past Nodoka Haramura 2964-1797 and Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere won 2638-2480 over Isumi Saginomiya.
Finally, the first match day featured some "You Again" duels. Rin Tosaka triumphed over Maria 2795-2588, Mikuru Asahina rolled past Golden Darkness (Konjiki no Yami) 2811-2528, Illyasviel von Einzbern trounced Hanyuu Furude 3144-1914 and Saber completed an initial Fate/Stay Night Sweep with a 2768-2698 victory over Haruhi Suzumiya.
In a special match for this day, Mihoshi Akeno of Sora no Manimani defeated Nodome Cantabile's Megumi Noda 2630-1050.
Aquamarine Match Day 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, March 23, 2010. Vote on your favorite candidates on InternationalSaimoe.com.
March 22, 2010
Finally, the moment has arrived. The 2010 International Saimoe League begins in earnest, and we kick things off with the battle for the Aquamarine Necklace, representing the power of the oceans.
Shana is the defending champion, and she went off to a flying start, defeating 2008 ISML Tiara Champion Fate Testarossa 3528-2060 in a record turnout for the first match day of the regular season marked with a number of veterans losing to many new faces in the fold.
Forget the March Madness in the North American collegiate basketball universe; how about some ISML March Madness early on!
"I was stunned by the overall turnout for this one," said Shana after her victory. "The message seems to be brought out loud and clear. This tournament DOES matter in their eyes. We hope it continues."
"I admit it did exceed expectations," said defending champion HInagiku Katsura, who didn't miss a beat with her 3093-2356 victory over Tomoyo Sakagami. "But this adds a lot of good publicity to this tournament."
The K-ON! entries had a perfect day for their first forays of competition outside the preliminary stages. Yui Hirasawa took down C.C., whose star seems to be fading after a 2816-2637 victory.
"Wow, to beat someone like this is huge," Yui said after her win. "This is great. I'm ready to keep this going."
Her younger sister Ui was even more emphatic in her first match, routing Mihoko Fukuji 3067-1800. "I agree with onee-chan, I was lucky to have made it to this field of 50," she said. "And I made up for it in a big way by beating someone who had literally a free pass to the regular season. When I think about it, I wonder if she really deserved to be here."
Mio Akiyama thumped Nagi Sanzen'in 3235-2337 in her first contest. "Hopefully the voters in Japan will note be giving me the middle finger and support some over-the-hill character from a show like The Minami Family or somewhere of that caliber," Akiyama said. "I think the healing process got accelerated a bit. This is great."
Azusa Nakano was all smiles after crushing Kotomi Ichinose 2935-2382. "It feels so great to get a victory over somebody Mio-sempai defeated. I think anything is possible!"
"By golly, it feels good to come out with revenge," said Mikoto Misaka, who ripped apart Kagami Hiiragi 3160-2312. "I will never forgive how I was disrespected last season. Now I am fired up and ready to show the world who Mikoto Misaka is!"
"That's my onee-sama!!!" exclaimed Kuroko Shirai, who was with her after her victory. "I may have been eliminated in the prelims, but I am in onee-sama's corner, and will be to the end."
Making it a perfect day for the Railgun faction was Ruiko Saten, who stunned Rika Furude 2746-2388. "Just about everywhere you go you are seeing somebody familiar get beaten by somebody whose in it for the first time," Saten said after her win. "The voters want change. They want somebody new. If these results hold up, Hina's defense is going to be put to the test early."
Perhaps the biggest upset of the day was Kurimu Sakurano's 2714-2442 win over Nanoha Takamachi. "While I have respect for Nanoha and her legacy," Sakurano said on her win, "the buck stops here."
"Easy for you to say, you're the only one in the Student Council who hasn't loss yet!" said a disgruntled MInatsu Shiina, who lost to Holo 2767-2546.
