After a first round full of surprises, the March Madness continues to make us vibrate through its unexpected scenarios. Last night, the University of Kansas – defending champion and seeded #1 – fell in the second round of the tournament against Arkansas (72-71)!
March Madness hasn’t even gotten to the Sweet 16 stage yet and already two #1 seeds have to go home. After the huge upset made by Fairleigh Dickinson against Purdue, Kansas was the victim of March madness on Saturday night.
The Jayhawks, winners of the NCAA tournament last year under the impetus in particular of future NBAers Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun, probably did not imagine a scenario in which the Arkansas coach climbs on the scorer’s table after the game, takes off his polo shirt to wave it in celebration, and exults in front of the Razorbacks fans to the angels. Yet that is exactly what happened.
MDR the Arkansas coach freewheeling after eliminating Kansas the defending champion ????????pic.twitter.com/1IJx73veCg
— Nico TrashTalk ???? (@nicolasmeichel) March 18, 2023
Dominated by Kansas from the first minutes, the Razorbacks seemed a notch below the defending champion (logical at the same time) during three quarters of the match. In fact, they only led for 103 seconds in this encounter. Including the last 24, when the back Ricky Council IV has chained successes from the free throw line to tip the game in favor of Arkansas.
Author of 21 points, Ricky Council IV took the costume closer but he’s his friend Vonste Davis – said Devo – who was the hero of the game for the Razorbacks. The one who averages 11 points this season planted 21 units in the second period alone, boosting his team’s chances of a comeback while Kansas tried to establish its dominance. Penetrations, 3-point shots, floater in transition… Davis was on cloud nine (before being sent off for five fouls) and couldn’t hold back his tears after the final buzzer, aware of the feat that he and his friends come to realize.
“This team’s been struggling. And we figured it out.”
Davonte Davis got emotional after No. 8 Arkansas upset reigning champ Kansas ???? pic.twitter.com/UWyWOA3J3s
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 18, 2023
For the University of Kansas, deprived of its famous coach Bill Self for health reasons, the defense of the title snatched last year did not last long. It’s been fifteen years (and Joakim Noah’s Florida Gators) that March Madness has been waiting for a two-time championand the Jayhawks – usually led by Jalen Wilson (20 points yesterday) and sniper Gradey Dick (limited to 7 points from 1/3 away) – looked like they could pull off such a feat, in vain.
While Kansas will try to digest the huge disappointment of this loss, the Arkansas Razorbacks will prepare for their next deadline: a Sweet 16 game against Saint Mary’s or UConn next week. With the objective of continuing the crazy adventure in which they have just embarked.