Here's hoping the night games are better. Or at least better officiated.
#1 Syracuse 72 - # 16 UNC-Asheville 65
The "You've Gotta Be Kidding Me" Game: This one had history written all over it, until Syracuse's checks to the refs cleared at halftime. UNC-Asheville lost out on one questionable call after another until there wasn't any time left. I wanted so badly to see if Jim Boeheim could find a way to make that concessional handshake condescending, and now I'll never know. That said, it was an entertaining game.
(Getty Images / Jared Wickerham)
#5 New Mexico 75 - #12 Long Beach State 68
The "Is This Really Our Second Best Game Of The Afternoon" Game: I mean don't get me wrong. This game was fine. Long Beach State was in it the whole way. Drew Gordon had a phenomenal game for New Mexico (18 points, 13 rebounds, 7 of 9 from the field). Long Beach State has those awesome jerseys that endorse a fifteen-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio movie (THE BEACH!). It was definitely watchable. But the fact that this was so highly does not speak well of the afternoon slate.
(AP / Don Ryan)
#4 Louisville 69 - #13 Davidson 62
The "Peyton Siva Is So Much Fun To Watch" Game: Seriously, this guy is awesome. Watching him is like watching Jeremy Lin at the height of Linsanity without the fear that he'll be terrible in two weeks and Rick Pitino will be jobless and bitter.
(Getty Images / Jonathan Ferrey)
#8 Kansas State 70 - #9 Southern Mississippi 64
The "What Did They Just Say" Game: Southern Miss tried to make this a game toward the end, but the Cats were just too much for them. Sure Rodney McGruder was dominant for Kansas State and freshman point guard Angel Rodriguez had flashes of greatness at the end of the game, but what people will remember is members of Southern Mississippi's band chanting "Where's your Green Card?" as Rodriguez was at the free throw line. Not a good look, guys.
(AP / Keith Srakocic)
