Properly, our annual custom of reseeding the sector continues. This effort is each beloved and resented by fan bases across the nation. However we’ll proceed to do our greatest both approach.
There are, per the norm, few main adjustments for many groups at this level. However some motion is critical. Thanks, Princeton, Fairleigh Dickinson and Furman. Different seeds that may have appeared safe now warrant further scrutiny primarily based on what we have witnessed in latest days.
Sure, Houston’s Jamal Shead (knee) and Marcus Sasser (groin) are each anticipated to play within the second spherical. However Sasser hasn’t completed a sport in every week, and Kelvin Sampson mentioned his whole group wants relaxation proper now. If we will not verify Sasser can provide one hundred pc for the Cougars, it is troublesome to name this the identical Houston group.
And our apologies to the Cinderellas. The massive wins are sometimes opposite to their respective our bodies of labor — FDU has losses to Hartford and Sacred Coronary heart this season — not an indication that they had been underrated coming into the NCAA match.
It is not an actual science. It is simply an try and make sense of the chaos we have witnessed over the previous 24 hours.
Right here is our reseeding of the second-round groups.
Leap to:
1-seeds | 2-seeds | 3-seeds | 4-seeds | 5-seeds| 6-seed | 7-seeds | 8-seeds
1-seeds
Alabama Crimson Tide
Authentic seed: No. 1 general (South)
First-round end result: Defeated Texas A&M Corpus Christi (No. 16), 96-75 (Thursday)
The cloud of controversy that surrounds Alabama is not going to disappear, whatever the success it experiences. The lopsided 96-75 win over Texas A&M Corpus Christi within the first spherical showcased the ceiling of the Crimson Tide, who had been additionally given the present of the Arizona Wildcats and Virginia Cavaliers being eradicated from the South area in a pair of upsets.
Alabama rolled into the second spherical regardless of SEC Participant of the 12 months Brandon Miller failing to attain and taking part in simply 19 minutes resulting from a groin harm. If this turns into an ongoing concern, Alabama won’t attain its ceiling. But when Miller is sweet to go, there’s an opportunity an Alabama group that scored 132 factors per 100 possessions with out his contribution may attain the Remaining 4 with restricted opposition.
Up subsequent: vs. Maryland (Saturday, 9:40 p.m. ET, TBS)
Kansas Jayhawks
Authentic seed: No. 1 (West)
First-round end result: Defeated Howard (No. 16), 96-68 (Thursday)
Invoice Self missed his fourth consecutive sport on Thursday; he additionally missed the whole Large 12 match after he was hospitalized and stents had been positioned in his coronary heart for a blocked artery. Kansas nonetheless managed to beat Howard 96-68, though the Bison had linked on greater than 50% of their pictures early within the first half. It is unclear when Self will return, though he informed CBS he may come again for the Jayhawks’ subsequent sport.
Whether or not the pinnacle coach is current on the sidelines or not, this can be a group that has misplaced simply two video games (each to Texas) since Feb. 4. Led by Jalen Wilson’s 20-point effort on Thursday, Kansas scored 126 factors per 100 possessions in opposition to Howard, whereas connecting on 57% of its pictures contained in the arc and 41% of its 3-point makes an attempt. Kansas is clearly one of many two or three most dominant groups within the discipline.
Up subsequent: vs. Arkansas (Saturday, 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS)
Houston Cougars
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Midwest)
First-round end result: Defeated Northern Kentucky (No. 16), 63-52 (Thursday)
Marcus Sasser, who suffered a groin harm within the AAC match semifinals, tried to assist his group within the opening spherical on Thursday. However he performed simply 14 minutes earlier than reaggravating the harm and lacking the remainder of the sport. The harm has now impacted Sasser for 3 consecutive video games over a six-day span. That issues.
There are vital, trackable variations within the Cougars with and with out Sasser this season. Here is a big one: This Houston group has made 36.4% of its 3-pointers with Sasser on the ground, and simply 28% with out him, per hooplens.com. The Cougars, who had been 4-for-16 from 3 in opposition to Northern Kentucky, simply aren’t the identical group with no wholesome Sasser. Plus, Kelvin Sampson mentioned Jamal Shead (10.4 PPG) is coping with a knee harm. The Cougars are nonetheless a very good group. However Sasser makes them nice.
