On the fourth day of March Insanity, expertise proved key as a slew of seniors led their groups to wins and spots within the Candy 16. A few of these veterans have been right here earlier than — like Duke’s Tyrese Proctor — whereas others, like Ole Miss’ Sean Pedulla, are making a reputation for themselves of their last probability to take action.
After which, in essentially the most thrilling recreation of the match, a freshman confirmed his fearless chops as Derik Queen hit a game-winner to push Maryland into the Candy 16.
Listed below are the heroes of Day 4:
UConn led for almost your entire second half of Sunday’s recreation in opposition to Florida, with it wanting like a powerful risk that the Huskies would pull off the upset and maintain their hopes of a three-peat alive. Clayton, nevertheless, made certain that would not occur.
The senior All-American had his March second, scoring 15 of his 23 factors within the second half to assist Florida intestine out the win. He made the 3-pointer that gave Florida its first lead of the second half, draining a shot from the wing to place the Gators up 62-61.
The sport was tied once more a few minutes later, however Clayton sank a pair of free throws that prolonged Florida’s result in 67-64 with 1:45 remaining. After getting a cease on the subsequent possession, Clayton delivered the dagger. He made a troublesome, contested 3-pointer with simply over a minute left.
Florida held on for the 77-75 win, and Clayton acquired so as to add to his legend in Gainesville. Not a nasty story for a participant who was a zero-star recruit popping out of highschool.
Tyrese Proctor, guard, Duke
Cooper Flagg had one other standout efficiency for the Blue Devils, however he was on the bench for a superb portion of the primary half attributable to foul hassle. As Duke realized within the ACC Match, it might probably play effectively with out Flagg for stretches. It did so once more on Sunday, with Proctor main Duke’s offense to an 8-0 run after Flagg’s second foul.
After Proctor scored 11 factors within the first half to assist put Duke up by 17 on the break, he buried Baylor within the second half. He added 14 factors within the last 20 minutes, making 4 3-pointers. Proctor completed the day with 25 factors on a extremely spectacular 9-of-10 taking pictures from the sector, additional reminding the faculty basketball panorama that the Blue Devils run deeper than the participant who might win Nationwide Participant of the Yr and can doubtless be the No. 1 decide within the 2025 NBA Draft.
Koby Brea, guard, Kentucky
The Wildcats had a transparent plan on offense in opposition to Illinois, which was to choose on Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis. Every of Kentucky’s guards took benefit of Jakucionis, however senior Koby Brea, particularly, feasted. He scored 23 factors on 10-of-16 taking pictures, and dropped in eight straight throughout a stretch of the second half that helped Kentucky shut the sport.
Derik Queen, ahead, Maryland
Queen was the last word March Insanity hero on Sunday. He saved Maryland from struggling one more heart-breaking defeat when he banked home a floater to beat the buzzer and elevate the Terrapins to a 72-71 win over Colorado State. Queen’s shot got here in response to the Rams’ Jalen Lake hitting a 3-pointer to place Colorado State up one with lower than seven seconds left.
The freshman ahead led the Terrapins with 17 factors on 7-of-12 taking pictures, to go along with six rebounds. Maryland trailed 37-30 at halftime and fought again to take a 65-64 lead with three minutes left. The groups traded benefits from that time, however the Terrapins had the final say.
Sean Pedulla, guard, Ole Miss
That is Pedulla’s second time being highlighted as a March Madness hero because the senior continues to make a reputation for himself. On Sunday, he scored 20 factors and dished out eight assists as Ole Miss dominated Iowa State in a 91-78 victory.
Veteran transfers might be hit and miss, however Pedulla was a grand slam. He got here to Ole Miss from Virginia Tech and has helped the Rebels attain the Candy 16 for the primary time since 2001. With him taking part in at this degree, they may dance deep into March.
Love has had an up-and-down couple of seasons since transferring to Arizona from North Carolina, however he reminded individuals simply how good he might be on Sunday. He scored 29 factors, pulling down 4 3-pointers within the second half, to elevate the Wildcats to an 87-83 win over Oregon.
Arizona constructed its group to enrich Love, and purchased the depth to outlive the video games during which he goes chilly, however on Sunday each clicked in unison. Love put his teammates on his again, whereas they supported him by taking part in their roles.
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