Before opening weekend tipped off, I tried to script the NCAA tournament we wanted to see. It turns out the NCAA tournament we actually got is much more entertaining.
March Madness’ opening weekend was absolutely bonkers. These were the moments that made it special.
From UMBC to Jordan Poole to Loyola, the opening weekend of the 2018 NCAA tournament was terrific.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Reality is often better than fiction in March Madness, a fact hammered home in the first two rounds of this tournament. It has been captivating TV throughout, creating new cultural icons and indelible moments that define the very essence of the event. But enough about Sister Jean.
The first four days of this NCAA tournament have been so damn fun. These are the moments that made it our favorite opening weekend ever:
UMBC did the impossible and stole our hearts in the process
A No. 16 seed beating a No. 1 seed was going to happen eventually, but it was not supposed to happen like this. UMBC didn’t just beat the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed Virginia, they dropped them in the most dominant fashion possible. Consider:
- Virginia was a 20.5-point favorite in this game and lost by 20 points. UMBC won by so much they almost covered the No. 1 seed’s spread.
- Virginia lost two games the entire season by a combined eight points before Friday night. A No. 16 seed beat them by 20!
There was so much to like about UMBC before their run ended against Kansas State in the round of 32. Jairus Lyles was amazing. The gambling shenanigans gave us life. And good dogs! Good dogs everywhere:
UMBC’s win was narrated perfectly on Twitter, which added a relatable, hilarious, and occasionally combative voice to a history-making team. My colleague Tim Cato interviewed the man behind the account, Zach Seidel, and he provided some great context to his work.
Seriously, this dude put on a clinic.
We miss you already, UMBC.
Loyola Chicago hit two game-winners to make the Sweet 16
Loyola was legitimately good all season. The Ramblers ran the Missouri Valley, winning the regular season title by four games and coasting to the conference tournament title. They beat Florida on the road when Florida was ranked in the top-five. Their RPI put them in Quadrant 1 status.
You get it: Loyola was never going to be a pushover in March. What we didn’t know is they’d be the most dramatic thing going in the tournament.
Example 1: Donte Ingram’s breathtaking buzzer-beater to stun Miami in the opening round:
Example 2: Clayton Custer’s lucky bounce to lift the Ramblers past Tennessee:
After two game-winners, you might think Loyola has some higher power on its side. MAYBE THEY DO:
My favorite about Sister Jean? She’s got Loyola losing in the Sweet 16. This 98-year-old nun keeps it too real.
Michigan hits a perfect March Madness buzzer-beater
Jordan Poole, the floor is yours:
Houston’s Corey Davis missed two free throws that could have iced a Sweet 16 trip just before this shot. March is as cruel as it is enthralling.
The shot also gave us one of March Madness’ most uplifting moments: Michigan’s Mo Wagner stopping to console Davis mid-celebration:
Also, we still can’t get over Poole hitting an identical buzzer-beater in high school. So cool.
Nevada pulled off the second biggest comeback in tournament history
Nevada trailed Cincinnati by 22 points Sunday evening. You would think that lead would be safe given the Bearcats finished No. 2 in defensive efficiency this season. You would be wrong.
Nevada stormed back to absolutely rip Cincy’s heart out, 75-73. Head coach Eric Musselman, how you feeling?
What a f*****’ game, to be sure.
The win probability chart in this game was so wild it became a meme:
Don’t forget the Wolf Pack had to erase a 14-point lead just to beat Texas in their opening-round game. What a crazy ride for that program and its fans.
13-seeds Buffalo and Marshall take out national title contenders
This is the first time two No. 13 seeds have advanced to the Sweet 16 since 2008. What made it even more remarkable is who Buffalo and Marshall took out while doing it.
Arizona was a trendy title pick. It had the best player in the tournament, two terrific scoring guards, and all the motivation in the world to make this run count. Buffalo clocked them by 31.
Wichita State was more popular as a Final Four pick in the preseason, but the Shockers were still looking formidable in March. Marshall cranked up the pace, launched threes at will and ran WSU right out of the gym. It was chaotic and beautiful and only Mike D’Antoni’s brother could have overseen it.
The Sweet 16 is set and there are some heavyweights still out there. Duke and Villanova have to be the two favorites, with Kentucky lurking. But if opening weekend taught us anything, it’s that you never know what’s going to happen in March.
The start of this tournament has been amazing. We can’t wait to see how it finishes out.
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