Up subsequent: vs. Auburn (Saturday, 7:10 p.m. ET, TBS)
UCLA Bruins
Authentic seed: No. 2 (West)
First-round end result: Defeated UNC Asheville (No. 15), 86-53 (Thursday)
Mick Cronin has needed to coach by accidents in previous years.
Through the 2020-21 season that ended with a Remaining 4 run, Johnny Juzang missed 5 video games resulting from harm. Final 12 months, Jaime Jaquez Jr., who scored 17 factors Thursday, had varied accidents, too.
This season’s accidents — Pac-12 Defensive Participant of the 12 months Jaylen Clark suffered a season-ending Achilles harm within the league match semifinal whereas Adem Bona has missed the previous two video games resulting from a shoulder harm — did not cease UCLA from placing collectively one of many first spherical’s most dominant efforts: a 33-point win over a UNC Asheville group that had been 18-1 in its earlier 19 video games. With Jaquez, the regular management of Tyger Campbell (10 assists, two turnovers) and key position gamers (freshman Amari Bailey had 17 factors), UCLA stays a Remaining 4 contender. Clearly.
Up subsequent: vs. Northwestern (Saturday, 8:40 p.m. ET, TNT)
2-seeds
Texas Longhorns
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Midwest)
First-round end result: Defeated Colgate (No. 15), 81-61 (Thursday)
On Dec. 12, Rodney Terry led Texas to an 87-81 win over Rice in extra time. It was his first sport because the appearing head coach. He would end the season in the identical position after the college fired Chris Beard following home violence allegations. Throughout his interim position, Texas is 19-7, after ending second behind Kansas within the Large 12 title race and capturing the Large 12 match title — with a win over the Jayhawks.
He has put himself within the working to land the everlasting position for a Texas group that gained its fifth consecutive sport — a run that options two wins over Kansas and a victory over TCU — within the opening spherical on Thursday. Marcus Carr scored not less than 17 factors for the sixteenth time this season. Getting into the second spherical, Texas has gained its previous 5 video games by a median of 15.2 PPG.
Up subsequent: vs. Penn State (Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ET, CBS)
Marquette Golden Eagles
Authentic seed: No. 2 (East)
First-round end result: Defeated Vermont (No. 15), 78-61 (Friday)
A group’s Remaining 4 potential usually will depend on its capacity to climate adversity throughout probably the most essential chapter of the season. With Tyler Kolek, the all-Large East first-teamer, affected by a thumb harm — he was 3-for-11 with eight factors — and in foul bother, Shaka Good turned to different gamers, comparable to Oso Ighodaro (14 factors), within the win over Vermont Friday.
Good gained his first NCAA match sport since 2013, when he was head coach at VCU. And it was the Large East regular-season and match champion’s tenth consecutive victory. That is spectacular.
Much more spectacular? This was Marquette’s 14th win by not less than 14 factors this season. Friday’s win proved this group can nonetheless steamroll a group even when its prime participant struggles.
Up subsequent: vs. Michigan State (Sunday, 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS)
Baylor Bears
Authentic seed: No. 3 (South)
First-round end result: Defeated UC Santa Barbara (No. 14), 74-56 (Friday)
The most important query about Scott Drew’s capacity to guide this group to the Remaining 4, two years after the Bears gained the college’s first nationwide title, has been its defensive challenges (97th in adjusted defensive effectivity on KenPom).
The final premise has been true for greater than 20 years: Groups that are not elite on protection do not win nationwide titles. Though the Bears secured the first-round win on Friday, UCSB registered a 58% clip contained in the arc in opposition to them.
The counter, nevertheless, was that Adam Flagler (18 factors) & Co. linked on 69% of their pictures contained in the arc. That is how this Baylor group will both thrive or sink on this NCAA match. Sure, the protection is an actual concern, however that is additionally considered one of America’s greatest offensive models (second in adjusted offensive effectivity on KenPom). Is that sufficient to achieve the second weekend? We’ll see.