"That's not the point!" she whined. "The point is that the big names can be felled in this tournament! Nothing is sacred. Nothing, I say! Mou! >_< "
Adding to Hekiyou's woes were Taiga Aisaka's 2980-2448 victory over Mafuyu Shiina and KOnata Izumi's 2768-2572 victory over Chizuru Akaba. Izumi won on a day where the Hiiragi sisters suffered their first defeats early. Along with Kagami's defeat, Tsukasa fell to Fuuko Ibuki 2645-2409.
Other noteworthy victories by the first-timers include Nadeko Sengoku's 2804-2458 win over Nagisa Furukawa and Nymph's thrilling 2425-2412 win over Chiaki Minami.
"Man, that was a d-o-o-z-y with a capital D," said Nymph after her win. "I hope I am able to survive this phase, this sure won't any easier for me!" she said with a giggle.
Indeed there were a number familiar contenders that withstood the firestorm that was Aquamarine Match Day 1. The Toradora! trio were among the veterans that stayed intact. Aside from Aisaka, Ami Kawashima defeated Mei Sunohara 2631-2506 and Minori Kushieda took out Ushio Okazaki 2717-2343.
Kyou Fujibayashi clipped Ikaros's wings 3144-2180, Yuki Nagato defeated Hitagi Senjougahara 2977-2454, Ryou Fujibayashi cruised past Nodoka Haramura 2964-1797 and Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere won 2638-2480 over Isumi Saginomiya.
Finally, the first match day featured some "You Again" duels. Rin Tosaka triumphed over Maria 2795-2588, Mikuru Asahina rolled past Golden Darkness (Konjiki no Yami) 2811-2528, Illyasviel von Einzbern trounced Hanyuu Furude 3144-1914 and Saber completed an initial Fate/Stay Night Sweep with a 2768-2698 victory over Haruhi Suzumiya.
In a special match for this day, Mihoshi Akeno of Sora no Manimani defeated Nodome Cantabile's Megumi Noda 2630-1050.
Aquamarine Match Day 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, March 23, 2010. Vote on your favorite candidates on InternationalSaimoe.com.
BoBA ISML 2010 Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 1
The 2010 International Saimoe League has started, and the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue will be providing you with extensive coverage of the action. We begin with the Aquamarine phase. During each match, the Bedlam will provide a predicted margin, an over/under, and if the Bedlam will be calling for the over or the under. Some fun stuff.
Here we go!
ARENA 01: [Shana] Fate Testarossa by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 02: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Ikaros by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Under
ARENA 03: [Shiina Minatsu] Holo by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 04: Sakurano Kurimu [Takamachi Nanoha] by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 05: [Asahina Mikuru] Konjiki no Yami by >100
Over/Under: 1700
Under
ARENA 06: Shiina Mafuyu [Aisaka Taiga] by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 07: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Katsura Hinagiku by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 08: [Tōsaka Rin] Maria by ><150
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 09: [Izumi Konata] Akaba Chizuru by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Under
ARENA 10: C.C. [Hirasawa Yui] by <100
Over/Under: 1700
Over
ARENA 11: [Nagato Yuki] Senjōgahara Hitagi by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 12: [Akiyama Mio] Sanzen'in Nagi by >150
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 13: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Furude Hanyū] by >100
Over/Under: 1700
Over
ARENA 14: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Saber by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 15: [Haramura Nodoka] Fujibayashi Ryō by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Under
ARENA 16: [Kushieda Minori] Okazaki Ushio by <100
Over/Under: 1900
Under
ARENA 17: Sengoku Nadeko [Furukawa Nagisa] by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Under
ARENA 18: [Hirasawa Ui] Fukuji Mihoko by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 19: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Ibuki Fūko by >100
Over/Under: 1700
Over
ARENA 20: Nymph [Minami Chiaki]by <100
Over/Under: 1700
Over
ARENA 21: [Furude Rika] Saten Ruiko by >100
Over/Under: 1700
Over
ARENA 22: [Nakano Azusa] Ichinose Kotomi by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 23: Misaka Mikoto [Hiiragi Kagami] by <100
Over/Under: 1750
Over
ARENA 24: [Kawashima Ami] Sunohara Mei by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 25: Saginomiya Isumi [Louise Vallière] by <100
Over/Under: 1700
Over
Special Match:
ARENA 26: [Akeno Mihoshi] Noda Megumi by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Under
Here we go!
