The World Opinion

Tag: March Madness

  • Florida Atlantic Books First-Ever Ultimate 4 Travel With Win Over Kansas State

    NEW YORK (AP) — Alijah Martin despatched a message early for upstart Florida Atlantic, hovering to the basket for a one-handed jam and chirping with the Kansas State avid gamers about his poster second at Madison Sq. Lawn.

    “They’re going to label us no matter, however we’re some pit bulls and Rottweilers,” Martin mentioned.

    Now they may be able to name the ninth-seeded Owls a Ultimate 4 staff.

    Martin and FAU withstood any other large sport via Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell and disregarded a deficit within the ultimate 8 mins to overcome the Wildcats 79-76 on Saturday evening.

    FAU (35-3), making simply its 2nd look within the NCAA Event and primary since 2002, gained the East Area and can head to Houston to play the winner of Sunday’s South Area ultimate between Creighton and San Diego State.

    “I be expecting the prognosticators to pick out us 5th within the Ultimate 4,” fifth-year FAU trainer Dusty Would possibly mentioned.

    In one of the vital unpredictable NCAA Tournaments ever — all 4 No. 1 seeds had been out via the Elite 8 — the Owls from Convention USA typify the insanity.

    The winningest staff in Department I this season had by no means gained an NCAA Event sport earlier than ripping off 4 directly, all via unmarried digits, to grow to be the primary No. 9 seed to succeed in the Ultimate 4 since Wichita State in 2013. The Owls are the 3rd No. 9 to get that some distance since seeding started in 1979.

    “In truth, the entire issues other folks say simply fuels us to move available in the market and play even more difficult,” mentioned Bryan Greenlee, who scored 16 issues earlier than fouling out. “They may be able to say no matter they would like, say we’re a Cinderella staff, say we don’t belong, however we’ve repeatedly confirmed other folks unsuitable all season.”

    Nowell, the 5-foot-8 local New Yorker — @MrNewYorkCityy on Twitter — used to be unbelievable once more at Madison Sq. Lawn, with 30 issues, 12 assists and 5 steals. Within the Candy 16, Nowell set the NCAA Event file with 19 assists in an time beyond regulation win towards Michigan State. He didn’t get sufficient assist this time.

    Nae’Qwan Tomlin used to be the one different participant in double figures for Kansas State (26-10) with 14 issues. Keyontae Johnson, the Wildcats’ main scorer, fouled out with 9 issues.

    “Keyontae performed 18 mins, and that’s why he used to be neutralized,” mentioned first-year Kansas State trainer Jerome Tang, who took over a staff that went 14-17 remaining season.

    Martin scored 17 issues, together with an enormous 3 down the stretch, the 7-foot-1 Vladislav Goldin had 14 issues and 13 rebounds, and Michael Forrest made 4 take hold of loose throws within the ultimate 20 seconds for the Owls, who held stable because the Wildcats made one remaining push.

    Cam Carter made a three from the wing with 22.8 seconds left to chop FAU’s result in 75-74 and Kansas State despatched Forrest to the road with 17.9 seconds left. The senior made each to make it a three-point sport.

    Nowell discovered Tomlin within for a layup with 8.6 seconds left to chop the result in one once more, and once more Ok-State despatched Forrest to the road. With 6.9 final, he made them each.

    And not using a timeouts left, Nowell rushed down the courtroom, gave up the ball to Ismael Massoud outdoor the 3-point line —- and not were given it again. FAU’s Johnell Davis swiped it away and time ran out.

    “I used to be seeking to get Ish a shot,” Nowell mentioned. “Trainer sought after Ish to set the display, and I waved it off as a result of I felt like at the proper facet of the courtroom, that’s the place Ish hits maximum of his photographs. They usually closed out laborious to him, and he didn’t get his shot off.”

    Nowell used to be named probably the most remarkable participant of the area after his ultimate collegiate sport, however FAU grew to become out to be the most productive staff.

    “I gave my middle and soul to this college, to this staff,” Nowell mentioned. “I maximized the whole lot I had inside me to look those guys glad.”

    Because the Owls constructed their lead within the ultimate mins, Kansas State enthusiasts who had packed the development changed into anxiously quiet and the “F-A-U!” chants began to upward thrust.

