Dayton 66-53 Providence
Dayton fly into the Round of 32 - dispatching Chris Dunn and his Friars. Now they’ll face Oklahoma in what amounts to yet another virtual Flyers home game. I believe that’s the first “upset” of what was a very mild day at the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
That’ll do it for our day-long coverage - there’s plenty more to come from The Guardian, but for now, wherever you are, good morning, good afternoon, and goodnight.
Henton hits a three from downtown...Berlin. That cuts the lead to 10 with 1:25 remaining.
I’m going to go out on a limb right here and say this isn’t going to end well for the Friars, who will become Dayton’s 19th victim in the state of Ohio this season.
Pierre drives, stops, spins the other way, releases and gets a friendly bounce - and one!
The Flyers are on a 9-0 run - it’s 56-42 with just over two minutes to play!
Updated
Providence head coach Ed Cooley is huddling with his players, slaps a chair down to the floor, and is hit with a technical foul. I don’t know if he got it because the official thought he was expressing frustration with his work, or because he was hitting furniture, which is just not that cool.
Sibert hits the t-free-throw.
Updated
Pierre with the step, and the spin - it’s, it’s literally sitting on the rim...
...now it’s not - the ball is out and in the hands of Providence, who come the other way. Henton hit as a layup.
Then Jordan Sibert hits a three...and so does Pierre! It’s 50-42 Dayton with 3:53 to go! They’ve played five games in eight nights - how do they do it?
With very little travel maybe? (cheap shot)
Updated
Dayton flying away? Not- so - fast.
LaDontae Henton has a three-ball of his own, and the lead is back to six. Now Providence get a stop, before Ben Bentil is fouled underneath by Scoochie Smith.
If I was named Scoochie I’d be lashing out as well.
Bentil hits one of two free-throws, it’s a five point game. There’s 8:15 on the clock.
Updated
Darrell Davis from the near corner beyond the arc - swish!
Kyle Dunn, underneath for Providence - he can’t hit the layup.
Back come Dayton - here’s Dyshawn Pierre for three - YES!!!
It’s a flurry, from the Flyers, who are suddenly up by nine, 44-35, with 10:21 to go in the second half!
Updated
OK, there it is.
Dayton are enjoying a three point lead, just an hour-and-a-half from their home floor - a nice little perk for a lower seed who had to sneak into the tournament after winning a game on their actual home floor.
Hmmmm...
11:33 remaining in the final game of the second round of the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.
Now I actually have to find TruTV to watch Providence and Dayton...I’ll send out a search party.
Updated
Gonzaga 86-76 North Dakota State
Now the Bulldogs have to face Iowa and that Aaron White - America’s hottest property - a universally respected scoring machine who is all but guaranteed to break your heart.
Good luck with that Zagies.
Man not even a hyped-up Gonzaga team could bring us an upset today. @LengelDavid
— Hunter Felt (@HunterFelt) March 21, 2015
It’s an outrage, really.
Gonzaga have finally pulled away from NDSU and this time it’s likely for good.
The Bulldogs are up 13 with just over two minutes remaining.
But wherever you are, tip your cap to Dexter Werner, who put together a 22-point night. Big, messy, hard working and skillful. Every team needs a Dexter Werner.
Updated
Dayton and Providence, who are lighting it up in Columbus, are at the half. The Flyers are up 28-25, shooting 40% from the field, while the Friars have shot just 34%.
OH MY - Werner is spinning, off balance, all this man just bouncing around the court, hitting a layup, falling away! It’s a six point game....until, until...Gonzaga, answer again. Kevin Pangos hits a three...and is FOULED!
Pangos converts a four-point play and the Zags, who bend somewhat but have yet to break, are up 10 once again. Wild stuff, really. NDSU deserve a lot of credit for their sheer entertainment value.
Five minutes remain.
Updated
San Diego State 76-64 St John's
Steve Lavin and his St John’s Red Storm are going home - they missed their center in this one, no doubt. They’ll be tears just off the Horace Harding expressway tonight.
SDSU hold serve and graduate to a match-up against Duke, who will batter them silly. Regardless, Steve Fisher, a good coach, has his chance at the upset.
What the?
Werner - a total bull (Bison?) - bruising underneath, hits a layup. Then he hits a little j. It’s a seven point Bulldogs lead, just like that, 63-56, with 8:44 left to play.
HOLD EVERYTHING! HERE COME THE BISON!
Dexter Werner with a move inside, draws the foul and the lead is down to six!
And then it’s not.
A Witjer jumper. A Dranginis dunk. A Sabonis pop.
We’re suddenly back to a 12 point lead for Gonzaga.
Was that just a dream?
Nine minutes remaining...
I feel like St. John's is the equivalent of starting 5 JR Smiths
— Anthony Buzzerio (@abuzzerio_) March 21, 2015
The Knicks’ version, not the Cavs’ version.
Harrison, more energy for SJU - penetrating, laying it in. SDSU’s lead cut to seven.
St John’s need a stop - they get it but the break is rushed - Branch can’t hit a layup with no one underneath to rebound.
Now Pope comes back for SDSU and hits a little floater.
Harrison is on the near side outside the arc - he throws up an ill-advised three point shot. Ugly.
That may be the last gasp for SJU, now down nine with under five minutes to play.
Updated
Przemek Karnowski falls victim to the old finger in the eye trick from Kory Brown in the paint - it doesn’t look good, taking on a variety of colors, but he stays in the game.
Now Kyle Wiltjer nails a triple as Gonzaga look to pull away. It’s 48-35 with 15:35 remaining.
Spencer of SDSU - the jam, of the rim-rocking variety, off a rebound!
Crowd screams.
That is force.
San Diego State have an eight point lead on St John’s with under eight minutes remaining.
Updated
Wisconsin 86-72 Coastal Carolina, Final
The Badgers move on - they face Oregon next.
In 8:12 of play, the Friars and the Flyers have combined for a total of 11 points. Think the opposite Loyola Marymount’s 1990 edition.
D’Angelo Harrison of St John’s is fouled as he missed a layup and is very fired up. Flexing, talking to himself, all of that. He’s trying to will SJU back into this game against a surprisingly offensive SDSU ballcub.
