It had only happened four times in NCAA Tournament history. A number fifteen seed had defeated a number two seed just four times when this year's NCAA Tournament began.
On Friday in Omaha, Nebraska, it happened again.
The Missouri Tigers came into Friday's game as huge 21 point favorites over fifteen seed Norfolk State. But thanks to some hot Norfolk State shooting and a lackluster effort by Mizzou on the boards, the 30-4 Tigers fell to MEAC Conference Champion Norfolk State by the score of 86-84 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Norfolk State entered the game as no slouch, collecting 25 wins during the season. After watching Syracuse nearly fall on the first day of the Tournament, Mizzou fans should have been nervous, knowing that that anything is possible during March Madness.
But nobody could have seen this coming as Norfolk State played a nearly perfect game in beating Mizzou.
On the season Norfolk State shot 31% from three point range and on Friday against the Tigers they hit 10 of their 19 three point attempts or 52.6 percent. The Spartans were good on their two point attempts as well, hitting 54.2 of their shots from the field.
Combine the Spartans hot shooting and huge size advantage and Norfolk State was able to complete their upset bid, seemingly outplaying the Tigers on both ends of the floor as Mizzou succumbed to the pressure of being a number two seed.
Norfolk State was led by center Kyle O'Quinn, who had 26 points and 14 rebound while dominating the paint. The Spartans also got 20 points a piece from Pendarvis Williams and Chris McEachin.
Meanwhile Mizzou played a solid game offensively but was just unable to keep Norfolk State off the backboards. Mizzou was outrebounded 35-23 in the game.
Junior point guard Michael Dixon came off the bench to score 22 points for Mizzou while point guard Phil Pressey and guard Marcus Denmon scored 20 a piece for the Tigers.
Meanwhile senior guard Kim English, who made Twitter buzz last weekend after hoisting Mizzou's Big 12 Tournament Championship in the air wearing an SEC shirt, scored just two points on one of seven shooting from the floor in his last game as a member of the Missouri Tigers.
Mizzou finishes the season with a 30-5 record under first year coach Frank Haith, but exit the Tournament sooner than anybody could have expected.
VCU was the talk of last year's NCAA Tournament, but this year it is another team from the state of Virginia, Norfolk State, who is creating yet another magical Cinderella story.
Norfolk State has already made history, and maybe, after a convincing performance like this, they'll keep dancing for awhile.
On Friday in Omaha, Nebraska, it happened again.
The Missouri Tigers came into Friday's game as huge 21 point favorites over fifteen seed Norfolk State. But thanks to some hot Norfolk State shooting and a lackluster effort by Mizzou on the boards, the 30-4 Tigers fell to MEAC Conference Champion Norfolk State by the score of 86-84 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Norfolk State entered the game as no slouch, collecting 25 wins during the season. After watching Syracuse nearly fall on the first day of the Tournament, Mizzou fans should have been nervous, knowing that that anything is possible during March Madness.
But nobody could have seen this coming as Norfolk State played a nearly perfect game in beating Mizzou.
On the season Norfolk State shot 31% from three point range and on Friday against the Tigers they hit 10 of their 19 three point attempts or 52.6 percent. The Spartans were good on their two point attempts as well, hitting 54.2 of their shots from the field.
Combine the Spartans hot shooting and huge size advantage and Norfolk State was able to complete their upset bid, seemingly outplaying the Tigers on both ends of the floor as Mizzou succumbed to the pressure of being a number two seed.
Norfolk State was led by center Kyle O'Quinn, who had 26 points and 14 rebound while dominating the paint. The Spartans also got 20 points a piece from Pendarvis Williams and Chris McEachin.
Meanwhile Mizzou played a solid game offensively but was just unable to keep Norfolk State off the backboards. Mizzou was outrebounded 35-23 in the game.
Junior point guard Michael Dixon came off the bench to score 22 points for Mizzou while point guard Phil Pressey and guard Marcus Denmon scored 20 a piece for the Tigers.
Meanwhile senior guard Kim English, who made Twitter buzz last weekend after hoisting Mizzou's Big 12 Tournament Championship in the air wearing an SEC shirt, scored just two points on one of seven shooting from the floor in his last game as a member of the Missouri Tigers.
Mizzou finishes the season with a 30-5 record under first year coach Frank Haith, but exit the Tournament sooner than anybody could have expected.
VCU was the talk of last year's NCAA Tournament, but this year it is another team from the state of Virginia, Norfolk State, who is creating yet another magical Cinderella story.
Norfolk State has already made history, and maybe, after a convincing performance like this, they'll keep dancing for awhile.
Behold the Green & Gold! I am a very proud Spartan. I just graduated in December, and I'm so happy to share my school with everyone I know back home! Keep dancing boys, it ain't over yet. I love my Spartans!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading ADB85 and congrats on the win. Norfolk State played very well and deserved to win. Your coach is outstanding and I hope you can hang on to him for as long as you can.
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