Oregon, Wisconsin cruise,
Loved ones watch Oregon reserve pour in 23 points
MILWAUKEE Every crazy March, someone seems to emerge from obscurity and put a stamp on the NCAA tournament. Such players become household names, part of the lore of this event that captivates a nation.
Elgin Cook was already a household name in Milwaukee. He starred at Hamilton High School, not far from the Bradley Center. Now the country knows Cook after the Oregon forward came off the bench to strike for 23 points and eight rebounds, leading the seventh-seeded Ducks to an 87-68 West Region victory against No. 10 Brigham Young on Thursday.
The son of former NBA player Alvin Robertson put on a show in front of about 40 friends and family members. He hit eight of nine shots, dominating on the interior and converting dishes from his teammates.
“I just wanted to go out there and play hard,” said Cook, a 6-6 sophomore who averages 6.3 points a game. “I was excited to play in front of my hometown, and I’m glad we got the win. But we’re not done yet.”
His mother, Cecelia Cook, was in attendance, enjoying every second of it.
“About a month ago, he said it could be Milwaukee,” she said. “But when you watch it every day, it changes. That morning I talked to him and said, ‘Elgin, I think you could still end up here.’ He said, ‘Nah.’ So when I saw it, I was so happy.”
Cecelia Cook credits Robert- son for Elgin’s development: “He gives him advice, and Elgin has actually worked a lot with him during the summers. But Elgin didn’t really see Alvin in his prime, so he’s like, ‘Whatever, old man.’ ”
Oregon (24-9) led 39-31 at the half, Cook scoring 10 points, tormenting a BYU team hampered by the loss of standout Kyle Collinsworth to a knee injury.
The Ducks pulled away in the second half, thanks in part to limiting the Cougars to 32.8% shooting. Dana Altman’s squad shot 50% from the field. Oregon outrebounded BYU 37-32.
When the Cougars (23-12) pulled within 56-53 with 12 minutes left, the Ducks stepped on the gas.
“We had some guys play really well in the second half,” Altman said. “Elgin Cook had a great game and really finished everything down low.”
Oregon (24-9) will face secondseeded Wisconsin on Saturday, vying to reach the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season.
The Badgers, after trailing by as many as seven points midway through the first half, closed the initial 20 minutes on a 22-5 run and squashed gritty American in the second half to win 75-35.
It was Wisconsin’s 17th NCAA tournament victory under coach Bo Ryan and its most lopsided tourney win.
Michigan advanced 57-40 against Wofford behind the steady play of Nik Stauskas (15 points, three three-pointers) and Glenn Robinson III (14 points, seven rebounds). The Wolverines (26-8) held the Terriers (20-13) to 34% shooting.
In the best game of the night session, No. 7 seed Texas withstood a furious comeback attempt by 10th-seeded Arizona State, winning 87-85 on a buzzerbeater by Cameron Ridley. Ridley, who also had a key late block, led the Longhorns (24-10) with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Both teams scorched the nets, Texas shooting 53.4 %, ASU 48.2%.