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   Most years, I can hand out the Petey Sessoms Award after the second round. True, there is a leader heading into the Sweet 16, but it's pretty competitive.

   There are only two eligible squads remaining that can supply a Petey winner: Davidson and Western Kentucky. As terrific a tournament as Scottie Reynolds has had for 12th seed Villanova, guys from major conference teams are not eligible.

    If Davidson George Masons its way into the Final Four, Stephen Curry will not be just a Petey contender, but a tournament Most Outstanding Player contender as well. The guy is not just putting up huge numbers, he's doing it with style and drama as well.

    Curry and his Wildcats looked dead in the water early in the second half against Georgetown, just the kind of lockdown physical defensive team that's supposed to be poison to these guys. Curry had five points and two fouls at halftime, and the 'Cats couldn't buy a three-pointer,

    Or that's how we were left when CBS shipped us out to Tennessee-Butler, with a side trip to Texas-Miami's fantastic finish.

    While we were away, Curry was erupting for 25 second-half points, leading the comeback from 16 down with the help of playmaker Brad Richards' 20 points (he's a Petey nominee, too) and a 20-turnover Georgetown meltdown. It was almost as if the basketball princes (John Thompson's kid coaching and Patrick Ewing's and Doc Rivers' kids playing), along with Roy Hibbert (the Hoyas grabbed their double-digit lead while he rode the bench with two fouls),were being exposed as frauds.

    And let's not foget the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky, even though we got to see about 25 seconds of them today. Tyrone Brazelton put on quite a show Friday, and today Courtney Lee stepped forward with 29 points as they recovered from blowing a double-digit lead against San Diego.

    It'll take a pair of Petey-worthy performances to top UCLA, fellas.

    A few more random thoughts:

    * I love the attitude Miami showed against Texas. Down 16, they ripped some three-pointers, extended the game, and actually had a chance to tie it in the final seconds. A tough second-round loss...not bad for a team predicted to reside in the ACC cellar (although back in November, after watching the Canes top Providence in the San Juan Shootout title game, I was already shaking my head about that). Texas barely hung on at the foul line - Memphis might've lost that game.

     * If only Siena brought that 'tude today. The Saints seemed a little tight early, and Villanova took full advantage. Siena got the Wildcats into foul trouble, but didn't capitalize at the line, and we could've phoned in the rest after the Reynolds steal and layup with Siena within nine.

     * Most impressive team this weekend: North Carolina. The Tar Heels ran Mount St. Mary's off the court Friday, and they may as well have told Arkansas "thanks for playing" before blowing the Hogs out today. I want to see these guys tested prior to the Final Four, though.

     * With three Smiths in the Tennessee rotation, I look down the Volunteer bench for Morrissey.

     * Has there ever been a more geeky-looking nationally-ranked team than Butler? A.J. Graves and Eddie Munster have never been photographed together. But the Bulldogs sure didn't play geeky.