Monday: It's time to breakdown the greatest first weekend of March Madness

Happy Monday!

So now that I’ve had a few hours sleep to digest this weekend, can we all agree that was the BEST FIRST WEEKEND OF MARCH MADNESS EVER?

I mean, I might have to make a new top 5 of favorite March Madness moments.

Yes, there are still games that are better in tournament history, but I have never witnessed so many great games in a single weekend. I would watch one, flip the channel and there’s another.

Come on, four overtimes games on the first day?

Are you serious?

Friday followed that performance up with four upsets of its own, including Mercer knocking off Duke.

And then Sunday happened. Specifically, Sunday afternoon.

The day started with Stanford upsetting Kansas and I thought the games couldn’t get any better. Boy was I wrong.

Wichita State and Kentucky followed that up with the best performance by two teams I’ve seen all tournament. I mean that game felt more like a Final Four matchup than a third rounder. It’s too bad Wichita State had to lose. I was starting to root for the Shockers because they had so much to prove. Don’t fault them for this one.

Then Iowa State and North Carolina happened. If it weren’t for the Shockers and Wildcats, this would be the game of the tournament. Deandre Kane was a man throughout this one, including his game winner.

It’s Sweet Sixteen time, and if this weekend was any indication of how this tournament is going to go the rest of the way, expect all kinds of drama.

Lets break it down by region.

South

Team of the Weekend: Dayton. Nothing against Stanford, but the Flyers have become this year’s darling. That’s what happens when you beat an in-state rival and then a team that made the Final Four last year. Dayton is the highest seed remaining in the tournament, but don’t be surprised if they play in the Elite Eight.

New Favorite: Florida. Still the same old story with the Gators. They just wear you down and take control in the second half. Expect the same the rest of the way, as Florida cruises to the Final Four.

Best Weekend Game: Ohio State-Dayton. Something about two layups in the games final 20 seconds just made this game special. That, and Aaron Craft plastered to the floor in what might be the image of the tournament.

West

Team of the Weekend: Baylor. I don’t know if it was the matchups, but the Bears might have been the most dominant team in the tournament this weekend. They rolled both Nebraska and Creighton en route to the Sweet 16 and are looking like not only Final Four contenders, but national title contenders. This matchup with Wisconsin will be very interesting.

New Favorite: Baylor. I love Baylor now if you couldn’t tell. But what other team has a better combination of size and shooting? The answer is no one. The Bears provide so many matchup problems for teams with Isaiah Austin and Cory Jefferson inside. This team has found its stride and it’s a long one. 

Best Weekend Game: San Diego State-New Mexico State. I thought the Aggies had them, but each time the Aztecs proved me wrong. New Mexico State gave San Diego State all it could handle, sending the game to overtime on a last second three. Phenomenal game to end an incredible first day of the tournament.

Midwest

Team of the Weekend: Tennessee. What a dominating performance. It wouldn’t have mattered if the Volunteers were playing a No. 1 seed. They still would be playing in the Sweet 16. After getting by Iowa in the play-in game, they easily rolled both Massachusetts and Mercer. If Baylor was the most impressive team of the first weekend, Tennessee was a close second.

New Favorite: Kentucky. It just seems unfair that the Wildcats are now finding their stride. It would have been nice if you would have told us that before we filled out our brackets. Needless to say though, Kentucky is playing like the team to beat in this region and I can’t wait until it plays Louisville in the Sweet 16.

Best Weekend Game: Wichita State-Kentucky. These teams played liked two of the top four teams in the country. It was back and forth the entire second half. Cleanthony Early proved why he was considered a lottery pick last year, and Kentucky finally played to its potential. Too bad one of these squads had to lose.

East

Team of the Weekend: Iowa State. The Cyclones gutted out a trip to the Sweet 16 after losing one of its best players in Georges Niang. This squad might be the best team to watch in the country when its making shots. Everyone on the floor is so quick and versatile. Don’t be surprised if the Cyclones make it to the Final Four, even without Niang.

New Favorite: Michigan State. I still like the Spartans. Yes, they struggled against Harvard. But in the end, they have too much talent. Virginia hasn’t seen a team that can play that good of defense and that good of offense. It’s in for a surprise in the next round.

Best Weekend Game: North Carolina-Iowa State. I didn’t think the Cyclones had it in them. But when you have that much 3-point shooting, it’s hard to lose. North Carolina dominated almost every aspect of this one, but made some key blunders at the end of the game that cost it this one. Still, a superb basketball game.

Hot Reads:

-More observations from the tournament’s first weekend as only Club Trillion can give.

-Doug McDermott left college basketball Sunday as one of the best to ever play at this level.

-Great story about Mercer’s coach in the USA Today.

Thanks for reading and sorry there wasn’t a blog on Friday. I took the day off. Have a great start to your week.

Reach me at: award6344@gmail.com

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