Men's college basketball 2020-21

[InThe313]

My heart is breaking for these kids.  Tonight’s No. 10 VCU vs. No. 7 Oregon NCAA tournament first-round game was canceled due to COVID protocols with the Rams.  The Ducks advanced in an uncontested walkover and will play on Monday against No. 2 Iowa, who beat No. 15 Grand Canyon, 86-74.

[InThe313]

Oh my God!  No. 14 Abilene Christian upset No. 3 Texas, 53-52, in the NCAA tournament.  The Wildcats' Joe Pleasant hit the winning free throws with 1.2 seconds left.  The Wildcats will play on Monday in Indianapolis against No. 11 UCLA, who upset No. 6 BYU, 73-62.

[InThe313]

Sister Jean strikes again.  No. 1 Illinois never led and was upset, 71-58, by No. 8 Loyola (Ill.) in the men's NCAA tournament second round as the first No. 1 seed fell.  Updates to come.

Loyola will play on Saturday in Indianapolis against No. 12 Oregon State, who upset No. 4 Oklahoma State, 80-70.

[InThe313]

I never thought I would see something like this again.  No. 15 Oral Roberts upset No. 7 Florida, 81-78, to become the second No. 15 seed to reach the men’s Sweet 16, joining Florida Gulf Coast in 2013.  The Golden Eagles will play on Saturday in Indianapolis against No. 3 Arkansas, who beat No. 6 Texas Tech, 68-66.

[InThe313]

The Pac-12 is on a roll this tournament.  No. 11 UCLA upset No. 2 Alabama, 88-78, in overtime to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2008.  The Bruins will play on Tuesday in Indianapolis against No. 1 Michigan, who beat No. 4 Florida State, 76-58.

[InThe313]

It has been a long time coming.  No. 2 Houston ended their Final Four drought by edging No. 12 Oregon State, 67-61, to reach their first Final Four since 1984.  The Cougars improved to 6-0 in the Elite Eight.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  Another long drought has gone by the wayside.  No. 1 Baylor is finally back in the Final Four after beating No. 3 Arkansas, 81-72, to reach their first men’s Final Four since 1950.  The Bears will play Houston on Saturday in Indianapolis.

[InThe313]

The streak is still on... for now.  No. 1 Gonzaga reached the Final Four by blowing out No. 6 USC, 85-66, and improving to 30-0 overall.  The Bulldogs will play on Saturday in Indianapolis against the winner between No. 11 UCLA and No. 1 Michigan.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  This fantastic season and my only regret is that I cannot cheer the Maize and Blue on any longer.  UCLA upset Michigan, 51-49, to become the sixth double-digit seed ever to reach the men’s Final Four.

[InThe313]

It's the end of an era in Chapel Hill.  North Carolina men's basketball coach Roy Williams is retiring after 903 career wins and 33 seasons overall.

[InThe313]

This has been a long time coming.  No. 1 Baylor routed No. 2 Houston, 78-59, to reach their second men's title game in program history on Monday in Indianapolis and their first since 1948.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  What a thriller tonight in Indianapolis!  No. 1 Gonzaga's Jalen Suggs hit an amazing buzzer-beating winning three from from just inside half court to send the unbeaten Bulldogs to the men's title game with a 93-90 overtime win over No. 11 UCLA.

[InThe313]

It didn't take power that be in Chapel Hill long to find a replacement.  According to Inside Carolina and The News & Observer, North Carolina is expected to name assistant coach Hubert Davis as its new head coach.

[InThe313]

The road to perfection is closed.  No. 1 Baylor never trailed en route to their first men’s basketball title with an 86-70 win over previously undefeated No. 1 Gonzaga.