Up subsequent: vs. Creighton (Sunday, 7:10 p.m. ET, TBS)
Kansas State Wildcats
Authentic seed: No. 3 (East)
First-round end result: Defeated Montana State (No. 14), 77-65 (Friday)
Jerome Tang started his time at Kansas State by internet hosting weekly Sunday dinners at his home. He mentioned he used these moments to carry his group collectively. The continuity helped this group beat rival Kansas for the primary time in program historical past after a seven-game shedding streak. It additionally allowed the Wildcats to earn a good seed within the NCAA match.
With Keyontae Johnson (18 factors) and Markquis Nowell (17 factors, 14 assists) persevering with to guide this group, Kansas State did not have loads of bother within the first spherical in opposition to Montana State.
Per ESPN Stats & Info, Nowell scored or assisted on 60% of Kansas State’s factors within the win, the primary time KSU has superior to the second spherical since 2018. The Wildcats additionally made 70% of their pictures contained in the arc.
Up subsequent: vs. Kentucky (Sunday, 2:40 p.m. ET, CBS)
3-seeds
Duke Blue Devils
Authentic seed: No. 5 (East)
First-round end result: Defeated Oral Roberts (No. 12), 74-51 (Thursday)
Overlook the Duke that wrestled with accidents, a brand new coach and different rising pains earlier this season. After a 74-51 win over Oral Roberts within the first spherical — mid-major star Max Abmas completed with simply 12 factors on 4-for-15 taking pictures — the Blue Devils have now gained 10 in a row. Six of these victories had been double-digit beatdowns.
You possibly can speak concerning the development of Kyle Filipowski (9 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals in a tough 2-for-7 outing), the management of Jeremy Roach (23 factors) or the maturation of Dereck Vigorous II (six blocks) as contributing elements.
The actual story? Duke has been top-10 in adjusted defensive effectivity throughout that 10-game surge, per barttorvik.com. A assured, imposing Duke group that is defending with the perfect of them? That will not be enjoyable for anyone.
Up subsequent: vs. Tennessee (Saturday, 2:40 p.m. ET, CBS)
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Authentic seed: No. 3 (West)
First-round end result: Defeated Grand Canyon (No. 14), 82-70 (Friday)
For the reason that 1999-2000 season, every of Mark Few’s Gonzaga groups has ended the season with a top-10 rating in adjusted offensive effectivity on KenPom. Which means for greater than 20 years, with varied groups and gamers, Few has discovered a method to produce considered one of faculty basketball’s greatest offensive models annually.
This season might need challenged the notion greater than these prior to now. There was confusion and instability in his backcourt early on. In November and December, Gonzaga seemed like a group that may not hit that subsequent gear.
Fools. All of us. Within the Bulldogs’ 82-70 win over GCU, Julian Strawther (28 factors) and Drew Timme (21 factors) powered a Gonzaga group that made 56% of its pictures contained in the arc and 46% of its 3-point makes an attempt. And when you test KenPom, you will see a well-known mark. Gonzaga has the No. 1 offense in America.
Up subsequent: vs. TCU (Sunday, 9:40 p.m. ET, TBS)
Xavier Musketeers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Midwest)
First-round end result: Defeated Kennesaw State (No. 14), 72-67 (Friday)
When Sean Miller arrived for his second stint at Xavier — the place he had his first head teaching job from 2004 to 2009 — he scored a victory that did not present up within the field scores. When the majority of a roster that had gained the NIT final 12 months determined to remain and play for Miller, he averted the disruption that new coaches usually expertise, particularly within the switch portal period. He additionally added Souley Boum (17 factors) from UTEP.
The depth and expertise has helped this group climate the lack of Zach Freemantle to a season-ending harm. Jerome Hunter, Freemantle’s substitute within the beginning lineup, led the Musketeers with 24 factors in Friday’s win over Kennesaw State — Jack Nunge’s late block saved the sport — and Xavier superior to the second spherical for the primary time since 2018.
