March Madness: Maryland wins; Virginia, Howard fall in NCAA men’s basketball tournament
As March Madness gets underway, the University of Maryland Terrapins came up victorious while the University of Virginia suffered a heartbreaking upset.
Meanwhile, D.C.’s Howard University, making its first appearance in the tournament since 1992, gave a valiant effort against Kansas, but was overmatched by the defending national champions.
University of Maryland
South Bracket: No. 8 Maryland defeats No. 9 West Virginia 67-65
After a rocky start in their first appearance in the dance after missing it last year, the Maryland Terrapins found a way to pull away from the West Virginia in a thriller 67-65. It was the team’s largest comeback win of the season as they trailed by as many as 13 points.
Julian Reese led the team with 17 points and nine rebounds. Hakim Hart had 15 points, including a steal and dunk that put the Terps ahead to stay with 3:44 left.
It was the seventh meeting between the two schools since 1987 and they did not disappoint. It was impressive for a Terrapins team that won 11 Big Ten games this season.
In the second round, they’ll be likely facing no. 1 Alabama — one of the favorites to win the title.
University of Virginia
South Bracket: No. 4 Virginia loses to No. 13 Furman 68-67
The Virginia Cavaliers were upset by Furman University — who is in the tournament for the first time in 43 years — 68-67 in an exciting one. JP Pegues hit the game-winning three with 2.2 seconds left for the Paladins to win their first tournament game since 1974, knocking UVA out of the dance in the process.
What made it more heartbreaking for the Cavaliers was that they led by as many as 10 points in the first half and 12 points in the second half while shooting 2-12 from three. Ironically, it was the five-year anniversary of their shocking loss to UMBC.
The Cavaliers will not get a chance to win their second championship in school history this year. On the other hand, the Paladins will take on the winner of the San Diego State-College of Charleston game on Saturday.
Howard University
West Bracket: No. 16 Howard falls to No. 1 Kansas 96-68
The Howard Bison, in their first NCAA tournament since 1992, was no match for the defending champions as they fell 96-68 to Kansas. The historically Black university’s team had their work cut out for them against the Jayhawks and it didn’t help that they only shot 39% from the field and turned the ball over 18 times.
Shy Odom led the team with 15 points. Despite their disappointing showing at the tournament, Bison had a successful season in making the dance for the first time since the George H.W. Bush administration — finishing the season at 22-13.
