Year of the UNDERDOGS!

Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka,

 

This NCAA and NCAAW tournament has really been up for grabs this year! There has already been some stunning games! There has been a lot of record breaking games and some players that have made it into the history books. On March 16, 2018, a No.16 seed, the  UMBC Retrievers pulled off a stunning win against a No.1 seed, the Virginia Cavaliers with a score of 74-54. Even after the win, no one really knew what UMBC stood for but now they will because this will become one of the most historic wins in NCAA Tournament history. Head Coach of Virginia, Tony Bennett, said “A week ago we were cutting down the nets at ACC Tournament”. He took the loss with dignity and recognized that UMBC came to play and his team didn’t adjust well.

In the second round, a lot of mid majors ended up on top. No.11 seed, the Loyola Ramblers took down No.3 seed of Tennessee Volunteers with a score of 63-62, getting a chance to dance into the Sweet 16. Thankful to Sister Jeans prayers and a couple game winners, the Ramblers head to the next round for the first time since 1985. Another No.11 seed of Syracuse Orange played to the last second to take off No.3 seed of Michigan State Spartans with a score of 55-53. A No.7 seed of Texas A&M Aggies blew by No.2 seed of North Carolina Tar Heels with a score of 86-65. A No.9 seed of Florida State Seminoles knocked off a No.1 seed of Xavier Musketeers with a resulting score of 75-70. That’s just to name a few of the games where the underdogs took down the big dogs.

Getting on the Women’s side, they are taking care of business because there aren’t as many upsets. No.11 seed of Central Michigan Chippewas has been continuing to roll, in the first round they knocked off No.6 seed of LSU Tigers with a score of 78-69. They also continued their winning streak against No.3 seed Ohio State Buckeyes with a whooping score of 95-78. Chippewas head coach Sue Guevara said, “This team is very tough, this team is very focused. We know what we had to do and we went out and did it”. Another No.11 seed Buffalo Bulls beat No.6 seed USF Bulls with a score of 102-79. To advance into the sweet sixteen, they beat No.3 seed Florida State Seminoles with another dominant victory of 86-65. Although they took a loss to advance in the sweet sixteen, No.12 seed of FGCU Eagles had a good run in the first round going up against No.5 seed Mizzou Tigers, FGCU beating them 80-70.

This is just to name a few of the amazing outcomes. The mid-major colleges have stepped up to the challenge and show the power five colleges that they can dance, too. Make sure you stay tuned to the tournament games. Your bracket may not be busted yet!