As teams head to the Regionals today, many people are scratching their heads trying to figure out what exactly happened last weekend. Is anyone else nursing withdrawal symptoms since the last game on Sunday? There were some great games in the first and second rounds, with plenty of upsets and close calls. The Cinderellas have been chosen (the Southern Illinois Salukis and the Golden Flashes of Kent State) and look to prove more people wrong as they head to the Sweet 16. Here are a few more highlights from the first week.
Cincinnati was sent packing by perennial tournament performers UCLA in the most exciting game of the first two rounds. The Bearcats went down by a score of 105-101 in a heartbreaking double overtime loss. The Bruins were able to hold the Bearcats’ Steve Logan to 18 points, while they had five players scoring in double digits. Senior Bruin centre Dan Gadzuric shot 13 of 20 from the floor while recording 26 points and 13 rebounds, in what was probably the best game of his college career. This UCLA club is quite possibly one of the strongest no. 8 seeds in tournament history. Coincidentally, they’ll be facing one of the strongest no. 12 seeds in Missouri at the Regionals in San Jose. Find yourself a TV set tonight, because this will be a great game.
If anyone ever doubted the tournament proverb “number twelves always win,” they believe it now. Three out of the four no. 12 seeds beat their 5th-seeded opponents in the opening round. A couple of them were close games (Creighton in 2OT, Tulsa by 2) while the other was a little more decisive (read Mizzou 93, Miami 80). Throw in no. 10 Kent State and no. 11 Southern Illinois at the Regionals and you’re reminded of why they call it “March Madness.”
Perhaps Gonzaga will stop whining about their no. 6 seed and ask for a lower seed next year… it seems some teams can only play in glass slippers. And finally, the biggest surprise in the first round came at Chicago, when Southern Illinois defeated Texas Tech. While the Salukis played a great game, the most shocking performance came from Bob Knight. Knight failed to a) throw a chair, b) kick a player or c) assault a referee while being outperformed by the underdogs. Could it be that the usually volatile Knight has changed? Even in his post-game interview he was more subdued than anyone could have predicted. The answer must be heavier medication. Whatever it is, you can bet the Red Raiders are much more comfortable with the “new Bobby” than the Hoosiers ever were.
Editor’s note: Saluki: An ancient breed of north African and Asian hunting dog that is tall and slender in build with a long narrow head. Uses swift movements to capture its favorite prey (red-clad pirate types and Bulldogs).
