Jones’ defense propels Xavier into Elite Eight
After a 73-71 victory over Arizona late Thursday in San Jose, California, Xavier is one step away from its first Final Four.
But for the 11thseeded Musketeers to get to the point where they will play topseeded Gonzaga in the West Regional final, freshman Tyrique Jones had to come up big first.
“Definitely a gamewinning play,” Xavier’s Trevon Bluiett said.
Coming out of an Arizona timeout with 1:09 left and the score tied at 71, Wildcats center Dusan Ristic called for the ball. He had gotten the best of Jones and Xavier’s big men all game, scoring 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting to that point. Jones heard the calls and bodied up. He planted a forearm into Ristic.
“I’m a strong guy, too — so you’re not just going to move me,” Jones said. “I’m holding my ground. I’m trying to force him to make a counter, something. Just countered and took up his space.”
Ristic went up with a right-handed hook shot, and Jones challenged. The ball never hit the rim. Bluiett and Arizona guard Kadeem Allen fought for the ball, a 50-50 opportunity that glanced off Allen, giving Xavier the ball. Sean O’Mara then converted the winning basket on a layup with 44 seconds left.
“For Tyrique, a freshman, to be disciplined enough to stand up, wall up, and make it tough for him — that’s what game-winning plays are all about,” Bluiett said.
Jones’ stat line in 14 minutes wasn’t impressive: four points on 2-of-5 shooting. He didn’t have a rebound. He had one turnover. But in the final minute of the Sweet 16, he came up big when it was a battle of wills.
“He might lose in a smarts battle or an experience battle because he’s only a freshman, but he’s not going to lose a toughness battle,” coach Chris Mack said.
The Elite Eight is not new territory for Xavier or Gonzaga. Both teams have gone this deep twice before. But the next step is a big one: the Final Four.
Oklahoma State, Cal promote assistants
Oklahoma State promoted assistant Mike Boynton to coach less than a week after Brad Underwood left for Illinois, and California gave its coaching job to longtime college assistant Wyking Jones.
Boynton, 35, helped engineer Oklahoma State's run to the NCAA Tournament this season. He was an assistant for Underwood for three years at Stephen F. Austin and helped the Lumberjacks win 89 games.
At Cal, Jones takes over for Cuonzo Martin, who left to take the Missouri job last week. Jones was an assistant under Martin the past two seasons and served as interim coach when Martin departed. Jones also has been an assistant at Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine, New Mexico and Louisville.
Middle Tennessee gives coach new contract
Middle Tennessee coach Kermit Davis has agreed to a new contract that runs through the 2023-24 season. School officials said the seven-year deal will gives Davis a $575,000 base salary.
Davis has led Middle Tennessee to an NCAA Tournament victory each of the last two seasons. Middle Tennessee stunned Michigan State in last year's tournament and defeated Minnesota this year before falling to Butler in the second round.