Chaos Ensues: March Madness Weekend 2 Recap

Chaos, anarchy, confusion, lawlessness. These words have perfectly encapsulated the 2023 March Madness tournament. History has been forever changed as underdogs have repeatedly proven that anything can happen in this year’s tournament. Buzzer beaters, late game comebacks only to be ended by last second daggers, clutch free throws, and arguably one of the sweetest alley-oops in college basketball history all went down during the Sweet 16 and the craziest thing is this all happened on just Thursday. With all that said why don’t we go back and give another beginner’s recap of the insanity that was the Sweet 16 and also the  Elite 8.

Thursday, March 23:

The Sweet 16 starts with an absolute masterpiece of a game as 7 seed Michigan State took on one of the most exciting teams left in the tournament Kansas State. The Spartans and Cougars were neck and neck for basically the entirety of the game. The Cougars took a lead in the second half and it looked like they had all the magic in the world thanks to their point guard Markquis Nowell making history with 19 assist for the game. Though it seemed hopeless at times, Coach Tom Izzo and his Spartans rallied back to force the first overtime of the tournament (hard to believe I know.) In overtime. With the scored tied 92-92 with a minute left of time, Markquis seemingly has an “argument” with his coach. Only for it to be a distraction and sets up a perfect alley-oop to Keyontae Johnson. The Spartans couldn’t recover and on their last possession lose the ball and fall short in an instant classic.

Final Score: KSU 98 – MSU 93

While that instant classic was going on, the opposite was happening with the second game of the day. The 8 seed that upset Kansas (not Kansas State) Arkansas was taking on college basketball’s X-factor school UConn. Within the opening whistle, this game never felt close as the Razorbacks were thoroughly thrashed by the Huskies. Sadly for Arkansas, there is no back to back trip to the Elite 8 as they were bounced out of the gym.

Final Score: UConn 88 – Arkansas 65

In the next set of games, we had two battles that felt like polar opposites of one another. One was an absolute dog fight where points felt almost impossible to come by for both teams, whereas the day’s finale was another instant classic of drama and heartbreak. We’ll start with the mud match that was 9 seed and fan favorite Florida Atlantic University (FAU) taking on one of the stronger teams left in the tournament, the 4 seed Tennessee Volunteers.

Tennessee had been battle tested all season while beating quality teams in the tournament by double digits. Their biggest concern was never their defense, which was ranked as one of the nation’s best, but whether or not they could score. Sadly for the Vols, they went beyond ice cold in the second half. After leading for the majority of the game, with about 9:30 left in the game FAU finally took the lead with a big time three pointer. All tournament FAU has been making it rain threes and after an abysmal shooting performance in the first half, the owls erupted in the second half. After they got the lead they never looked back and soared past the Vols to secure their spot in the Elite 8

Final Score: FAU 62 – Tennessee 55

Lastly, at least for Thursday, we have another installment in the Gonzaga/UCLA rivalry. In years past, both teams have broken the hearts of one another in the tournaments and this game was no different. After taking a commanding lead going into the half, UCLA looked poised to make another Elite 8 while leaving the Bulldogs in the dust. That is of course if Gonzaga forward Drew Timme had anything to say about it. With 36 points on the game, and after being down 13 points at half, Gonzaga exploded for an incredible display of guts. Not just taking the lead, but were leading UCLA by 10 points with just 2:40 left in the game. It looked bleak for UCLA, but they also showed a never say die attitude and battled back to take the lead back with only 12 seconds left in the game. After all the drama, the back and forth lead changes, there had to be a winner. Finally, with 7 seconds left in the game, Gonzaga answered with a clutch three pointer from Julian Strawther take a three point lead. UCLA had one last shot, but unfortunately for the Bruins, the shot hit off iron and out.

Final Score: Gonzaga 79 – UCLA 76.

Okay, now that the FIRST DAY of the Sweet 16 is done, surely it can’t get crazier than this right?

lol it gets so much crazier.

 

Friday, March 24:

The Sweet 16 continues and to no one’s and everyone’s surprise, it was a day of total destruction. Friday was the day the 1 seeds died as not only 1 seed and tournament favorite Alabama fell to the 5 seed and final Cali team remaining San Diego State. The Aztecs completely and shut down Alabama and their star guard Brandon Miller as he shot 3-19. SDSU invited the Rolling Tide to their block party as they dominated the paint and held Alabama to just 11% from the three-point line. A true master class showing of defense with enough offense to help the Aztecs advance!