The Johnnies are down nine now as we approach 12:00 remaining.
Wisconsin have their biggest game of the night after Haye feeds Duje Dukan for the dunk. Badger fans seem to be happy enough to have made the trip, which is something considering the schlep to Nebraska. They’re up 77-56 with close to four minutes remaining in the game.
It’s not bad enough that it’s snowing on the first day of spring in New York - now the Johnnies are down 53-41, with Polee and O’Brien having their way, combining for 29 points.
Bison vs Bulldogs - normally you’d have to go with the size of the Bison.
Bulldogs can really be much more of a mess than advertised. Drooling everywhere, respiratory problems, etc.. Really, it’s an odd choice in mascot when you think about it.
Despite such limitations, Bulldogs are crushing Bison tonight, 43-30 at the half.
It’s time for Dayton vs Providence who have only just begun in Columbus.
How will Dayton respond playing their fifth game in eight nights?
Did I mention Wisconsin and Coastal Carolina were back in action?
No?
Well, the Badgers are up 19 and all-signs point to extensive gar-bage time in Omaha. Frank Kaminsky, Dekker and Hayes have combined for 46 points - Wisconsin are on a 7-0 run as we near the mid-point of the second half.
Przemek Karnowski is a real man - exerting his Polish, 7ft1 authority under the hoop, muscling in a layup - and one! He misses the free-throw and Gonzaga are up 30-18. NDSU have done themselves no favors at all, turning the ball over six times.
Under seven minutes to go in the half.
D’Angelo Harrison is able to connect from downtown for a badly needed thre to bring SJU within five...
...but as time expires, a 6’10” forward named Malik Pope hits from the perimeter, giving his Aztecs a 40-33 halftime lead.
If we can score the same number of points in the second half, I like them.
-SDSU head coach Steve Fisher is impressed with the output of his offensively challenged team.
Kyle “I rebuilt my entire body after leaving Kentucky” Wiltjer drains a three to put the Zags up 19-13.
Oklahoma 69-60 Albany, Final
The Sooners hold off Albany, which means that both SUNY teams are heading home, one and done.
Hold your heads high men - from Plattsburgh, to Binghamton, to Geneseso, to Oswego to Cobleskill, to Oneonta to Brockport, to Purchase to New Paltz - we’re all proud.
Updated
Gonzaga and North Dakota State University are off - Kory Brown has five of the Bisons first nine points as the Zags lead 11-9 with close to five minutes gone by in Seattle.
Updated
Albany have made it a two-possession game with 1:56 remaining! It’s 65-59 after Singletary hits a pair of threes to close the gap late.
St John’s and the Aztecs are trading baskets. Dwayne Polee is 4-5 from downtown after hitting just 15 threes all season long for SDSU - Pointer has 13 for the Red Storm who are down a deuce 27-25. This game has classic written all over it, super intense with a fast pace straight from the tip-off...
Sam Dekker and Nigel Hayes Wisconsin have 13 points a piece, and the Badgers are up 13 on Coastal Carolina, 43-30. Coincidence? I think not...
It’s nearly halftime in Omaha.
It was a night when all of our lives changed, forever.
ALL AARON WHITE EVERYTHING https://t.co/DmpW7119Bc
— Black Heart (@BHGP) March 21, 2015
Don’t mind if I do...Sir’Dominic Pointer helps himself to eight of the Johnnies first 12 points as SJU pull to within a point of San Diego State, 13-12, early.
That’s a lot of points.
Updated
Wheeler Baker sinks a long three for Albany, as they pull within nine of Oklahoma with nearly eight minutes remaining in the second half. Can these Great Danes run?
Note - Coastal Carolina are 4-5 from downtown and are within six points of Wisconsin, 30-24, as we pass the six minute mark in the first half.
Updated
Attention - New York City now has a rooting interest in the NCAA Tourney - St John’s are looking for their first win since 2000 against San Diego State. It’s big vs. small - SJU lost their center Chris Obekpa to a positive drug test so they’ll start three guards, while, SDSU will feature just one guard on the floor at tip-off.
Well, Coastal Carolina were down just a deuce...and then they weren’t.
Wisconsin go on an 8-2 evening run, opening up a 20-12 lead.
Iowa 83-52 Davidson, Final
The Aaron Whites win over Davidson - it’s the first NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament victory for Iowa in 14 years.
The Hawkeyes will face the winner of North Dakota State University vs Gonzaga, tipping off in about a half-hour from now.
Updated
Albany are hanging around some, down 45-37 to Oklahomaas we approach the 15 minute mark.
The Great Danes won 19 of 20 games coming in despite ranking 218th in points, 208th in rebounds, 312th in assists and 139th in field goal percentage in Division I - those doggies do some neat tricks.
Updated
Wisconsin and Coastal Carolina are underway in Omaha, Nebraska.
Insert bad joke about early Badgers 2-0 lead here.
When you woke up this morning, you just knew Aaron White would be trending right about now...
Aaron White with back-to-back baskets. He didn't come to Seattle for the halibut.
— Mike Hlas (@Hlas) March 21, 2015
No, but now he owns the plaice....(I’m here all week)
Updated
What’s next?
I’m glad you asked. Still to tip-off are:
(16) Coastal Carolina vs (1) Wisconsin @ 9:28 ET
(9) St John’s vs (8) San Diego State @ 9:40 ET
(15) North Dakota State vs (2) Gonzaga @ 10:10 ET
(11) Dayton vs (6) Providence @ 10:53 ET
Updated
The Aaron White show continues in Washington. And you know, you can’t stop him, you can..., well, you know.
Big Red has scored 15 of the previous 19 Iowa points, and if this keeps up he’s going to have a field of corn named after him. You can write that down.
Iowa up 20.
Duke 85-56 Robert Morris, Final
It’s all over in North Carolina - Duke move on after beating up on Robert Morris, 85- to 56. They’ll face the winner of St John’s and San Diego, who tip off soon.
Game ball to Quin Cook - 22 points including 6-10 from downtown.
Updated
Aaron White of Iowa has scored all 11 points during an 11 point Iowa run on the Wildcats! He caps it with a three-ball - UNCONSCIOUS!!!
