No. 3 Missouri worked its way past No. 14 Cornell 78-59 to move into the second round. The Tigers didn’t use any long run to blow open the game, they simply played consistent pressure defense that held the Big Red to 37 percent shooting. Senior forward Leo Lyons had a strong game for Missouri with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
But Wait - There's More!
Oklahoma State: Eaton Delivers Win for Cowboys
Senior guard Byron Eaton charged through the lane and delivered an off-balance layup — and drew a foul — to give No. 8 Oklahoma State a 77-75 win against No. 9 Tennessee. Neither team led by more than three points in the final eight minutes in one of the most tightly contested games of the NCAA Tournament so far.
Marquette: Golden Eagles Survive Utah State
After jumping out to a 23-9 lead, No. 6 Marquette looked ready to cruise to victory against No. 11 Utah State. But the Aggies answered with a 19-6 run to cut the lead to one, and neither team led by more than five the rest of the way in the Golden Eagles’ 58-57 win.
Syracuse: Defense Guides Orange Past Lumberjacks
No. 3 Syracuse squashed No. 14 Stephen F. Austin 59-44 by holding the Lumberjacks to 25 percent shooting from the field. Stephen F. Austin tried to rally from a double-digit deficit by launching three-pointers but had little success, making only 2-of-21.
Kansas: Jayhawks Deny Upset-Minded Bison
No. 3 Kansas’ seasoned veterans, Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, helped a young Jayhawks team get past No. 14 North Dakota State 84-74. Senior guard Ben Woodside nearly willed the Bison to a huge first-round upset, scoring 37 points on 13-of-23 shooting.
No. 13 Akron Scares No. 4 Gonzaga in South Region
Akron was in control for a lot of the game against Gonzaga, and for good reason. But the Bulldogs got their sense of urgency and came alive, and ended the Zips’ season in Portland.
Thoughts and Notes From Day One of the NCAA Tournament
Some notes and general thoughts from the games played on the first day of the NCAA Tournament, including an unknown player with a big game, a coach who’s quietly had success again, and a couple of seniors whose careers outside the spotlight came to an end.
Michigan: Wolverines Defuse Clemson’s Press
No. 10 Michigan frustrated No.7 Clemson’s shooters, leading to Terrence Oglesby’s ejection, and had just enough offense in the second half to squeak by with a 62-59 win. The Wolverines held Clemson to 33 percent shooting and 5-of-22 shooting from beyond the arc.
Villanova: Wildcats Surge Past American in Second Half
On pace to fall victim to a massive upset, No. 3 Villanova shifted course in the second half against No. 14 American and surged to an 80-67 win. Villanova’s defense clamped down on American’s shooters, holding them to only two second-half three-pointers.
Washington: Huskies End Mississippi State’s Run
After No. 13 Mississippi State needed a run to the SEC Tournament title to earn the conference’s automatic bid, No. 4 Washington quickly ended the Bulldogs’ NCAA Tournament run in a 71-58 victory. The Huskies’ defense stymied the Bulldogs all afternoon, holding Mississippi State to 35 percent shooting.
