Why the Iowa Hawkeyes and Kentucky Wildcats fell quick and every thing else we discovered on March Insanity Thursday

So how’s your March Madness bracket? A 2022 NCAA match Thursday that provided all the same old alternatives for upheaval delivered on various of them. The No. 2 seed Kentucky Wildcats, a really fashionable Remaining 4 decide getting into the day, misplaced in stunning style to the 15-seed Saint Peter’s Peacocks. The Iowa Hawkeyes, recent off a formidable displaying in a run to the Massive Ten match title, fell to the Atlantic 10 champion and frequent March Insanity big killer Richmond Spiders.

There have been different surprises — New Mexico State over UConn in one other 12 vs. 5 upset, North Carolina destroying Marquette within the most lopsided 8 vs. 9 result of all time — and so they provided extra proof of all of the unpredictable issues that may occur in a single-elimination match full of nothing however good groups.

As we catch our breath from Day 1 of the primary spherical, ESPN’s panel of Myron Medcalf, Jeff Borzello, John Gasaway and Joe Lunardi weighed in on Thursday’s occasions and likewise peeked forward at a Friday schedule that figures to carry rather more Insanity.

Observe this hyperlink for NCAA tournament tip times, and go to right here to check your March Madness bracket.

What occurred to Kentucky towards Saint Peter’s, and what’s subsequent for the Wildcats?

For a full breakdown of the Wildcats’ historic loss to the Peacocks and what’s subsequent for each groups, follow this link.

Earlier than Kentucky fell, Massive Ten match champ Iowa busted a whole lot of brackets with its loss to Richmond. Out of your perspective, why do the Hawkeyes preserve failing to succeed in the second weekend? Are you able to give Iowa followers one thing to really feel hopeful about?

Medcalf: The Hawkeyes do not persistently guard anybody and that is why they ruined my — our — bracket as soon as once more. Fran McCaffery had some stable defensive groups in his early years in Iowa Metropolis. However he has had six consecutive seasons with finishes outdoors the highest 75 in adjusted defensive effectivity on KenPom. That run contains three years in a row with a top-five end in adjusted offensive effectivity. These extremely imbalanced groups can do nice issues within the common season, however they typically fail to satisfy expectations within the postseason. Certain, you could have some groups that had been nice offensive groups and common defensive groups which have made runs. However you do not see many nice offensive groups with horrible defensive metrics slicing down the nets. Richmond wasn’t nice offensively, however the Spiders had just a few stable runs that modified the sport and a robust end to seal the win.

This 12 months it was Richmond, which completed sixth within the Atlantic 10 standings. Final 12 months, the Hawkeyes gave up 95 factors in a double-digit loss to Oregon within the second spherical. They misplaced to Tennessee in additional time, 83-77, within the second spherical in 2019. Iowa continues to encourage these shootouts, however its defensive challenges create postseason challenges.

The constructive for Iowa followers? I believe a whole lot of elite transfers have watched Luka Garza win a Wood Award (practically two years in a row) and Keegan Murray turn into a lottery decide in McCaffery’s offense and can consider they’ll do the identical factor in that system. However these high abilities could not overcome this system’s defensive challenges to assist Iowa attain the second weekend for the primary time below McCaffery.

Borzello: It is simple to level to Iowa’s typically poor protection as the explanation the Hawkeyes proceed to battle within the early rounds of the NCAA match. And it is definitely true that their offense is at all times superior to their protection — however it hasn’t at all times been a deadly flaw. Once they had been bounced early in 2015 and 2016, they’d defenses ranked within the high 35 at KenPom. This 12 months, their defensive ranks had been just like final season — however since Feb. 1, Iowa had a borderline top-50 protection nationally. Not elite, however definitely sufficient to get previous Richmond. So there’s some randomness and “March-ness” to the exits.

I imply, simply have a look at final 12 months: The Hawkeyes needed to play an Oregon staff that had misplaced two of its ultimate 13 video games and did not even play a first-round recreation after VCU was pressured to withdraw. It is also price noting that Iowa had gained one recreation in every of its previous 4 NCAA tournaments, so it isn’t just like the Hawkeyes instantly turn into a distinct staff within the Dance. So I suppose these are some causes for optimism transferring ahead. On the identical time, going 1-2 in two NCAA tournaments with a Wood Award winner and the second-best participant within the nation is fairly damning.

Gasaway: March will do no matter it needs each single time, and that is why this match is unparalleled spectator sport. Richmond held the Iowa offense to its third-least environment friendly outing of the complete season, and the opposite two had been street video games. The Hawkeyes recorded 29 3-point makes an attempt and made six. Per sports-reference.com, the final time Iowa tried that many 3s and made six or fewer was in January 2020 at Nebraska (4-of-33). The final time earlier than that was, properly, we do not know. The database goes again to 2010-11, so we all know solely that the Hawkeyes have fared this poorly on this many makes an attempt simply twice in 12 years. A type of occasions occurred to be within the NCAA match. March.

