How can any sports fan not love college basketball’s March Madness? Unless you always root for the front runner, hate upsets, and enjoy the status quo in the world of sports (Yankees fans) you have to love this time of year. It brings heated rivalries, buzzer beaters, do or die games, and upsets galore. All of this madness takes place before the NCAA tournament even begins. Take Sunday’s games as examples. The undisputed number one team in the country, unbeaten Illinois went down to unranked Ohio St, 65-64. That’s right Ohio St. Ohio St. has lost eleven games and cannot even compete in this year’s NCAA tournament due to self imposed sanctions stemming from violations committed by former coach Jim O’Brien. Reserve forward Matt Sylvester nailed a three pointer with 5.1 seconds left to seal the comeback win for the Buckeyes, who trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half. The loss prevented Illinois from becoming the first team to finish the Big Ten season undefeated in 29 years.
Fighting Illini was not the only team inflicted with the upset bug on Sunday. The number three ranked team in the nation also lost to an unranked conference opponent. Florida hurt the Wildcats chances for a number one seed going into the NCAA tournament with their first victory in eight tries against Kentucky, 53-52. The Gators must feel vindicated by finally breaking through for a victory after several heartbreaking losses to their Southeastern Conference rival Wildcats. All is not lost for Kentucky however; an SEC conference tournament title would likely still give them a number one seed for the big dance.
The reason the Wildcats still have a solid chance at a number one seed? Another huge upset on Sunday. The Big Twelve leading Kansas Jayhawks lost to Missouri, who was under .500 on the season going into yesterday’s game, 72-68. All three of these huge upsets weren’t even the best games of the day though. That title belongs to the two Atlantic Coast Conference matchups on Sunday.
The Duke-North Carolina rivalry is the best in college basketball and Sunday’s game was another instant classic. Number two ranked North Carolina overcame a nine point deficit in the final three minutes to avenge their earlier 1-point loss to Duke this season, 75-73. Freshmen Marvin Williams’ three point play off a missed free throw with 17 seconds left gave North Carolina the lead, but Duke still had two chances to win. Consecutive misses by J.J. Redick and Daniel Ewing sealed the Blue Devils fate. North Carolina junior Sean May dominated the boards the entire game and finished with 26 points and a career high 24 rebounds. North Carolina clinched the ACC regular season championship with the victory and basically assured itself a number one seed in the NCAA tournament next week.
Despite all these great games and wild finishes, the most exciting finish of the day came in the nightcap of the ACC matchups, Wake Forest-North Carolina State. A heated game throughout the contest that featured a low blow and trash talking between the team’s two stars, Wake Forest’s Chris Paul and North Carolina State’s Julius Hodge. However, the remarkable finish overshadowed the questionable behavior Sunday night. With Wake Forest trailing 53-50 with 12.8 seconds left junior Justin Gray hit a clutch three pointer to tie the game. North Carolina St. then missed a rushed three pointer, giving the ball back to Wake Forest with 4.2 seconds left. Wake Forest got the ball to their sophomore sensation Chris Paul, who weaved through the Wolfpack team and hit a fadeaway from 12 feet as time expired, giving Wake the 55-53 victory. The victory, along with the losses by Kentucky, Kansas, and Duke strengthened the Deamon Deacons chances of earning a number one seed in the big dance.
All of the excitement Sunday was just the beginning of the Madness to ensue this week. The mid-major conference championship games are all this week. Usually the losers of these games go home, while the winners go to the NCAA tournament with a chance to wreak havoc on higher seeds. These matchups are extremely exciting and just a preview for the main attraction of major conference tournament finals this weekend and ultimately the NCAA tournament starting beginning next Thursday, when the insanity of the college basketball season reaches its peak. Even Yankees fans might enjoy the madness.
2 replies on “Sunday’s Unbelievable College BBall A Preview of Things to Come”
edited for format and i changed the title – it was way too long.
Nice story Just one thing, you said “first victory in eight tries”
While that is true, it was actually Florida’s first victory against Kentucky in 9 tries. No biggie.
Very nice article.