The Madness Has Returned To March
After a couple of years with relatively few upsets and little drama, today’s action was absolutely frenetic, including one overtime game, one double-overtime game, three upsets, and four games decided by a total of 12 points.
Game Observations
Lucky 13
Talk about the one that almost got away. After leading nearly the entire game, it appeared as though Vanderbilt was going to escape the ignominy of losing to a 13 seed for the second year in a row. They were big, strong, and leading by a point. Then Murray State’s Danero Thomas hit the most incredible fade-away fifteen footer with two really big dudes in his face with just 0.7 seconds on the clock. Game over. Unbelievable!
Deja Vu All Over Again
Anyone remember Villanova trailing 15 seed American last year nearly the entire game only to pull out the much-too-close win in the final minute? I thought I was watching a re-run this afternoon as 15 seed Robert Morris not only led, but dominated Villanova until (you guessed it) the final minute. This time, however, David took Goliath to overtime. This game was extraordinary in a number of ways. Robert Morris shot 80% from the free throw line. Robert Morris hit a three-point bank shot…and got fouled…for a four point play. Robert Morris looked more like Clark Kent after the trip to the phone booth.
The Boneheaded Play Of The Day Award goes to a Villanova’s Reggie Redding. After getting a steal, said player releases down court with no one in a Robert Morris uniform within 40 feet of him. He gets the outlet pass, but in an inexplicable act of misguided charity, he passes up the dunk and dribbles back out toward half court, where he is promptly fouled. Of course he was fouled. He is a 62% free throw shooter. Instead of the sure two, Villanova gets the unsure one, setting up the scenario where Robert Morris could have sent it into another overtime. They nearly did.
Slow Burn Flames Out
Notre Dame’s “slow burn” offense controlled the tempo but not the game as they were upended by 11 seed Old Dominion. Carleton Scott’s three point attempt to tie the game went in and out. The put back by Luke Harangody wasn’t enough, and Notre Dame lost by one. Perhaps if they had played yesterday they would have had the luck of the Irish on their side.
Eighth Time Is A Charm
BYU had lost seven consecutive NCAA tournament games going into today’s match up with Florida. I guess they were due. BYU breaks the curse of the Mountain Worst and advances to the next round to face Kansas State.
Bags Fly Free
Have you seen the commercial where the bag handlers from Southwest line up and raise up their shirts to reveal to a bewildered female passenger the letters “Bags Fly Free” painted on their chests? That one is a keeper.
Early Awards
Not all of the excitement has been limited to the court. We have some exciting developments in the contest as well.
- The Mary Poppins Absolutely Perfect In Every Way award goes to six contestants who went 8-0 in the day’s first session of games: Ashlyn Little, Jeff Little, Liana Wilson, Matt Thurber, Wayne Murray, and Cason Dilulio. A couple of these folks have earned the rare and coveted status of double-award winners, to wit…
- The I Promise I Picked Them Myself award goes to my 7-year-old daughter, Ashlyn Little, whose name sits atop our leader board. Her mom read her the team names, and she picked a winner. It’s as simple as that. I promise.
- The Reggie Miller Would Be Proud award goes to Wayne Murray, who called me…on the phone…during softball practice…just to say, quote, “I wanted you to hear the sound of perfection.” It’s on, now.
- The Did You Do That On Purpose? award goes to “GARIVALDO” who somehow managed to miss every game but one – Villanova. I must say, I’m impressed.
- The You Irish Fans Really Need To Get A Grip On Reality award goes to the four contestants who picked Notre Dame to win it all: Emma Dean, “Redsafe”, Allison Renier, and NDGIRL (of course).
- The Quote Of The Day award goes to “The Green Man!”, who sent me an instant message earlier today, quote, “Vanderbutt did me in!”
Follow Me On Twitter
Just a reminder that if you are Twitter kind of person you can follow me for frequent tweets as the contest progresses. I’m marking them with the hashtag #marchmad. Follow me here.