Keep refreshing this page for the latest news, links, analysis and more from the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee.
FRIDAY, MARCH 17
3:35 p.m. —
Here is Purdue guard PJ Thompson talking about the matchup on Monte Morris pic.twitter.com/pSxi9LfXys
— Cyclone Basketball (@CycloneMBB) March 17, 2017
3:30 p.m. — Solid start to the Tournament for the Big 12. It was good to see Baylor win its first game as a 3-seed in three years. Oklahoma State got beat by a game Michigan squad but represented the league well.
Just getting ready to do some media stuff for Iowa State vs. Purdue here in a few minutes but wanted to check in.
Want to learn more about the Boilermakers? I think you guys will really enjoy this insight from Big Ten Network analyst Jess Settles, who knows both teams very well.
And this…
Caleb Swanigan opting to bike instead of talk #marchmadness #Cyclones pic.twitter.com/zc8G8HrEoS
— Scott Reister (@scottreister) March 17, 2017
2:15 a.m. — Just a couple of things before I go to bed.
— A ton of coverage from Iowa State’s 84-73 win over Nevada here: My column on how the most impressive thing I saw came in the locker room after the game along with a jam-packed notebook as well.
— Looking ahead to Purdue, Vegas doesn’t have a line out yet but KenPom is projecting a 76-75 Purdue win. This gives the Cyclones a 48 percent chance at victory. We’re looking at a toss-up.
— This from the NCAA’s Twitter feed.
Monte Morris messed around and almost got himself a triple-double. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/2x4dZOorwm
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 17, 2017
THURSDAY, MARCH 16
9:50 p.m. — Halftime in Milwaukee and Iowa State leads Nevada 40-27. Monte Morris leads the way with 8 for the Cyclones, who have been very balanced on offense. Below photo courtesy of USA Today.
9:37 p.m. — You guys will like this.
DEONTE BURTON!! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/XCsiPF9qz2
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 17, 2017
8:30 p.m. — Purdue 80, Vermont 70.
The winner of Iowa State and Nevada will get the Boilermakers on Saturday at a time to be determined.
Stay tuned.
8:00 p.m. — Game time nears.
The Cyclones arrive looking loose and confident. pic.twitter.com/yAYUjFBXu1
— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) March 17, 2017
5:20 p.m. — Just got our 12-5 upset with Middle Tennessee State defeating Minnesota here in Milwaukee. Not really an upset though. After all, MTSU was actually favored in Vegas. That’s a good team. Feels good to get that 12-5 out of the way.
Purdue vs. Vermont is next here and then the varsity game, Clones vs. Nevada at 8:57.
And I thought this was cool.
Looking forward to watching @CycloneMBB & @CoachProhm @Coach_D_Rob @mjb_352 @NSchmidty2 Small & Berry get a win tonight! Lets go Cyclones!
— T.J. Otzelberger (@coachotz) March 16, 2017
2:15 p.m. — I tried to unplug for a few hours this morning as with the incredibly late tip time, I will be working into the wee hours of the night – aka early Friday morning – hopefully previewing a Round of 32 matchup.
Just a few quick thoughts on today so far…
— Wrong move for Indiana to fire Tom Crean. You think Steve Alford will take that job?
— I’m just being a paranoid fan but I really wish that one of the 5-seeds – Virginia or Notre Dame – would have lost today.
— Currently watching Otzelberger’s South Dakota State team. Playing tough but the Zags are going to be too much. A pretty typical 1 vs. 16 game.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15
7:13 p.m. — Finishing up writing right now. Got a column on how great Monte Morris has been vs. other elite point guards this year coming your way.
Here’s a quick shout out to longtime former Iowa State assistant coach T.J. Otzelberger, whose South Dakota State team will play Gonzaga tomorrow.
3:20 p.m. — Not that you care, but here is my final bracket. #BracketGuy
3:10 p.m. — Been at the Bradley Center for about an hour now. Iowa State’s open practice is in a few hours. Quick apology: Did not get that Hines podcast recorded yet as some stuff came up.
I will say this though: If you are spending any time worrying about these crazy Steve Prohm to LSU rumors that have been on Twitter today, don’t.
12:19 p.m. — A leftover note from yesterday’s interview with Steve Prohm. I asked coach which Big 12 school Nevada most reminds him of.
“Iowa State. Us. A lot of freedom on offense. Make threes. The five-man is where it is different. I like their five. They are a very good offensive team. Four guys in double figures. I would say us if I was going to name anybody.”
11:15 a.m. — Good morning from Milwaukee!
Thanks for checking out the start of our NCAA Tournament Central running blog. I’ll be heading over to the Bradley Center at around 2 or so for Iowa State’s media availability that will go down shortly after 4. There is an open practice to fans that begins at 5:10 as well.
Also today, stay tuned for a special joint podcast featuring myself and Travis Hines from the Ames Tribune. We should have that posted here by 1 or so.
Until then, here are some fresh links that I have recently read.
— If you are an ESPN Insider subscriber, Monte Morris is ranked as the 24th best player in the NCAA Tournament.
— Speaking of Monte, he also gets some serious love in this piece by NBC, which lists guards that are capable of leading their teams to a national title.
— Last night, I wrote about Steve Prohm’s backup plan in case his wife goes into labor during the NCAA Tournament.
— The Sportsline (gambling site) simulations have Iowa State winning against Nevada on Thursday but losing to Purdue on Saturday.