Up subsequent: vs. Pitt (Sunday, 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS)
UConn Huskies
Authentic seed: No. 4 (West)
First-round end result: Defeated Iona (No. 13), 87-63 (Friday)
At halftime, Rick Pitino was smiling whereas being interviewed by a sideline reporter. His Iona group was main UConn 39-37. Neither the smile nor the lead lasted. Within the second half, the Huskies outscored the Gaels — ranked first within the MAAC in offensive effectivity — 50-24. That is the swap UConn can hit.
The Huskies are 11-3 of their previous 14 video games, and all three losses had been determined by three factors or fewer. They’re the highest offensive rebounding group in America, courtesy of Adama Sanogo, who completed with 28 factors and 13 rebounds in Friday’s win. They usually have wings who can hit large pictures. Jordan Hawkins & Co. helped UConn join on 44% of its 3-point makes an attempt. When Dan Hurley’s squad performs to its potential, it might compete with any group within the discipline.
Up subsequent: vs. Saint Mary’s (Sunday, 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT)
4-seeds
Creighton Bluejays
Authentic seed: No. 6 (South)
First-round end result: Defeated NC State (No. 11), 72-63 (Friday)
The Bluejays have been making an attempt to shake the stench of an early-season funk for weeks. Picked to win the Large East within the league’s preseason ballot, Greg McDermott’s group began 6-0 earlier than a 3-8 stretch appeared to erase each early evaluation. From there, it felt like faculty basketball moved on and forgot about Creighton.
Per barttorvik.com, nevertheless, Creighton has been a top-15 group nationally since that rocky 3-8 chapter led to January. Within the first-round win over NC State Friday, the Bluejays had been good on protection (NC State linked on simply 42% of its pictures contained in the arc) and adopted Ryan Kalkbrenner (31 factors) for a strong offensive effort, too.
This seems to be extra just like the Creighton group pollsters assumed they’d see once they picked the Bluejays to win the Large East.
Up subsequent: vs. Baylor (Sunday, 7:10 p.m. ET, TBS)
Tennessee Volunteers
Authentic seed: No. 4 (East)
First-round end result: Defeated (No. 13), 58-55 (Thursday)
The Vols practically squandered a large lead on Thursday. With 12:02 to play within the sport, Tennessee took a 48-30 benefit on a Josiah-Jordan James leap shot. From there, one of many prime three defensive groups in America gave up a 25-10 run that put Louisiana inside hanging distance within the last minutes of the sport.
Sure, the Vols superior. However the win highlighted troubling developments for them. Within the 4 video games since level guard Zakai Zeigler suffered his season-ending ACL harm, they’ve dedicated turnovers on practically 22% of their offensive possessions. Tennessee completed with 18 turnovers in opposition to Louisiana, which triggered that rally by the Ragin’ Cajuns. It is one thing to observe going ahead after Thursday’s shut name.
Up subsequent: vs. Duke (Saturday, 2:40 p.m. ET, CBS)
Indiana Hoosiers
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Midwest)
First-round end result: Defeated Kent State (No. 13), 71-60 (Friday)
There have been stretches this season when Race Thompson could not even get by a sport. He missed time resulting from varied accidents, together with a knee harm he suffered in January. And he by no means seemed one hundred pc even when he did return. On Friday, nevertheless, he was Captain America to Trayce Jackson-Davis’ Iron Man as the 2 mixed to attain 44 factors and seize 20 rebounds.
Getting into the sport, Indiana had made 53% of its pictures contained in the arc this season with Jackson-Davis and Thompson on the ground collectively, per hooplens.com. That dominance continued in opposition to Kent State. It was the primary time two Indiana gamers had scored 20 factors or extra since 2016, per ESPN Stats & Data. The Hoosiers have generated momentum late within the season, and so they could be peaking on the proper time.
