The Indiana Hoosiers, playing from behind for almost the entire game, came from behind late to beat the VCU Rams, 63-61, to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2002. The end of the game had the feel of an upset because VCU used its patented "havoc" defense to force Indiana into mistakes all game long. Victor Oladipo, the Hoosiers' talented sophomore, made the game's biggest play, converting an and-one layup to tie it at 61 with less than a minute to go.
2012 NCAA Bracket, VCU Vs. Indiana Score: Hoosiers Hold On For Thrilling 63-61 Win
Be sure to check out SI’s Luke Winn’s dispatch from Portland on the sojourn of Indiana coach Tom Crean and the Hoosier’s incredible comeback.
After a VCU miss, Oladipo corralled the rebound and went coast-to-coast, only to have his layup attempt blocked and fall into the hands of Will Sheehey, who nailed a jumper to put the Hoosiers ahead 63-61 with 12 seconds left. The Rams inbounded the ball and Darius Theus penetrated and kicked out to a wide-open Rob Brandenburg in the corner, who had already hit two three-pointers in the game, but his shot came up just short, and Indiana won.
VCU's unbelievable defense forced Indiana into a season-high 22 turnovers. Led by Theus (five steals) and Brandenburg (two), the Rams, for lack of a better term, wreaked havoc on the Hoosiers all game long, but the length and skill of Oladipo and freshman Cody Zeller kept them in it and eventually let them pull it out. Zeller finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds while Oladipo had nine points, six assists and five boards.
The Hoosiers will play the winner of Kentucky vs. Iowa State in the Sweet 16 in Atlanta.
For up-to-the-minute scores on all NCAA Tournament games, please check out SI.com’s complete scoreboard.
For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stay with SB Nation’s Saturday StoryStream, and stick around SB Nation’s NCAA Tournament hub for a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket, and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four.
See More:
