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College basketball

NCAA Tournament Upsets and Surprises: A Recap of Friday's Post-Season Action

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

NCAA basketball fans were treated to a day of upsets and surprises on Friday as the post-season tournament kicked into high gear. The day saw 42 games played in 14 leagues around the country, with several top teams managing wins, but also several lower-seeded teams pulling off stunning upsets. In the Big Eight Tournament, Missouri narrowly avoided a huge upset by defeating last-place Colorado, 64-62, thanks to a beneficial official's call and two free throws with less than a second remaining by Paul O'Liney. Meanwhile, top-ranked Arkansas had to come from behind to down Georgia, 95-83, in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament, with sophomore Corliss Williamson scoring a season-high 30 points.

Key Takeaways:

  • Missouri avoided a huge upset by defeating last-place Colorado, 64-62, in the Big Eight Tournament quarterfinals, thanks to a beneficial official's call and two free throws with less than a second remaining by Paul O'Liney.
  • Top-ranked Arkansas had to come from behind to down Georgia, 95-83, in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament, with sophomore Corliss Williamson scoring a season-high 30 points.
  • Donyell Marshall set a Big East Tournament record with 42 points in Connecticut's 97-77 win over St. John's in the quarterfinals.
  • Fifth-ranked Duke advanced to the Atlantic Coast Conference semifinals with a 77-64 win over Clemson, while third-ranked North Carolina survived a competitive game with Florida State, downing the Seminoles, 83-69.
  • Memphis State continued its surprising run by downing 21st-ranked St. Louis, 73-62, in the Great Midwest Conference tournament finals.
  • Regular-season champion Ohio University secured a spot in the Mid-American Conference finals with a 79-64 win over Ball State, with Gary Trent scoring 28 points.
  • North Carolina A&T won its semifinal matchup against North Carolina Central by downing the Eagles, 61-57, in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament.

Statistics:

  • Missouri's 15th consecutive win over a league opponent this season.
  • Missouri's 64-62 win over Colorado marked the most controversy in the Big Eight Tournament quarterfinals game of the day.
  • 42 games were played in 14 leagues around the country on Friday.
  • Donyell Marshall's 42 points in Connecticut's win over St. John's set a Big East Tournament record.
  • Memphis State's win over St. Louis marked its fourth consecutive win in the Great Midwest Conference tournament.

Sources:

  • United Press International
  • NCAA.com
  • ESPN.com
  • CBS Sports

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