    The Owls rushed the ground to have a good time a historical second for the varsity. FAU didn’t also have a basketball program till the overdue Nineteen Eighties and has handiest been in Department I for the remaining 30 years.

    “I’m residing the dream at this time,” Forrest mentioned.

    FAU held as much as Tennessee’s bully ball within the Candy 16 and dropped a 40-point 2nd part on the most productive protection within the country to do away with the Southeastern Convention staff.

    In opposition to one of the most Large 12’s absolute best, FAU ruled the forums, 44-22, and changed into the primary staff from C-USA to to succeed in the Ultimate 4 since Memphis in 2008.

    The Owls aren’t striking round for much longer. They’re transferring to the American Athletic Convention subsequent season. However first: a go back and forth to Texas.

    BIG PICTURE

    FAU: The Owls put in combination 4 directly profitable information below Would possibly earlier than breaking via with a season for the ages that no one noticed coming. They had been picked 5th within the C-USA preseason coaches’ ballot.

    Kansas State: The Wildcats had been seeking to get again to the Ultimate 4 for the primary time since 1964.

    UP NEXT

    Florida Atlantic is a blended 0-3 towards San Diego State (0-2) and Creighton.

  • UConn’s Blowout Win Over Gonzaga Secures First Ultimate 4 Look In 9 Years

    LAS VEGAS (AP) — The critique of UConn below trainer Dan Hurley were this system’s incapability to win in March.

    Consecutive first-round NCAA Event exits intended the Huskies had been just right, now not nice — not at all any place in league with the UConn ladies’s program.

    In in all probability the maddest March of all, Huskies proved they’re elite once more, putting in place some other dominating efficiency a couple of hours after the UConn ladies had a unprecedented misstep.

    Jordan Hawkins scored 20 issues and UConn beaten its fourth directly NCAA Event opponent, incomes its first go back and forth to the Ultimate 4 in 9 years with an 82-54 blowout of Gonzaga on Saturday evening.

    “I feel it turns into slightly little bit of a psychological hurdle, particularly like early rounds of the NCAA Event the place you’re feeling like perhaps the load of the historical past and custom and first-round video games, perhaps even second-round video games,” Hurley mentioned. “The climb to get up to now has been actual and it’s been tougher than I assumed.”

    The Huskies (29-8) have felt proper at house of their first prolonged March Insanity run since profitable the 2014 nationwide championship, taking part in their easiest basketball of what were an up-and-down season.

    UConn managed the typically environment friendly Bulldogs at each leads to the West Area ultimate, construction a 23-point lead early in the second one half of to waltz proper into the overall phase of the bracket.

    The ones first-round exits are actually neatly within the rearview replicate. So is that midseason funk.

    Those elite Huskies did what the UConn ladies couldn’t for as soon as and are headed to Houston, the place they are going to play Texas or Miami.

    UConn has a sexy just right monitor report as soon as it will get this a long way, too: The Huskies are 8-1 all-time in Ultimate 4 video games.

    “We’ve were given so much to turn out,” mentioned Andre Jackson Jr., who had 8 issues, 10 assists and 9 rebounds. “We nonetheless have a chip on our shoulder.”

    The Bulldogs (31-6) didn’t have the similar second-half magic they’d in a last-second win over UCLA within the Elite 8.

    Gonzaga allowed UConn to head on a overdue run to steer by way of seven at halftime and fell totally aside after All-American Drew Timme went to the bench along with his fourth foul early in the second one half of.

    The Zags shot 33% from the sector — 7 of 29 in the second one half of — and went 2 for 20 from 3 to stumble of their bid for a 3rd Ultimate 4 since 2017.

    “UConn used to be simply terrific this night and we didn’t have any solutions, particularly when roughly the whole thing actually didn’t soar our method,” Gonzaga trainer Mark Few mentioned. “And we will’t take in a recreation like that after our offense is as dangerous because it used to be this night.”

    Alex Karaban scored 12 issues and Adama Sanogo had 10 issues and 10 rebounds for UConn.

    Timme had 12 issues and 10 rebounds, receiving a heat ovation after being taken out of his ultimate collegiate recreation with 1:50 left.

    “I’m simply so grateful that this system and where took me for who I used to be,” mentioned Timme, who shared a protracted include with Few when he exited. “They didn’t inquire from me to be any one however myself.”

