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NCAA Tournament Day 4

NCAA Tournament Day 4 saw form hold more than the other three days of March Madness

While the first few days were full of upsets and shocking endings, day four returned to a form of normalcy. Essentially everybody who was supposed to take care of business did on Monday to earn trips to the Sweet 16. Of course, there were surprises, just like every year.

In a weird stat, only one of the games was decided by single digits and that was Michigan’s victory over LSU as the Wolverines won by eight. Every other game was a blowout and wasn’t all that close, something out of the norm for this year’s tournament.

So, what exactly happened on day four of the NCAA Tournament?

NCAA Tournament Day 4

Seriously, this year’s tournament is one of the wildest, most unpredictable we’ve seen since the turn of the century. Among the teams left in the field are a 15, 11, 12, and an eight. The PAC-12 has FOUR of the 16 remaining teams and Syracuse- who many thought shouldn’t have made the field at all- are still dancing.

It’s been wild, and who in their right mind picked a Sweet 16 matchup of Loyola Chicago vs Oregon State? Nobody, absolutely nobody.

Anyways, let’s recap day four as we get a break until the weekend for the Sweet 16.

NCAA Tournament Day 4: Lots of Chalk

Gonzaga rolled and continued their unbeaten season with a 16-point victory over Oklahoma. Drew Timme exploded with 30 points and 12 boards as the Zags’ phenomenal season continued.

Michigan escaped against LSU by a score of 86-78, although it was a back and forth game that LSU led for a good portion. The Tigers were led by star guard Cameron Thomas who finished with 30 points on 10-23 from the field. Javonte Smart followed suit with 27 points on 10-22 and, besides that, nobody else really did much for the Bayou Bengals.

The rest of the team combined for just 21 points, and that’s not a recipe for success. Michigan showed they earned that number one seed and had four players in double-figures to earn a trip to the Sweet 16.

Eli Brooks dropped 21 points as did Chaundree Brown Jr., and Hunter Dickinson had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Alabama rolled Maryland by 19 with a final score of 96-77. The Crimson Tide had five players post double figures and their incredible season will live on, at least for another week.

Moving on, Florida State defeated Colorado as the Buffaloes became the first PAC-12 team to lose in the NCAA Tournament, which is remarkable in its own sense. However, the Seminoles were too dominant and cruised to an 18-point victory and earning a trip to the Sweet 16.

More Favorites Finished the Job

Creighton came in as huge favorites over Ohio and they took care of business with ease. The Bluejays topped the Bobcats by a score of 72-58 and they earn a trip to play Gonzaga in the Sweet 16. That calls for a terrific matchup and the two staples of the mid-majors for the past decade-plus.

Every single starter for Creighton finished in double-figures, something they hang their hats on all year. The Bluejays season likely ends during the weekend, as Gonzaga is simply far too superior for essentially every team in the field. Then again, it’s March Madness.

NCAA Tournament Day 4: The PAC-12 Just Won’t Go Away

It’s marvelous and wildly unpredictable. UCLA had the easiest matchup with a game against Abilene Christian, who shocked the world and busted everyone’s brackets by beating Texas in the first round.

However, the Bruins were too good for ACU and rolled past them with a final score of 67-47. The Bruins present? A trip to the Sweet 16 after being a First Four seed as they go on to face Alabama. In most years, a UCLA-Alabama matchup seems like a marquee, Saturday night College Football showdown. However, this is the new realm of NCAA hoops as the Crimson Tide and Bruins face off.

The first game of the day was Oregon and Iowa, and the Ducks surprised many by dominating the Hawkeyes from start to finish. Luka Garza‘s legendary career has come to a close, and he will be playing in the NBA for a long time. Garza was terrific against the Ducks, finishing with 36 points and nine boards to top off his spectacular season.

However, Dana Altman needs to be nationally recognized among the countries best coaches. The Ducks didn’t play their first-round game against VCU due to COVID-19 protocols and they didn’t look a tad bit rusty.

The Ducks came out and shot 55 percent from the field and 44 percent from beyond the arc. Chris Duarte had 23 points and seven dimes while LJ Figueroa had 21 points and seven rebounds. The Ducks have been led by their starters all year, and this game was no different.

The Oregon starters accounted for all but six of the team’s points and they are legitimate Final Four contenders if they can get past Gonzaga and USC.

USC Dominates Kansas

This was the most surprising of all the games on Monday. Not because USC isn’t good, but because of the way the Trojans took care of the Jayhawks.

USC scored 40 in the first half and went into the break with a commanding 19-point, leaving Bill Self perplexed and frustrated. However, the second half wasn’t any better for Kansas.

The Trojans would finish with a 34-point win and a final score of 85-51 in a manslaughter of Kansas. The Mobley brothers combined for 27 points and 21 boards and USC’s defense was spectacular.

The Jayhawks shot just 29 percent from the field and 24 percent from beyond the arc and got out-rebounded 43-27 as their season comes to a disappointing end.

For the Trojans, their Sweet 16 matchup will be against Oregon, and the one time they met this season USC won by 14 points.

However, both teams are playing their best basketball of the year and it should be a thrilling PAC-12 heavyweight battle with a trip to the Elite Eight on the line.

Sweet 16 Matchups

(12) Oregon State vs (8) Loyola Chicago

(5) Villanova vs (1) Baylor

(15) Oral Roberts vs (3) Arkansas

(11) Syracuse vs (2) Houston

(5) Creighton vs (1) Gonzaga

(4) Florida State vs (1) Michigan

(11) UCLA vs (2) Alabama

(7) Oregon vs (6) USC

Main Photo

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Matt Wadleigh, Associate Editor

Matt Wadleigh, Associate Editor

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