*THE PAC 12 IS SURPRISINGLY 2-0 THRU TWO DAYS: UCLA’s impressive comeback overtime win over Michigan State on Thursday night was followed on Friday by Oregon State’s first NCAA Tournament win since 1982 with a wire-to-wire 14-point win over Tennessee.
*THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY WAS THE BIGGEST LOSER ON DAY ONE: The second-seeded Buckeyes, favored by 15. were outhustled and outcoached against Oral Roberts, which didn’t even play well (36% shooting and minus 14 in rebounding). It was just the ninth time in tournament history that a number seed was beaten by a 15 seed.
*PURDUE WAS NOT GOOD FOR THE BIG TEN: Michigan State and Ohio State both lost overtime games at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette while Purdue lost in overtime to North Texas.
*ROY WILLIAMS LOST The FIRST-ROUND GAME FOR THE FIRST TIME: Williams was 29-0 and North Carolina 31-2 in the first round before a non-competitive 85-62 loss to a Wisconsin team that frequently struggles offensively.
*CADE CUNNINGHAM WILL NEED TO PLAY SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER: The projected first-round pick of the 2021 NBA Draft was a first-half no-show (zero of five from the field, one of two from the free-throw line, one assist, and three turnovers) before scoring 14 points in the second half as Oklahoma State overcame a halftime deficit to beat Liberty (coached by Mesa Westwood High School grad Ritchie McKay).
*JIM BOEHEIM’S 2-3 ZONE LIVES: Syracuse held totally baffled San Diego State scoreless over the final nine minutes of the first half and led 56-30 with 10 minutes remaining in the eventual 78-62 victory.