Wildcats being whooped in Washington - 60-41.
Warm up that economics degree Tyler Kalinoski, you’re going home.
Jordan Woodard, driving the lane falling away, off balance is able to lay it in as time expires in the first half!
The Sooners head into half time with a 37-28 lead on Albany out in Columbus.
Congratulations to the Oregon Ducks for scoring more points against an OSU opponent than they did against my OSU.
— Fake Urban Meyer (@FakeUrban) March 20, 2015
Okafor is still playing even though his Blue Devils are up big, angering Phil Jackson.
Oklahoma State 73-79 Oregon, Final
The Cowboys have it, but Leyton Hammonds can’t connect from ten feet out! The Ducks have it, are fouled, and that will do it for Oregon out in Nebraska!
The Ducks will face the winner of Wisconsin and Coastal Carolina...which will be Wisconsin, in the Round of 32.
Game ball to Joseph Young, who hangs 27 on the Cowboys.
Updated
Oklahoma State 73-77 Oregon, 0:9.7 2nd half
The refs are discussing a ball that went out of bounds following a Cowboys three-point attempt that was off the mark - if Oklahoma State aren’t awarded the ball, they’re done.
Stand by.
Duke Explosion! They’ve more than doubled their lead, almost literally at the blink of an eye!
Thake that....and that...AND THAT, little man!
Okafor has 21, and it looks like extensive gar-bage time coming up in North Carolina.
Updated
Robert Morris continue to hang around - down just 10 to Duke as we approach the halfway mark of the second half. Junior guard Rodney Pryor just popped a three-ball and has 19 for the Colonials. They aren’t quite following the comeback plan I laid out earlier, but they’re close enough.
The Cowboys’ Brian Nash got the step, slashing through the Oregon D and is able to lay it in, cutting the Ducks lead to six as we approach five minutes remaining.
Iowa are at the half vs Davidson, up 38-29. The Hawkeyes were up by as many as 15, but a little 7-0 run helped Davidson get within range as the half wound down.
Meanwhile, Albany State are off against Oklahoma, who’ve popped off to a 9-3 lead.
I attended the State University of New York (SUNY) branch at Plattsburgh, and I can say that while I was college, if you were to tell me that two SUNY teams (Buffalo is the other) were going to be in the tournament one day, I would have told you to go pee in Lake Champlain.
And Stony Brook nearly made it three...but I digress.
Back to the Highlighter Bowl, where Marv Albert is handling the play-by for CBS TV here in the US, a rare college game for him, making what looks to be a strong finish that much better.
Just under nine minutes, remaining in this second half - it’s Ducks by one.
Updated
So far Iowa have managed to quash Davidson’s three-point game, slowing down their high-octane offense.
And now Anthony Clemmons misses from downtown for Iowa but Adam Woodbury takes the board and slams it down...and with authority! Iowa seem a very serious outfit at this juncture, opening up a 34-19 lead.
Ninth seeded Oklahoma State are back on the floor against eighth seeded Oregon - Tavarius Shine knocks down a three for the Cowboys to climb within three of the Ducks.
If this was a football game, I’d call it the Highlighter Bowl - lots of bright orange and yellow on the floor.
OH MAN! Joseph Young of Oregon just dunked over Anthony Hickey Jr.!!!
That was a go home dunk, but Hickey didn’t go home....Ducks by five now.
Updated
Thanks DJ, it’s great to be here, of course, as we take you through the latter stages of day two of the NCAA Men’s Basketbll Tournament.
We haven’t had the big upset today, but there’s still time, especially with 16th seeded Robert Morris down only 17 to top seed Duke.
If the Colonials can average just one point for each minute of the second half, and hold the Dukies to a deuce, we could have one hell of a finish.
Coach K has been talking to CBS TV here in the US:
Overall we’re playing well and I think they’re playing well. We respect them.
One of three facts Coach K mentions in that sentence is untrue - see if you can pick it out.
Updated
Duke takes a 42-25 lead into the half. That will also end my liveblogging shift.
David Lengel will take it from here. Hopefully Robert Morris can do better under his watch.
Oregon-Oklahoma State needs to start again. Duke-RMU is a blowout and Davidson-Iowa looks like a pickup game at the Y.
Updated
Iowa apparently thought their 5-0 lead was insurmountable. They’re now down 8-5 with about 15:30 left.
Davidson scores its first points at 16:41 of the first half on a three. Perhaps Iowa’s massive 5-0 lead will be surmountable.
After the Maryland win ...
19th straight win by Vegas favorite (straight-up, not Against The Spread). Not every game of tourney, but last 19 finals. Odds: 318 to 1
— RJ Bell (@RJinVegas) March 20, 2015
This Las Vegas is probably going to be profitable.
At the half in Omaha, Oregon is up 43-39 on Oklahoma State.
Chip Kelly will now enter the Oregon locker room and ask the players if any of them want to become NFL tight ends.
I blame Duke.
College basketball 2015. pic.twitter.com/W9RK3bLgM0
— Mark Ennis (@MarkEnnis) March 20, 2015
Final: Maryland 65, Valparaiso 62.
Here’s some appropriately sad Valparaiso music for the occassion. Because nothing says college basketball like Sting.
Valpo is down 65-62 with 13.7 and Bryce Drew has called timeout.
“Gather ‘round, men. Look at my phone. This is a video of me hitting an awesome shot in the NCAAs when I played. Go do that.”
Maryland’s Jake Layman has fouled out with 1:08 left. All of his fouling did not mess up his hair, though, so that’s good.
Maryland’s Dez Wells gets a 3-point play to put Maryland up 65-61 with 1:44 left. That’s a senior play.
Yes, there are still seniors in college basketball. I know. Adorable.
Duke is now up 16-9 with 14:46 left in the half.
Starting to regret my Robert Morris face tattoo.
Robert Morris has an early lead on Duke.
(It’s 2-0, but it’s no less exciting.)
Valpo’s E. Victor Nickerson has fouled out with 5:29 left.
You could say he’s been ... Nickerson’d from the game.
Wait, no. That’s doesn’t makes sense. I feel like there’s a pun there for his name, though. I do.
