OKLAHOMA CITY — It was like the paint that covered UNLV president Neal Smatresk’s face at this first-round NCAA Tournament game Thursday. All bright and red in the beginning. All faded and worn in the end.
UNLV Basketball
OKLAHOMA CITY — As the clock ticked toward zero, Ali Farokhmanesh said he had “no idea” he was about to take a shot he would remember for a lifetime. But when he released it, he knew it was true.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Seldom does Northern Iowa senior Jordan Eglseder feel physically belittled by an opponent. At 7 feet and 280 pounds, he’s almost always the biggest player on the floor.
For a second, forget about the 8-9 line of the Midwest bracket in the NCAA Tournament. Forget about Northern Iowa’s halfcourt defense, its balanced offense, a terrific 7-foot center named Jordan Eglseder. Forget about Kansas lurking Saturday.
When he was washing dishes at a seafood restaurant five years ago, Anthony Johnson was an unlikely candidate to play a starring role in this NCAA Tournament. But his story is not a fish tale.
