Sportz' NCAA Tournament Recap - Elite Eight

Buddy Hield has carried Oklahoma back to the Final Four

Just a quick recap of what I saw in my Sportz Room.

GAME OF THE DAY: Villanova vs Kansas. Whenever the top overall seed goes down, it's a big deal.  This was a real good one.  The Wildcats looked like they were looking good early, then the Jayhawks predictably took the game over.  But Nova took it right back.  Their defense and timely shooting got them back into the Final Four.

UPSET OF THE DAY: Syracuse vs Virginia. Again ... how was Syracuse even in this tournament?  Doesn't matter since here they are -- one of the Final Four.  Virginia was cruising along when the Orange decided to press and trap their way back into the game.  Just a shocking turn of events.  Now Syracuse is the first No. 10 seed to make it to the Final Four.  

CONFERENCE OF THE DAY: ACC. The ACC was guaranteed two teams in the Final Four and one of them a spot in the National Championship game before the Elite 8.  They will be joined by a Big East and a Big 12 squad ... so all three leagues should be proud.

CONFERENCE WITH A BAD DAY: ACC. Well, two of them lost too.  

DUD OF THE DAY: Oklahoma vs Oregon. While three of the No. 1 seeds lost in this round, Kansas and Virginia at least were in the game.  Oregon was blown out by Buddy Hield and the Sooners.

DOMINANT PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY: North Carolina. No team has imposed their will on opponents this tournament more than the Tar Heels.  Either they hit all their perimeter shots or they will just rebound them and stick them right back in.  Give up a 12-0 run and the lead?  Just go on a 12-0 run of your own immediately afterwards.

UNDERLYING STORYLINE OF THE DAY: Rocked Chalk. When the Elite 8 started, we had all four No. 1 seeds and two No. 2 seeds alive.  Three of the top seeds fell and we have a No. 10 seed nestled in there.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

*North Carolina opens up the Final Four as heavy favorites.  They are a 4-5 shot to win the National Championship.