Valpo hasn’t scored more than 63 points in a game since February 8th.
They’re taking the “defense wins championships” approach apparently. A common decision by teams that can’t score.
Valpo ties it at 49 on a three by E. Victor Nickerson with 6:31 left.
MARYLAND GETS E. VICTED FROM TOURNAMENT
(My prediction for every headline off of this game.)
Doug Gottlieb on Valpo’s Alec Peters: “He has in-the-gym range. He can make it from anywhere in the gym.”
I don’t get it.
Maryland is only up 6 points with 8 minutes left. Somewhere, Gary Williams is watching this and sweating through his clothing.
Oregon and Oklahoma State are underway. Pick a team to root for based on your favorite highlighter color.
@sportspickle Yes, I love Italian food. Why do you ask, Coach? #NCAATournament pic.twitter.com/oUgnO3Cz1F
— Wes Mantooth (@RyanCaufield1) March 20, 2015
.@ValpoU where are you, geographically speaking
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) March 20, 2015
Indiana.
But that just raises another question: “Where is Indiana?”
That one no one knows.
E. Victor Nickerson hits a three to get Valpo within 41-37 with 14 minutes left.
E. Victor will one day become a ruthless landlord.
Robert Morris-Duke tips off in 35 minutes. If RobbyMo upsets Duke a few years after beating Kentucky in the NIT, we should probably build them a large monument in our national’s capital.
Melo Trimble just hit a three to give Maryland a 36-29 lead. Good for him, but calling yourself “Melo” seems to be inviting basketball failure.
Whew! Maryland-Valpo just started up again. We were basketball-less for about 20 seconds there.
Trying times. Trying times.
There is only one game on right now, Valpo-Maryland, and it is at the half. We must have angered the Basketball Gods.
Final: Louisville 56, UC Irvine 55
UC Irvine turned it over on their final possession. Louisville avoids the upset.
Now Rick Pitino will head back into the press conference room to berate a student reporter.
After hitting both of a 1-and-1, Louisville is up 57-55 with 9 seconds left. If I was UC Irvine’s coach, I would throw it into the guy who is, like, a foot taller than everyone else.
UC Irvine is still tied at 55 with 42.4 left behind Luke Nelson and Mamadou Ndiaye. Nelson is from England and Ndiaye is from Senegal.
Thanks, Obama.
We’re tied at 53 with 1:56 left. Anteaters. Cardinals.
If Louisville gets bounced in the Round of 64 by a 13-seed, Kentucky can basically win it all twice the Tournament.
“One Shining Moment” should just be 4 minutes of this guy:
Maryland is on 16-3 run as the first half nears a close, up 31-24 with 46 seconds left.
The B1G will reclaim them now.
UC Irvine-Louisville is being played in Seattle. I guess to taunt the people of Seattle with high-level basketball.
YOU WILL NEVER HAVE THIS AGAIN! THE SUPER SONICS ARE GONE FOREVER!
(Yes, I know about the Washington Huskies. See how I qualified my statement with the words “high-level.”)
Mamadou Ndiaye scores to pull UC Irvine within 1 of Louisville with 10 minutes left. More basketball teams should get 7-6 centers with offensive skills. You heard it here first.
Valpo is up on Maryland with 5 minutes left in the first half. If Maryland gets upset, everyone will laugh at the B1G, while fans of original B1G members will pretend they still belong to the ACC.
DOWN IN FRONT, LADY!
(Or man with slender hand.)
WESTSIDEEEE pic.twitter.com/hXNdZOVjyT
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) March 20, 2015
TBS just reported that UC Irvine players have been taking finals this week in their hotel. They’re burying the lede: Why are they taking finals in mid-March?
UC Irvine is tied with Louisville with less than 16 minutes left. Not sure who to root for in this one? One team is a 13-seed and named the “Anteaters.” The other team is coached by Rick Pitino.
Final: Virginia 79, Belmont 67
Virginia moves on to play Michigan State in the 2nd Round. Will be interesting to see if the 2-seed is the favorite.
EDIT: 2nd Round? Whoops! I meant “3rd Round”. Barf.
Updated
Belmont is down 11 with 42 seconds and is still fouling. This is where basketball becomes the most unwatchable sport in existence. Good thing there are two other games on.
Tom Crean would know what sucks. I trust him on this.
As the horn sounded, Tom Crean looked at official Kipp Kissinger (Nebraska native) across the floor and said, "You suck."
— Dirk Chatelain (@dirkchatelain) March 20, 2015
Wichita State will play Kansas for the first time since 1992. They haven’t played in 23 years! Now, THAT is a shocker.
[gets hit with a tomato]
Final: Wichita State 81, Indiana 76
Yogi Ferrell and the Hoosiers are out.
To paraphrase Yogi Berra: “The Hoosiers made too many wrong mistakes.”
Belmont has it to just two, 62-60, with 4 minutes left. It seems that everyone was correct when everyone said Virginia was vulnerable in this Tournament.
UC Irvine scores on a tip as time expires in the first half. Louisville is up 30-28. Rick Pitino has 15 minutes to do something. He should be fine. He can do a lot in just 15 seconds.
Indiana and Wichita State are trading late fouls and NBA-style “Whaddaya mean I didn’t foul anyone!” faces.
UC Irvine appears to have a 41 year-old white man at center. Amazing the media hasn’t given this story more play.
It’s impressive that Belmont has hung so close to Virginia. Especially considering the fact that Belmont appears to be staunchly opposed to weight training. Imagine how good they’d be if their elbow joints weren’t the thickest parts of their arms.
Wichita State up 70-65 on Indiana with less than 5 minutes left.
I don’t really have a rooting interest, but for entertainment’s sake, it’s probably best if Indiana loses so we can see Tom Crean Face.
I wonder how much Tom Crean rehearses his resting face, thanks to Twitter. RT @MattNorlander: pic.twitter.com/8Vmerv1tEV
— Big Ten Geeks (@bigtengeeks) March 20, 2015
Belmont is within 51-46 with 12:20 left as Virginia calls a timeout.
Virginia seemed to get pretty ... Cavalier with their big lead.
(So sorry.)