Lunardi: This version of the Hawkeyes was fifth within the Massive Ten in defensive effectivity in accordance with KenPom. That appeared to exit the window as quickly as Richmond related on its first again lower, then one other and one other. The dangerous, previous Iowa protection was again, missing ground stability and even primary consciousness on inbounds performs. And the Spiders won’t be carried out, as their pending matchup with Windfall appears pretty even. As for Iowa followers, what you see is what you get. On a steady loop.

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Dontrez Types and Brady Manek unleash back-to-back jams to increase the Tar Heels’ lead as they dominate Marquette of their NCAA match matchup.

What was your largest shock from Thursday’s first spherical?

Borzello: I used to be all set to hold forth on Michigan’s Frankie Collins, Caleb Love, and North Carolina’s historic decimation of Marquette (more facts and figures from the lopsided UNC win right here), however come on, Saint Peter’s over Kentucky! Are you kidding me?! There have been a slew of upsets throughout the board and I personally misplaced two Remaining 4 groups from my bracket in Kentucky and Iowa, however I really feel comfy saying the Peacocks taking down the Wildcats goes to be the lasting reminiscence from the 2022 NCAA match. Shaheen Holloway has carried out a exceptional job at Saint Peter’s since taking up in Jersey Metropolis in 2018. Space coaches will let you know it is the hardest job within the MAAC — by far — and one of many harder jobs within the area. For the Peacocks to get into the NCAA match and knock off the blueblood of all bluebloods, it is an unbelievable story. And it isn’t over, both. The Peacocks will really feel like they’ve a shot towards both Murray State within the second spherical — and you may as well go forward and add Holloway to all of your teaching carousel lists.

I do assume we have to present like to the star participant of Thursday, although: New Mexico State guard Teddy Allen. Allen is a well-traveled bucket-getter (NMSU is his fifth faculty), and towards UConn, he was unstoppable. He completed with 37 factors, made all 13 of his free-throw makes an attempt and carried the Aggies to a 12-over-5 upset win towards the Huskies. He additionally talked a whole lot of trash as the sport ended; he’ll be must-see TV on Saturday.

Medcalf: I imply, it must be Saint Peter’s discovering a method to pull off the 85-79 additional time victory over Kentucky. The 15-2 upset is at all times fascinating. However this by no means felt like a distant chance getting into the matchup. There was a legit stretch in January and February when Kentucky appeared like one of many two or three finest groups in America. The Wildcats have Oscar Tshiebwe, the probably Wood Award winner. They made 37 % of their 3-point makes an attempt in SEC play and likewise had the league’s most effective offense. Saint Peter’s has an enrollment of two,355 college students. Its main scorer this season, Daryl Banks III, was unrated as a highschool prospect. This wasn’t a 16-1 upset however it was nonetheless David vs. Goliath. Then, after the sport, Saint Peter’s head coach Shaheen Holloway — the late 90s Seton Corridor star — was requested if he was nervous. “For what?” he mentioned. “It is basketball.” Man. What a shock on a day stuffed with chaos.

Gasaway: I will construct off of the Saint Peter’s earthquake for my reply. The sheer magnitude of the upsets all all through the day and night was what shocked me most. It is simple to overlook on reflection, however boring days do occur sometimes within the NCAA match, ones the place the overwhelming majority of favored groups win. Not solely did we not see that, the groups that went down took a really giant variety of brackets with them. Within the “folks’s bracket” at Match Problem, Kentucky, Iowa and UConn had been all well-liked decisions to make deep runs. We see it each March, however now we have to be taught it anew each time. Completely any staff can lose.

Lunardi: Howdy, whats up … Saint Peter’s, anybody? Past that, the utter decimation of Indiana by Saint Mary’s is a stark reminder of how good the highest of the West Coast Convention was this 12 months. The Hoosiers had no likelihood as soon as the Gaels shook off the opening spherical jitters and IU realized it had no legs after a First 4 victory greater than 2,00Zero miles in the past.

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Nathan Cayo finishes sturdy within the paint down the stretch for Richmond in a 67-63 win over Iowa within the NCAA Match.

No. 1 total seed Gonzaga trailed 16-seed Georgia State with 13 minutes remaining within the second half, earlier than the Zags flexed their muscle mass in a 93-72 win. What ought to we take away from Gonzaga’s efficiency?

Lunardi: Not a blessed factor, particularly with a possible big killer in Memphis looming within the second spherical. In November, with preseason rankings in hand, Saturday’s matchup might have been an Elite Eight or Remaining 4 encounter. I am much more keen on Gonzaga’s skill to reply to the Tigers than its focus towards Georgia State.