Final Score: SDSU 71 – Alabama 64.

Alabama doesn’t have to feel alone though, as they weren’t the only 1 seed to go down on Friday. Midway through the first game, the start of the second game of the day took place. The final 1 seed of the tournament, Houston, took on the 5 seed University of Miami. What Houston failed to realize, however, was that there was a hurricane warning in Kansas City. The U got off to a hot start and didn’t take their foot off the pedal. Taking a six point lead into the second half, Miami continued to dominate on offense, specifically guard Nijiel Pack. Pack gave the Houston defense a generous 26 points while shooting 8/12 from the field. Fellow guard Isaiah Wong joined the fun adding an efficient 20 point game and helped Miami maintain a healthy lead throughout the second half. Houston had a great season, but sadly for Houston, they weren’t prepared for the offense storm of the U.

Final Score: Miami 89 – Houston 75

With all of the 1 seeds now officially out of the tournament, it was time to check on the biggest underdog left in the tournament. The 15 seed Princeton Tigers were facing an impressive 6 seed, Creighton. Coach Greg McDermott had his work cut out for him as he prepared his Creighton Bluejays for the exciting and momentum fueled team that is Princeton. Luckily for Creighton, they had one Blue Jay that led the flock. Big Man Ryan Kalkbrenner was virtually unstoppable on offense. scoring 22 points while going 9/12 from the field and a perfect 4/4 from the free throw line. Not only that, but the guard play for Creighton was equally impressive as guards Baylor Scheierman gave them 21, but also Trey Alexander added an additional 19 points to give the Blue Jays a lead the Tigers just couldn’t catch up to. Princeton was easily the biggest story of the tournament up to that date and it was sad to see them go, but man were they breaking it down at the “Big Dance.”

Final Score: Creighton 86 – Princeton 75 (side note: sorry to everyone who bet +10.5 and lost on the last missing free throw.)

Now we get to the last game of the Sweet 16, the 3 seed and potentially mutant Xavier team taking on the last remaining team from the lone star state, the 2 seed Texas Longhorns. Now if you’re a casual sports fan when you think of Texas, especially the University of Texas, you think of football. This years was different as it seemed that the Longhorns might be poised to make an incredible run in this tournament. As the last remaining 2 and 3 seeds these teams were battling it out for the last spot in the Elite 8. Now I had said on air Friday during “The Drew Show” that I was riding with those gifted students at Xavier. Yeah I was way off on that one. Texas had Xavier hogtied by half. They made Xavier look dead in the water by the end of the first half as they lead by 17 going into halftime. Xavier tried to fight back, but for every five points Xavier would score, not a minute later would Texas bounce back with five of their own. This game felt over almost as soon as it started.

Final Score: Texas 83 – Xavier 71

With the Sweet 16 now finally done it was time to prepare for the Elite 8. These are the teams that have gone through fire and brimstone to get here and it is the first time in history that a 1 seed hasn’t made it to the Elite 8. History was being made on all fronts and that wasn’t stopping Saturday.

Saturday, March 25:

There were two games technically on the Saturday slate but there was only one game of actual competition. That being the barnburner between the sensational 9 seed FAU taking of the magical 3 seed KSU. Both of these teams showed in the Sweet 16 just how determined they were to make history, and that was on full display in this matchup. It was a blockbuster game in the Big Apple, as FAU and the Owls took flight early and were firing on all pistons. The Owls let KSU know right out the gate they are not a team to be looked down on. There might be seedings in this tournament but at this point, every team is dangerous, especially the team no one gives a shot. FAU went into the half with four point lead and all the confidence in the world. As the second half started, you could feel the air the stadium thicken as these two teams began to exchange blows. KSU point guard and New York native Markquis Nowell brought the magic again hitting FAU with 30 points, 12 assists, five steals, and shooting 90 percent from the free-throw line. Nowell tried his best to put on the cape and Superman his team to a win, helping his team get to within one point in the last 30 seconds of the game. With 22.8 seconds left KSU’s Cam Carter hit a big time three to cut the lead to 75-74. After some clutch FAU free throws to put the lead back up to three, KSU responded again with another clutch basket to put it within one with nine seconds remaining. FAU showed true poise and made two more clutch free throws to put the score back up to three with about seven seconds remaining. With seven seconds left down three Nowell tried making a play but sadly lost the ball. His and his team’s heroics fell short. Down goes the 3 seed as FAU wins another incredible upset.

