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Sunday, December 22, 2024
Part 5 of our series recalling, researching and reviewing NCAA Tournament Selection Sundays of the past looks at the years 2005-09. Included: Jim Nantz and Billy Packer tee off on the MVC and CAA in 2006, the same year the Valley got four bids but probably (our opinion) should’ve had six.
We conclude a league-by-league look at the biggest surprises of the season’s first two months, plus a recap of Saturday’s action including Kentucky outlasting Louisville, Cal State Fullerton stuns UCLA and UC Riverside’s improbable comeback.
Wofford struck for an incredible run in the final minutes to rally for the Southern Conference title to cap an incredible run through the league, while UNC Greensboro now waits. Plus, more conference tourney roundups, and firings showing where schools’ priorities still are.
Once again another highly ranked team had some trouble on the road this week, with Gonzaga only pulling away from Loyola Marymount in the final minutes. Plus: the Murray State/Austin Peay rivalry is back, and some superb individual performances in the Big Sky, CAA and Summit League.
Wofford is going to be a much-discussed team between now and March, but a look at the entire resume-not just Quadrant 1-should say surefire NCAA tourney team. The Terriers also won a dandy in overtime Thursday night at East Tennessee State. Plus: buzzer beaters galore.
Cassius Winston showed why he’s a midseason All-American, leading Michigan State as it stopped Nebraska’s 20-game home winning streak. Hofstra also keeps its streak going, plenty of excitement in the OVC, WCC and Conference USA, another coach ejected and more.
Two of the nation’s longest winning streaks stayed alive Thursday night. One is held by Michigan, but few may know another belongs to Hofstra. Plus, Wofford dominates SoCon showdown, and many teams went overtime on the night too.
Creighton mowed down Missouri-Kansas City in the only game in NCAA Division I Thursday night, but the Bluejays and their high-powered offense have work to do over the next few months to make the NCAA Tournament.
A second straight late-season charge by UNC Greensboro in the Southern Conference has a happier ending this season. And the Spartans’ story may have another chapter or two left.
By its own lofty standards, the Big Ten has had a rather lousy basketball season. It’s hard to have much sympathy for a conference that practically prints money, but one supposes the league deserved a night like Thursday for its troubles this year.
