Who were the winners and losers from the tourney’s first weekend? Take a look.
Winner: B1G
With the exception of Wisconsin, the B1G conference performed quite admirably in the first two rounds going 10-3. Michigan and MSU dominated their games winning by an average of 13 points. Indiana and Ohio State had tough Sunday games but prevailed. Illinois had a chance against tourney favorite Miami but a questionable call late sent them packing. All in all, their conference RPI withstood the test unlike, you know, the Mountain West.
Loser: Charles Barkley
This sums up Barkley’s awful analysis which included busting on the B1G over and over.
Winner: Dunk City
Florida Gulf Coast is the talk of the tournament with their high-flying Harlem Globetrotter style of basketball. They became the first 15 seed to move on to the Sweet 16. They also became the first team to do the chicken dance since, well, ever.
Loser: Jim Boeheim’s water bottle skills
Winner: Marquette
The Golden Eagles should be at home, should be thinking about what their season could have been. Instead, late game heroics by Vander Blue and some awful shot selection by Butler has allowed them to advance. This has 1983 N.C. State written all over it.
Loser: Big East
What a complete disaster from the Big East. Disappointing losses by Pitt and Notre Dame were nothing compared to Georgetown’s brutal performance against FGCU. JT3 is on the hot seat and deservedly so. Since going to the Final Four in 2007, the Hoyas have dropped five straight to double digit seeds. Just brutal.
Winner: Dancing Buzz Williams
Buzz can dance.
Loser: Marshall Henderson
The Marshall Henderson show’s officially over after a disappointing loss to La Salle Sunday night. An ending that saw him riding the pine in the game’s final sequences. He showed his dissatisfaction by giving the crowd a double middle-finger salute.
Stay classy bro!
Marshall Henderson just gave the KC crowd double middle fingers. Classy.
— Joe (@ByJoeDavis) March 25, 2013
Winner: Sparty
Sparty disagreed with a flagrant foul against Memphis. He showed his disapproval quite marvelously.
Loser: Crying Ginger
Ginger’s still don’t have souls.
Winner: Allie LaForce
Yea, raising the roof is very 1990s but I think we can all agree it’s quite adorable when Allie LaForce does it. Sadly, we won’t be seeing more of LaForce this tournament. CBS has decided viewers want more Rachel Nichols and Tracy Wolfson.
Booo!
Winner: Mitch McGary
The freshman’s outstanding 21 point 14 rebound game was highlighted by this devastating pick.
Loser: Olapido
Kenny Smith keeps calling Victor Oladipo "Olapido" and it's priceless.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 24, 2013
Winner: The Landshark
La Salle’s the Cinderella team no one’s talking about. With wins over Kansas State and Ole Miss, the Explorers have a legit shot of advancing to the elite eight against Witchita State. Also, they do the running landshark which all the kids are talking about these days.
Loser: Craig Sager’s bracket tie
Winner: Aaron Craft
More and more, Aaron Craft resembles a white Mateen Cleaves. A guy with a broken jumper but the will and determination of a champion.
Loser: This person’s ankle
You can’t unsee this.
Winner: Ram Boy
Seriously, this kid was in the NY Times over the weekend. He’s the fan of the day of the week of the year.
Loser: Sad Hippie
Sad Cal hippie is sad.
Winner: Shocker girl
That’s not how you do the shocker but for now, we’re willing to let it slide.
Loser: Brad Stevens
Known as one of the best in-game coaches, Stevens had a bit of a meltdown late against Marquette. It was compounded by some awful shots by Rotnei Clarke and Andrew Smith.
Winner: Oregon cheerleaders
This one needs no explanation.