Had enough of March Madness yet? Yeah, neither have we. But just in case you had to sleep/eat/call your mother at some point this weekend and missed some of the action, this will catch you up in a hurry.
IT’S GOOD TO BE …
The ACC
Despite Virginia falling to Michigan State—for the second straight year, in fact—the conference that tends to get the most love for its hoops skills flexed its muscles again. North Carolina, Duke, Notre Dame, even North Carolina State all slugged their way through to the Sweet 16.
The Hunter family
Sure, Georgia State stumbled against Xavier—a team that’s always sneaky good every March, by the way—and was bounced from the tournament. But Panthers coach Ron Hunter falling off his rolling chair after his son R.J. hit the winning shot against Baylor is this year’s One Shining Moment so far.
A stenographer
Wisconsin’s players have been so obsessed with the person recording their interviews that she is enjoying time in the spotlight. In their news conference Saturday, they jokingly tested her by using the words cattywampus, onomatopoeia, soliloquy and antidisestablishmentarianism. And she nailed them!
IT’S NOT EASY BEING …
A piccolo player
GIFs of that Villanova piccolo player who was captured bursting into tears after the No. 1-seeded Wildcats lost to N.C. State are now the stuff of Internet legend. To her credit, she never stopped playing. No siree.
A player’s face
Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell had his left eye bloodied by a flying elbow. Kansas’ Perry Ellis shot free throws with gauze in his nose. Xavier’s J.P. Macura was hit in the face when an opponent tried to keep the ball in bounds. Wonder if Russell Westbrook has any extra masks lying around.
The Big 12
Second-seeded Kansas? Kaput. Third-seeded Iowa State and Baylor? Bon voyage. Texas? Toast. Only Oklahoma and West Virginia remain from the conference widely regarded as the best in the country this season. Not so mighty anymore.
More Top Picks Best Boot Dryers
SWEET 16
Thursday
Midwest: (1) Kentucky vs. (5) West Virginia; (3) Notre Dame vs. (7) Wichita State
West: (1) Wisconsin vs. (4) North Carolina; (6) Xavier vs. (2) Arizona
Friday
East: (3) Oklahoma vs. (7) Michigan State; (8) N.C. State vs. (4) Louisville
South: (1) Duke vs. (5) Utah; (11) UCLA vs. (2) Gonzaga
Chris Sosa is RedEye’s sports editor. @redeyesportschi
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