WVU’s Juwan Staten said he believes God put his team where it is for his reason.
Yeah, probably because God wants to win His bracket pool.
Final: West Virginia 68, Buffalo 62
If your Duke hatred holds 25-year grudges, Bobby Hurley’s exit gives you great joy.
Looks like Buffalo is going to lose a heartbreaker.
(The preceding sentence has been written some 748,463 times before in sportswriting history.)
My feed of Virginia-Belmont is not in HD. a) Annoying; b) Is it like this for everyone else?
Did TruTV decide it would be more fitting to broadcast Virginia basketball using 1950s technology?
It’s cooler to complain about announcers than compliment them. So let’s not mention how great it is to have Bill Raftery calling the Tournament.
WVU and Bobby Hurley’s Buffalo tied at 62 with 2:24 left. Buffalo’s point guard just slapped the floor on defense. Oh, yes, this is a very Duke-esque team.
Kurt Warner spoke to the Northern Iowa team. Kurt Warner won the Super Bowl 15 years ago. Half the guys on the team probably had no idea who the man speaking to them was.
No one deserves to be compared to Jim Belushi. I hope ESPN suspends her straight away.
Gill+Belushi=Huggins pic.twitter.com/rzO9lMNxlx
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) March 20, 2015
WVU’s Juwan Staten just hit 1 of 2 free throws to give the Mountaineers a 60-54 lead.
He should have played football instead. A lockdown corner named Staten? Staten Island?
All the t-shirts would have been sold. Live and learn.
Bobby Hurley’s Buffalo team is down 5 points with under 6 minutes left.
Would you rather have Hurley’s life -- coaching a mid-major underdog -- or Christian Laettner’s: laying in a hammock watching basketball?
It’s Laettner every time. It’s part of why people hate him. He always wins.
Updated
Tony Bennett is getting interviewed by Tracy Wolfson with his team up 40-32 at the half.
Sorry, Tracy Wolfson. But you’re no Lady Gaga.
Buffalo’s jersey’s have NEW YORK in 100-font and “state university of” and “at buffalo” in 2-font. We know you’re in Buffalo, guys. Stop trying to hide it.
Hello, hello. DJ Gallo here. I’m taking over the 4 pm - 8 pm shift. Just as I log on, Wichita State’s Darius Carter takes a hit to the nose and is bleeding.
It appears my liveblog tenure will be quite violent.
Okay I’m taking that as a sign that my shift is over. DJ Gallo will be taking over from here and, knowing my luck, will probably get all the exciting games.
Buffalo 46-55 West Virginia, 9:24, 2nd half
Oof. It looks like Buffalo’s Justin Moss has lost a tooth, or at least he think he does, after getting accidentally hit on a play.
Updated
Belmont 22-30 Virginia, 7:38, first half
And this is the other game going on. When does Indiana/Wichita State come back out of halftime?
Buffalo 42-53 West Virginia, 11:53, 2nd half
Buffalo are still trailing here, I consider it karma for adopting the nickname “Bulls” knowing that there’s a 30% chance that I’ll type “Buffalo Bills.”
Final: Wyoming 54-71 Northern Iowa
It was, as they say, much closer than the final score indicates but the end result is No5 Northern Iowa moves on and we still remain upset-less today.
Indiana 39-36 Wichita State, halftime
Well, let’s not start breaking down Kansas/Wichita State just yet. The Hoosiers have a 3 point lead heading into halftime.
Wyoming 52-68 Northern Iowa, 1:44, 2nd half
Josh Adams makes a layup in what is becoming garbage time. It’s only out of sheer stubbornness that I refuse to move to a different game. It’s only two minutes left, might as well see it to the end.
Paul Jesperson makes two free throws for Northern Iowa.
Wyoming 50-66 Northern Iowa, 2:22, 2nd half
Nate Buss makes his two free throws and this one’s turning back into a pumpkin.
Belmont 15-12 Virginia, 14:23, 1st half
As Wyoming/Northern Iowa has gone down to the wire, the game between No15 Belmont and No2 Virginia has begun.
Updated
Wyoming 50-64 Northern Iowa, 3:37, 2nd half
Cooke comes out of the timeout with a dunk but Washpun makes a jumper and it ends up being a wa... er, uh, cancelled out.
Wyoming 48-62 Northern Iowa, 4:54, 2nd half
Wyoming’s Larry Nance Jr, every other player in the tournament is a “Junior” it seems, hits a jumper of his own. But that’s the end of the Cowboys’ scoring.
Washpun makes two free throws, Nate Buss hits a three pointer and Wyoming has to take a timeout.
Wyoming 46-57 Northern Iowa, 7:10, 2nd half
Derek Cooke misses both free throws. Will this be another almost-comeback derailed by bad free throw shooting?
Possibly. Washpun hits a jumper on the other end.
Wyoming 46-55 Northern Iowa, 7:44, 2nd half
Wes Washpun is cleaning up (get it, that’s a “wash pun”). He hits a jumper.
But Riley Grabau hits a three for Wyoming. Are we allowed to call this a battle now?
Wyoming 43-53 Northern Iowa, 10:39, 2nd half
Never mind. Charles Hankerson Jr. makes a three pointer to cut Northern Iowa’s lead to 7 for maybe a nanosecond before the Panthers’ Paul Jesperson responds with one of his own.
Wyoming 40-50 Northern Iowa, 10:39, 2nd half
The Wyoming Cowboys went on a 10-0 run to make this a liveblog-acceptable game. Except, of course, as soon as I flip over everyone stops scoring.
Wyoming 40-50 Northern Iowa, 11:49, 2nd half
The good news? This one’s close enough to be worth our eyeballs’ time for a spel..
Buffalo 26-36 West Virginia, halftime
And that is the only offense that happens for the rest of the half. Buffalo’s Lamonte Bearden misses an easy, gimme layup and West Virginia’s Jaysean Paige misses a three before the halftime buzzer.
I’m not good at picking these.
Buffalo 26-36 West Virginia, 2:30, 1st half
We’ll spend a few minutes here, I guess. West Virginia’s Juwan Staten makes two free throws and a layup in the span of like 30 seconds. Impressive.