Up subsequent: vs. TCU (Sunday, 8:40 p.m. ET, TNT)
Saint Mary’s Gaels
Authentic seed: No. 5 (West)
First-round end result: VCU (No. 12), 63-51 (Friday)
VCU had gained 9 consecutive video games earlier than it bumped into Saint Mary’s on Friday. The third-ranked offense within the A-10 was held to 51 factors, its lowest tally since a Nov. 20 loss to Memphis, when the Rams scored 47 factors. Randy Bennett’s Gaels are a legit top-10 protection nationally, and their suffocating effort in opposition to VCU proved as a lot. Alex Ducas and Mitchell Saxen mixed to attain 34 factors, and the Gaels gained though Aidan Mahaney, the group’s No. 2 scorer this season, didn’t register some extent. Bennett will not change who he’s. The Gaels purpose to constrict opposing groups’ offensive stream in a slow-paced affair, and the technique has persistently labored of their favor this season.
Up subsequent: vs. UConn (Sunday, 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT)
5-seeds
San Diego State Aztecs
Authentic seed: No. 5 (South)
First-round end result: Defeated Charleston (No. 12), 63-57 (Thursday)
SDSU had been an attractive upset choose in its first-round matchup in opposition to 12-seed Charleston. It wasn’t simple, however the Aztecs secured their fifth consecutive win, 63-57, and superior to the spherical of 32. Brian Dutcher’s squad has misplaced only one sport since Jan. 31. Ranked top-10 in adjusted defensive effectivity, this can be a group that may lock up its opponents and management any sport.
However its offensive output may turn into a problem. Matt Bradley (17 factors) was the one double-figure scorer in opposition to Charleston. And through this five-game profitable streak, SDSU has registered greater than 100 factors per 100 possessions (the road of demarcation in offensive output for faculty basketball) simply twice.
Up subsequent: vs. Furman (Saturday, 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS)
Miami Hurricanes
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Midwest)
First-round end result: Defeated Drake (No. 12), 63-56 (Friday)
The press launch arrived hours earlier than Miami was set to face Drake: Norchad Omier, the All-ACC third-teamer who suffered an ankle harm within the league match, was accessible to play.
Miami is definitely a distinct group when he is accessible. Omier completed with 12 factors and 14 rebounds because the Hurricanes turned a seven-point deficit halfway by the second half right into a seven-point victory. Nijel Pack (21 factors) steadied this crew. However the Canes, first within the ACC this season in offensive effectivity, registered simply 91 factors per 100 possessions. It was a uncommon offensive slip for Jim Larrañaga’s squad.
Up subsequent: vs. Indiana (Sunday, 8:40 p.m. ET, TNT)
Kentucky Wildcats
Authentic seed: No. 6 (East)
First-round end result: Defeated Windfall (No. 11), 61-53 (Friday)
Kentucky followers can breathe. For now. After final 12 months’s first-round loss to Saint Peter’s and the 9-16 marketing campaign from the 2020-21 season, John Calipari entered his first-round sport Friday within the closest factor to a must-win he is ever skilled. And Windfall, as a model identify, made the Wildcats a straightforward upset choose. However the Friars, who completed with a 36.2% clip, have not been a very good group in months. In the meantime, Kentucky has sufficient depth and expertise to compete with among the prime groups in America.
None of it was simple on the eyes. Oscar Tshiebwe, the reigning Picket Award winner, completed 4-for-10 with eight factors — however 25 rebounds. Jacob Toppin (18 factors) and Antonio Reeves (22 factors) had sufficient juice to assist Kentucky overcome a 36.5% mark from the sector. That may not suffice for a visit to the second weekend, but it surely’s sufficient for Kentucky to shake the picture of final 12 months’s upset.
Up subsequent: vs. Kansas State (Sunday, 2:40 p.m. ET, CBS)
TCU Horned Frogs
Authentic seed: No. 6 (West)
First-round end result: Defeated Arizona State (No. 11), 72-70 (Friday)
Simply earlier than halftime on Friday, Mike Miles Jr. went down with an harm. He’d already been impacted by a knee harm that interrupted his season. Halfway by an NCAA match sport, he obtained damage once more. However Miles Jr. (26 factors) performed by the ache and led TCU to the second spherical for the second time since 1987. When Arizona State despatched the double-team towards him within the last seconds, Miles discovered JaKobe Coles, who scored on a game-winning floater. Regardless of the back-and-forth motion in opposition to the Solar Devils, TCU by no means unraveled. The Horned Frogs dedicated simply 5 turnovers within the sport, too. Their journey will proceed within the second spherical on Sunday.
