Ranging from a matchup between two of the most-winning head coaches in collegiate basketball history to a game-winning buzzer-beater, March Madness has already delivered heartbreaking and iconic moments through the first two rounds of games.
After pulling off an impressive upset victory over the No. 5-seed Memphis Tigers by a final score of 78-70, the No. 12-seed Colorado State Rams looked to continue its Cinderella run against the No. 4-seed Maryland Terrapins.
And with exactly 12 seconds remaining in this matchup, Colorado State had possession facing a two-point deficit.
Who would be the hero for the Rams with its postseason aspirations on the line?
Senior guard Jalen Lake, who’s played all four seasons with Colorado State, received a pass from fifth-year senior guard Nique Clifford and pulled up from way downtown.
Nothing but net.
Inside Climate Pledge Arena, Maryland fans watched in disbelief as the Colorado State faithful celebrated due to the fact that this miraculous upset victory was becoming more likely.
This clutch three would give the Rams a 71-70 advantage with only 3.6 seconds remaining.
However, as long as there’s time left on the clock, hope remains alive.
Baltimore native and freshman center Derik Queen received the inbounds pass, drove to his left, jumped off of his right foot, and shot over the contest from a Colorado State Ram defender.
As time expired, his shot would bank in off the backboard and the Maryland Terrapins escaped the jaws of defeat and stunned the underdog Colorado State Rams in a 72-71 thriller.
Maryland now advances to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2016, and will face the West Region’s No. 1 seed Florida Gators at Chase Center on Thursday, March 27, with tipoff at approximately 6:39 p.m. CST.
This game can be found on both TBS and truTV networks.
In a highly-anticipated matchup between two head coaches that have neither made the sweet sixteen within this decade, the No. 10-seed Arkansas Razorbacks looked to punch its ticket to the next round going up against the No. 2-seed St. John’s Red Storm.
Most notably, Arkansas Head Coach John Calipari and St. John’s Head Coach Rick Pitino are two of the top four active head coaches in collegiate basketball history in tournament wins.
With just over five minutes remaining, the Razorbacks held a 62-60 lead over the Red Storm.
Sophomore guard D.J. Wagner provided much-needed offensive production toward the closing minutes of this game, assisting on a nifty, tightly-contested layup from junior forward Trevon Brazile and scoring on a drive-by layup a couple of possessions later.
Freshman forward Billy Richmond III would finish as the leading scorer for the Razorbacks, coming off the bench scoring 16 points (6-10 FG) and grabbing nine rebounds as well.
Despite boasting a 31-5 regular season record and one of the most historic seasons in program history, the St. John’s Red Storm season came to a stunning end by a final score of 75-66.
The Razorbacks advance to their fourth Sweet Sixteen in five seasons. They are looking to carry this momentum as they prepare to battle against the No. 3-seed Texas Tech Raiders inside Chase Center on Thursday, March 2, with tipoff at approximately 9:09 p.m. CST.
This game can also be found on both TBS and truTV networks.
Lastly, let’s take a closer look at another SEC opponent who hasn’t appeared in the Sweet Sixteen since the 2001 season.
The No.6-seed Ole Miss Rebels faced off against the No. 3-seed Iowa State Cyclones and had no particular interest in returning to Oxford, Mississippi, earlier than intended.
Possessing a double-digit lead during the opening minutes of the second half (43-34), the Cyclones would never successfully get back into striking distance.
Senior guard Sean Pedulla finished with a team-high 20 points (6-13 FG and 5-6 FT), eight assists, and four steals while playing a game-high total of 37 minutes between both teams.
Providing a contagious spark off the bench, senior forward Jaemyn Brakefield scored 19 points (6-8 FG and 2-2 3PT) and played excellent defense on the other side of the court.
The Iowa State Cyclones’ season comes to a disappointing end, as the Ole Miss Rebels will continue dancing and matchup against the No. 2-seed Michigan State Spartans at State Farm Arena on Friday, March 27, with tipoff at approximately 6:09 p.m. CST.
This game will be nationally televised on the CBS network.