A bracket update on three early games on Day 2 of the Round of 64.
The beginning of the second day of action in the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament was two-thirds exciting and one-third expected.
Kansas went up early against New Mexico State and didn't look back. Michigan State battled until the horn against Georgia. And Northern Iowa kept its foot on the gas after jumping out to a lead on Wyoming. The first three contests weren't as exciting as a buzzer beater from Georgia State or a bevy of late-night one point contests on Thursday, but it showed how close multiple teams in this tournament are to each other. More importantly, it elated some fan bases and ended the hunt for a title for others.
No. 2 Kansas 75, No. 15 New Mexico State 56
Frank Mason III was the only player in double-digit scoring for the Jayhawks during their victory over the Aggies. In 31 minutes, he dropped 17 points to go along with nine rebounds, four assists and two steals and was the initiator of Kansas' offense in a strong showing against a lower seed.
The Jayhawks were clicking on all cylinders. Shooting a high percentage from deep (69.2 percent), the field (54 percent) and the only missed three of their 15 free throw attempts as they carved their way to the line for opportunities. It was also a solid showing of their defensive potential in the tournament, holding the Aggies under 40 percent from everywhere on the floor except the line.
Kansas moves on to the Round of 32 to face the winner of Indiana/Wichita State.
No. 7 Michigan State 70, No. 10 Georgia 63
A very balanced effort from the Spartans pushed them into the round of 32 against Georgia. It wasn't just Denzel Valentine's near triple-double line (16 points, six assists, six rebounds) it was a combined effort with three other Spartans that pushed them over the Bulldogs.
Bryn Forbes added 14 points in 23 minutes and netted three perimeter bombs. Travis Trice had another big game with 15 points and six assists. Branden Dawson added to the fun with 14 points of his own and two blocks plus six rebounds. And though Michigan State controlled the game in the second half after being up by as much as 15, Georgia stayed close during the entire contest.
Though the Bulldogs shot poorly from the floor, which added to a 22-9 run for the Spartans at one time, Charles Mann scrapped and fought his way to 19 points and got Georgia on a 10 run in the middle of the second half. That was before Trice and Forbes closed the door with a few big shots. Kenny Gaines got Georgia within three points in the last minute, but Valentine closed the door with late free throws to push Michigan State to the next round.
No. 5 Northern Iowa 71, No. 12 Wyoming 54
There was a heavy expectation that Wyoming would have the juice to take a game from Northern Iowa, now that Larry Nance Jr. was healthy and the annual disappointment that comes with the No. 5 seed losing to a No. 12 seed. Well, Seth Tuttle and crew saw otherwise.
The Panthers plowed Wyoming for much of this contest. Tuttle scored 14 points nine rebounds and three steals and had some help off the bench in a trio of double-digit scorers. The bench supplemented 41 of Northern Iowa's 71 total points and were the big difference maker in keeping a short-benched Wyoming squad quiet.
Nance Jr. had a good day, scoring 16 points and seven rebounds. But with only one other big scorer for the Cowboys, they couldn't keep up with the Panthers scoring attack. Northern Iowa moves on and Wyoming heads back home.
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