Up subsequent: vs. Gonzaga (Sunday, 9:40 p.m. ET, TBS)
6-seeds
Michigan State Spartans
Authentic seed: No. 7 (East)
First-round end result: Defeated USC (No. 10), 72-62 (Friday)
Tom Izzo has overtly admitted that this is not considered one of his most gifted groups. There is not a Draymond Inexperienced, a Jaren Jackson Jr. or a Mateen Cleaves on this roster. However by sheer grit and hustle, the Spartans had been nonetheless aggressive within the Large Ten. The identical precept fueled Michigan State’s first-round win. Joey Hauser (17 factors, 4-for-6 from the 3-point line) led the way in which as MSU reached the second spherical below Izzo for the nineteenth time in his profession. The Spartans — who personal wins over Kentucky, Indiana and Maryland — cannot shut the expertise hole they may face within the subsequent spherical, however they will not get outworked.
Up subsequent: vs. Marquette (Sunday, 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS)
Missouri Tigers
Authentic seed: No. 7 (South)
First-round end result: Defeated Utah State (No. 10), 76-65 (Thursday)
With 10:44 to go on Thursday, Dennis Gates known as a timeout after the Aggies took a 49-47 lead on a Dan Akin dunk. The Tigers would not be on the ropes for lengthy. All-SEC first-teamer Kobe Brown and D’Moi Hodge mixed to go on a 20-7 run by themselves after the timeout, giving Missouri management of the sport and the 76-65 win.
A Tigers offense ranked top-10 in offensive effectivity can hit that swap and alter issues in its favor. Missouri has gained loads of gritty matchups this season, which is why it wasn’t rattled. To advance to the subsequent spherical, nevertheless, the Tigers should be a greater defensive group. Utah State was the third group in Missouri’s previous 4 matchups to make not less than 66% of its pictures contained in the arc.
Up subsequent: vs. Princeton (Saturday, 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Northwestern Wildcats
Authentic seed: No. 7 (West)
First-round end result: Defeated Boise State (No. 10), 75-67 (Thursday)
For 5 lengthy years, Chris Collins didn’t put collectively a profitable season. That is proper. After he’d made historical past by main Northwestern to the NCAA match in 2017, a primary for the college, he adopted up with back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back shedding campaigns. However the Northwestern brass continued to imagine in him. And after defeating Boise State within the first spherical in Sacramento, he has now led the Wildcats to their second NCAA match win as a program.
They did it with the traits that helped them beat Indiana (twice) and Purdue this season. They had been cautious ball handlers (simply seven turnovers in opposition to BSU) and star Boo Buie (22 factors, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) carried the group.
Northwestern’s is not only a enjoyable story. This can be a good defensive group (top-20 in adjusted defensive effectivity) with the ability to place collectively offensive bursts in opposition to good groups (56% contained in the arc, 38% from the 3-point line on Thursday).
Up subsequent: vs. UCLA (Saturday, 8:40 p.m. ET, TNT)
Arkansas Razorbacks
Authentic seed: No. 8 (West)
First-round end result: Defeated Illinois (No. 9), 73-63 (Thursday)
The story of Arkansas this season has largely centered on its ceiling and its struggles to achieve it. Per ESPN’s newest NBA mock draft, each Nick Smith Jr., (No. 7) and Anthony Black (No. 10) are projected lottery picks, whereas Ricky Council IV is a projected second-rounder. Council (18 factors), Black (12 factors) and Smith (6 factors) mixed to attain 36 factors within the 73-63 win over Illinois on Thursday.
It wasn’t all fairly for a group that made 40% of its pictures contained in the arc and simply 27% of its 3-point makes an attempt. However these elite athletes can defend once they wish to defend. And that was the lesson right here. Arkansas has been top-30 in adjusted defensive effectivity and top-40 in adjusted offensive effectivity since Feb. 1, per barttorvik.com.