    The Zags began off like they’d a Vegas hangover, firing off two air-balled 3-pointers and a wild runner by way of Timme. As soon as Gonzaga shook out the cobwebs, the Bulldogs saved the Huskies bridled with protection, with arduous hedges on monitors and Timme sagging off Jackson to give protection to the lane.

    UConn countered by way of getting the ball into the sturdy arms of Sanogo, the facilitator. The UConn giant guy picked aside Gonzaga’s double-teams for 5 first-half assists, together with two for layups.

    “We figured that out,” Hurley mentioned. “That doesn’t paintings anymore.”

    Karaban hit a 3-pointer on the buzzer to position the Huskies up 39-32 at halftime, and it were given worse for Gonzaga to begin the second one half of.

    UConn driven the result in 12 and Timme picked up his 3rd and fourth fouls within the opening 2 1/2 mins — one on a fee, some other on a box-out below the rim.

    “We introduced the workforce in combination and attempted to stay certain ideas and take a look at to stay chipping away at that lead,” Gonzaga ahead Anton Watson mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s arduous when Drew is going out.”

    The Huskies actually were given rolling when Timme took a seat, the usage of their protection to get out in transition and arrange 3-pointers. A 14-3 run put UConn up 60-37 and Few took the calculated gamble of bringing Timme again in.

    It made little distinction.

    UConn saved up the power and saved making photographs, taking a look an terrible lot like the favourite to win all of it.

  • March Disappointment: Most sensible Seeds Fail To Make NCAA’s Elite 8 For First Time Ever

    LAS VEGAS (AP) — March has long past from insanity to extraordinary.

    With Miami’s win over Houston and San Diego State’s takedown of Alabama on Friday evening, the lads’s NCAA Event won’t have a No. 1 seed within the Elite 8 for the primary time since seeding started in 1979.

    “There’s now not a large number of distinction between the most productive staff within the nation and the worst staff within the nation,” San Diego State trainer Brian Dutcher mentioned. “You’re seeing that in this degree.”

    Purdue, Kansas, Houston and Alabama are all long past, making sure the Ultimate 4 won’t have a No. 1 staff for the primary time since 2011 and the 3rd general. The 4 groups deemed by way of the NCAA to be the most productive within the nation mixed to win 5 match video games this yr, the fewest by way of 3 amongst No. 1 seeds because the box expanded to 64 groups in 1985.

    Texas is the lone No. 2 seed final after bouncing Xavier out of the bracket 83-71 Friday evening below period in-between trainer Rodney Terry. The fewest mixed No. 1-2 seeds within the Elite 8 prior to this yr was once two (3 times).

    How loopy has it been? The nationwide identify recreation is assured to have a minimum of such a groups: San Diego State, Creighton, Florida Atlantic or Kansas State. The Aztecs, Bluejays and Owls have by no means been to the Elite 8. The Wildcats have been picked to complete ultimate within the Large 12.

    It’s additionally a lock the profitable trainer will likely be a first-time champion.

    “It’s a large number of actually just right methods within the nation that experience misplaced — I imply, shall we move down the checklist of them,” Alabama trainer Nate Oats mentioned. “That’s what makes the NCAA Event the NCAA Event. They’re all just right groups.”

    The insanity began within the opening spherical of the East Area, when fairytale Fairleigh Dickinson wrecked brackets all over the world by way of turning into the second one No. 16 seed to overcome a No. 1.

    Arkansas was once the following large killer, taking down reigning nationwide champion and West Area No. 1 seed Kansas in the second one spherical.

    The Candy 16 became bitter on Friday for Alabama, the bracket’s No. 1 general seed. The Red Tide have been no fit for Dutcher’s ball-and-body-hawking San Diego State Aztecs in a 71-64 South Area loss in Louisville, Kentucky. San Diego State is the primary Mountain West Convention college to achieve the Elite 8.

    Miami capped the No. 1 carnage within the Midwest Area by way of taking aside some of the country’s stingiest defenses in a 89-75 win over Houston in Kansas Town, Missouri that had Hurricanes trainer Jim Larranaga dancing within the locker room.

    “Sadly, one off-night and also you move house on this match,” Cougars trainer Kelvin Sampson mentioned.

    Directly to an Elite 8 not like every other.

    AP Sports activities Author Josh Dubow contributed to this document.

