Thursday’s results
MARQUETTE 74 KENTUCKY 66
Jerel McNeal scored 20 points and Wesley Matthews hit eight free throws in the final 31 seconds to help Marquette beat Kentucky. The Golden Eagles overcame 35 points by Kentucky senior Joe Crawford, who matched a career high before fouling out. Ramel Bradley added 19 for the Wildcats (18-13). Sixth-seeded Marquette (25-9) earned its first NCAA tournament victory since 2003, when it beat Kentucky in the regional final to go to the Final Four.
STANFORD 77 CORNELL 53
Kenny Brown scored 18 points and third-seeded Stanford earned its first NCAA tournament win since 2004. Lewis Dale, the Ivy League player of the year, scored 12 points, Adam Gore had 11 and Alex Tyler 10 for 14th-seeded Cornell (22-6), whose 16-game winning streak ended. The Ivy League hasn’t won an NCAA tournament game since 1998. The game’s first 10 minutes were close, with Cornell down by just three points despite starting out 3 of 15 from the field. Then the Cardinal (27-7) outscored Cornell 43-11 over both halves for a 58-23 lead.
PITT 82 ORAL ROBERTS 63
Levance Fields scored 23 points, Sam Young finished with 14 and Pittsburgh won its sixth straight game. Fourth-seeded Pitt (27-9) is making its seventh straight NCAA tournament appearance, though none of those previous teams made it past the third round. This team looks different, though — coming off the Big East tournament championship. Robert Jarvis had 16 points for the Golden Eagles (24-9), who won the Summit League tournament.
MICHIGAN STATE 72 TEMPLE 61
Raymar Morgan led a balanced attack with 15 points and Michigan State advanced despite a sudden shooting slump from sparkplug Drew Neitzel. Chris Allen scored 12 points for Michigan State (26-8).
FRIDAY’S MATCHUPS
Memphis (33-1)
Texas-Arlington (21-11)
8:45 p.m.
LINE: Memphis by 24 1/2
It’s Final Four or bust for coach John Calipari and Memphis after two consecutive Elite Eight exits. Silky-smooth swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts leads the way. Texas-Arlington is making its first tourney appearance. It will be short and not so sweet.
MIssissippi State (22-10)
Oregon (18-13)
6:25 p.m.
LINE: Mississippi State by 2 1/2
This is a good contrast in styles. MSU is extremely physical and center Jarvis Varnardo is a monster in the paint. Oregon relies on finesse and forward Maarty Leunen is one of the country’s most accurate three-point shooters (53 percent).
Miami (Fla.) (22-10)
St. Mary’s (25-6)
11:30 a.m.
LINE: Miami by 1
Miami, in the NCAAs for the first time in six years, relies on Jack McClinton, who is a better three-point shooter than he showed in the ACC tournament (3-for-14). The Hurricanes better not look past St. Mary’s, which was ranked for eight weeks.
Texas (28-6)
Austin Peay (24-10)
1:50 p.m.
LINE: Texas by 15 1/2
Texas has the stuff to go deep in this tournament, starting with guards D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams, arguably the best backcourt duo. Austin Peay is extremely athletic, but to have a chance, guard Todd Babington will have to hit a bunch of threes.