ARENA 01: [Shana] Fate Testarossa by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 02: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Ikaros by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Under
ARENA 03: [Shiina Minatsu] Holo by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 04: Sakurano Kurimu [Takamachi Nanoha] by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 05: [Asahina Mikuru] Konjiki no Yami by >100
Over/Under: 1700
Under
ARENA 06: Shiina Mafuyu [Aisaka Taiga] by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 07: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Katsura Hinagiku by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 08: [Tōsaka Rin] Maria by ><150
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 09: [Izumi Konata] Akaba Chizuru by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Under
ARENA 10: C.C. [Hirasawa Yui] by <100
Over/Under: 1700
Over
ARENA 11: [Nagato Yuki] Senjōgahara Hitagi by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 12: [Akiyama Mio] Sanzen'in Nagi by >150
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 13: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Furude Hanyū] by >100
Over/Under: 1700
Over
ARENA 14: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Saber by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 15: [Haramura Nodoka] Fujibayashi Ryō by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Under
ARENA 16: [Kushieda Minori] Okazaki Ushio by <100
Over/Under: 1900
Under
ARENA 17: Sengoku Nadeko [Furukawa Nagisa] by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Under
ARENA 18: [Hirasawa Ui] Fukuji Mihoko by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 19: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Ibuki Fūko by >100
Over/Under: 1700
Over
ARENA 20: Nymph [Minami Chiaki]by <100
Over/Under: 1700
Over
ARENA 21: [Furude Rika] Saten Ruiko by >100
Over/Under: 1700
Over
ARENA 22: [Nakano Azusa] Ichinose Kotomi by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 23: Misaka Mikoto [Hiiragi Kagami] by <100
Over/Under: 1750
Over
ARENA 24: [Kawashima Ami] Sunohara Mei by >100
Over/Under: 1800
Over
ARENA 25: Saginomiya Isumi [Louise Vallière] by <100
Over/Under: 1700
Over
Special Match:
ARENA 26: [Akeno Mihoshi] Noda Megumi by <100
Over/Under: 1800
Under
Pacquiao marches on as true star of boxing
Pacquiao marches on as true star of boxing
By Tim Dahlberg, AP Sports Columnist
ARLINGTON, Texas — The fight was long over and most of the biggest crowd to see a fight in the U.S. in 17 years had found their way out of massive Cowboys Stadium. Manny Pacquiao was in the shower, where one member of his entourage surely was in charge of selecting his shampoo while another had the task of making sure the towels were just right.
Pacquiao had easily disposed of a timid Joshua Clottey, and now he had a concert to perform. He finally emerged in an argyle sweater that would have looked better on the golf course and sunglasses more suited for the beach, with the entourage swelling about him, each jockeying for position in case he could be the lucky one chosen to fluff Pacman's rice for him.
There was only a few minutes to talk about Floyd Mayweather Jr. and next month's run for congress in the Philippines. The postfight party awaited, and once more the star was ready to perform.
"The first song I'm going to sing is "La Bamba,"' Pacquiao said.
It's a good time to be Manny Pacquiao, and Texas proved to be a good host to the hottest fighter around. Nearly 51,000 made their way into the edifice built by Jerry Jones to watch him fight Saturday night and few seemed to leave disappointed, even if Clottey's reluctance to mix it up deprived them of a spectacular fight.
The win was about as easy as they come, with Pacquiao capturing every round on one judge's scorecard and all but one on the other two. By the time they count all the pay-per-view receipts he'll probably head home at least $15 million richer, and he didn't have to put up with Mayweather's antics to make another huge payday.
