CBB: The Best NCAA Tournament Games
1. No. 3 Purdue (75) vs. No. 1 Virginia (80) (OT): This game really had it all. Carsen Edwards went off for 42 points, which included a three to give the Boilermakers a late lead. But that was answered with a buzzer-beater by Mamadi Diakite after a remarkable pass from Kehei Clark to send the game into overtime. Kyle Guy woke up in the second half to help send the Cavaliers to their first Final Four of the century in a game that was in peril from the start.
2. No. 5 Auburn (62) vs. No. 1 Virginia (63): The first game of the Final Four came right down to the final 0.6 seconds. After falling down 31-28 at the half, Virginia was able to take a 10-point lead with less than six minutes left. Auburn went on a 14-0 run, though, and held a two-point lead with 1.5 seconds left. Kyle Guy, just moments after hitting a three, was fouled in the short corner, and proceeded to hit all three free throws to send the Cavaliers to the title.
3. No. 9 UCF (76) vs. No. 1 Duke (77): If this game was a little later in the tournament, then it would have a real case for the top spot. Although it was just the Round of 32, UCF pushed Duke to the brink as they led by three with less than 15 seconds left. But Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett, the incredible freshman, scored four points in three seconds to put the Blue Devils up. B.J. Taylor and Aubrey Dawkins had chances to win it for UCF, but they just (!) fell off the rim.
4. No. 2 Michigan State (68) vs. No. 1 Duke (67): The Blue Devils made a habit of playing down-to-the-wire games and the Elite Eight matchup versus Michigan State was no exception. Duke opened up a 30-21 lead and flirted with pulling away, but an amazing 13-0 run to end the first half put the Spartans in the lead. Late in the second half, Kenny Goins knocked down a clutch three to put Michigan State up two, and Barrett was unable to tie the game at the line.
5. No. 3 Purdue (99) vs. No. 2 Tennessee (94) (OT): The Sweet Sixteen matchup between Purdue and Tennessee was the Game of the Tournament to this point, and for good reason. Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams pushed the Volunteers into the lead after trailing by 19 points in the second. But Ryan Cline hit big shots and Edwards was fouled and hit two free throws to send the game to overtime. Cline and Edwards combined for 56 points in the win.
6. No. 6 Maryland (67) vs. No. 3 LSU (69): This game was a tale of two halves as LSU dominated the first half and looked far superior, taking a 38-29 lead into the second half. But Maryland fought back and tied the game late. The Tigers, who were without their head coach, put the ball in the hands of Tremont Waters with just seconds remaining. Waters drove to his right and finished, sending LSU to the Sweet Sixteen. Waters finished with 12 points.
7. No. 5 Auburn (77) vs. No. 2 Kentucky (71) (OT): Coming into this game, the Tigers were riding an 11-game winning streak which dated back to a 27-point loss to Kentucky. This game had a different outcome. The Wildcats led by five at the break, but the combination of Bryce Brown and Jared Harper kept the game tight throughout. Harper outscored Kentucky 12-11 in overtime, while Brown added 24 points, which helped send Auburn to their first Final Four.
8. No. 3 Texas Tech (75) vs. No. 1 Gonzaga (69): Gonzaga averaged 88+ points coming into the game, but they were held to just 69 points with a Final Four berth on the line. Texas Tech held a 71-69 lead with 11.0 seconds left and Josh Perkins reached over the baseline and made contact with Matt Mooney for a technical foul. Not many games have ended this way, and the Red Raiders were able to knock down free throws to send themselves to their first ever Final Four.
9. No. 4 Virginia Tech (73) vs. No. 1 Duke (75): It seemed like every day the Blue Devils were on the verge of going down and their Sweet Sixteen matchup was no exception. The Hokies took a four-point lead into the locker rooms, but Duke was able to jump into the lead in the final seconds behind 23 points from Williamson. Ahmed Hill had an alley-oop attempt fall short, which would have sent the game into overtime. Tre Jones had 22 points in the victory.
10. No. 10 Iowa (77) vs. No. 2 Tennessee (83) (OT): Tennessee jumped out to a 24-point lead and led 49-28 at halftime, after a half in which they looked like a true national title contender. But Iowa chipped away at the deficit and were able to battle all the way back to tie the game after a big shot from Jordan Bohannon. Williams, SEC Player of the Year, took over in the extra period and finished with 19 points to helps the Vols survive the upset bid.
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