The second round of the NCAA Tournament began with nine double-digit pips still kicking, drawing for the second-highest total ever. Five of them were in action Sunday, and three of them advanced to the Sweet 16, with an Oregon No. 12 victory, which ended with an 80-70 victory over Oklahoma State, No. 4, in the last match of the night.
Nr. 15, Oral Roberts and no. 11, Syracuse, is the other that will see another day after both the higher-ranked opponents bumped into another exciting day of action as eight teams secured their place in the Sweet 16.
On Monday, the total of the double-digit seed in the Sweet 16 will push even higher, as four teams that are number 10 or worse will be in action. At least one will be guaranteed, as UCLA is the no. 11-seed Abilene Christian, the no. 14, assumes. The No. 13-seeded Ohio will also have a great opportunity to keep dancing while facing Creighton, after the No. 5-seeded Bluejays looked shaky in a first-round win over UC Santa Barbara.
No. 10 see Maryland has probably the toughest task of the double-digit groups on Monday as the Terrapins Alabama, the second seeded, take on the fight. But Sunday was another reminder that no outcome in this NCAA tournament is impossible. Here are some quick takeaways from the action.
Villanova survives quietly
It may have gotten lost in the hustle and bustle of the day’s chaos, but Villanova made it through to the Sweet 16 after being largely written off due to Collin Gillespie’s absence. The Wildcats drowned North Texas, No. 13, 84-61 behind a balanced attack from its remaining stars. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl took the lead with 18 points. Double-digit seeds may have a good tournament, but the Wildcats are not for this. As a No. 12 seed, Winthrop was a trendy choice to upset Villanova in the first round, but the Eagles faltered. The Mean Green also emerged as a darling by hitting number 4 seed Purdue in the first round.
But Villanova was glowingly hot on Sunday, making 15-of-30 attempts from three-point range to show his resilience and progress.
Rutgers falter
Rutgers had a perfect opportunity to make it an even better day for the double-digit group before Scarlet Knights, the No. 10 seed, lost 63-60 to Houston, the second seed. The Cougars trailed by 10 with 8:45 left, but held a furious rally and will be pushed through to be Syracuse in the Sweet 16.
Speaking of Syracuse
Although Oral Roberts and Oregon State are more remarkable stories because of their relative lack of basketball history, the double-digit seed that has the best chance of continuing to dance on Sunday is likely Syracuse. The Orange showed the first weekend that their patented zone defense can be difficult to figure out on short notice, and with veteran coach Jim Boeheim mentioning the shots, this team looks dangerous.
If the Orange can somehow beat off, they will play the winner of a game between No. 8 seed Loyola Chicago and 12 seed Oregon States in the Elite Eight. Do not place it past Boeheim to deliver more magic. With the help of his three-point shooter, Buddy, his group warmed up at the right time.
All times Oriental
2021 NCAA Tournament TV Schedule
- (8) Loyola Chicago 71, (1) Illinois 58 – Story
- (1) Baylor 76, (9) Wisconsin 63 – Summary
- (11) Syracuse 75, (3) West Virginia 72 – Summary
- (3) Arkansas 68, (6) Texas Tech 66 – Summary
- 2) Houston 63, (10) Rutgers 60 – Summary
- (15) Oral Roberts 81, (7) Florida 78 – Summary
- (5) Villanova 84, (13) North Texas 61 – Summary
- (12) Oregon State 80, (4) Oklahoma State 70 – Summary
- NCAA Tournament Schedule | Direct bracket