Indiana 5-8 Wichita State, 16:17, 1st half
During Georgia’s almost-comeback the crucial game between the Hoosiers and Shockers began. We’ll check in on them again in a bit, I imagine.
Final: Georgia 63-70 Michigan State
Georgia 63-66 Michigan State, :21, 2nd half
Valentine gets to the line to make two free throws that should ice this for the Spartans.
Except Kenny Gaines gets fouled on the way of making a layup and hits his “and one” to make it a one possession game!?
Georgia 60-64 Michigan State, :28, 2nd half
What’s this? Georgia goes on a 8-0 run. They’re not entirely dead yet.
Steve Parry:
Wyoming trail at the break by 11 to N. Iowa - Panthers outscoring the Cowboys off the bench, and by field goals and 3s; Tuttle outplaying Nance and Adams can’t hit the pot or direct ops; not looking grand for the Pokes but...will superior fitness tell for the ‘Boys from 7,200 feet? Straw clutching time or what?
At this point we’re almost owed an exciting comeback, so maybe not? I’m also possibly clutching straw.
Simon McGrother:
You’re doing your best Hunter, but I’m stuck at work and these sound like a bunch of duds.Nice little flurry from Georgia but they’re not exactly taking it to the wire.Sorry
This is accurate. I pretty much am resigned to the fact that the games will heat up immediately after my shift ends.
Prove me wrong, basketball.
Georgia 52-64 Michigan State, 1:48, 2nd half
And, yeah, it will be. Dawson his a jumper and then steals a Mann pass and tosses it to Valentine on the fast break for a layup. This is pretty much over.
Georgia 52-60 Michigan State, 2:48, 2nd half
Georgia gets nothing on heir possession though and Valentine gets the rebound.
And they can’t do anything offensively. They do foul Nemanja Djurisic WHO MISSES BOTH FREE THROWS. That might do it. Cannot miss those this late.
Georgia 52-60 Michigan State, 3:35, 2nd half
Cameron Forte makes a layup. Michigan St can’t do anything with their possession coming out of a timeout and then Georgia wins a jump ball. This might be their last best chance.
Email from Bud Johnson:
Wichita State has not won its game as of yet?
Funny you should mention that, No10 Indiana vs No7 Wichita State, which should be a closer game than New Mexico St/Kansas, tips off in less than 10 minutes. Should be a good one.
Georgia 50-60 Michigan State, 4:48, 2nd half
Thornton makes two free throws, scoring without the clock ticking might start to become a huge deal at this point in the game.
Dawson hits a jumper but this time Georgia has the offensive topper. Nemanja Djurisic hits a three to cut the lead to a manageable 10.
Georgia 45-58 Michigan State, 7:19, 2nd half
And whatever Georgia does offensively, Michigan State seems to top. Yante Maten hits a jumper but Trice finds Forbes for a corner three AND Forbes gets fouled on the play. It’s a chance for 4 points for the Spartans.
Forbes makes the freebie.
Georgia 43-54 Michigan State, 8:05, 2nd half
Kenny Gaines makes two free throws for Georgia but Trice, who seems to be running the show this afternoon, makes a layup to keep apace.
Final: New Mexico St 56-75 Kansas
Our first final score of the day. Kansas/Wichita State is still very much in play.
Georgia 41-52 Michigan State, 9:26, 2nd half
Oof. Disaster for Georgia. Dawson makes a jumper and Trice finds Forbes behind the three-point line and that two point deficit feels like it was centuries ago.
Georgia 41-47 Michigan State, 10:18, 2nd half
Charles Mann gets fouled and makes his two free throws to eat a bit into the Spartan’s now somewhat more comfortable lead.
Georgia 39-47 Michigan State, 10:45, 2nd half
Oof. Dawson responds with a jumper, draws a foul on Thornton, and makes the free throw. Dawson vs Thornton is becoming the game within the game in this one.
Georgia 39-44 Michigan State, 11:29, 2nd half
Dawson makes the free throw but Thornton pushes past him on the other end of the floor and makes a jumper.
Buffalo 0-5 West Virginia, 18:24, 1st half
We are officially into the madness now. We have four games going at once with No12 Buffalo facing No5 West Virginia.
Georgia 37-43 Michigan State, 11:40, 2nd half
Finally Michigan State can get something going. Forbes makes a jumper and then Branden Dawson plows his way towards the hoop for a layup and he gets fouled on his way there.
Georgia 37-39 Michigan State, 13:10, 2nd half
Oof Alvin Ellis misses two free throws, and a chance for the Spartans to extend the now shaky lead.
Georgia 37-39 Michigan State, 14:09, 2nd half
WHY IS THE BAND PLAYING “ROCK AND ROLL PART 2”? HAVE SCHOOLS NOT GOTTEN THAT WHOLE “GARY GLITTER IS A MONSTER” MEMO?
(Sighs.)
Meanwhile, in the actual basketball game, Thornton makes two free throws and Mann makes a jumper and this is a two point game!
Georgia 33-39 Michigan State, 15:14, 2nd half
Charles Mann gets fouled and makes one of two free throws. Then he makes a layup, gets fouled, make his plus one to complete the old school three point play and make this very interesting.
Georgia 29-39 Michigan State, 17:01, 2nd half
For what only seems like the second time today, a team timeout actually leads to a play that results in points. Kenny Gaines cuts the Spartan lead to 10 with a layup.
Wyoming 9-18 Northern Iowa, 12:30, 1st half
The high will not to be had here either, I fear.
Georgia 27-39 Michigan State, 17:10, 2nd half
And as soon as I do, Trice makes a layup to increase the Michigan State lead to 12. I feel like I’m trying desperately to chase the basketball high I got yesterday.
Georgia 27-37 Michigan State, 17:21, 2nd half
Yeah I’m heading back to Bulldogs/Spartans where at least I can pretend that the team that’s down is capable of coming back.
New Mexico St 43-57 Kansas, 9:32, 2nd half
I turn away one minute to check the other two games and all heck breaks loose in New Mexico/Kansas apparently. Yet it’s still not a close game, basketball sound and fury signifying nothing in the final standings.
Headline is that the Spartans are "in a battle."They're up 13 points at halftime. How liberally are we using the term "battle"?
