2013 NCAA Basketball Recap: No.23 UCLA upset by Wash St., VCU vs Richmond

 Washington State 73, No.23 UCLA 61 

So what happens when a 12-18 team loses two key players and has a two-decade long history of losing at home to a conference rival? Why, they pull off the upset, of course.

Somehow, someway, the Washington State Cougars got a commanding 73-61 victory over No.23 UCLA, which is only starting to make this years rankings look more and more foolishly pointless. 

Australian Senior Forward, Brock Motum, led the charge with 20 points and 11 rebounds as Washington State took a lead and never surrendered it, pushing it as high as 21 at one point. 

"This is the first time in 19 years we beat them here," Motum said. "I was happy individually to have beaten UCLA for the first time."

It was a cold night for UCLA star Shabazz Muhammad,  who would probably like to forget his 4-19 performance he turned in. 

Adding an extra bit of sting to the loss is the fact the Bruins will drop to 12-5 in the Pac-12 when they really needed a win to stay on top. Now, #25 Oregon sits atop the throne at 12-4 and take destiny into their own hands from here on out.

No.21 VCU 93, Richmond  82 

Nothing like a good rivalry to get you going before heading to the tournament, and boy was it a good one. 

With only a two point lead at the half (43-41) VCU allowed the lesser Richmond Spiders hang around far too long, staying knotted up until the final three minutes. Then the Rams decided to kick it into gear. 

Treveon Graham scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half, including the go-ahead basket with 2:58 to play, and VCU finished off its city rival with a game-ending 14-3 run for a 93-82 victory, avoiding being swept in the season series. 

The win notches VCU up with No.15 Saint Louis at 12-3 in the rac for the title.