Biggest Upsets:
1st Round- #15 Lehigh over #2 Duke: 75-70
The Lehigh Mountain Hawks claimed they were not afraid of the powerhouse school Duke entering Friday's game. No one believed them at the time but the Patriot League Champions proved they were serious. Let by guard CJ McCollum (30 pts), Lehigh was able to shock the world and send Duke home in disbelief. Down two at the half, Lehigh managed to put up 47 points in the second half and after getting up by five points with four minutes left, they never turned back.
A no name player before this game, Norfolk State's forward Kyle O'Quinn had the game of his life putting up 26 points and 14 rebounds as he helped his team defeat the third best team in the country. Going into the tournament, Missouri was hot after winning the Big 12 championship. They had high aspirations of getting far in this tournament but they did not suspect to run into trouble so soon. Norfolk State was prepared for them and ran with the high pace Missouri team all night. As Missouri missed the final shot at the buzzer, the players from Norfolk State stormed the court yelling out "we messed up some brackets"! They sure did
as after this game, the nation was left with only two perfect brackets as over six million were tarnished.
Most Exciting Games:
2nd Round- #4 Wisconsin over #5 Vandy: 60-57
Going in, these teams were so even you knew it would come down to the wire. The one thing you know about Wisconsin is that they have the stingiest defense in the country. Giving up only 54 points per game this season, Wisconsin prides themselves on the defensive end night in and night out. Trailing 59-57 with only a few seconds left, Vandy's guard John Jenkins got an open look for three but came up just short. Wisconsin then went to the line where making both free throws would seal it. The Wisconsin player made the first but on the second came up short and Vandy called a timeout. With 2.5 seconds left, it was desperation time and on their heave down the court, a Wisconsin player tipped it and before a Vandy player could get to it, the final buzzer sounded and Wisconsin advanced to the Sweet 16.
2nd Round- #4 Indiana over #12 VCU: 63-61
Everyone remembers remembers VCU's historic run to the Final Four last year when they became the highest seed (11) to ever get that far in the tournament. They were back again this year and pulled off a first round upset over #5 Wichita State who many analyzers thought was the most dangerous team in the tournament. VCU was back as being the Cinderella team as they faced Indiana. VCU actually led for a large portion of this game but with twenty second left, the score was tied and Indiana had the ball. After a shot went off the rim, the ball bounced right to an Indiana player 10 feet from the basket and he knocked it down putting Indiana up by two with only ten seconds left. VCU did not call a time out as they rushed up the court. After a few passes, the point guard found a player outside for three. The ball appeared to be on line but it came up a bit short and Indiana pulled out the victory. VCU goes home disappointed but they should keep their heads up high because they proved the school's basketball program is not just a one year wonder. They will be in the mix for years to come.
After one week of exhilarating basketball, we are down to sixteen teams. All four number one seeds are still in it but Syracuse has looked shaky the first two games and UNC's point guard just fractured his wrist so anything is possible. Here are the eight match ups which will start later this week.
#1 Kentucky vs #4 Indiana #1 Syracuse vs #4 Wisconsin
#10 Xavier vs #3 Baylor #6 Cincinnati vs #2 Ohio State
#1 Michigan State vs #4 Louisville #1 UNC vs #13 Ohio
#7 Florida vs #3 Marquette #2 Kansas vs #11 NC State
If you haven't seen them already on TV, Baylor has been sporting the neon green jerseys. Very interesting choice may I say.
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