Mascots playing basketball? WELCOME TO MASCOT MADNESS!

It’s that time of the year again. THIS IS MARCH! As a basketball fan, I decided not to fill out a bracket this year. However, I decided to put the mascots that made the tournament in NCAA March Madness 2005

Here’s how I did it.

Since there was only a fraction of mascot teams in the NCAA basketball game I had to rearrange the bracket. The #1 seeds in each region of the real-life bracket received a bye, while the rest of the teams were randomized.

THERE IS NO SYRACUSE. When I made this bracket I didn’t know if Syracuse would make the round of 64 or not at the time. Look, If Jon Bois says he doesn’t care about the First Four games then I don’t either.

ANYWAY ... LET’S GET TO THE HIGHLIGHTS!

10-9 at the half.

It was an absolute dunk fest in the second half of the game as both teams were about to get out in transition.

Late in the second half, however, fans were upset about a controversial play. If you look at the replay it seems as if this player somehow dunked the ball while being out of bounds.

Impressive

Despite the justified cries of Wildcats fans everywhere, the basket still counted and the Tide were able to take the game to overtime.

However, OT was ALL Kentucky due to Alabama’s defense breaking down. Look at this GORGEOUS dime from SG #32!

Final: Kentucky 40, Alabama 32, OT

The Longhorns were able to defend the paint fairly well.

However, Auburn was able to get their shots from outside.

The game was down to the wire and the Longhorns had the ball up one when SF #2 decided to END THE GAME WHILE BEING TRIPLE TEAMED!

THIS IS MARCH MASCOT MADNESS!

Final: Texas 25, Auburn 22

The Tigers start this game off with some exceptional team defense as they hold the Sooners to eight points in the first half. Too bad they only scored 10 themselves.

Oklahoma fought back with some paint defense of their own. NO EASY BUCKETS.

Missouri had the chance to dribble out the clock and end the game ...

WHY WOULD YOU GIVE IT TO THE BIG MAN TIGER? OKLAHOMA WITH A CHANCE TO CAPITALIZE ...

Oh, wow. You hate to see that on the biggest stage. Going 0-4 in a crucial possession is never good. Ballgame.

Final: Missouri 20, Oklahoma 16

This was a defensive BATTLE in the first half. Purdue only scored twice and one of them was THIS!

Texas Tech stuck with their inside game, as their motion and off-ball cutting set up some easy baskets. Everything seemed fine for the Red Raiders until the game got SLOPPY.

There was this controversial no call.

Followed by Texas Tech not being able to BUY A BUCKET.

Texas Tech is the first team I’ve simmed that didn’t clear double digits. The offense just wasn’t there for them. That’s tough.

Final: Purdue 13, Texas Tech 8

The Wildcats jumped out to a 7-0 run thanks to a versatile offensive attack.

Their center was getting anything he wanted down low as the Wildcats took a 19-9 lead to the half.

This is a well-disciplined Arizona team that looks to be primed to make a deep run. It’s hard to run around an off-ball double screen in a mascot costume, but these ain’t no ordinary mascots.

This game wasn’t close.

Final: Arizona 33, Ohio State 15

Gonzaga started the game unconscious from the three-point line, starting off 4-4 from beyond the arc and jumped out to a 16-5 lead.

Gonzaga’s stifling defense also lead to some exciting fastbreak buckets!

The Vols looked lost on offense ...

... and had no answers for Gonzaga on defense.

YIKES.

Final: Gonzaga 26, Tennessee 8

Cincinnati used their athleticism early.

Duke countered with three-point shooting.

The Bearcats took a 12-10 lead at the half. Duke made a halftime adjustment and the Blue Devils switched to full-court man and upped the tempo. The game went into the final minute tied at 14.

Duke had the chance to capitalize on these opportunities late with this transition play.

The Blue Devils were playing defense straight up but had some sort of mental lapse as the shot clock wound down.

Duke had one final shot to tie up the game ...

What WAS THAT?! Doesn’t matter. Duke lost.

Final: Cincinnati 17, Duke 14

Two high octane teams face off here. The Tar Heels have weapons and high-flyers.

However, the Gators were able to scrap and claw ...

To take a late lead.

The Gators got a crucial stop and were able to turn DEFENSE INTO OFFENSE.

DOWN GOES UNC!

Final Florida 27, UNC 21

Arkansas did a great job at getting their shots off ...

And causing NC State to turn the ball over for easy buckets.

The Wolfpack cleaned up their act in the second half, but the defense wasn’t there.

Final: Arkansas 22, NC State 17

Here’s the Updated Bracket!

‘TIL THE NEXT ROUND!