ACC Tournament: Duke’s Resilience Amidst Adversity

In the ACC Tournament quarterfinals, Duke faced Georgia Tech in Charlotte. The Blue Devils suffered a blow early when freshman sensation Cooper Flagg exited in the first half due to a left ankle injury. Despite this setback, freshman Kon Knueppel stepped up remarkably, delivering a career-high 28 points along with eight assists and five rebounds. His performance was pivotal in Duke’s comeback from a 14-point deficit, securing a 78-70 victory. Coach Jon Scheyer praised the team’s “next man up” mentality, acknowledging the challenges posed by Flagg’s absence. X-rays on Flagg’s ankle were negative, but swelling remained a concern. citeturn0search0

NIT Championship: Chattanooga’s Overtime Triumph

The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) concluded with a thrilling championship game on April 3rd at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Moccasins edged out the University of California-Irvine Anteaters in an overtime thriller, winning 85-84. This victory marked Chattanooga’s first NIT title, capping off a remarkable postseason run. citeturn0search26

Nebraska’s Victory in the College Basketball Crown

In Las Vegas, Nebraska’s men’s basketball team clinched the inaugural College Basketball Crown, a new postseason tournament offering a $300,000 prize. The Cornhuskers overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat UCF 77-66 in the championship game. Key contributors included Juwan Gary, who led the comeback after a head injury, and Brice Williams, who set a new single-season scoring record for the school with 713 points. This win provided a redemptive end to Nebraska’s season, which had seen a series of disappointing losses. citeturn0news14

St. John’s and UConn’s Historic Achievements

St. John’s basketball coach Rick Pitino was honored with the Naismith National Coach of the Year award, dedicating it to legendary coach Lou Carnesecca. Under Pitino’s leadership, St. John’s achieved its best season in 25 years, securing the Big East regular-season title and tournament championship. In women’s basketball, UConn clinched the NCAA championship by defeating South Carolina 82-59. Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong each scored 24 points, with Paige Bueckers adding 17. This victory marked UConn’s 12th national title, reaffirming its dominance in women’s college basketball. citeturn0news13turn0news15

Thursday’s events underscored the unpredictability and excitement of college basketball, with teams overcoming adversity and achieving historic milestones.

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