Results Of The Ncaa Men's Basketball Tournament
The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, is one of the most anticipated sporting events in the United States. Every year, the top college basketball teams from around the country compete for the coveted national championship title.
The 2021 tournament, which was held after last year's event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was filled with exciting games, unexpected upsets, and memorable moments. Let's take a look at some of the highlights from this year's tournament.
The Early Rounds: Upsets and Cinderella Stories
The first two rounds of the tournament are always full of surprises, and this year was no exception. In the opening round, 15th-seeded Oral Roberts shocked the basketball world by defeating second-seeded Ohio State in a thrilling overtime game. The Golden Eagles continued their impressive run by defeating Florida in the second round before finally falling to Arkansas in the Sweet Sixteen.
Another team that captured the hearts of fans was 13th-seeded Ohio University. The Bobcats upset fourth-seeded Virginia in the opening round before falling to Creighton in the second round. Another notable upset was 12th-seeded Oregon State, which defeated fifth-seeded Tennessee, fourth-seeded Oklahoma State, and eighth-seeded Loyola Chicago to reach the Elite Eight.
But perhaps the most surprising team of the tournament was 11th-seeded UCLA. The Bruins, who had to win a play-in game just to enter the main tournament field, upset number one seed Michigan in the Elite Eight to reach their first Final Four appearance since 2008.
The Final Four: Gonzaga and Baylor Dominate
While there were plenty of upsets and exciting games in the early rounds, the Final Four featured two dominant teams that had been favorites to reach the championship game from the start: Gonzaga and Baylor.
Gonzaga, the top overall seed in the tournament, cruised through the early rounds with blowout wins over Norfolk State, Oklahoma, and Creighton. In the Final Four, they faced off against UCLA in what turned out to be one of the most memorable games of the tournament.
The Bruins, who had already upset several higher-seeded teams, hung tough with Gonzaga throughout the game, trading blows and trading leads. But with just over three seconds left in overtime, Gonzaga's Jalen Suggs hit a stunning buzzer-beater from beyond half-court to send the Bulldogs to the championship game.
On the other side of the bracket, Baylor was equally dominant. The Bears, who had suffered a mid-season slump but had regained their form in the tournament, defeated Hartford, Wisconsin, Villanova, and Arkansas to reach the Final Four.
In their semifinal game against Houston, Baylor jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, cruising to a 78-59 victory to set up a championship game showdown with Gonzaga.
The Championship Game: Baylor's Dominance
Heading into the championship game, many fans anticipated a classic matchup between the two best teams in the country. But from the opening tip, it was clear that Baylor was the superior team.
The Bears jumped out to a 9-0 lead and never looked back, dominating Gonzaga on both ends of the court. Baylor's defense, which had been a strength all season, stifled Gonzaga's high-powered offense, holding the Bulldogs to just 70 points - nearly 20 points below their season average. On the offensive end, Baylor's guards - led by Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell - were unstoppable, combining for 41 points and 10 three-pointers.
When the final buzzer sounded, Baylor emerged as the clear and deserving champion, winning 86-70 and cementing their place in college basketball history.
Conclusion
The 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament was one for the ages. From the early-round upsets to the Final Four heroics to the dominant championship display by Baylor, the tournament provided plenty of excitement and memorable moments for fans all around the country.
As the college basketball world looks ahead to next season, one thing is clear: March Madness never disappoints.
