COLLEGE BASKETBALL / NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENT : NCAA MIDWEST REGIONAL : Memphis Wins, Turns Big Ten Into Big Zero
AUSTIN, Tex. — David Vaughn made a follow shot with 1.1 seconds left as sixth-seeded Memphis knocked out the Big Ten’s only remaining NCAA tournament team with a 75-73 victory over third-seeded Purdue in the Midwest Regional on Sunday.
Purdue Coach Gene Keady praised the Tigers and acknowledged that the conference is not as strong as in recent years and should not have received six bids.
“Looks like everyone was right for once,” Keady said.
The Boilermakers (25-7), who won consecutive Big Ten titles for the first time in school history, were the only league team to reach the second round. The other five--Michigan State, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Indiana--lost their openers.
“It was a great college basketball game,” Keady said. “I wrote on the blackboard at halftime and preached all year about boxing out, getting back on defense, stopping the ball and making free throws. We did not do those things consistently.
“Memphis was more aggressive. There was really nothing fancy about it. They stepped up and made their shots when it counted.”
After taking possession with 32.6 seconds left, the Tigers held for the last shot. Chris Garner sliced toward the basket and released a leaning jumper that ticked off the rim and into the hands of Vaughn, who caught and released the ball in one motion from about five feet.
“It bounced up high and I was able to get the rebound,” Vaughn said. “I just put the ball up and there was a rush of emotions after that.”
Said Garner: “I’m glad David was there to back me up.”
The Tigers (24-9) held Purdue’s leading scorer, Cuonzo Martin, who averages 18.7 points, to 11 points on four for 14 shooting.
“It was just one of those things. My shots were just not falling for me,” Martin said.
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