The fight that never was may still happen, perhaps in November, perhaps at Cowboys Stadium. Pacquiao made it clear he still wants it, and both his trainer and promoter seem to want it even more badly than the fighter himself.
"We will crush him," trainer Freddie Roach said.
It wasn't an idle boast, and it wasn't a way to hype the fight because it doesn't need hyping. Before it fell apart over Mayweather's insistence on blood testing, the bout was supposed to have taken place Saturday night and likely would have been the richest ever in boxing.
But Mayweather must first now get past a fight of his own, a May 1 bout against Shane Mosley that may be his toughest yet. And promoter Bob Arum made it clear that there will be no negotiations this time around about any sort of blood testing no matter how much Mayweather might try to raise the point.
"That was a stupid mistake I made by playing Neville Chamberlain and negotiating this issue," Arum said, drawing an analogy that only a boxing promoter could. "You don't negotiate. You don't appease. Chamberlain negotiated with Hitler on Munich and look what happened."
History lesson aside, there clearly isn't any need for Pacquiao's camp to bend on the issue. Any thought that Mayweather diminished his popularity when he insinuated Pacquiao must be juiced to have won titles from 112 to 147 pounds evaporated when they opened the doors at Cowboys Stadium and throngs of people poured in hours early for the party.
And a party was what it was, despite Clottey's attempt to preserve his boxing future by spending long stretches of time in the ring holding his gloves in a peek-a-boo style to avoid getting hit. Pacquiao did the best he could to force the issue, throwing punch after punch after punch -- more than 1,200 in all -- but if a fighter goes into the ring just to survive the odds are good he will do just that.
Someone who managed to get a microphone at the postfight press conference congratulated Clottey for making it through 12 rounds, and asked him what his secret for success was.
"Manny Pacquiao is beating everybody," Clottey said. "He's knocking them out. I have to do what I can and I think I did my best."
Arum didn't seem to mind that he had just paid someone $2 million to go into a shell. This was a party, after all, and the fight was secondary.
"What was he supposed to do?" Arum said. "If he played offense he'd get knocked out."
This was a freebie for Pacquiao, and one he had probably earned. It's hard to blame him for having an opponent just trying to stay upright, not after what he did to Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in his previous three fights.
This, apparently, is what it has come to with Pacman. No longer just content to beat fighters he's now a 145 3/4 pounds of sheer intimidation, kind of a junior Mike Tyson who takes on his business with a smile instead of a scowl.
He's so good that a very good and veteran practicer of the sweet science decided that it was better to survive intact than go down in a blaze of glory. So good that there wouldn't be any question about his place on boxing's hierarchy if there wasn't this annoyance named Floyd Mayweather.
So good that the only worry in his camp is that he will actually win a seat in congress back home and not fight anymore.
"He's probably going to win the election," Arum said. "But that's all right because if their congress is anything like ours, they don't do anything anyway."
The glow of his latest win had even his tough guy trainer speaking fondly about the fighter he has helped transform a tough sport.
"I'm just happy to be a part of Manny Pacquiao's life," Roach said.
He's not alone. Just ask the guy lucky enough to be chosen to fluff his rice.
___--
Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg(at)ap.org
By Tim Dahlberg, AP Sports Columnist
ARLINGTON, Texas — The fight was long over and most of the biggest crowd to see a fight in the U.S. in 17 years had found their way out of massive Cowboys Stadium. Manny Pacquiao was in the shower, where one member of his entourage surely was in charge of selecting his shampoo while another had the task of making sure the towels were just right.
Pacquiao had easily disposed of a timid Joshua Clottey, and now he had a concert to perform. He finally emerged in an argyle sweater that would have looked better on the golf course and sunglasses more suited for the beach, with the entourage swelling about him, each jockeying for position in case he could be the lucky one chosen to fluff Pacman's rice for him.