Up subsequent: vs. Kansas (Saturday, 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS)
7-seeds
Florida Atlantic Owls
Authentic seed: No. 9 (East)
First-round end result: Defeated Memphis (No. 8), 66-65 (Friday)
With Memphis unraveling due to inner drama and Kendric Davis coping with an ankle harm, the Owls secured the primary NCAA match win in class historical past on Friday. Nick Boyd’s go-ahead shot with seconds on the sport clock sealed the win. However this got here all the way down to FAU, 32-3 this season, showcasing the nice, constant effort it has employed all season. The poise, too.
The Owls are top-40 in adjusted offensive and defensive effectivity this season. A usually astute 3-point taking pictures group (37% this season) completed 8-for-28 in opposition to Memphis. However FAU’s 18 offensive rebounds — a 44% offensive rebounding fee — secured second-chance alternatives as Memphis wrestled with its personal inner conflicts down the stretch. Now, the Owls (4 of whose gamers scored 10 factors or extra) will face the best Cinderella of all time, Fairleigh Dickinson, with a visit to the Candy 16 on the road.
Up subsequent: vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (Sunday, 7:45 p.m. ET, truTV)
Maryland Terrapins
Authentic seed: No. 8 (South)
First-round end result: Defeated West Virginia (No. 9), 67-65 (Thursday)
Most groups encounter hurdles on the street. However Maryland’s hot-and-cold act, between the Xfinity Middle in School Park and all over the place else, was troublesome to course of this season. Getting into the NCAA match, Maryland had a 3-11 file this season outdoors its dwelling flooring. And when West Virginia took a 19-6 lead within the first half on Thursday, it appeared that the turbulence would proceed for the Terps. An early 16-0 run by the Mountaineers initially of the second half appeared to seal Maryland’s destiny.
However Julian Reese — the brother of LSU girls’s basketball star Angel Reese — scored 17 factors and compelled WVU large man Jimmy Bell Jr. into foul bother, limiting his time on the ground. All of that helped the Terps bounce again and advance.
Up subsequent: vs. Alabama (Saturday, 9:40 p.m. ET, TBS)
Auburn Tigers
Authentic seed: No. 9 (Midwest)
First-round end result: Defeated Iowa (No. 8), 83-75 (Thursday)
The place was this Auburn group for the previous two months? Getting into the NCAA match, Bruce Pearl’s squad had amassed a 4-9 file in its previous 13 video games. It was considered as a group that in some way obtained tossed a lifeboat from the choice committee and doubtless would not final lengthy. However Pearl’s pattern of profitable NCAA match video games continued. That is the ninth time in Pearl’s previous 11 NCAA match appearances through which he superior to the second spherical.
So how do you clarify the resurgence? Properly, the Tigers have the items to compete with the perfect groups in America. Johni Broome (19 factors, 12 rebounds, 5 blocks) & Co. overwhelmed Iowa with their vitality and protection. However that is additionally an Auburn group with six losses determined by three factors or much less — or through extra time. Pearl’s squad has performed in some tight conditions this season. This time, the end result led to its favor.
Up subsequent: vs. Houston (Saturday, 7:10 p.m. ET, TBS)
Penn State Nittany Lions
Authentic seed: No. 10 (Midwest)
First-round end result: Defeated Texas A&M (No. 7), 76-59 (Thursday)
One of the crucial widespread Choice Sunday reactions centered on a Texas A&M squad that acquired a 7-seed from the choice committee after ending second within the SEC. Penn State had been an afterthought that completed sturdy within the Large Ten’s common season and barely earned an invitation. Jalen Pickett did not care concerning the dialog. The Penn State star completed with 19 factors, 7 rebounds and eight assists within the 76-59 shutdown of the Aggies. Andrew Funk had a season-high 27 factors for the Nittany Lions, who’re 9-2 of their previous 11 video games — a stretch that features wins over Illinois (twice), Northwestern (twice), Maryland, Indiana and, now, Texas A&M. This can be a good instance of a group that didn’t impress for a lot of the season (14-11, 5-9 in Large Ten play on Feb. 11) however completed sturdy to enter the NCAA match with bracket-breaking intentions.
