MARCH MADNESS: 64 TEAMS; ONLY ONE MADE IT

The NCAA men’s Division I basketball tournament has finally come to an end: 64 teams, five rounds and only one made it to the end – the Virginia Cavaliers.

To set up the championship game on Monday, the Final Four tipped off last Saturday, April 6, in Minneapolis.

No. 2 seed Michigan State and No. 3 Texas Tech put on a show Saturday night, with both teams playing desperate from the start of the game. Michigan State was the first to put points on the board, then both teams were exchanging buckets, making it close after 20 minutes. By halftime there had already been five ties, five lead changes, and each team’s biggest lead was five.

In the second half Texas Tech took control. The Red Raiders bench made a big difference in this game, outscoring Michigan State’s bench. In the last couple minutes of the game it seemed like Michigan State was making a comeback, from 12 points behind to just one point, but Texas Tech held it down till the last second, winning it 61-51.

Before that, No. 1 seed Virginia played No. 5 Auburn for a spot in the championship game. It also was a close game throughout the first half, with seven lead changes, ending with Auburn in front. Virginia came out in the second half aggressive in the paint, taking the lead after the first two minutes of the half. Both teams locked down on defense, but Virginia cashed in on turnovers and had a 10-point lead with about eight minutes left in the game. Auburn then made a comeback and grabbed the lead the with two minutes remaining.

Then came the wild finish: After a missed free throw by Auburn and two intentional fouls, Auburn accidentally Virginia’s Kyle Guy, giving him three free throws in the final second. Guy shot the free throws and made all three, winning the game, 63-62. 

The championship game on Monday was a battle between Virginia and Texas Tech. Virginia opened up a first half lead, with the Red Raiders having trouble getting their shots to fall. Halfway through the first half Texas Tech was finally able to get its offense flowing, and was able to keep close to Virginia, 32-29, to end the first half.

In the second half, Virginia seemed to have the game under control, holding a big lead for the most of the way. But Texas Tech started playing with urgency, and came back from a 10-point to deficit (just like Auburn did) to tie the game with three minutes left. With 35 seconds left, Texas Tech was able to take a 3-point lead with a layup and some free throws, with 22 seconds on the clock.

But Virginia tied it with a corner three, to send the game to overtime. After Texas Tech made the first shot, the Cavaliers had the overtime under control all the way, winning the game and the title, 85-77.