N.C. State defeated Georgia Tech 81-80 in overtime when guard Trevor Lacey hit a deep three-pointer on the run with time expiring. The Wolfpack’s Cody Martin grabbed the rebound from a missed free throw, and then passed to a streaking Lacey, who put the game-winning shot up with two Yellow Jacket defenders in his face. Lacey finished with 19 points in the game, but more importantly, he saved his team from an NCAA Tournament resume-killing loss to a bad Georgia Tech team that ranks towards the bottom in the ACC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-_6PVvguNY
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Louisville’s Montrezl Harrell displayed his superior athleticism again with an impressive alley-oop during today’s 78-68 win over North Carolina. Harrell was able to reel in a rather bad lob from teammate Chris Jones with one hand and slam it down as he spun 180 degrees. He would finish with 22 points and 15 rebounds as the Cardinals finally manage to take down a marquee opponent for the first time this season.
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Florida Gators forward Alex Murphy broke through Arkansas’ full-court press defense to throw down a ridiculously mean slam over a helpless Razorbacks defender. Murphy was sure to let him know afterwards by giving him the death stare. The basket ended up being somewhat significant in the long run, as the Gators were able to edge Arkansas 57-56 at home in their early afternoon SEC matchup.
https://vine.co/v/OtwjdZup2iD
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The Duke Blue Devils were able to bounce back from a loss to Notre Dame earlier in the week, downing the No. 2 Virginia Cavaliers and giving them their first loss of the season. Duke guard Tyus Jones clinched the game in the closing minute with this incredibly bold and clutch three-pointer:
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Former Tennessee and now current Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl returned to Knoxville for the first time since being fired as coach of the Volunteers. Pearl was fired in 2011 after a series of events in which he admitted to recruiting violations and lying to NCAA investigators afterwards about the incident. His actions also earned him a three-year show-cause penalty, which expired last August of 2014, five months after the Tigers hired him as their new coach. Pearl went 145-61 during his time in Tennessee, and reached the tournament in each of his six seasons as coach. The Volunteers crowd showed their continues admiration and appreciation for him several times before and after the game.
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Louisiana Tech senior Raheem Appleby threw down a posterizing dunk over a Western Kentucky’s George Fant during their Conference USA matchup Saturday afternoon. Fant appears to be positioning himself to take a charge, but Appleby rises over him before Fant can set his feet, getting high enough to have his knees nearly clear the 6-foot-6 forward’s head. Appleby would finished with a team-high 17 points as Louisiana Tech improved to 7-1 in league play.
