Late in the first half of an incredibly entertaining national semifinal game, players from Connecticut and Michigan State had to be separated by officials. The incident stemmed from a hard foul on Michigan State's Travis Walton, where he got a good piece of Jeff Adrien under the basket. As Walton first fell to the ground, Adrian attempted to push him but whiffed. Walton took exception and swiped back at Adrian, and then an amoeba formed under the basket. Little more than pushing and shoving -- really, just grandstanding, but you can't blame them -- occurred before cooler heads prevailed and the players were separated. Of note, Hasheem Thabeet really looked like he wanted to fight someone (pictured right with teammates restraining him).
In the aftermath, the officials checked the monitors to see if they needed to asses any further penalties than just the foul on Walton. They made the correct decision in doing nothing more than discussing the incident with both coaches.
One thing about this fracas, it certainly sets the tone for an intense second half. Michigan State holds a two point advantage, but this thing is going to the wire. It's been a physical, fast-paced, and well-played game by both sides thus far. If you aren't watching, I strongly suggest you find a way. If not, we have the FanHouse live chat machine fired up and waiting for your participation.
NCAA Tournament Action
GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 21: Wayne Ellington #22 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives against Garrett Temple #14 of the Louisiana State University Tigers during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 21, 2009 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Wayne Ellington;Garrett Temple
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PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 21: A Washington Huskies cheerleader performs during a break in the action against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 21, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Manny Harris #3 of the Michigan Wolverines jumps to the basket for a lay up against Taylor Griffin #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Harris
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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Zack Novan #0 and Zack Gibson #32 of the Michigan Wolverines vie for the loose ball with Blake Griffin #23 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zack Gibson;Zack Novak;Blake Griffin
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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Willie Warren #13 of the Oklahoma Sooners makes contact as he goes to the basket with Zack Gibson #32 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first hafl during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Willie Warren
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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Taylor Griffin #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners goes up for the short jump shot against DeShawn Sims #34 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Taylor Griffin;DeShawn Sims
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PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 21: JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers goes up for a shot over Jon Brockman #40 of the Washington Huskies in the second half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 21, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** JaJuan Johnson;Jon Brockman
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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Taylor Griffin #23 of the Oklahoma Sooners and Zack Novak #0 of the Michigan Wolverines vie for position to the loose ball in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zack Novak;Taylor Griffin
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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Head Coach Jeff Capel of the Michigan Wolverines yells from the sideline during their game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Capel
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PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 21: Lewis Jackson #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers goes up for a layup as Quincy Pondexter #20 of the Washington Huskies looks on during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 21, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lewis Jackson;Quincy Pondexter
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-04-2009 @ 8:45PM
RACENDIRT said...
Whiffed? Fight someone? They both had their shirts nearly torn off. Since when do you have the final four in your own court. Not only did Michigan own the crowd...they owned the refs. It was unbelievable. Is that how they'll win the final?
Reply
4-05-2009 @ 2:36AM
Dr Huxtable said...
First, it's Michigan State, not Michigan, you ignorant f*ck. 2nd, MSU had to win their way to Ford Field. This home court advantage was earned. Unlike say, Duke or UNC playing opening round games in North Carolina every year. 3rd, "owned the refs"? You're a retard.
GO GREEN!
4-04-2009 @ 9:38PM
harleydakotadog said...
Go Spartans
Reply
4-04-2009 @ 10:46PM
rjkofnovi said...
LOL. Tell me when a team from the midwest ever gets to play the BCS championship game in football in their own backyard? First time Detroit has ever hosted a final four. Too bad, U CONN lost! Get over it!
Reply