There was only a few minutes to talk about Floyd Mayweather Jr. and next month's run for congress in the Philippines. The postfight party awaited, and once more the star was ready to perform.
"The first song I'm going to sing is "La Bamba,"' Pacquiao said.
It's a good time to be Manny Pacquiao, and Texas proved to be a good host to the hottest fighter around. Nearly 51,000 made their way into the edifice built by Jerry Jones to watch him fight Saturday night and few seemed to leave disappointed, even if Clottey's reluctance to mix it up deprived them of a spectacular fight.
The win was about as easy as they come, with Pacquiao capturing every round on one judge's scorecard and all but one on the other two. By the time they count all the pay-per-view receipts he'll probably head home at least $15 million richer, and he didn't have to put up with Mayweather's antics to make another huge payday.
The fight that never was may still happen, perhaps in November, perhaps at Cowboys Stadium. Pacquiao made it clear he still wants it, and both his trainer and promoter seem to want it even more badly than the fighter himself.
"We will crush him," trainer Freddie Roach said.
It wasn't an idle boast, and it wasn't a way to hype the fight because it doesn't need hyping. Before it fell apart over Mayweather's insistence on blood testing, the bout was supposed to have taken place Saturday night and likely would have been the richest ever in boxing.
But Mayweather must first now get past a fight of his own, a May 1 bout against Shane Mosley that may be his toughest yet. And promoter Bob Arum made it clear that there will be no negotiations this time around about any sort of blood testing no matter how much Mayweather might try to raise the point.
"That was a stupid mistake I made by playing Neville Chamberlain and negotiating this issue," Arum said, drawing an analogy that only a boxing promoter could. "You don't negotiate. You don't appease. Chamberlain negotiated with Hitler on Munich and look what happened."
History lesson aside, there clearly isn't any need for Pacquiao's camp to bend on the issue. Any thought that Mayweather diminished his popularity when he insinuated Pacquiao must be juiced to have won titles from 112 to 147 pounds evaporated when they opened the doors at Cowboys Stadium and throngs of people poured in hours early for the party.
And a party was what it was, despite Clottey's attempt to preserve his boxing future by spending long stretches of time in the ring holding his gloves in a peek-a-boo style to avoid getting hit. Pacquiao did the best he could to force the issue, throwing punch after punch after punch -- more than 1,200 in all -- but if a fighter goes into the ring just to survive the odds are good he will do just that.
Someone who managed to get a microphone at the postfight press conference congratulated Clottey for making it through 12 rounds, and asked him what his secret for success was.
"Manny Pacquiao is beating everybody," Clottey said. "He's knocking them out. I have to do what I can and I think I did my best."
Arum didn't seem to mind that he had just paid someone $2 million to go into a shell. This was a party, after all, and the fight was secondary.
"What was he supposed to do?" Arum said. "If he played offense he'd get knocked out."
This was a freebie for Pacquiao, and one he had probably earned. It's hard to blame him for having an opponent just trying to stay upright, not after what he did to Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in his previous three fights.
This, apparently, is what it has come to with Pacman. No longer just content to beat fighters he's now a 145 3/4 pounds of sheer intimidation, kind of a junior Mike Tyson who takes on his business with a smile instead of a scowl.
He's so good that a very good and veteran practicer of the sweet science decided that it was better to survive intact than go down in a blaze of glory. So good that there wouldn't be any question about his place on boxing's hierarchy if there wasn't this annoyance named Floyd Mayweather.
So good that the only worry in his camp is that he will actually win a seat in congress back home and not fight anymore.
"He's probably going to win the election," Arum said. "But that's all right because if their congress is anything like ours, they don't do anything anyway."
The glow of his latest win had even his tough guy trainer speaking fondly about the fighter he has helped transform a tough sport.
"I'm just happy to be a part of Manny Pacquiao's life," Roach said.
He's not alone. Just ask the guy lucky enough to be chosen to fluff his rice.
___--
Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg(at)ap.org
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