James GordonMarch Madness has been a story of turmoil in 2021. We’re at day two of the final 32, and it’s only a matter of time before we know who’s going off today.
The Cinderella stories of Loyola Chicago and Oral Roberts continued Sunday. The Ramblers, ranked eighth, defeated Illinois 71-58, answering Sister Jean’s prayer that Illinois shoot less than 30 percent from the three-point line.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, Loyola Chicago beats Illinois pic.twitter.com/ipwIYfPS9A
– ESPN (@espn) March 21, 2021
Oral Roberts, ranked No. 15, opened the tournament with a win over Ohio State before beating No. 7 Florida State 81-78 on Sunday. Oral Roberts won his games by a total of six points and the Golden Eagles will take on third-seeded Arkansas for their first Sweet 16 since 1974.
These were not the only surprises on Sunday. No. 11 seeded Syracuse looked like one of Jim Boeheim’s best teams in the win over No. 3 seeded West Virginia, and No. 12 seeded Oregon State, which had already beaten an Orange team, No. 5 seeded Tennessee did it again against No. 4 seeded Oklahoma State.
Goodbye Drew Timm’s mustache?
No. 1 seeded Gonzaga got a strong performance from sophomore forward Drew Timme in their win over No. 8 seeded Oklahoma. Timme scored 30 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and added four assists. After the game, he learned that his mother had said he would have to shave off his mustache if the Bulldogs won, which turned out to be news to him.
This is new to me.
Drew Timm’s mom tells him to shave his mustache when @ZagMBB goes on the air #Sweet16! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/52CZQPefmZ
– NCAA March Madness (@march madness) March 22, 2021.
Emotional farewell to Luca Garza
Second-seeded Iowa was eliminated by seventh-seeded Oregon on Monday, but it wasn’t due to a lack of effort from Luca Garza. The Hawkeyes center scored 36 of his 80 points, while grabbing nine rebounds. After the game, the senior recalled an emotional press conference for his final game as an Iowa player.
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Iowa senior Luca Garza is in his final game as a Hawkeye.
What was more impressive about Garza’s line? Oregon let him earn those points – the Ducks blocked 16 of his 20 shots.
Slippers… basketball shoe… not suitable for…
Remember when Zion Williamson cut himself so badly in the 2019 Duke-North Carolina game that his shoe fell apart? Well, something similar happened to Ben Vander Plas of Ohio in the second round.
The 6-foot-3 junior was stretched thin and had a new pair of shoes at halftime of the Bobcats’ game against fifth-seeded Creighton.
Ben Vander Plas literally stuck the sole of his boot to see Zion Williamson….. pic.twitter.com/w94OcU8L0i.
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 22, 2021
Gorgeous Joe
Joe Barrow led the LSU football team to the 2019 national championship. He’s not done cheering on his school yet and takes a seat to watch the No. 8 seeded Tigers try to beat No. 1 seeded Michigan.
Look who showed up at the Hinkle Fieldhouse.
@JoeyB. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/4eY5Q5VBTTT
– NCAA March Madness (@march madness) March 22, 2021.
frequently asked questions
Where will March Madness take place in 2021?
Games will be played on two fields at Lucas Oil Stadium and at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Mackey Arena in West Lafayette and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.
What is the biggest surprise in NCAA Tournament history?
The 10 biggest upsets in NCAA tournament history – Athlon Sports
Will the madness end in March 2021?
The 2021 NCAA Tournament, one of the biggest games in organized sports, begins on Thursday, March 18; it was the first major sporting event to be canceled last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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