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The insanity is formally underway with a slate of 16 video games within the males’s NCAA Event first spherical and two extra First 4 video games within the girls’s discipline tonight.
The primary slate of video games has delivered with upsets. No. 11 Michigan, favored within the Vegas odds, “upset” Colorado State by overcoming a 15-point deficit for its personal comfy victory, 75-63. No. 12 seed Richmond knocked off fashionable Remaining 4 decide Iowa 67-63.
No. 1 total seed Gonzaga started its quest for an elusive championship by defeating No. 16 Georgia State 93-72.
One other No. 1 seed, the Baylor Bears, dominated Norfolk State in an East Area matchup, 85-49. The defending NCAA champions set a program report for margin of victory (36). And within the Midwest Area, the Kansas Jayhawks play within the day’s newest tipoff as they entertain Texas Southern, which gained its First 4 sport towards Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
On the ladies’s facet, Longwood battles Mount Saint Mary’s in a battle for the No. 16 seed, whereas Missouri State takes on Florida State for the No. 11 seed.
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Vols’ win means large bucks for coach Rick Barnes
Lately, males’s school basketball coaches have wanted to win the nationwide championship to build up $1 million in bonus cash.
On Thursday, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes reached that determine with the Volunteers’ first-round victory over Longwood. The win added $200,000 to his whole for this season — and he can get $200,000 extra for every further win besides a win within the title sport, which might be price $300,000.
MORE SALARY INFO: Coaches’ compensation database
Though Barnes has missed on some bonuses this season, he nonetheless may find yourself with greater than $2 million in incentive pay.
Since USA TODAY Sports activities started monitoring these quantities within the 2016-17 season, the highest single-season totals, together with quantities based mostly on crew tutorial efficiency, have been Virginia coach Tony Bennett’s $1.25 million in 2018-19 and North Carolina coach Roy Williams’ $1 million in 2016-17. These seasons resulted in NCAA titles for his or her respective groups.
— Steve Berkowitz
No. 1 Gonzaga pulls away after shaky begin
Georgia State made a bid to turn into solely the second sixteenth seed to win an NCAA Event sport, however ultimately, top-ranked Gonzaga was an excessive amount of for the plucky Panthers.
Georgia State held a 54-52 lead with 13:10 to play earlier than the Zags lastly caught fireplace and turned the sport into the blowout everybody anticipated, outscoring Georgia State 31-14 over the ultimate 10 1/2 minutes. Drew Timme led the best way with 32 factors and 13 rebounds.
Nonetheless, the Zags’ uneven efficiency did not present a lot assist for their standing as a title contender, USA TODAY Sports activities’ Scott Gleeson writes.
Gonzaga faces Memphis on Saturday for a spot within the Candy 16.
Did refs botch finish of Richmond vs. Iowa?
Iowa was on the improper facet of Richmond’s upset on Thursday within the first spherical of the NCAA Event.
The Hawkeyes, winners of the Huge Ten match and a sleeper crew picked by many analysts to achieve the Remaining 4, had a number of calls not go their method down the stretch – together with one momentous no-call off a Kris Murray three-point try with precisely one minute remaining. Iowa was trailing 60-57.
Two NCAA referees seemed to be viewing the play and opted to not name a foul on the three-point try regardless of there being clear contact on Murray’s arm by Richmond’s Matt Grace.
After that play, Iowa went on to lose 67-63 due to a bucket and three-point play by Richmond’s Nathan Cato and two clutch free throws from Jacob Gilyard.
— Scott Gleeson
North Carolina takes it to Marquette
There is not any argument over which crew ought to have been seeded increased on this 8-9 East Area matchup. No. 8 North Carolina drubbed No. 9 Marquette 95-63.
Brady Manek had a double-double with 28 factors and 11 rebounds, whereas Caleb Love drilled 6 of his 11 pictures from past the arc and scored 21 of his 23 factors within the first half because the Tar Heels have been by no means significantly threatened.
Richmond upsets Iowa
Iowa entered the NCAA Event as one of many hottest groups, having simply gained the Huge Ten Event and 9 of its final 10 video games.
No. 12-seeded Richmond was unfazed, gorgeous the Hawkeyes 67-63 to turn into this NCAA Event’s first true Cinderella.
