2012 BUCS Final 8’s Day 1 Recap

The 2012 BUCS Basketball Final 8′s tipped off today, with the North showing their dominance with victories over all their Southern counterparts.

Brief game reports and notes:

BUCS Basketball Final 8’s Day 1 Results

Game 1
Durham vs Middlesex
Middlesex were always going to be facing a challenge in this one, taking on a Durham side that is pretty much the same as the team that competes in the BBL, minus 1 player. Despite showing real fight in the first quarter, Durham blew the game wide open in the second quarter as they cruised the rest of the way to 105-54 victory. Flaherty led Durham with 18, Capocci added 17, whilst Middlesex were led by Jamel Felix’s 15 points.

Game 2
Northumbria vs LSBU
For the first time in Northumbria’s history they advanced past the opening round, upsetting Premier South winners LSBU 78-68, proving just big the North-South divide is. Northumbria leading scorers TBC, but Jack Thompson had 15, whilst Toby Hutton added 14. Arturo Noha had 16 with Ave Antonio adding 14 for LSBU.

Game 3
Leeds vs Oxford
There is no doubt that Oxford is the team that has faced the biggest overhaul from last year, as they field an entirely new team with only one familiar face, Karolis Bauza.  Leeds had little trouble dispatching of them, winning 84-59 behind 15 points a-piece from David Ajumobi, Josh Houghton and Ollie Hylands. Allen had 12 for Oxford, whilst Bauza added 10.

Game 3
Worcester vs Brunel
Defending champions Worcester are looking for their sixth title in nine years and got off to a good start with an 85-40 rout of Brunel. Worcester’s depth and talent, was simply too much for Brunel, who don’t actively recruit with no scholarships to give. Without their starting point guard, Brunel managed to stay within striking distance after 1 quarter, down just 8 heading into the second, but with their starters on the bench it was Worcester’s second unit who blew the game open to push the lead to 39-20 at half time. Head coach Paul James gave all his players a good run, and based on first day performances Worcester are the team to beat. Aleksas Zimnickas led Worcester with 21, Tommy Freeman had 19 and Brendan Okoronkwo added 17. Louis Sayers led Brunel with 9 points.

Schedule for Saturday

11am: Middlesex vs LSBU
1pm: Trophy Final
3pm: Oxford vs Brunel
5pm: Durham vs Northumbria (semi-final)
7pm: Leeds Met Carnegie vs Worcester (semi-final)

Women’s Results

Durham beat Oxford 84-56
Northumbria beat LSBU 92-70
Edinburgh beat Kent 77-42
UWIC beat Loughborough 58-55

Notes

• The semi-finals are going to be interesting, but both Northumbria and Leeds are going to have their work cut out to beat either Worcester & Durham – the two “BBL” teams in the competition.
• Amazing just how big the divide between North & South is. Bigger than any years in my recent memory.
• This will be the first time since LSBU have been in the Premier South that they won’t be playing for a top four spot (I think?).
• No major highlights on day 1, the only game that wasn’t a blowout, between LSBU & Northumbria was a scrappy affair, as Northumbria refused to allow LSBU to find their rhythm.
• For updates throughout today, follow us on Twitter @Hoopsfix, and ‘like’ our Facebook page.

What do you think of the first day of results? Predictions for the rest of the tourney? Drop a comment!

Image Credit: Charles White – UniSportOnline