No buzzer-beaters, no matter. With the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament resuming tonight, here's a look back at the guys (and the state) that shined in rounds one and two.
Brady Heslip, Sophomore Guard, Baylor
The tournament's frattiest player put on a three-point-shooting clinic against Colorado in the second round, hitting 9-12 on the way to 27 points. With his Canadian charm, floppy hair and the best three-monocle since DeShawn Stevenson, Heslip, along with Speedy Pierre Jackson (10 assists), can take pretty much all the credit for Baylor's Sweet 16 spot.
(Getty Images / Christian Petersen)
C.J. Leslie, Sophomore Forward, North Carolina State
ACC followers and college-basketball zealots know the story of C.J. Leslie, but they're probably alone. Saddled with the burden of "character problems" by observers and critics, Leslie has exploded as a part of the resurgent Wolfpack, which is trying to become relevant for the first time since the '80s. N.C. State is one of the tournament's three Cinderellas, and if you're not pulling for them and Leslie, you haven't seen this incredible clip of their reaction to making the tourney.
(Getty Images / Rob Carr)
Cody Zeller, Freshman Forward, Indiana
Being a Hoosier means something again, and Indiana faithful largely have Cody Zeller to thank. Zeller's had a huge tourney, taking over what looked like a losing effort against seemingly fate-bidden VCU with five straight points in the final five minutes. (He and the Hoosiers have also slipped into the Sweet 16 with their starting point guard sidelined.) He'd had a rough go of things earlier, making the ultimate triumph even more impressive, and now he'll have a chance to knock off the best team in the Dance — the Kentucky Wildcats.
(Getty Images / Jonathan Ferrey)
C.J. McCollum, Junior Guard, Lehigh; Kyle O'Quinn, Senior Center, Norfolk State
Despite both guys falling in the second round — although Lehigh nearly knocked off Xavier — C.J. McCollum and Kyle O'Quinn make this list together for pulling off two of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history. Friday afternoon, O'Quinn and Norfolk State vanquished Missouri to become the first 15-seed to beat a 2-seed since 2001. Later that night, McCollum and Lehigh became the first 15-seed to beat a 2-seed since a few hours earlier when they downed the mighty Duke Blue Devils. Even though both teams lost their second games, they'd already made it farther than anyone expected.