Gasaway: Yeah, I believe I am with Monsieur Brackets on this one. It was a very, actually sluggish begin, however check out the ultimate numbers for Chet Holmgren: 19 factors, 17 rebounds, 7 blocks, 5 assists and a pair of steals. Sure, that was towards a Georgia State staff that was not solely missing dimension but in addition short-handed. Nonetheless, we have seen Holmgren do this type of factor towards stronger opponents. Talking of which, I for one am actually trying ahead to seeing Holmgren go up towards Jalen Duren and Memphis.

Borzello: The most important factor I discovered was that Gonzaga ought to by no means shoot 3-pointers when it has Drew Timme and Holmgren and the opponent has one participant taller than 6-foot-7 and he’s in foul bother. Timme and Holmgren had been completely dominant towards Georgia State, combining for 51 factors, 30 rebounds, 7 assists and seven blocks. They outscored the Panthers within the paint 62-24. However given how Gonzaga appeared within the first half and the way Memphis appeared within the first half of its win over Boise State, Saturday’s recreation is likely to be nearer than folks thought getting into the NCAA match. Will probably be an enormous take a look at for Holmgren (and for Duren).

Medcalf: I believe we discovered {that a} actually good staff can at all times find yourself in a battle with an enormous underdog within the NCAA match, however that is in all probability all it’s. I give Rob Lanier a whole lot of credit score for getting this staff able to compete with the highest total seed. For 30 minutes, Georgia State would not depart Gonzaga alone. The Panthers took benefit of Gonzaga’s abnormally chilly offense. After which, Gonzaga turned the nook with that breathtaking run and we had a typical 16 vs. 1 affair within the first spherical. What I took away from the ultimate 10 minutes was that Timme and Holmgren are a novel pairing and most groups will not have two huge males who can problem them. Georgia State skilled what the remainder of the sphere might endure within the weeks forward, too.

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Chet Holmgren steals the inbound cross and races down the courtroom to stuff down an and-1 dunk for Gonzaga.

Which recreation most intrigues you on Friday’s schedule?

Medcalf: I like LSU, a 6-seed, vs. Iowa State, an 11-seed. Kevin Nickelberry is the interim head coach after Will Wade was terminated for trigger final week following the discharge of the discover of allegations towards the varsity. Nickelberry has been a head coach at two faculties (Hampton and Howard), however this looks like a type of conditions the place both the Tigers come out motivated after all of the feelings they’ve skilled in current days or they only fall flat. However they’ll face an Iowa State staff that is additionally inclined to volatility.

Seven of Iowa State’s 12 losses this season had been by 12 factors or extra. The Cyclones are 8-12 of their previous 20 video games. However in addition they have wins over Iowa, Memphis, Xavier, Texas and Texas Tech. Izaiah Brockington (17.2 PPG 7.1 RPG) might turn into a family identify with an enormous efficiency on this one, too. No concept what to anticipate from both staff and that is what makes it intriguing to me.

Borzello: Virginia Tech vs. Texas. The Hokies completed the season on a tear, profitable 13 of their ultimate 15 video games and carving up protection after protection down the stretch of the season. Texas misplaced its final three video games getting into the NCAA match and has been up and down for the second half of the marketing campaign. The Longhorns’ protection hasn’t been as stifling as earlier Chris Beard-coached groups, and that can be examined towards Virginia Tech — which shot a minimum of 42.9% from Three in three of its 4 ACC match video games.

I am additionally intrigued by LSU vs. Iowa State, principally simply because I need to see how the Tigers reply to Will Wade’s firing final weekend. I do not assume will probably be an aesthetically pleasing recreation, given the groups’ tendencies to show the ball over and miss pictures, however the storylines are attention-grabbing.

Gasaway: Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State. By no means thoughts the seeds, as a result of laptops and even the NCAA’s personal NET rankings assume this one’s a toss-up. Can the Ramblers make one other magical run, solely this time below Drew Valentine? Will the Buckeyes shake off the recollections of final 12 months’s stunning loss to Oral Roberts within the spherical of 64? Loyola performs glorious protection as traditional, and Lucas Williamson and his teammates may have an actual take a look at on their fingers with E.J. Liddell. This one’s tipping off within the early window on Friday, so we’ll get solutions to the entire above straight away.

Lunardi: Cannot watch for Michigan State and Davidson. Not solely the teaching matchup — a pair of cagey lifers in Tom Izzo and Bob McKillop — however the conflict of kinds between the Spartans’ “let’s pound you” method and the Wildcats’ offensive perfection. Plus now we have the helpful storyline of Davidson star guard Foster Loyer going proper again up towards his unique staff, with which he barely performed double-digit minutes.

Whatever the end result — and I like Davidson — the winner of this recreation has a superb opportunity to finish Coach Ok’s profession on Sunday towards Duke.