  • Arkansas Trainer Rips Off Blouse To Rejoice Victory Over Protecting Champ Kansas

    DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Eric Musselman and his gamers rushed around the ground on the ultimate buzzer to rejoice with their joyfully delirious buddies from Arkansas.

    The 58-year-old trainer jumped onto the clicking desk, ripped off his pink polo blouse and waved it over his head, shouting the entire whilst to the lovers’ satisfaction, as has turn into his custom after the largest of his wins.

    And this was once a truly giant one.

    Kansas’ nationwide identify protection resulted in the second one around of the NCAA Event on Saturday when Arkansas’ Ricky Council IV made 5 loose throws within the ultimate seconds and the eighth-seeded Razorbacks beat the No. 1 seed Jayhawks 72-71.

    “I would like to lie and say that I felt composed, however we simplest led for 1:43,” he mentioned. “This has been as difficult and as up-and-down a season as I’ve ever been part of.

    “For those guys to be rewarded for sticking with it and with the ability to cross to Las Vegas and take part with simplest 16 groups nonetheless status. … It’s truly onerous to make this event. It’s truly onerous to win a recreation on this event. It’s truly onerous to overcome protecting champions, No. 1 seed. We did it.”

    Arkansas was once taking part in a No. 1 seed for the 3rd immediately 12 months. Final 12 months, the Razorbacks knocked out Gonzaga on tips on how to their moment immediately Elite 8. This time, the Razorbacks survived shaky offensive play early and foul hassle overdue. They changed into the primary group to overcome a No. 1 seed with 3 gamers fouling out, in line with OptaSTATS.

    “That’s such a fantastic win for our program,” Musselman mentioned. “I stay telling folks that we’re getting higher. No longer many groups can get well this time of 12 months. I’ve by no means been prouder of a group like this night.”

    Davonte Davis scored 25 issues and Council added 21 as Arkansas rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit. Kansas, taking part in with out ill trainer Invoice Self, changed into the second one most sensible seed to not get away the event’s first weekend after Purdue misplaced on Friday night time to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson.

    Arkansas (22-13) is within the Candy 16 for the 3rd immediately 12 months and can play both Saint Mary’s or UConn within the West Area semifinals in Las Vegas on Thursday.

    Self has been with the Jayhawks (28-8) since they arrived in Des Moines and has attended practices and conferences, however he nonetheless didn’t really feel smartly sufficient to train a recreation after having a middle process March 8 to transparent clogged arteries.

    Longtime assistant Norm Roberts was once appearing trainer for a 5th immediately recreation in Self’s absence.

    Kansas, bidding to turn into the primary repeat nationwide champion since Florida in 2006-07, was once forward 35-27 at halftime and misplaced for the primary time in 27 video games when getting into the second one 1/2 with a lead. Kansas were 47-0 within the NCAA Event when main via 8 issues or extra on the 1/2.

    “Our guys had been terrific all 12 months,” Roberts mentioned. “They fought to the very finish, made massive performs. It was once difficult no longer having Trainer right here, however we don’t make any excuses. We need to line up and get it finished, and we got here up slightly bit brief as of late.”

    Davis scored 21 of his issues in the second one 1/2. He fouled out with 1:56 left, turning issues over to the veteran Council, a switch from Wichita State who scored 9 of the Razorbacks’ ultimate 11 issues.

    “This group was once suffering and we figured it out,” Davis mentioned. “I’m satisfied we did on the proper time. Confidently we proceed to do it.”

    Out of doors the locker room, a sobbing Musselman hugged Davis and shouted, “I (expletive) love you, guy!”

    Council’s loose throw put Arkansas forward to stick, 68-67, with 24 seconds left. He then rebounded his personal pass over of the second one loose throw and made two extra to present the Razorbacks a three-point lead.

    The groups traded loose throws, and Arkansas despatched Kansas’ Jalen Wilson to the road with 3 seconds left to forestall a possible tying 3-pointer. Wilson made the primary loose throw and seemed to take a look at to pass over the second one deliberately, however it banked onerous off the glass and in, and Kansas by no means regained ownership.

    Wilson led the Jayhawks with 20 issues however lamented grabbing simplest 4 rebounds, which he mentioned was once a think about Arkansas protecting a 15-2 benefit in second-chance issues. No ignored rebound harm extra, he mentioned, than when Kansas did not clutch the ball off Council’s ignored loose throw within the waning seconds.

