Cleveland State Upsets Wake Forest: No Booze Upsets Jenny Woo

Jenny Woo here to talk some NCAA Basketball with all of you fine people.  I had the opportunity to attend the NCAA Midwest evening games (Utah/Arizona and Wake Forest/Cleveland St.) here in Miami at American Airlines Arena last night courtesy of Vegas Insider's Peter Gold.  I also had the opportunity to meet Vegas Insider Sports Analyst Joshua Jacobs, who gave me (a non-sports analyst) his comments on the games.  I do have to admit that I played it safe with my 2009 NCAA Bracket Predictions and selected the favorites Utah over Arizona and Wake Forest over Cleveland State.  For those of you who didn't see the game, it was a night for the underdogs.

Come to find out, they don't sell alcohol at the NCAA games - WTF! Jenny was looking forward to boozing it up.  Good thing Tommy Jensen from Sports-Odds.com bought me Nachos, water and the official program guide!

Utah (5) and Arizona (12) were first to play and it already looked like my team of choice to advance to the "Sweet Sixteen" wouldn't make it there.  I do have to say that Arizona's #13, Nic Wise, was a force to be reckoned with.  At only five feet ten, this Arizona Junior was fast and on point every time with scoring 29 pts for his team.  Arizona showed Utah what they're made of by keeping them on the outside making 3 pt shots (in which they mostly missed) giving them no chance of an inside game.  As the game progressed and Utah obviously losing, Jenny's ADT kicked in and I started focusing on a couple of the hot sweaty players such as Arizona's #2 - Zane Johnson and #11 - David Bagga.

Arizona upset Utah with a 13 pt final lead with the score being 84-71.  Chase Buninger (20 PTS), Jordan Hill (17 PTS), Kyle Fogg (12 PTS), Nic Wise (29 PTS) and Zane Johnson (3 PTS) were the point leaders. 

After a 45 minute break and some much needed alcohol, ah wait a minute!   Some better luck in the next game where Wake Forest (4) and Cleveland State (13) were going to battle it out.  However, (like I said) it was a night for the underdogs.  Cleveland State was up by 9 pts at the half and started the game listed as an 8½ pt underdog.

The Vikings' #11, Cedric Jackson scoring 19 pts for his team, J'Nathan Bullock with 21 pts and Norris Cole with 22 pts were the top point earners for the team.  I wish I could say the same thing about Wake Forest, as most of the 3 pt shots never went into the basket.  I do have to say James Johnson #23 tried to bring his team up to par with contributing 22 pts and Al-Farouq Aminu with 17 pts.  Even with the Demon Deacons catching up (a couple of times) with a few point difference, the Vikings with their determination and aggressiveness went on to advance to the "Sweet Sixteen".

The Wake Forest - Cleveland State game was much more of a crowd pleaser as the arena roared as the underdog dominated the game with a 15 pt lead final (84-69).  I have to say that I enjoyed this game as well.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience at Jenny's first NCAA March Madness games as I learned a few things while I was there.  I learned that college basketball involves two 20 minute periods where NBA basketball has four 12 minute quarters.  I also learned that there are a very low percentage of these hard working athletes that actually get to make it to the NBA.  A bit of trivia for you - Who was the last team from the Big 10 Conference to win the NCAA Tournament?  Michigan State as they beat the Gators in the finals back in 2000.  Did you know?  Tubby Smith and John Beilein are the 6th and 7th coaches to take four different teams to the NCAA tournament. 

"For a team installed as the small favorite, Utah found themselves living and dying by the three-pointer.  Unfortunately, for the WildCats the 3-point shot was their down fall.  Battered and bruised, Utah couldn't find an answer to Arizona's inside game and physical tenacity," stated VegasInsider.com Sports Analyst Joshua Jacobs when asked about the Arizona vs Utah Game.

He further stated on the on the Wake Forest vs Cleveland State game, "Wake Forest as an eight-point favorite entered the second half looking like the dog.  But don't count your chickens before they hatch because the Demon Deacons clawed their way back with the second half underway.  Wake Forest is relying on defensive transition and the art of the block shot to keep in the game.  Win/Lose or Draw, big time upset (point wise) in favor of Cleveland State.  Wake Forest sure didn't deserve a shot in this year's tourney!"

Joshua's Final Four Picks: Missouri, North Carolina, Pittsburg, and Louisville.  "I like Pittsburgh to win it all!"

Jenny Woo, Gambling911.com Senior International Correspondent