This is a great time of year if you're a basketball junkie. The NBA players are finally taking things seriously, the Texas & Louisiana State High School Championships are in full swing & the NCAA is in the process of deciding their conference tournaments. Of course there'll be lots of at large bids form the power conferences but the most intrigue always comes from who wins the conference tournament from a "one bid" league.
Many of our Texas D1 Ambassadors alumni are making their mark on the college scene and eying the big dance. Last night I watched Big Gus Leeper, the true freshman from Austin Westlake help his Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans to their first NCAA appearance in 20 years.
Gus Leeper (left) gets better every game out for the Trojans
In the late late game Northern Colorado and their do it all guard Devon Beitzel beat Montana on their home floor in Greeley, CO to earn their first ever NCAA Tournament berth. San Antonio Lee's true freshman Paul Garnica was a big part of their success.
Northern Colorado's Paul Garnica puts on his dancing shoes while admiring the hardware
Two nights in a row now Converse Wagner true freshman, Andre Roberson has helped lift his Colorado Buffaloes to improbable wins over Iowa State (9points, 15 rebounds) & tonight vs Kansas State (11 points, 14 rebounds). They face the mighty Kansas Jayhawks tomorrow.
Roberson's led the Buffs in rebounding as a true freshman
Long Island earned it's first NCAA berth in 13 years as true freshman Jason Brickman of San Antonio Clark had 15 points & 8 assists.
San Antonio Clark's Brickman is quietly assuming a leadership role with Long Island
Memphis is not their usual lock for the NCAA's this year and may have to win their Conference USA Tournament. Killeen Harker Heights F D.J. Stephens doesn't always get big minutes but is there a more exciting dunker in all of college basketball? He averages 12 minutes a game, but is shooting over 50% from the field as he brings the house down almost every night for the Tigers.
It's rim rattling dunks like this which makes sophomore Stephens a Memphis fan favorite.
Congratulations to Converse Wagner's Jordan Clarkson. He scored 21 tonight in a win over Rice. He was recently named to the Conference USA Newcomer squad.