— Nick Schaefer (@Nick_TCS) March 20, 2015
Sometimes the games sell themselves, sometimes the media has to sell them. So far it’s the latter.
New Mexico St 36-51 Kansas, 11:20, 2nd half
Landen Lucas tips in Selden’s missed layup as Kansas keeps pace.
New Mexico St 36-49 Kansas, 12:22, 2nd half
Tanveer Bhullar makes a jumper coming out of the New Mexico timeout. He makes a layup soon after and this is still something approximating a game.
Meanwhile, No12 Wyoming vs No5 Northern Iowa is set to start at any moment now. The Madness really doesn’t begin until we’re juggling three games.
New Mexico St 32-49 Kansas, 14:00, 2nd half
Oubre... misses a very make-able shot. Mulling hits a jumper, it’s now officially a closer game than Georgia/Michigan State but only briefly. Selden and Oubre combine for 5 points and New Mexico State has to call a timeout.
New Mexico St 30-44 Kansas, 15:33, 2nd half
So let’s see if the other game is any closer. Er, uh, not at the moment. It’s official, Thursday has spoiled us.
Georgia 22-35 Michigan St, halftime
Oh man this is getting way out of hand. Trice hits a three pointer to make it a 13 point game.
Okay, so far these games haven’t quite been as dramatic as yesterday’s, but the day is still young. Like fetus-young.
Georgia 22-32 Michigan St, 1:04, 1st half
That, uh, doesn’t happen. Denzel Valentine hits a three and Trice makes a dunk and in an absolute blink it’s a 10 point lead for Tom Izzo’s Spartans.
Georgia 22-27 Michigan St, 1:54, 1st half
Foul called on Clark Jr putting Thornton on the line. He hits both of his free throws. If Georgia can get this down to a 2-3 point lead by the half they’ll be happy.
Georgia 20-27 Michigan St, 3:30, 1st half
Marcus Thornton makes a layup, which cuts into Michigan State’s lead but only briefly. Bryn Forbes his one from downtown and that’s a seven point lead for the Spartans. Which sounds about right.
Georgia 18-24 Michigan St, 4:31, 1st half
Another assist from Travis Trice, his one leading to a Matt Costello dunk. It feels like Michigan State should be up by more points than they are.
Georgia 18-22 Michigan St, 6:33, 1st half
Marvin Clark Jr makes a layup for Michigan State. But so does Nemanja Djurisic for Georgia. (These names are going to wear down my “ctrl” and “v” keys.)
Georgia 16-20 Michigan St, 7:32, 1st half
Lourawls Nairn Jr makes one of two free throws to cap off a 10-0 run from the Spartans which ends when Georgia’s Charles Mann makes a jumper.
TruTV has approximately six commercials total.
Georgia 14-19 Michigan St, 8:19, 1st half
I will never figure out how the major network and the supposed A-List broadcast team got stuck with Kansas/New Mexico rather than this game.
The Bulldogs immediately turn the ball over coming out of timeout. Travis Trice makes a layup, gets fouled on the way, and makes his “plus one.” 5 point lead for Michigan State.
Georgia 14-16 Michigan St, 8:41, 1st half
Travis Trice, who has a Marvel superhero secret identity name, dishes an assist to Marvin Clark Jr to give he Spartans a 2 point lead and force Georgia to us a timeout.
Georgia 14-14 Michigan St, 9:23, 1st half
And we have a somewhat more competitive game going on here between the Bulldogs and the Spartans.
New Mexico St 23-36 Kansas, halftime
Kansas come out of the break by giving Ellis the ball for an easy dunk. Mullings answers with a layup but, again, you can’t settle for trading buckets if you’re an underdog that’s trailing.
New Mexico St 21-34 Kansas, 2:10, 1st half
Back to the NCAA. Jamari Traylor extends the Kansas lead with a jumper. NMS needs to go on a run of their own to keep this close by the half.
And they do! They score five straight points to force Kansas to take a timeout.
Breaking pro basketball news
OKC GM Sam Presti: "Unless (Durant) is able to be back on the floor w/out soreness,he won't be back on the floor"- http://t.co/E8zlDlXj14
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) March 20, 2015
Nice try Oklahoma City Thunder. It was a smart idea to try to hide away a press conference saying that Kevin Durant might miss the rest of the season by holding it during March Madness but you should have at least held out until there were more games going on.
New Mexico St 16-32 Kansas, 3:44, 1st half
And Graham makes ANOTHER three pointer and it’s REALLY looking like this one is on he verge from slipping away from the Aggies already.
New Mexico St 16-29 Kansas, 5:08, 1st half
Frank Mason III makes a jumper to increase the Jayhawks lead to ten points. A minute later he dishes an assist to Devonte Graham for a three and this might start getting out of hand early for New Mexico State.
New Mexico St 16-24 Kansas, 6:26, 1st half
Ian Baker made two free throws
to cut into the Kansas lead and that’s it as far as scoring in the last few minutes on this one. It’s okay. We’re all still easing back into this thing.
Georgia 4-0 Michigan State, 16:56, 1st half
And we have our second game of the day! It’s No10 Georgia vs No7 Michigan State. This, in all likelihood, will be more of a must watch game.
Or it would if it weren’t on TruTV but a real channel.
New Mexico St 14-24 Kansas, 8:54, 1st half
The offenses woke up during that TV timeout! Wayne Selden Jr increases the Kansas lead with a dunk, DK Eldridge replies with a three for New Mexico State. Perry Ellis nullifies it with a three-pointer of his own. Daniel Mullings makes a jumper for the Aggies; Oubre Jr hits a layup.
All in less than two minutes. Yipes.
Email from Simon McGrother:
Am I the lucky one?
I saw only 4 games yesterday:UNC, NCState, Cincinnati, and Arkansas100% success rate for incredible finishes.Should I ask my boss if I can go home early? Just for the good of the tourney.It’s a sacrifice I am willing to make.
Yes. Or at the very least ask him if you can take a four hour break. That would cover my shift.
