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Monday, March 10
 
Weekly Watch
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

Player of the Week
 T.J. Ford, G, Texas
Ford was simply sensational in leading the Longhorns to a victory over Oklahoma on Saturday. Ford scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half, make that in the final 10 minutes, to carry the Longhorns to a sweep of OU. Ford hit a clutch fallaway jumper over Quannas White with 19 seconds left to give Texas a 74-71 lead. And by the way, he had 10 assists and one turnover. Ford probably moved ahead of Oklahoma's Hollis Price for the Big 12 player of the year. Ford also made a strong case for national player of the year. Ford continues to prove he may be the most valuable player in the country. Ford might also be the one player who could carry his team to the Final Four. Guards win. He's a winning guard.
  • Past players of the week

    		•  Supporting Cast
     WILLIE DEANE, Purdue: Deane scored 36 points in 32 minutes of the Boilermakers' critical win at Michigan. Purdue was searching for an elite Big Ten road win and this one came at the right moment. Deane has had a wonderful career at Purdue and is leading the Boilermakers back to the Dance after a one-year hiatus.
    EMEKA OKAFOR, Connecticut: Okafor was a dominant force against Boston College, swatting six shots, scoring 25 points and grabbing 12 boards. The Huskies' win over the Eagles was as convincing a victory as a team has had this season. Okafor not only blocked shots, but also altered countless others as he proved once again that he can be a complete force in the paint.
    JASON GARDNER, Arizona: Gardner had one of his best games against one of his toughest competitors. Gardner scored 27 points to Luke Ridnour's 26 in Arizona's 88-80 victory over Oregon. Gardner wasn't a true point on this day, dishing out only one assist. But he didn't need to be with his shot falling so often. Gardner made 4 of 8 3s and got to the line to convert 7 of 8 free throws after contact.
    JOSH HOWARD, Wake Forest: Howard scored 27 points, including 3 of 4 on 3s, and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line in the Demon Deacons 78-72 victory over N.C. State. Howard proved that he is the clear favorite for ACC player of the year and one of the best leaders in the country. Howard has locked up one of the five first-team all-American spots.

    Team of Week
    Wisconsin
    The Badgers had one game this week and won it. The one game was the Big Ten title showdown against Illinois. Wisconsin's Big Ten title ranks right there with Wake Forest's remarkable title run. Wisconsin shared the Big Ten title with three other teams last season. But the Badgers weren't expected to get back to the championship. Wisconsin has flown under the national radar for most of the season, and as a result, the Badgers get very little recognition for winning a major conference. Wisconsin could have helped itself with non-conference wins against Wake Forest and Marquette. Instead, the Badgers had to make their way through a muddled Big Ten and came out on top.

  • Past teams of the week

    Freshmen Watch
    CARMELO ANTHONY
    Syracuse
     Anthony's performance against Rutgers on Sunday was one of his best this season. He scored 30 points and grabbed 14 boards to lead the Orangemen. Anthony is a lock for Big East and national freshman of the year, but he's also making a strong case for player of the year in the conference and nationally.
    		 RAYMOND FELTON
    North Carolina
     Felton had a wonderful game in the Duke victory last Sunday. He scored 18 points and dished out 10 assists. He played with passion, guts and determination. The shot he took to the face may have caused a cut, but it led to him being even more hungry to beat the Blue Devils.
    		 BILLY
    EDELIN
    Syracuse
     Edelin scored 26 points in the win last week at Notre Dame, his best game since becoming eligible after serving a 12-game suspension to start the season. Edelin gives the Orangemen another scoring punch, meaning the defense can't slack off of him and try to help on Anthony or anyone else.
    		DEDRICK FINN
    Xavier
     Finn hit some key free throws (4 of 4 included in his 18 points) down the stretch to seal a win over Saint Joseph's on Wednesday. His play at the point and the confidence his teammates have in him grows with each game. Finn is one of the more underrated freshman point guards in the country.

