UMBC’s Jairus Lyles joins March Madness immortality after Virginia upset

UMBC did it. They became the first 16-seed to knock off a 1-seed after setting fire to the hardwood that Virginia showed up to play on, 74-54. Jairus Lyles was the catalyst in the Retrievers’ historic upset, and cemented his place in NCAA tournament history.

Lyles is a senior, and a local product (UMBC is Maryland-Baltimore County, for the uninitiated). The Silver Spring native out of famous DeMatha High led his team in scoring with 28 points — and became the latest tournament phenom.

The Retrievers collectively came out of the gate fast. It’s not something that hasn’t been seen before, but this felt different, and it was. It was because of Lyles, whose parents were both Virginia grads.

Before we get any further here, let me state for the record that we’re not related. Though after today I may just claim him as a cousin and go with it.

Lyles was shooting with confidence early. You don’t finish a shot with this stance and hold your form unless you’re there to do some serious damage. That should have been the first “oh shit” moment for Tony Bennett and the Cavaliers.

Then early in the second half, he found himself in a smooth catch-and-shoot, quickly letting his form down this time. But he still exuded that confidence by galloping backward, knowing the ball was tickling twine.

Shortly thereafter, he put the game to rest. Sure, there was plenty of time left, especially for the No. 1 overall seed against the No. 63 overall seed, right? Wrong.

Look at the step into the shot, another wide stance, a cocked-back shooting arm, and snapped wrist after he let another triple go. There’s not a single drop of fear in you if you’re doing this.

He wasn’t going to be stopped, period. Even four Cavaliers couldn’t handle him.

“The kid’s on fire,” Jim Nantz said during TNT’s broadcast. Talk about an understatement.

And what’s a great story without a little bit of a twist? Lyles was cramping up during the game, and had to be taken out. The biggest star of the NCAA tournament was licking what was either a peanut butter or cheese cracker on the sideline.

But this summed up the evening. Everything was falling (he was 9-of-11 from the field!), even when Lyles was just goofing around. This was even after battling the cramping.

Just 0.12 percent of people had faith and picked the Retreivers. But even a little faith can go a long way.

Friday night will go down as one of those nights where you remember where you were. Who you were with. Who you called or texted.

And now, nobody will ever ask where, what, or who UMBC is again. You’ll be able to tell your kids about March 16, 2018, and the night Jairus Lyles’ legend came to life.

Keep the caps on those Sharpies, y’all.