March Madness 2022 has been an entertaining ride, and it’s just getting started.
Saturday’s NCAA Tournament slate saw 8-seeded North Carolina upset defending champion Baylor Bears. Michigan beat No. 3 Tennessee, adding to the hoops drama.
That was not all. Creighton played hard against No. 1 Kansas, but the Jayhawks escaped with a 79-72 victory.
Buckle up for more hardwood theater as the second round continues on Sunday.
Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski and Michigan State’s Tom Izzo face off for the final time. Krzyzewski is retiring after 42 seasons with the Blue Devils. This is the sixth meeting between Coach K and Izzo in the NCAA tournament, a record for the most common matchups between head coaches, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Auburn guard Jabari Smith enters the court after his outstanding performance against Jacksonville State in the first round. Arizona and Auburn are two other teams in the top two in action.
NCAA Tournament Schedule (every hour ET)
5:15 p.m.: 7 Michigan State Spartans vs. 2 Duke Blue Devils
6:10 p.m.: 11 Iowa State Cyclones vs. 3 Wisconsin Badgers
7:10 p.m.: 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish against 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders
7:45 p.m.: 10 Miami Hurricanes vs. 2 Auburn Tigers
8:40 p.m.: 6 Texas Longhorns against 3 Purdue Boilermakers
9:40 p.m.: 9 TCU Horned Frogs vs. 1 Arizona Wildcats
Aren’t you amused?
So far, Duke vs. Michigan State has been everything a quality hoops fan could hope for – this Mark Williams jam was no exception.
Mark Williams is a force on the edge 💥@DukeMBB | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/qrRLcoYfPV
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2022
That three wasn’t too shabby either…
DUKE STRIKES ALL THREE TO ATTACK HER! 😱@DukeMBB #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Kxulw1yH1Z
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2022
According to ESPN Stats & Information data, if the Spartans were to prevail in today’s showdown between the two legendary programs, Tom Izzo would become the only head coach to beat Mike Krzyzewski three times in the NCAA Tournament.
Villanova moves on
The Villanova Wildcats are dancing on the Sweet 16 (again) after thwarting the Ohio State Buckeyes’ comeback attempt in the second half to win 71-61.
Six members of 2021 #Sweet16 are back for more in 2022 🔥#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/JDitpzUlY9
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2022
The Wildcats seem to be getting hot at the right time, having won seven straight.
ERIC. DIXON. 👀@BigEballer_ | #LetsMarchNova
—Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) March 20, 2022
The next step ? Jay Wright & Co. will meet the Michigan Wolverines in San Antonio, the same city where Villanova beat Michigan in the 2018 National Championship Game. We’re not saying that bodes well for Nova, but it does. definitely not bad.
Sweet victory for Houston
After eliminating Illinois 68-53, Houston will make its third straight Sweet 16 appearance. The Coogs’ streak is the third-longest active streak behind Gonzaga (seven) and Michigan (five). It’s safe to say that coach Kelvin Sampson liked what he saw from his guys.
Shirtless Kelvin Sampson was WILDIN’ in the locker room 💦@UHCougarMBK #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/yVHrZlSnQE
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2022
“HOUSTON COUGARS GO TO #SWEET16“
Sampson and co. punch their ticket 🎟@UHCougarMBK #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/O45xem9McC
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2022
One more look at the hustle and bustle of Fabian White Jr. 🔥@UHCougarMBK #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/0Qs1bo1f7C
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2022
Teddy or Timmy Buckets?
MILWAUKEE — When New Mexico State upset UConn in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, America discovered the “Teddy Buckets.”
Aggies guard Teddy Allen scored 37 of his team’s 70 points, the most ever by a New Mexico State player in the tournament. After the match, Allen went viral looking at a TNT camera and saying, “Bye, bye, blue bloods!”
“The post-game interview is exactly what he is all the time,” said Allen’s younger brother, Timmy, a Texas forward. “But I don’t know, I’m definitely a fun guy.”
don’t play against him https://t.co/CSeoR6lTXN
— TA (@timmybuckets35) March 18, 2022
Not only does Timmy Allen have some personality, he’s the rightful owner of the “Buckets” moniker, at least until big brother steps in.
“I was the first ‘Timmy Buckets,'” Teddy said Saturday, as Texas prepared for their second-round game against Purdue. “It’s been my Twitter account since seventh grade or something. And then it started going crazy and it went to Teddy Buckets. So be it, but we both get to the basket for sure.”
New Mexico State is Teddy Allen’s fourth school in five years, while Timmy transferred from Utah to Texas after the 2020-21 season. Longhorns coach Chris Beard said the team delayed several movie showings Thursday so Timmy could watch Teddy’s game against UConn. Beard is close with New Mexico State coach Chris Jans.
“I think Timmy was the first ‘Buckets,'” Beard said. “I understand Teddy took it. I like Teddy, but I’m a Timmy guy.”
While Teddy might be the more cheeky and outgoing sibling, Timmy has his own swagger.
“Timmy has his own dance,” Texas guard Courtney Ramey said. “You should see him someday. Very funny guy around here. Very funny guy.”
If Texas keeps dancing in the NCAA Tournament, the moves are sure to come out. — Adam Rittenberg
