Day five: November 19, 2006 – Final day of men’s tournament

Yesterday rocked! Two outstanding semifinal games were played to settle the final pairings for today’s final round action. Here is how it turned out:

Game #1 Alabama 72 Iowa 60
This was the first-ever matchup between Alabama and Iowa men’s basketball and the No. 10 Crimson Tide had a tough time shaking the Hawkeyes, leading by only one at the half (32-31). Alabama was able to extend its lead behind some acrobatic dunks by Alonzo Gee who led the Tide with 21 points. Iowa was led by Tyler Smith with 19. The win puts Alabama into the championship to face Xavier. Iowa will face Villanova in the 3rd place game.

Game #2 Xavier 71 Villanova 66
We may be in the laid back atmosphere of the Caribbean, but it was high tension at UVI as Xavier and Villanova battled for the final spot in the championship game. With 13 lead changes; it came down to who had the ball last to decide the winner. Xavier’s Stanley Burrell led all scorers with 26 points. Xavier will take on Alabama in the final game. Villanova will meet Iowa in the 3rd place contest.

Today will be a long day with four games beginning at 2:00 pm AST / 1:00 pm EST. I had a question about television coverage for the games, so here is the scoop—tonight’s games at 7:00 and 9:30 pm AST (AST is one hour ahead of EST) will be broadcast live nationally on Fox College Sports and regionally on SportSouth so be sure to tune and see the action.

If you can’t watch the games, check the Paradise Jam website (http://www.paradisejam.com) for updates, box scores and schedules. You can also watch the stats live and in real time—just click the “View Stats Live” button on the score update page (http://www.paradisejam.com/pages/m_scores.htm). The locals have really embraced the tournament and tonight promises to be a paradise basketball party with thumping jock jams sprinkled with Calypso beats—PRICELESS!

Of course, after tonight we will begin preparing for the women’s tournament that will begin November 23 and will feature in the St. John Field: Auburn, Marquette, Western Michigan, Xavier; and in the St. Thomas Field: Arizona State, Penn State, Rutgers, Western Kentucky. Check back for game times and updates. (Hey Beth, Shannon and the rest of the WBCA crew—wish you were here, but Stephanie arrived safely. Thanks for the “itinerary” we will follow it religiously :)

They just turned up the arena music, that’s my cue! Thanks for reading!