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Crossover star carries Michigan

 
Published Nov. 24, 2012

NEW YORK — Tim Hardaway Jr. brought the ball up, then dribbled between his legs and headed to the left. Then he flashed to his right, rose up and knocked down a midrange jumper.

The crowd at Madison Square Garden gasped at the crossover, which was reminiscent of his famous father's most memorable move as a five-time NBA All-Star. Michigan fans cheered. Kansas State coach Bruce Weber called timeout, but it didn't work.

Hardaway scored 23 to power No. 4 Michigan to a 71-57 victory over the Wildcats in the final of the NIT Season Tipoff on Friday.

Glenn Robinson III had 12 rebounds, and Trey Burke and Jon Horford had 10 points apiece for the Wolverines (5-0). Hardaway made 10 of 15 shots from the field before he was kneed in the head with less than four minutes left. He returned to the bench in time to celebrate and collect the MVP award for the event formerly known as the Preseason NIT.

"This is what he works for. He works hard at not just being a shooter but to have an in-between game, be a rebounder," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "The biggest thing is his work ethic. That just doesn't happen. He's got great DNA, but DNA doesn't get you there alone."

Hardaway wasn't available to reporters. Trainer John Do-Rosario said he passed concussion tests and was cleared to fly home.

Louisville stops Missou

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — Luke Hancock scored 19, and Russ Smith had 18 points and six steals as No. 2 Louisville looked more like itself with an 84-61 victory over No. 13 Missouri in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

The Cardinals had a rougher-than-expected 51-46 opening-round win over Northern Iowa, and coach Rick Pitino was upset afterward.

Louisville was back to being one of the nation's better defensive teams against the Tigers (4-1), forcing 23 turnovers that the Cardinals turned into 31 points. Missouri's Phil Pressey, considered one of the better point guards in the country, had eight turnovers.

The Cardinals (5-0) face Duke tonight in the title game.

No. 5 Duke 67, VCU 58: Mason Plumlee, a 6-foot-10 center who helped break Virginia Commonwealth's pressure, had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Blue Devils (5-0) into the Battle 4 Atlantis title game against Louisville.

Minn. 84, No. 19 Memphis 75: Andre Hollins scored a career-high 41 as the Gophers (5-1) toppled the Tigers (2-2) in the consolation semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis. The sophomore guard was 12-for-16 from the field, making all five of his 3-pointers.

No. 17 Gonzaga 72, Okla. 47: Elias Harris scored 18 and the Zags (5-0) advanced to Sunday's title game of the Old Spice Classic in Lake Buena Vista. Gonzaga plays Davidson (3-2), which beat West Virginia 63-60.

No. 3 Ohio St. 91, Missouri-KC 45: Deshaun Thomas scored 21 as the host Buckeyes (4-0) coasted to a huge lead against Missouri-Kansas City.

No. 8 Ky. 104, LIU-Brooklyn 75: Alex Poythress and Archie Goodwin each scored 22 and the host Wildcats (4-1) ran away from winless LIU-Brooklyn, but only after there were 10 lead changes and nine ties early.

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No. 15 Mich. St. 70, Oak. 52: Keith Appling shook off a sprained right ankle and scored 20 as the host Spartans (4-1) needed an 18-0 run late to pull away.

No. 16 N.C. St. 82, UNC Asheville 80: Richard Howell scored 23, including the go-ahead basket with 3:06 left, as the host Wolfpack (4-1) rallied.

Oregon 83, No. 18 UNLV 79: Damyean Dotson scored 19 as the Ducks (5-0) upset the host Running Rebels (2-1) to reach the final of the Global Sports Classic against Cincinnati.

No. 22 Cincy 78, Iowa St. 70: Sean Kilpatrick made all 16 of his free throws and scored 32, leading the Bearcats (5-0) to a Global Sports Classic semifinal win.

Eckerd 72, P.R.-Bayamon 58: Josh Snodgrass and Alex Bodney scored 12 each as the host Tritons opened their season with a win in their Thanksgiving classic.

Coach suspended: Morehead State suspended coach Sean Woods for one game after he pushed guard Devon Atkinson during a loss to Kentucky. Woods, who said in an apology it "will not happen again," will sit out Monday against Norfolk State.