The Madness began on Thursday with six games that came down to the last possession. The first and largest upset of the day belonged to Morehead State who shocked the Cardinals of Louisville and 94% of the bracket participants with a 62-61 victory on a 3 pointer with 4 seconds to go and a blocked Louisville shot at the buzzer.
This was followed by the 12 seed Richmond Spiders upsetting the #5 ranked Vanderbilt Commodores. Richmond, from the Atlantic 10 joins conference mate Temple who also advanced with a last second shot and win as Temple snuck by Big Ten interstate foe, Penn State 66-64. Butler picked up a loose ball for a layup put back at the buzzer for a 60-58 defeat of an Old Dominion team that many people thought would win this one easily. Kentucky was taken to the wire by a very good, methodical Princeton team but freshman Doren Lamb (Oak Hill Academy) scored his only 2 points of the game but they could not have been any bigger as he scored on a driving layup with 2 seconds to give Kentucky a 57-55 victory. The final close game of the night should not have even been a close game as Michigan State was getting blown out by UCLA by 23 in the second half and mounted an unbelievable comeback only to fall short on a traveling violation by Kalin Lucas on their last ditch effort to try and tie or beat UCLA when they rebounded a missed UCLA free throw with 4.5 seconds left. Lucas was racing up the court for a last second shot when he was called for traveling at half court ending the Spartans comeback bid and sending them home after a disappointing season with a 78-76 defeat.
Speaking of Michigan State - former players Kory Lucious and Chris Allen, both dismissed from the team for conduct detrimental to the team, are rumored to be enrolling together at Iowa St
As expected, there was more madness on Friday with four games coming down to the wire. George Mason with a come from behind victory beats Villanova by 4 in a game that came down to the end. George Mason was the higher seed but was not favored in this one. GM is now 17-1 in their last 18 games and gets to face off with top seeded Ohio State. Can the magic continue? Texas held off a spirited comeback from our own Oakland Grizzlies as they failed to quit and hit some big three pointers down the stretch before falling short to the talented # 4 Texas Longhorns, 85-81. Many people were picking Oakland including TV announcer and analayst, Jay Billups. I liked Oakland to win at least one game until I saw who they were playing. They got a bad draw and in my opinion, a bad seed. They were deserving of a seed better than 13. They showed people they can play with one of the best. Well done Oakland on a great season.
Memphis loses a heartbreaker to Arizona, 77-75 in a wild finish. Down 77-74 with 12 seconds and the ball, Arizona chose to foul and put Memphis on the line. They made the first and missed the second but batted the missed free throw and rebounded on the off side. They then attempted a 6 footer but was denied by another timely block by Williams (same Williams that swatted away last second shot by Washington in Conference game earlier)and lose at the buzzer. Finally, Washington holds off and survives a last minute three point heave from Georgia from about 35 feet to win 68-65
There were some other upsets of note. VCU dominated Georgetown most of the game and cruises to an easy 74-56 win. Gonzaga took down a St. John's team that many felt (including yours truly) could reach the final four. The Zags won easily 86-71. Florida St and Marquette were slight upset winners. Florida St. beating Texas A&M by 7 and Marquette taking care of #6 seed Xavier by 11.
It was easy pickins for ACC rivals, Duke and North Carolina as they both rolled over their 15 and 16 seed opponents, Hampton and Long Island respectively. Kyrie Irving is indeed back and that serves the Duke faithful well. I did not think they would have a chance of winning this thing but now I am thinking differently. He changes the complexion of this team for the better. UConn won by 29 and in the one of the largest unexpected lopsided victories, Michigan buried everything it was shooting up from la la land for a 30 point margin of victory over Tennessee and could be the final straw that gets Coach Bruce Pearl fired.
With all the madness there was some sanity as the winless streak stayed intact for the 1 vs 16 matchup games where the overall record is now 0-108.
How the Conferences are fairing after the first round:
Big East showing - record of 7-4 (.636)
Big Ten showing - record of 5-2 (.714)
Pac 10 showing - record of 3-0 (1.000)
Big 12 showing - record of 3-1 (.750)
ACC showing - record of 2-1 (.666)
SEC showing - record of 2-3 (.400)
Big East and Big Ten still have the most surviving teams with 7 & 5 respectively.
All Tigers are gone from the Tournament - Clemson, Memphis, Missouri and Princeton
Some nice second (or do we say third round now with the 4 "first round" play in games)
matchups. There should be some real close ones:
Marquette vs. Syracuse - Marquette won earlier in the year.
Cincinnati - Connecticut - Another Big East matchup - Cincy will be tough but expect UCONN to advance
West Virginia and Kentucky in the who has more teeth matchup should be a physical game - West Virginia is stronger and more physical but Kentucky has athletes. Nod goes to Kentucky here in another close one.
Washington - North Carolina is another one that I think will come down to the end. I am picking Washington in the upset.
Michigan - Duke is now very intriguing. I am pulling for Michigan and my college Alma matter (LeMoyne College - small Jesuit college in Syracuse, NY)ex basketball coach, Jim Beilein, to rise above the Dukies. Will be very tough now that Irving is back at the point.
Arizona - Texas looks good on paper but I am thinking Texas wins by 9.
UCLA - Florida - the Bruins can beat this Florida team - look for another close one that could go either way.
Kansas St. - Wisconsin should be another one to follow. We will see how good Wisconsin is playing and whether or not they can make a run at it but need to get by Kansas St for next step.
Gonzaga - BYU in the battle of the West. Looking for a shootout and hoping for a close one.
Looking forward to two more days of Games, Excitement and here is to hoping the Madness Continues.
Goodnight from your Basketball SNOB
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