by Rebecca Harris [originally posted on ncaa.com] Finally, Mississippi State has the country’s and the basketball world’s attention. A 66-64 overtime victory over top-ranked UConn tends to do that. UConn held an NCAA-record winning streak of 111 games coming into last night’s national semifinals. Coach Geno Auriemma held the record for most tournament wins by …
Read MoreBy Colton Bennett Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kennedy Meeks saved the season for North Carolina. Right after nearly losing it. In the final breathless seconds of a game that could end his team’s season, after four straight missed free throws – two by Meeks — with the Tar Heel lead down to …
Read MoreBy Mark Alewine Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. — When Przemek Karnowski fell to the floor, holding his head with both hands, Gonzaga’s hope for a national championship, at least for a moment, appeared to fall with him. Freshman Zach Collins, however, was there to catch it. The Bulldogs held off a resilient South …
Read MoreSouth Carolina (26-10) vs. Gonzaga (36-1) Mark Alewine: Keys For Gonzaga The Bulldogs have swapped with North Carolina all season as the best team in college basketball. Gonzaga has everything to win tonight; elite shooting, dominant post presence, and one of the best defenses in the country. Everything hinges, however, on the ability of 7-1 …
Read Moreby Rebecca Harris [originally posted on ncaa.com] When Mississippi State lost to Connecticut in the 2016 Sweet 16 by 60 points, MSU head coach Vic Schaefer said there were just two words to describe it. “Embarrassing,” he said. “It was humbling and embarrassing.” He was supposed to give a talk at the WBCA convention about …
Read Moreby Jessica Hunt [originally posted on ncaa.com] South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley notes she is “o-fer” in games against Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer. Staley lost twice to VanDerveer’s teams as a point guard at Virginia in the 1990 and 1992 Final Fours and five times as a coach. “I’m part of the 1,000 wins …
Read Moreby Jessica Hunt [originally posted on ncaa.com] As a freshman, Stanford guard Karlie Samuelson had the opportunity to play on a team with older sister, Bonnie. With one more victory, she has the chance compete against her younger sister, UConn star Katie Lou Samuelson. The journey for these sisters began years ago in countless pickup …
Read MoreEditor’s Note: When Gonzaga University reached the 2017 Final Four, Sports Capital Journalism Program graduate student Mark Alewine explored the process that elevated the program to a national championship contender. He discovered the dramatic rise could be traced to a commitment made years earlier by a university president with a bold vision. By Mark Alewine …
Read MoreBy Colton Bennett Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. — Everything points to the Final Four matchup between Oregon and North Carolina becoming a bruising game on the inside. North Carolina (31-7) is making a record 20th Final Four appearance. The Tar Heels are averaging 39.9 points per game in the paint this season and …
Read MoreINDIANAPOLIS – Five students from the Sports Capital Journalism Program at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis will cover the NCAA men’s and women’s Final Four basketball tournaments in an unprecedented series of opportunities for sports journalism students.
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