Up subsequent: vs. Texas (Sunday, 7:45 p.m. ET, CBS)
8-seeds
Pittsburgh Panthers
Authentic seed: No. 11 (Midwest)
First-round end result: Defeated Iowa State (No. 6), 59-41 (Friday)
Getting into the season, Jeff Capel hadn’t been to the NCAA match in his first 4 years at Pitt. In truth, he hadn’t been to the NCAA match as a head coach for the reason that 2008-09 season at Oklahoma. How way back was that? Blake Griffin was a sophomore on that group.
However Capel responded to the strain this season by ending third within the ACC and securing an NCAA match berth. Pitt squeezed by Mississippi State, 60-59, within the First 4, earlier than thumping Iowa State in considered one of its worst video games (34% clip from the sector). Nonetheless, Capel’s squad has superior. That is what issues.
Up subsequent: vs. Xavier (Sunday, 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS)
Furman Paladins
Authentic seed: No. 13 (South)
First-round end result: Defeated Virginia (No. 4), 68-67 (Thursday)
Do not name Furman’s win a fluke that occurred solely as a result of Kihei Clark threw a misguided go that was intercepted and subsequently transformed right into a JP Pegues game-winning 3 within the last seconds of the 68-67 win.
Nah, Bob Richey switched his group to a zone look because it outscored Virginia, which had a double-digit lead, 30-17 within the final 11 minutes of the sport. The Paladins additionally made 50% of their pictures throughout that stretch. And now 6-foot-7 Jalen Slawson, who continued to guide his group when prime scorer Mike Bothwell fouled out within the second half, may also help Furman prolong this magical story with one other win and this system’s second journey to the Candy 16. All of it appears attainable for the Southern Convention’s computerized bid.
Up subsequent: vs. San Diego State (Saturday, 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS)
Princeton Tigers
Authentic seed: No. 15 (South)
First-round end result: Defeated Arizona (No. 2), 59-55 (Thursday)
What. On. Earth. Simply. Occurred! Saint Peter’s, please welcome the latest member of the “15 Seeds That Destroy Brackets Membership.” Princeton simply achieved and shattered desires in a 59-55 win over the 2-seed Wildcats. Whoa. Welcome to March.
Tosan Evbuomwan (15 factors, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) led Princeton to the upset after the Tigers had been down by double digits in opposition to the Pac-12 match champs with 11 minutes to play. Head coach Mitch Henderson was strategic in the way in which he slowed the sport down and disrupted the rhythm of Arizona’s high-powered offense. How do you measure this? Properly, Arizona completed 3-for-16 from the 3-point line.
So possibly it was a chilly night time for a group that made 38% of its 3-pointers — a top-20 mark nationally — this season. However the willpower of a Princeton group that is sub-100 in adjusted offensive and defensive effectivity on KenPom led to the most important upset we have seen since … final 12 months.
Up subsequent: vs. Missouri (Saturday, 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Fairleigh Dickinson Knights
Authentic seed: No. 16 (East)
First-round end result: Defeated Purdue (No. 1), 63-58 (Friday)
Do not attempt to determine this out. Do not seek for something that predicted this. Nothing predicted this. Previous to its 63-58 win over Purdue — simply the second time a 16-seed has gained a sport in males’s NCAA match historical past — FDU was 298th on KenPom. 298th. This can be a group that had 12 — 12! — losses to sub-200 KenPom groups. This can be a group that should not even be within the match.
After which, probably the most wonderful upset in NCAA historical past occurred. (Sorry, UMBC.) Zach Edey completed 7-for-11 with 21 factors. However Tobin Anderson strategized to restrict the projected Picket Award winner’s touches by sending each one who had ever attended FDU on the 7-foot-4 star. The remainder of Purdue’s group completed 12-for-42. The gamble labored, and now Sean Moore (19 factors) and the Knights might be legends eternally.
Up subsequent: vs. Florida Atlantic (Sunday, 7:45 p.m. ET, truTV)
#Reseeding #strikes #strikes