New Mexico St 9-17 Kansas, 11:30, 1st half
Oh there we have the offensive burst for both teams. Tshilidzi Nephawe (I will admit that I copied and pasted this name) hits a layup for New Mexico. Perry Ellis, who’s missed a few easy looks already, unleashes a dunk in response.
New Mexico St 7-15 Kansas, 12:56, 1st half
New Mexico State takes a timeout. They apparently didn’t come up with any answers to their offensive problems. Luckily for them, Kansas grow cold.
New Mexico St 7-15 Kansas, 14:30, 1st half
While the three-pointer can make upsets more possible, it can also make the dominant teams even scarier. Case in point: Kansas’s Kelly Oubre Jr. makes a three pointer which, along with an earlier made free throw from Landen Lucas, increases the Jayhawks lead.
New Mexico St 7-11 Kansas, 15:20, 1st half
Remi Barry hits a three pointer to stop the bleeding for New Mexico State. You can definitely see how basketball’s recent move towards embracing the three-pointer has infiltrated the college game this tournament.
New Mexico St 4-11 Kansas, 15:48, 1st half
Slakam makes a jumper and that’s all New Mexico State gets for a long while as the Jayhawks go on a 7-0 run and, yep, that’s about how I expected this game to go.
Updated
New Mexico St 2-4 Kansas, 18:01, 1st half
Pascal Siakam answers with a layup for New Mexico State. Frank Mason III makes a jumper. I’m still adjusting to having only one game to keep track of. Of course, that won’t be a problem shortly.
New Mexico St 0-2 Kansas, 19:30, 1st half
Perry Ellis starts off Friday’s scoring with a layup to put Kansas ahead very, very, very early. The seal has been broken.
Email from Steve Parry
Hi Hunter - as an alumni of the only uni in The Great State of Wyoming, I’ll be glued to a screen at 18h40 French time with all members crossed as the Cowboys go up against N. Iowa...last week’s MWC tournament win was wonderful to watch esp the final 45-43 win over Sun Dog State. Panthers are a 6 point favourite but with Larry Nance and Josh Adams - last week’s MVP - on a roll I see an upset...Go Pokes!
Enjoy! Steve Parry
No matter where you are in the world, when your team is in the tournament, it’s a must watch situation. Feel free to tell us where you’re watching from, or any other comments or questions or predictions or jokes. You can send them via email to Hunter.Felt@theguardian.com or tweet them to @HunterFelt and we’ll use them during this liveblog.
I don’t see Kansas losing this game, but if they get upset there’s going to be a lot of talk about them missing Cliff Alexander who isn’t allowed to play due to eligibility issues. That puts a heavier load on an still-not-healthy Perry Ellis.
We’re going to start off today with the Kansas Jayhawks and the New Mexico State (does quick Google check) Aggies. This is better known among college basketball fans as the “game we have to get through before a potential Kansas/Wichita State match in the Group of 36.”
Kansas infamously refuses to schedule games against Wichita State, so there’s a chance their only meetings will occur in the spotlight of the Big Dance.
Today's schedule
No. 2 Kansas vs. No. 15 New Mexico State, 12:15, CBS
No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Georgia, 12;40, truTV
No. 5 Northern Iowa vs. No. 12 Wyoming, 1:40, TBS
No. 5 West Virginia vs. No. 12 Buffalo, 2:10, TNT
No. 7 Wichita State vs. No. 10 Indiana, 2:45, CBS
No. 2 Virginia vs. No. 15 Belmont, 3:10, truTV
No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 13 UC Irvine, 4:10, TBS
No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 13 Valparaiso, 4:40, TNT
No. 8 Oregon vs. No. 9 Oklahoma State, 6:50, TBS
No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Robert Morris, 7:10, CBS
No. 7 Iowa vs. No. 10 Davidson, 7:20, TNT
No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 Albany, 7:27, truTV
No. 1 Wisconsin vs. No. 16 Coastal Carolina, 9:20, TBS
No. 8 San Diego State vs No. 9 St. John’s, 9:40
No. 2 Gonzaga vs. No. 15 North Dakota State, 9:50, TNT
No. 6 Providence vs. No. 11 Dayton, 9:57, truTV
Updated
Yesterday was one of the craziest March Madness days I can remember. There was a record breaking five games decided by one point. My main concern is that the first round, no we’re not calling it the “second round” here, has already burned through all of the exciting games and today will be a big letdown.
This is, of course, not an incredibly rational thing to worry about, but this isn’t called “March Sanity.”
Hello, it’s Hunter. I may have stretched the definition of “shortly” by just a hair here. In my defense, the basketball action didn’t end until nearly 1am Eastern Time. Which is fairly standard for the tournament actually.
Hunter will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Bryan Graham on the day the NCAA Tournament cost him $24,000:
Filling out an NCAA tournament bracket is the perfect metaphor for life because it affords us the opportunity to make the same mistakes over and over and over again. Like those marks who pick Gonzaga to go to the Final Four every year because they’re “due”, we never break the cycle because we can never acknowledge the fault is not in our stars but in ourselves – our passions, our prejudices, our inability to behold the entire thing as the crapshoot it is. Once a year, like clockwork during the third week of March, millions of Americans mechanically pour their hard-earned wages into NCAA tournament pools they have virtually no chance of winning.
I know because I’m one of them.
But not everybody has a tourney pool horror story as gruesome as mine. A $24,400 horror story to be precise. For more than a decade, I’ve entered a contest run by a friend of a friend in my hometown of Philadelphia. The organizer of the pool is named Tommy Martin*, who started it 22 years ago as a middle-school student. It’s ballooned through the years thanks to word of mouth and PayPal, with entries coming in from throughout the country. To this day, Martin runs the pool for fun and not for profit, taking three free entries for his trouble. (Though he’s quick to note he’s never come close to winning.) Overwhelmed by the logistical duties of managing such a large pool, Tommy has attempted to curtail its exponential growth by raising the entry fee – from $20 to $30 to $40.
In 2008, despite a lofty $50 buy-in, Martin Madness ballooned to 958 entries – bringing the total pot to an eyebrow-raising $48,800. Playing the efficiency numbers, my then-girlfriend and I went conservative and picked each No1 seed to advance to the Final Four, with Memphis defeating Kansas in the national title game.