Final Score: FAU 79 – KSU 76 FAU for the first time in their history, is in the Final 4, as well as the first 9 seed to make it since Wichita State back in 2013.

I mentioned there were technically two games on Saturday night. After the insanity that was UCLA vs Gonzaga, Gonzaga was set to play the 4 seed UConn Huskies. I’ll be quick on this one, UConn is the favorite to win this tournament. To say they dismantled Gonzaga is an understatement. They took their lunch money, they straight up Debo’ed Gonzaga. The second the opening tip was made the game was over as the Huskies looked like they didn’t miss a shot all game. The last 3 seed goes down Saturday as UConn absolutely annihilated Gonzaga.

Final Score: UConn 82 – Gonzaga 54

Now halfway through the Elite 8 and the weekend, all eyes are on Sunday SUNDAY SUNDAY as the final two matches will determine who will fill out the final spots for the Final 4.

Sunday, March 26:

The first game starts earlier than most as the 6 seed Creighton Bluejays are actually favored over their opponent the 5 seed San Diego State Aztecs. This game had me conflicted as I’ve always had a soft spot for Creighton, but I decided on backing the last remaining team in Cali and Mountain West (same division as Fresno State) rival SDSU. Reason why? Well every time I’ve picked them in “Blind Bets” SDSU has won for me so you gotta stay with the hot team. This game was a down and dirty mud fight. Both teams struggled on offense while playing equally stifling defense. The Aztecs were down five going into the break when Head Coach Brian Dutcher helped the team stay the course and get them back into somewhat of a rhythm. That’s when SDSU’s Lamont Butler got it going, scoring 18 points. What was more impressive from the Aztecs, was they held Creighton to shooting a brutal 28% in the second half. All this leads us to the final minute and a half as SDSU’s Nathan Mensah gave them a 56-54 point lead. It wasn’t looking good for Creighton, but they caught a big break when SDSU turned the ball over with 34 seconds left. Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman got the turnover and tied the game 56-56. With half a minute left to play, SDSU decided to hold the ball for the last shot. As the game clock was expiring, the Aztecs made their move. Aztecs’ guard Darrion Trammell drove to the basket to put up a floater only to be fouled by Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard. With 1.2 seconds left on the clock Trammell missed the first one, but managed to get the second one to drop. Creighton tried a last second heave but failed. For the first time in history, the San Diego State Aztecs have advanced to the Final Four.

Final Score: SDSU 57 – Creighton 56

Finally, after a chaotic and controversial game, it all comes down to the last slot remaining. Two teams left but only one team will advance to the Final 4. The last 2 seed Texas Longhorns saddled up to take on the Miami Hurricanes. The Elite 8 was the same round Miami got bounced last year and they made sure that history wouldn’t repeat itself. The Longhorns came out of the gate bucking, however, shooting lights out from behind the arc. Shooting 40% compared to Miami’s 25% at first it looked as if Texas was just a half away. With a 13-point lead, it felt like Miami was about to feel the harsh sting of losing in the Elite 8 back-to-back years. That is if Miami’s Jordan Miller didn’t have anything to say about it. Going a perfect 7/7 from the field and 13/13 from the foul line, Miller’s 27 points were the catalyst to a ferocious Miami comeback. Still, down eight with roughly eight minutes left in the game, the winds of change began to swell up as the Hurricanes went on a 13-3 run to take the lead and never looked back. As the joke goes, the horns are down for Texas as they leave the tournament on a sad note. Miami, also for the first time in their history, has punched their ticket to the Final 4.

Final Score: Miami 88 – Texas 81

This turned out longer than I anticipated, but that’s just how action packed this year’s tournament has been. History is being made left and right as this is the first time that a 4 seed team (UConn) is the highest seed remaining in the tournament. Now the stage is set for this Saturday as the matchups are an unforgettable round.

9 seed FAU vs 5 seed SDSU

5 seed Miami vs 4 seed UConn.

As March draws to a close, which of these teams will be the fools on April 1?