Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors and a glance at what's next.
NCAA Tournament Stays Crunk
Two historically significant programs are already in the Final Four after Duke and Villanova punched tickets last night. There's a very real chance blue bloods North Carolina and Kansas could join them today but this has still been a wild NCAA Tournament.
Saint Peter's made history as the first 15-seed to reach the Elite Eight and 10-seed Miami reached its first Elite Eight upon destroying 2-seeded Auburn by 18 in a Sweet 16 matchup.
St. Peters has more victories over #1, #2, or #3 seeds in the 8 days than Gonzaga has in the past twenty years.
— Danny Neckel (@DNeckel19) March 26, 2022
Maybe weve been following the wrong small Jesuit school this whole time?
No. 4 seed Arkansas dropped overall No. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. 5 Houston bounced No. 1 Arizona in Sweet 16 matchups after a pair of 11-seeds - Michigan and Iowa State - handled 3-seeds Tennessee and Wisconsin last weekend.
The parity of the Elite Eight field heading into this weekend made history.
The sum of the remaining seeds in the NCAA Tournament is 47, 7 higher than any other Elite 8 field since seeding began in 1979.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 26, 2022
The two double-digit seeds, Saint Peter's & Miami (FL), are making their first-ever trips to the Elite 8. pic.twitter.com/wn8eJqw1VH
Finally, real quick on Duke and Coach K after the Blue Devils blitzed the Razorbacks last night; I think most of us can agree he can be pompous and holier than thou but this ain't bad.
Coach K By The Numbers:
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 27, 2022
101-30 in the NCAA Tournament
13-4 in the Elite Eight
14-7 in the Final Four
5-4 in the National Title Game
B1G Brings Little Juice to the Big Dance
It's no secret the Big Ten hasn't won the NCAA Tournament since Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans turned the trick before the iPod was invented. It has indeed been a bumpy ride since that magical 2000 season for a conference that boasts depth and balance but often no elite teams.
Last year the Big Ten bottomed out in the tournament as just one of its eight entrants reached the Sweet 16, Michigan, which also made the Elite Eight. This year was more of the same as two teams made the Sweet 16 - Purdue and Michigan - but the league is now officially on the sidelines after No. 3 seed Purdue became the latest victim of No. 15 Saint Peter's and 11-seed Michigan lost to No. 2 seed Villanova on Friday.
Big Ten the last two tournaments:
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) March 26, 2022
2021 - Eight tourney teams - one team made the second weekend
2022 - Nine NCAA Tourney teams - zero in the Elite Eight.
Top five lose to: No. 5 seed, 11 seed, 15 seed, 11 seed, 12 seed.
But please, keep telling me the Big Ten ISN'T overrated
The Big Ten became the first ever conference to send nine teams to the NCAA Tournament and have zero qualify for the Elite Eight.
Ryan Day: More Than a Great Coach
Though Ohio State hasn't yet won a natty under Ryan Day, the Buckeyes are 34-4 overall, 23-1 in regular season conference play and have finished in the top-5 in the Coaches Poll in each of his three seasons behind some of the most lethal offenses in school history.
As time goes on, we're learning he's about even more than wins and that reality came into the forefront recently after Harry Miller's medical retirement from football, due to having suicidal thoughts, made national headlines.
Since Miller's brave announcement, and subsequent emotional appearance on The Today Show, his mom expressed her gratitude for Day's handling of the situation and Noah Potter's dad also highlighted how Day puts the physical and mental health of his players above all else.
During my own sons severe injury last year that couldve cost him his football career, I can attest this is true of @ryandaytime @OhioStateFB https://t.co/EFe8LKjvwd
— Tim Potter (@TimPotterGrace) March 22, 2022
Ohio State's football program is in great hands, folks.
ICYMI
C.J. Stroud Embraces Chance to Work Out for NFL Scouts - a Year Early - at OSU Pro Day
Though C.J. Stroud won't enter the NFL Draft until 2023 at the earliest, our Dan Hope expands on how Ohio State's quarterback put his best foot forward at OSU's 2022 Pro Day, throwing to Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Demario McCall.
Whether You Call Them Excuses or Reasons, the Results Under Chris Holtmann Haven't Been Quite Good Enough So Far
Ohio State has yet to win a regular season or postseason conference title or advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament under Chris Holtmann. Our Chris Lauderback says Holtmann shouldn't be fired by any stretch but it's time for the program to take the next step as Holtmann enters his sixth season at the helm.
Chris Booker Hoping to Play Professionally After Appeal for Another Year at OSU Was Denied
Dan Hope explores what's next for special teams stalwart Chris Booker after his appeal to play one more season at Ohio State was denied by the NCAA.