    “It all the time comes down to at least one play, particularly hustle performs like that,” Wilson mentioned. “It’s simply disappointing to finish like that, particularly with how nice our 12 months was once. Credit score to them for a way they performed.”

    Arkansas, which beat Illinois within the first around, was once regarded as a horrifying matchup for the Jayhawks with its explosive transition recreation and skill to play lockdown protection.

    However cases had been not up to ideally suited for the Razorbacks. Guard Anthony Black tweaked a nagging ankle harm early and went to the bench to get re-taped and alter sneakers, and fellow guard and projected top NBA first-round draft select Nick Smith Jr. picked up two fast fouls and was once restricted to ten mins and no issues within the first 1/2. Additionally, giant guy Kamani Johnson was once in poor health and performed with a sore toe.

    The Razorbacks had been too desperate to shoot 3-pointers early. They ignored 8 of 9 within the first 1/2 and couldn’t get their operating recreation going.

    Kansas was once in keep watch over for stretches however by no means may just put away the Razorbacks.

    Davis began a game-turning 11-0 Arkansas run in the midst of the second one 1/2 and Jordan Walsh’s 3-pointer with 8 mins left gave the Razorbacks their first lead since their first basket of the sport.

    Arkansas neutralized Wilson when it mattered maximum, permitting the All-American simplest two pictures over a 15-minute stretch of the second one 1/2.

    Arkansas is within the Candy 16 for the 14th time. The one lower-seeded Razorbacks group to achieve a regional semifinal was once the 1996 squad, which was once a No. 12 underneath Nolan Richardson, who led the college to its simplest nationwide identify two years previous.

    If Musselman reaches his first Ultimate 4, he’s going to evoke extra reminiscences of the ones glory years.

  • March Insanity Research Flies Off The Rails With Wild Charles Barkley Uniform Declare

    NBA legend Charles Barkley left his fellow analysts in suits of laughter all over Friday research of March Insanity.

    Amid a shoutout to workforce body of workers all over the NCAA Match, Barkley issued a different thank you to people who blank the uniforms, claiming: “I’m so previous, we used to take a bath in our uniforms.”

    Kenny Smith stopped Barkley in his tracks.

    “Wait, timeout. There’s no generation the place you probably did that,” Smith stated, as Clark Kellogg and Greg Gumbel creased up.

    “Prevent. You’re making this up,” Smith stated. “There’s no approach you have been intended to scrub your uniform with it on. You’re making this up.”

    Barkley attempted to give an explanation for:

    “After I first were given to the NBA, we flew business. So whilst you performed the night time ahead of and flew the following morning, when was once you precisely gonna get your uniform wiped clean? You needed to wash your uniform your self. So after the sport, when you were given for your room, you took a bath for your uniform, and dried it, and dropped it off at the business airline the next day to come.”

    “He’s making this up,” Smith stated.

    Barkley requested: “Y’all have been enjoying in funky uniforms?”

    “You can blank your uniform with out showering in it,” Kellogg famous. “This is conceivable. You’ll be able to if truth be told blank it with out showering in it.”

    “You don’t must have it on,” Smith agreed.

    “No, however it’s more uncomplicated to do it that approach,” Barkley spoke back, sending his colleagues into additional hysterics.

  • 2 Cheerleaders Simply Made The Largest Recreation-Saving Play Of March Insanity

    March Insanity is underway, however one of the crucial match’s early video games got here to a halt till two cheerleaders stored the day.

    All the way through a sport between Indiana and St. Mary’s on Thursday, the ball changed into wedged in the back of the backboard and below the shot clock. One of the vital avid gamers presented to climb a chair to retrieve it, however the ref stated he didn’t need them to get harm.

    And when he attempted to grasp the ball himself, he couldn’t succeed in it, both.

    Input Indiana’s fearless cheerleaders. Nathan Paris hoisted Cassidy Cerny for the play of the sport:

    “I used to be like, we carry them up at all times, so why don’t we attempt that?” Paris stated as the 2 spoke to March Insanity virtual reporter Andy Katz:

    It was once the brightest second of the evening for Indiana because the crew fell to St. Mary’s in an 82-53 blowout.