2024 March Insanity: Scores: Kansas outlasts Samford after ghost foul; The NC State run continues

Day 1 of the primary spherical of the NCAA Event on Thursday featured thrilling finishes, upsets and even a controversial end that spoiled Samford's comeback bid in Kansas. Samford guard AJ Staton-McCray appeared to dam Nicolas Timberlake's dunk try, nevertheless it was as an alternative fouled on the ground. The Kansas guard made each free throw makes an attempt and the Jayhawks held on for a 93-89 victory.

The primary recreation on the slate noticed No. 1 seed Michigan State. 9, doing what they do finest in March: Win. The Spartans defeated No. eight seed Mississippi State 69-51 in what proved to be an early signal of SEC groups struggling to advance.

Serial head no. Three Kentucky was on the fallacious finish of the most important upset of the day when the No. 14, Oakland noticed its season finish prematurely due to the heroic efforts of sharpshooter Jack Gohlke, who completed with a game-high 32 factors in an 80-76 victory. The Wildcats didn’t make it previous the primary weekend of the 2019 NCAA Event.

It was a great day for the No. 1 seeds. 11, as Oregon, NC State and Duquesne received their respective video games in opposition to the No. 6 from South Carolina, Texas Tech and BYU. Mountain West champion New Mexico is the ultimate No. 1 seed. 11 in motion within the first spherical, and can face the No. 1 seed on Friday. 6 Clemson.

Whereas the Pac-12 is in its closing season of full membership, the “Convention of Champions” had a unbelievable opening day. Oregon, the No. 1 seed. 2 Arizona and the No. 1 seed. 7 Washington State every received their respective video games. Probably the most memorable results of the night time was WSU's 66-61 comeback win over Drake to present this system its first NCAA Event win since 2008.

Ghost Name Saves Kansas

Serial head no. four Kansas survived a comeback bid from the No. 1 seed. 13 Samford and received 93-89, thanks largely to a controversial name with 14 seconds left. Because the Jayhawks broke Samford's press whereas main 90-89, KU guard Nic Timberlake drove to the basket for a dunk, solely to have the ball dislodged by Samford's AJ Staton-McCray. A late whistle got here, indicating a foul on Staton-McCray and sending Timberlake to the road for 2 free throws. However a replay clearly confirmed a clear block and recommended Timberlake's personal swing on the sideline despatched him to the ground — not contact from Staton-McCray. Timberlake made each free throws to present KU a 92-89 lead, and the Bulldogs missed a possible game-tying Three-pointer on the different finish, permitting the Jayhawks to advance to the second and a Saturday matchup with Gonzaga , seed quantity 5. . With out the phantom foul, Samford would have had numbers on a transition alternative down one and wouldn’t have been compelled to aim a triple. Sadly, the questionable whistle helped the Jayhawks keep away from what would have been their first exit within the first spherical of the Huge Dance since 2006.

NC State's dance continues

NC State appeared destined for a fast exit from the postseason when it limped into the ACC Event with a 17-14 (9-11 ACC) report on March 12. The Wolfpack misplaced seven of their earlier 9 video games to flee the bye. contemplating the NCAA Event irrelevant. The Wolfpack have been so tarnished that they have been compelled to play the underside of the league within the convention match on Tuesday. Properly, after successful 5 in 5 days within the ACC Event to safe a spot within the NCAA Event, NC State is dancing once more. Serial head no. 11 from the South Area defeated the seed no. 6 Texas Tech 80-67 to advance to the second spherical and a gathering with Oakland. A season that after appeared misplaced is now one win over a No. 14 seed away from advancing to the Candy 16.

Washington State continues

Making its first NCAA Event look since 2008, Washington State confronted a tricky opening matchup with No. 10 seed Drake. The Bulldogs entered a Missouri Valley Convention Event title and with expertise from an look at Final yr's Huge Dance. However the Cougars proved they have been no fluke Saturday, successful 66-61 and securing a second-round matchup in opposition to the No. 2, Iowa State. a 54-46 deficit within the closing 7:47. Washington State was picked to complete 10th within the Pac-12 earlier than the season, however now finds itself in a surprisingly sturdy contingent from the convention. With No. 2 seed Arizona, No. 11 seed Oregon and the Cougars all victorious, the Pac-12 went Three-Zero on the primary day of first-round motion.

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