The conclusion of the second day of the NCAA males’s basketball event, very similar to day one, had its justifiable share of thrills and upset wins to arrange an thrilling Round of 32. Here are some takeaways from Friday’s motion.
1. SEC staff’s first-round struggles have commissioner eating his phrases
No. 4-seeded Auburn capped off a lackluster first spherical for SEC groups, falling in a stunner, 78-76, to No. 13 Yale. Of the eight groups from the convention to qualify, solely three will advance to the Round of 32 in No. 2 Tennessee, No. 4 Alabama and No. 9 Texas A&M. Meanwhile, of the 5 groups eradicated, No. 3 Kentucky, No. 6 South Carolina, No. 7 Florida and No. 8 Mississippi State have been all the upper seed.
The disappointing first-round efficiency comes roughly every week after SEC commissioner Greg Sankey referred to as for eliminating automated bids. In the 2024 event alone, a number of qualifiers from smaller leagues have superior, together with No. 14 Oakland and No. 13 Yale, who did so in opposition to SEC groups.
2. Indecision late in OT loss to No. 9 Northwestern will hang-out No. 8 Florida Atlantic
While the sting from the surprising loss is not more likely to subside anytime quickly, the ultimate seconds of Friday’s first-round matchup could hang-out the Owls even longer. After Northwestern had tied the rating 58-58 with 8.1 seconds remaining, FAU had an opportunity on the remaining look in regulation. However, as an alternative of speaking issues over and drawing up a play, head coach Dusty May opted to maintain the staff’s remaining timeout in his pocket. Then, guard Johnell Davis dribbled up the ground with little urgency earlier than taking a deep, contested three-pointer that fell effectively brief, forcing extra time.
Northwestern rode the momentum in OT, outscoring FAU 19-7 within the additional session to punch its ticket to the second spherical with a 77-65 win. Meanwhile, solely a yr faraway from an unbelievable run to the Final Four, the Owls’ season is over within the blink of a watch, proving as soon as once more how risky “March Madness” may be.
3. Pac-12 goes out with a bang
While a lot of the SEC and Mountain West convention representatives fell brief within the opening spherical, the Pac-12 thrived. Following No. 10 Colorado’s win over No. 7 Florida, the convention clinched an undefeated 4-0 mark. Meanwhile, two of the 4 wins have been upsets. The Gators be part of No. 7 Washington State, No. Arizona and No. 1 Oregon within the Round of 32.
Of the remaining Pac-12 groups, Arizona will possible be the one staff favored within the second spherical. However, they’re displaying some critical fights within the convention’s remaining season.
4. Clemson’s win over New Mexico denies historic NCAA Tournament historical past
No. 6 Clemson could have busted just a few brackets across the nation after a 77-56 first-round victory over No. 11 New Mexico, a preferred upset choose. But, in addition they averted doubtful historical past.
If the Tigers had misplaced, it might’ve marked solely the second time in event historical past that every one 4 No. 11 seeds superior. The one and solely time every staff received a first-round matchup got here in 1989. Instead, Clemson lives to play one other day, drawing a tricky second-round matchup with No. 3 Baylor on Saturday.
5. San Diego State continues to be the Mountain West standout
A document six Mountain West groups certified for this yr’s NCAA Tournament, however San Diego State, because it has for the previous few years, stays the category of the convention. On Friday, the Aztecs survived a scare from No. 12 UAB, profitable 69-65 to advance to the second spherical. Before Utah State’s first-round matchup in opposition to TCU, San Diego State was the one staff from the convention shifting on. Nevada and Colorado, each No. 10 seeds, have been eradicated, together with Boise State, who fell in need of a bid among the many First Four. Since 2019, the remainder of the Mountain West is simply 1-13 in March.
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