March 16, 2007

ESPN.com

PLAYER OF THE DAY: J. R. Reynolds, Virginia
He had 23 first-half points in a big-time win over Albany. Reynolds finished with 28 points, hitting nine-of-13 field goal attempts while adding seven rebounds.

TEAM OF THE DAY: Tennessee
All the Vols did was match a school-record with 121 points in a victory over Long Beach State. Chris Lofton led the explosive attack with 25 points. Tennessee finished with 14 trfiectas.

COACH OF THE DAY: Matt Painter, Purdue
A lot of people had Arizona winning in their brackets. The Boilermakers had other ideas and Matt Painter's team played hard and knocked off Lute Olson's club.

SHOCK OF THE DAY: Winthrop over Notre Dame
OK, this was not a huge stunner but an 11th-seed knocked off a sixth seed. Winthrop moved to 29-4 with a 74-64 win over Notre Dame. For the Eagles, it was the first time in seven tries they won in the big dance.

DIAPER DANDY OF THE DAY: Kevin Durant, Texas
My national Player of the Year had a "quiet" 27 points as the Longhorns got past New Mexico State.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.