Richmond, winners of the Atlantic 10 match, had no shot at making the NCAAs as an at-large bid regardless of hanging across the bubble via February and March. On Thursday, the Spiders (24-12) proved they belonged on the massive stage with a gutsy and decided efficiency towards one of many higher groups within the mighty Huge Ten Convention.
Jacob Gilyard, a 5-9 senior sparkplug level guard, helped spearhead the upset with 24 factors and 6 assists within the win. Richmond ahead Tyler Burton got here up clutch from the free-throw line (9-for-10) to complete with 18 factors. Senior Nathan Cayo (15 factors) had a pair of essential baskets within the closing 1:30 to assist the Spiders draw back.
Iowa’s All-American ahead Keegan Murray, who averages 23.6 factors a sport, could not discover an offensive rhythm on this sport – ending with 21 factors and scoring many of the baskets late. A significant no-call within the closing minute off Kris Murray’s three-pointer sealed the Hawkeyes’ destiny.
Richmond will face Windfall within the second spherical Saturday.
— Scott Gleeson
Tennessee trounces Longwood
So Lengthy-wood.
Recent off its SEC match championship, No. 3 Tennessee dominated No. 14 Longwood finish to finish in a 88-56 victory. 5 Volunteers scored in double-digits and the crew made 14 of 24 3-pointers.
Many thought the Volunteers deserved a two-seed, and it is simple to see why. They continue to be a menace within the South Area. Tennessee will face 11-seeded Michigan on Saturday within the second spherical.
Baylor dominates Norfolk St.
Matthew Mayer completed with a career-high 22 factors (4-for7 from 3-point vary) to steer all scorers as No. 1 seed Baylor throttled Norfolk State 85-49. It was the biggest margin of victory in a match for Baylor and the 24 assists are a team-high in a March Insanity contest.
In the meantime, drama brews within the Midwest Area. Fifth-seeded Iowa, a preferred “sleeper” Remaining 4 decide, enters halftime of its first-round matchup towards No. 12 Richmond down 29-28.
Memphis fends off Boise State
Boise State fought again from a 19-point deficit and had Memphis on its heels within the closing minutes however couldn’t put all of it collectively for an enormous comeback. The Tigers misplaced momentum late within the sport however did simply sufficient to flee Boise State 64-53 within the NCAA Event’s first spherical in Portland, Oregon.
An important defensive play by veteran level guard Alex Lomax prompted a steal and lay-in for Jalen Duren with 47 seconds left. That proved to be the play of the sport for the Tigers, stopping the Broncos’ momentum.
Memphis attracts a second-round matchup with the winner of No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 16 Georgia State.
Coach Leon Rice’s crew, the regular-season champion within the Mountain West, began gradual and trailed 38-19 at halftime. However Boise State saved clawing again play by play earlier than the gang in Portland sensed a possible March Insanity second. That second by no means materialized.
Abu Kigab paced Boise State with 20 factors within the loss and Memphis overcame 15 turnovers within the win.
The Mountain West hasn’t gained a match sport since 2018 and the convention is off to an 0-3 begin this March – and it isn’t even Joyful Hour of the primary spherical.
— Scott Gleeson
Huge halftime leads; Tennessee underway
In what appeared to have all of the elements of a spicy matchup, No. 9 Memphis is trouncing No. 8 Boise State 38-19 at halftime. In the meantime, No. 1 seed Baylor is taking good care of enterprise over 16-seed Norfolk State, 43-27.
No. 3 Tennessee and No. 14 Longwood have tipped off.
Windfall handles South Dakota State
A classy upset decide, because the “professional” brackets trickled out, was No. 13 South Dakota State over Windfall. The No. 4 Friars – the Huge East common season champions – took care of enterprise over the Jackrabbits, although, profitable 66-57 in Buffalo. They’ll face the winner of Iowa-Richmond within the Midwest Area’s second spherical.
The Jackrabbits’ 21-game win streak got here to an finish and their season ended with a 30-5 report. Windfall’s protection held the Jackrabbits to 29 factors under their season common in scoring.
“I assumed our gamers have been decided … our will to win,” Windfall coach Ed Cooley stated after the sport. “We at all times heard about ‘how good they (South Dakota) have been, how good they have been.’”
