2021 NCAA Tournament Round Two Day Two Recap

Gonzaga Bulldogs
Head Coach Mark Few (Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports)

The second day of the second round in the 2021 NCAA Tournament is upon us, as the final eight spots remained for the Sweet 16. There were MAJOR upsets yesterday and we look to continue the madness today. Lets take a look on how day two of the second round went.

No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 1 Gonzaga

Gonzaga 87 – Oklahoma 71

Congrats to Oklahoma for making this game just interesting enough to watch, but the Gonzaga Bulldogs were just too much for the Sooners. Drew Timme had a career-high 30 points and 13 rebounds for the Zags. The Zags notched their 32nd straight win dating back to last year and their 25th win this season by double digits. Defensively, Gonzaga was dominant plus Corey Kispert and freshman phenom Jalen Suggs added 16 points a piece. Austin Reaves scored 27 for OU but it wasn’t nearly enough. The Sooner were also missing their second leading scorer, De’Vion Harmon due to COVID.

The Zags are looking to keep it rolling in the Sweet 16 against a Big East opponent (spoiler alert).

No. 5 Creighton vs No. 13 Ohio

Creighton 72 – Ohio 58

Cinderella’s slipper no longer fit, as the Ohio Bobcats and the amazing Jason Preston fell short against the Creighton Bluejays. Marcus Zegarowski scored 20 points to lead Creighton to victory and their first Sweet Sixteen in 47 years. The Bluejays got up by as much as 21 and kept the MAAC champions at a comfortable distance. Ohio superstar Jason Preston had an off night shooting, going 1-10 with just 4 points.

No. 2 Iowa vs. No. 7 Oregon

Oregon 95 – Iowa 80

Reigning national player of the year Luka Garza had 36 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Oregon Ducks scored the first upset of the day. The Ducks were simply too athletic for the Hawkeyes. Oregon may have benefitted from not having a first round opponent when VCU had to forfeit due to a COVID outbreak. Chris Duarte lead the way with 23 points. LJ Figeora added 5 triples for 21 points for the Ducks. This marks the end of the Luka Garza era in Iowa, where he will go down as one of the greats in Hawkeye history.

No. 11 UCLA vs. No. 14 Abilene Christian

UCLA 67 – Abilene Christian 47

Johnny Juzang led a balanced UCLA attack as the Bruins are back to the Sweet 16 in Mick Cronin’s second year at the helm. Abilene Christian, the slayers of Texas were no match for the more athletic Bruins. UCLA only had 9 turnovers vs the vaunted pressure D from ABU. Head coach Joe Golding can go home holding their head high as they lost to a bluebood that is looking to reclaim their status.

No. 8 LSU vs. No. 1 Michigan

Michigan 86 – LSU 78

In maybe the game with the biggest upset potential, LSU gave Michigan a great test, but came up short. Juwon Howard’s Wolverines held on to a 1 point half-time lead, but pulled away in the second half with a 14-1 run that kept the Tigers at bay. Freshman Hunter Dickenson (12 points, 11 rebounds) and Franz Wagner (15 and seven) led that way. Cameron Thomas finished with 30 points but cooled off in the second half has Michigan ratched up the D. Michigan advances the Sweet 16 in Juwon Howard’s second year as they seek to get back to the Final Four.

No. 5 Colorado vs. No. 4 Florida State

Florida State 71 – Colorado 53

The ACC had one of their weakest regular seasons, but the program that was arguably the most consistent was the FSU Seminoles. The Noles kept their consistency and advanced to their third straight Sweet Sixteen by dispatching the pesky Colorado Buffaloes. Anthony Polite exploded for a career high 22 points including going 4-7 from three point land, as the Noles advance to take on Michigan. Colorado did cut the lead to one, but FSU responded with a thunderous dunk and scoring run that squared the game away. This ends the career of Colorado star, McKinley Wright who finished with just 10 points, but will go down as one of the most decorated player in Buffs history.

No. 15 Maryland vs. No. 2 Alabama

Alabama 96 – Maryland 77

After as stiff challenge from Iona, Bama came back strong in a big way. They destroyed the Maryland Terrapins 96-77 in a three point display of perfection. The Tide went 16-33 from behind the arc as John Petty and Jaden Shackelford finished with 21 and 10 points. Nate Oats joins a group of second year coaches that have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. Mark Turgeon will have some explaining to do as the Big Ten continued its disappointing NCAA tournament showing.

No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 6 USC

Kansas 85 – USC 51

Well, the Mobley brothers prove to be dangerous as USC continues the PAC 12’s dominance with a resounding win over Kansas. Isiah and Evan Mobley teamed up for 27 point and 21 rebounds, as Kansas had no answers in the blow-out. Andy Enfield’s Trojans make a trip to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2006-2007. Marcus Garrett had 15 points as he was the only Jayhawk player in double figures.

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