Top 5 Moments From The Opening Weekend

image via The Big Lead

It came, and it went. The best four days of the year are now officially over as we all look forward to Friday night’s showdown with Louisville. The Cats had themselves a heck of a weekend, but it wasn’t just the two Kentucky games that made this weekend so magical. There were great performances, great finishes, heartbreaks, upsets, and, of course, the Nae Nae.

After it all, it’s going to be hard to try to condense it into the top 5 moments from the weekend. But, alas, I’ll try.

5. Masiello Takes Pitino to the Wire: After dominating their way through the AAC tournament, Louisville became a trendy national title pick, but their first round opponent, Manhattan, had other plans. Behind the efforts of big men Ashton Pankey and Emmy Andujar, Manhattan found themselves leading the Cardinals by 3 with just over two minutes to go. Unfortunately for the Jaspers, Russ Smith and Luke Hancock channeled their inner 2013-champion selves and saved the Cards as they ended up winning 71-64. Don’t be surprised if Manhattan coach Steve Masiello finds himself at a new location next season because of this.

4. Dayton Shocks The World… Twice: After just one game of the NCAA tournament, over 50% of the people who entered the Billion Dollar Bracket Challenge were eliminated thanks to the efforts of the Dayton Flyers. After a back and forth contest with in-state foe Ohio State, Vee Sanford banked in a runner with 3 seconds left to end Aaron Craft’s 25-year career. Then, just two days later, Dayton was back at it again, this time taking Syracuse to the wire. Up 54-53, Syracuse sent Dayton’s Dyshawn Pierre to the line, where he made one free throw before Tyler Ennis misfired on a game winning three sending Dayton to the Sweet 16. After the game on twitter, I saw a link for a message board (h/t @theUDbattleship) on a sobering story about a family’s love for Dayton basketball.  I highly suggest you read it as it is one of the most touching things I’ve read in a while.

3. Stephen F. Austin Beats VCU On a Four Point Play: As someone who picked VCU to go to the Sweet 16, I wasn’t particularly happy about this moment, but I recognize it’s magic. Down four with 10 seconds remaining, SFA found Desmond Haymon in the corner for an open three, Haymon proceeded to drain the triple while getting fouled in the process by Jaquan Lewis. Was it a foul? No. But at this junction it doesn’t matter because the foul was called and SFA beat VCU on the rare four-point play. Kudos to you, Lumberjacks.

2. Kentucky Shocks Wichita State (LOL, like that wasn’t a headline somewhere): To me, this was the best moment of the weekend as I am an avid supporter of Kentucky basketball. But objectively, I couldn’t place this at number 1. Everyone who hadn’t watched Wichita all year finally realized that yea, this 35-0 team is actually really good (I can’t believe some people thought a 35-0 wasn’t that good). It took the most talented roster in college basketball’s best game (by far, I might add) to take down the Shockers by two. Yeah, like I said, they’re good. But the real story from this was just how good of a game this was. Both teams shot over 50% from the field, and seemed to match each other possession for possession. Aaron Harrison banks in a three? Ron Baker banks in a three. Cleanthony Early knocks down a contested three? James Young knocks down a contested three. Randle dunks? Early dunks. Back and forth they went in the most exciting game of the season. Thankfully, the Cats were up by 2 when the final buzzer sounded and now they’re moving on to play Louisville. Good lord, I can’t wait.

1. Mercer Upsets Duke, and Canevari Does the Nae Nae: Sure, Mercer beating Duke was awesome in every way. But the real thing that made me happy from this game was guard Kevin Canevari’s celebratory “Nae Nae.” Don’t know what the Nae Nae is? Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tGCPVR8Mdk

@BWardKSR