No rest for the March Madness because it was still necessary to play the last four games of the Sweet 16 this Friday. Who continues the adventure, who can already prepare their holidays? Come on, let’s go for the recap.
Les scores
- Purdue (#3) – Saint Peter’s (#15) : 64-67
- Kansas (#1) – Providence (#4) : 66-61
- UCLA (#4) – North Carolina (#8) : 66-73
- Miami (#10) – Iowa State (#11) : 70-56
Chef’s surprise
It’s the beautiful story of this March Madness and we have to talk about them as Saint Peter’s delights lap after lap. While they are only seeded number 15, the Peacocks continue to drop big chunks. John Calipari’s Kentucky in the first round, Murray State in the next and now Purdue! To get rid of the Boilermakers, it will have taken a constant fight and Saint Peter’s has long been in the position of the hunter. By dint of not succeeding in taking a break, Purdue is surprised at the worst of times, in the money time. Daryl Banks III plants two baskets in a row and puts the Peacocks at +4. Mason Gillis brings Purdue back two lengths thanks to a huge offensive rebound but Daryl Banks, again, does not miss on the line. It’s starting to smell like a fir tree for the Boilermakers but the nugget Jaden Ivey plants a huge bomb from the parking lot. There is only one point difference with 8 seconds remaining! Edert makes his shots for the Peacocks but Ivey can send all these beautiful people in overtime. He spins at full speed but his shot only bounces off the circle. Victory Saint Peter’s!
It’s the first time in NCAA history that a No. 15 seed has made it to the Elite Eight. Whatever happens next, the Peacocks are already historic. The Cinderella of March Madness continues her daydream. And why not to the title?
The performance to remember
The big blow of heat came to us from the clash of the night in the NCAA, a nice classic between UCLA and North Carolina. The two prestigious universities had an appointment at the Wells Fargo Center for a colorful duel. A shock that led to the victory of the Tar Heels. Michael Jordan’s darlings have taken advantage of Caleb Love’s rise to prominence. Limited to only 5 points in the first period, the guard will put his whole team on his shoulders when he returns from the locker room. Big drives, finishing with contact, a rain of 3-pointers with or without a hand in front of the face, Love becomes unplayable and plants 25 pawns in the second half alone. While UCLA had managed to regain the lead late in the game, he chained two big shots from distance before going to finish the job on the throw line. An XXL perf.
The nice moment
We talk a lot about Saint Peter’s but there was also another great story that night. Miami quietly managed Iowa State, thanks in particular to a fiery Kameron McGusty, and the Hurricanes qualified for the Elite Eight for the first time in their history! It deserved a celebration worthy of the name and it was coach Jim Larrañaga, 72, who had the right to the shower when he joined the locker room. We will appreciate the small dance step of the man with the palette to accompany his young flock.
Clinched first-ever #Elite8 appearance ✔️
Hurricanes are celebrating accordingly ????
(via @CanesHoops)pic.twitter.com/IWGpORIO5v
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022
The perfs of the main prospects
- Jaden Ivey (Purdue) : 9 points (4/12 shooting, 1/6 from afar), 8 rebounds and 2 assists against Saint Peter’s.
Highlights
Kameron McGusty is TAKING OVER. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/qr4mGhwUGs
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022
IT’S A HURRICANE BLOCK PARTY! ✋@CanesHoops | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/rwBkG2k7la
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022
CALEB LOVE ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?!
28 PTS ON THE NIGHT FOR @UNC_Basketball! | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/bokxwrYxBQ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022
KEEP SHOOTING, CHARLIE MOORE ????@CanesHoops | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/MZLxBYgG7H
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022
“YA GOTTA LOVE IT!”
CALEB LOVE FROM WAY OUT ???? #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Z0JBgUluxU
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022
This Izaiah Brockington finish was TOUGH ????@CycloneMBB | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/W3ZdFjeTCi
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022
JAQUEZ STEAL ➡️ JAQUEZ SLAM ????@UCLAMBB | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/zCp1c05mQ6
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022
GEORGE CONDITT IV POSTER ????#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/DllLykTcTj
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022
BRADY MANEK ELEVATES FOR THE PUTBACK ????#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/F9uuac9Nuz
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022
OCHAI SLAMS IT HOME❗️????
Jayhawks are feeling it #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/FcIvwyaeM4
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022
REMY MARTIN IS LOCKED IN ????@KUHoops | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/oyoiDAIzvQ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022
Saturday’s program
- 0h : Villanova (#2) – Houston (#5)
- 1h50 : Duke (#2) – Arkansas (#4)
The Sweet 16 is already over and we are attacking the Elite Eight this Saturday with two great matches. Will Coach K and Duke reach the Final Four? Answer next night.