    On Our Radar
     Chris Kaman, Central Michigan: Kaman scored 39 points and grabbed 22 rebounds in the win at Ball State last weekend. Kaman was 14 for 19 from the field and 11 for 15 from the line. He is averaging 22.5 points and 12.2 boards for one of the MAC's best teams.

    Lawrence Roberts, Baylor: Roberts scored 28 points and was 11 of 18 from the free-throw line. He grabbed 16 boards for a double-double and was dominant in the win over Texas Tech. Roberts plays in a high-major conference in the Big 12, but he gets no love nationally.

    Ben Fletcher, Troy State: Fletcher scored 29 points to lead Troy State to the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament title over Central Florida. Fletcher made four 3s and was clutch at the line by making 5 of 6 free throws.

    Tim Smith, East Tennessee State: Smith was solid with 25 points in 40 minutes in East Tennessee State's Southern Conference title win over Chattanooga. He was 4 of 5 from the free-throw line. Smith also made 3 threes.

    Good Win
     Texas 76, Oklahoma 71: The victory gave the Longhorns a sweep of the Sooners and put them in position to get a No. 1 seed.
    Kansas 79, Missouri 74: Kansas won the Big 12 outright by beating its rival in a terrific game Sunday. Kansas probably just needs to get to the Big 12 title game to lock up a No. 1 seed.
    Kentucky 69, Florida 67: The Wildcats had to go through the toughest road stop to get the undefeated SEC record. Kentucky's victory Saturday was an impressive victory that sealed a No. 1 for the 'Cats.     		Bad Loss
     Texas Tech 68, Baylor 74: This loss put Texas Tech further out of the tournament discussion. Yes, it was on the road, but the Red Raiders needed something to show they belong in the Dance in the final week of the season.
    Boston College 54, Connecticut 91: Losing by 37 points at home in the season finale doesn't help the Eagles' resume. This loss gives the committee a reason not to take them.
    Seton Hall 61, Providence 64: The Pirates could ill afford a late season loss. This is a game that was within their reach and they had to get.

    Caught Our Eye
     Inside the Top 25: Stanford bounced back from a loss to Arizona to beat Cal at home. The Cardinal enters the Pac-10 tourney as a legit threat to unseat the Wildcats. Stanford is also playing well enough that they could make a deep run in the tournament. Stanford rarely beats itself.
    Outside the Top 25: Memphis, not Louisville, looks like the toughest challenge for Marquette. Memphis is playing its best basketball of the season. The Tigers are riding the emotion of coach John Calipari and should be a factor to make a deep run in the NCAAs, possibly to the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight if the brackets break right.

    KENTUCKY: The Wildcats cruised through the SEC without a loss, making them the favorite to win the NCAAs.

    SETON HALL: The crushing losses to Pittsburgh and then again to Providence put the Pirates closer to being out of the tournament than in.

    INDIANA: Losing to Penn State and getting into the opening round game instead of a bye means the Hoosiers have a long road to get in the NCAAs.

    MINNESOTA: The Gophers lost their final three games and put themselves in a position for the NIT, not the NCAAs.

    LSU: The Tigers' recent run put them in position for an NCAA bid. The win over Alabama created separation for the committee.

    ST. BONAVENTURE: The players quit, the president resigned, the coach is on paid leave and the A-10 is thinking about dumping the school. Good week, huh?

    LOUISVILLE: The Cardinals win handily over Charlotte but the NCAA is back on Marvin Stone. Call it a draw.

    MICHIGAN STATE: The Spartans have quietly been on a mini streak and got to fifth place ahead of Indiana and likely in the field.

    VILLANOVA: The Wildcats get caught using a phone code, major suspensions but they almost pull off the Pittsburgh upset.

    NORTH CAROLINA: Getting up to beat Duke and to do it in such emphatic fashion made the Tar Heels season.

    Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com. His Weekly Watch, a look back at the week and a preview of the week ahead, runs every Monday.








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