March Madness Day 6, Part 1 & 2

Baylor 75 - Xavier 70
This turned into a pretty good tilt, despite a couple of points where Baylor went up big. 18 point lead in the first half, and a 12 point lead with about two minutes to play. Xavier clawed their way back to make it a one possession game both times, but they were never able to get even or ahead. If Xavier could have hit a three before under two minutes were left (and plenty of those misses were open looks), they could have stolen this one. Baylor's defensive effort was pretty inconsistent, but give them credit, whenever Xavier threatened, they came up with a terrific look to get points and stop the bleeding. Usually, it was a dunk or layup. In the end, Baylor's overall athleticism ruled the day.

North Carolina 73 - Ohio 65 (OT)
UNC should be ashamed of themselves. Ohio deserved this win, despite not getting one field goal in overtime. UNC got up big early, and then decided they could coast and win this one comfortably. They could settle for outside shots, chain multiple possessions together where the ball never got below the three-point line, and sit around flat-footed on defense, and it would be okay, because their talent would carry them. It almost came back to bite them, but Ohio couldn't quite make that one more play in regulation to finish the Tar Heels off, and then they were simply spent by overtime. A shameful performance from a team who, yes, was without their point guard and leader, but who knew this from the moment their last game ended. You couldn't come up with some plan, Roy? No one would take it upon themselves to step up, Harrison, John, anyone? I didn't even pick UNC to make the title game, let alone win it all, and I was disgusted. I can only imagine how those of you who did put your full trust in Carolina Blue feel after that game.

Kentucky 102 - Indiana 90
Kansas 60 - North Carolina State 57
I admit, a full week of waking up at 5 AM or earlier caught up with me and once I saw neither of these games started before 10 PM, I didn't even try to stay awake. So here are my first three thoughts after reading the scores this morning:

1. Wow, a college game ended with a 102-90 score. More than half of the NBA games played last night ended with fewer points scored.
2. Of course Kansas almost blew it against a double-digit seed. Ask me if I'm shocked, no, ask me if I'm even a little surprised. Go on.
3. The midwest region is down to two of the biggest underachieving teams over the years in Roy Williams' Carolina team and Bill Self's Kansas one. With how these two teams go, I'm prediciting that if Kendall Marshall plays (and thus Carolina faces the expectations), Kansas will win. If he does not, then Kansas will blow it.