No. 11 Michigan upsets No. 6 Colorado State
It did not take lengthy for the primary upset of March Insanity. The Wolverines topped Colorado State 75-63 after a gradual begin that noticed them path by 15 factors. They scored 46 factors within the second half to tug away. Subsequent up for Michigan: Tennessee or Longwood.
Jalen Rose pumped about Michigan
As Michigan battles Colorado State in a first-round matchup, somebody is having enjoyable.
That is former Wolverine, NBA participant and “Fab 5” star Jalen Rose getting hyped within the stands.
Widespread upset decide trails at half
The 13-4 matchup is often ripe for an upset, and the general public settled on South Dakota State over Huge East champ Windfall this yr. However the Friars lead the Jackrabbits 31-23 at halftime (truTV).
Memphis vs. Boise State a ‘most watchable’ matchup
Based on our unofficial “watchability rankings,” the upcoming Memphis-Boise State 8-seed vs. 9-seed sport (1:45 p.m. ET, TNT) is on the prime of the checklist.
Michigan with out prime level guard in opener vs. Colorado State
Michigan’s prime level guard DeVante’ Jones didn’t journey with the crew to Indianapolis because of a concussion. Jones averaged 10.7 factors, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per sport this season. Eli Brooks, Frankie Collins and Kobe Bufkin are anticipated to imagine a majority of the ball-handling duties.
– Detroit Free Press
Darkish horses and overrated groups
When filling out your bracket, bear in mind there are sure to be many upsets, so do not forget to take note of these groups, resembling Iowa, which is a classy decide to make the Remaining 4. Additionally, look out for UCLA, which is making an attempt to repeat its Remaining 4 magic from a yr in the past. The Bruins are beginning to get wholesome on the proper time and may very well be bother a problem for groups that overlook them.
Whereas there are sleepers within the discipline, there are additionally groups that both don’t have any enterprise within the match or may discover their method again residence earlier than the primary weekend is gone.
Groups like Houston, Texas, Iowa State, Saint Mary’s and Ohio State earned at-large bids whereas navigating their regular-season schedule, however have not proven why it’s best to pencil them in in terms of advancing via the match.
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Dick Vitale vs. most cancers
Faculty basketball Corridor of Fame broadcaster Dick Vitale often is pumped up for this time of yr, however after being recognized with most cancers and recovering from surgical procedure on his vocal cords to deal with lymphoma, Vitale hasn’t been capable of communicate and present his enthusiasm for the sport he loves.
“Not with the ability to talk has me crying my eyes out,” Vitale, 82, advised USA TODAY Sports activities via textual content messages. “I really like talking with individuals – at lunch or dinner, with my spouse and household, and particularly with individuals in public after they come as much as me for a dialog.”
Vitale was set to have an analysis to examine his voice on March 16 – the day earlier than the primary spherical of the boys’s NCAA Event.
Invoice Self tops checklist of highest-paid in school basketball
Kansas coach Invoice Self has guided the Jayhawks to success on the courtroom and is handsomely rewarded for his effort to the flip of being one of many highest-paid coaches in school basketball. Self is making $10.2 million this season because the Jayhawks have one other crew able to making a title run.
Every of the highest 5 coaches who earn probably the most have gained at the very least one nationwide championship.
On the ladies’s facet, South Carolina’s Daybreak Staley units the usual as she is making almost $3 million per season.
Notre Dame outlasts Rutgers in double extra time
Notre Dame ahead Paul Atkinson Jr.’s made a putback layup with 1.4 seconds remaining within the second extra time lifting the Combating Irish to a 89-87 win within the closing First 4 sport in Dayton. The Irish now journey to San Diego in a West Area contest to face No. 6 seed Alabama.
Indiana’s airplane points
After Indiana beat Wyoming in a First 4 matchup, the Hoosiers had points leaving Dayton. The crew did not go away the town till 4 a.m. as a result of it needed to swap planes as a result of the one which was ready for them was too small to accommodate everybody.
The airplane ended up touchdown 5 hours later in Portland, giving Indiana lower than 36 hours earlier than they tackle Saint Mary’s in Thursday’s NCAA match first spherical.
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