March Madness Review: Day 3

How 'bout those Flyers!  THE University of Dayton did it again last night!  After a stunning upset of Ohio State kicked off the round of 64, Dayton followed that up with another shocker over Syracuse to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.  Their upset was the highlight of a day that started out slow but finished strong, all while giving us the first half of the Sweet Sixteen.

The day started with Florida squaring off against Pitt.  After a low-scoring but close first half, the Gators built up a lead in the second to cruise to another ho-hum victory.  Their road will definitely get steeper in the next round, but the Gators have been a model of consistency so far this Tournament.  Of course, their score looked like a barn-burner compared to Louisville-Saint Louis, where the Cardinals led 25-16 at the half.  Much like the Gators, the Cardinals shook off the rust to dispatch the Bilikens in the second half.

While Dayton kept their dreams alive, the Cinderella stories for North Dakota State and Harvard ended after losing to San Diego State and Michigan State respectively.  Both fought hard and should be proud of their accomplishments. Michigan State is getting a lot of praise fom media and bracketologists, but the Aztecs' stingy defense may have more to say in this Tournament before it's all said and done.

Another classic was played in Milwaukee, where Wisconsin came back from a 12-point halftime deficit to defeat the Oregon Ducks.  It helps to have a crowd that was about 90% red, and having your opponent go absolutely cold from the free throw line doesn't hurt either.  But the Badgers also got going offensively, which shows that the normally defensive-minded Bo Ryan can change his style to fit his talent.

Last year's runner-up Michigan is not letting anyone play them close.  Their demolition of Texas might be the most impressive win of the Tournament so far.  Not for who they beat, but how they beat them: stifiling defense and lights-out shooting.  The Wolverines are playing with a hige chip on their shoulder, and any team standing in their way is in for a fight.

Oh, and remember that little school up north called UConn? The one everyone forgot about after Jim Calhoun's less-than-glorious retirement? Well, last night they dispatched of Villanova pretty handily.  The Huskies had their troubles during the season, but they're a veteran team with plenty of Tournament experience.  And if Shabazz Napier can maintain this level of play, watch out.

With all that said, the Sweet Sixteen is already shaping up to be full of classics.  Here are your Day 3 scores:

(1) Florida 61
(9) Pittsburgh 45

(4) Louisville 66
(5) Saint Louis 51

(2) Michigan 79
(7) Texas 65

(4) San Diego State 63
(12) North Dakota State 44

(11) Dayton 55
(3) Syracuse 53

(2) Wisconsin 85
(7) Oregon 77

(4) Michigan State 80
(12) Harvard 73

(7) Connecticut 77
(2) Villanova 65