March has gone from crazy to unprecedented.
With Miami’s win over Houston and San Diego State’s toppling of Alabama on Friday night, the Men’s NCAA Tournament will be without a No. 1 seed in the Elite Eight for the first time since seeding began in 1979.
«There’s not much difference between the best team in the country and the worst team in the country,» San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher said. «You’re seeing that on this stage.»
Purdue, Kansas, Houston and Alabama are all gone, ensuring the Final Four will be without a No. 1 team for the first time since 2011 and third overall. The four teams considered by the NCAA to be the best in the country have combined to win five tournament games this year, the fewest by three among the No. 1 seeds since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985.
Texas is the only No. 2 seed remaining after pulling Xavier out of the bracket 83-71 on Friday night under interim coach Rodney Terry. The fewest combined number of No. 1-2 seeds in the Elite Eight prior to this year was two (three times).
It is also certain that the winning coach will be champion for the first time.
“There are a lot of really good programs in the country that have lost; I mean, we could go through the roster of them,» Alabama coach Nate Oats said. “That’s what makes the NCAA Tournament the NCAA Tournament. They are all good teams.»
The madness began in the Eastern Region opening round, when fairy tale Fairleigh Dickinson shattered brackets around the world by becoming the second No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1.
Goodbye Purdue.
Arkansas was the next killer giant, defeating reigning national champion and West Region No. 1 seed Kansas in the second round.
The Sweet 16 soured Friday for Alabama, the No. 1 overall seed in the group. The Crimson Tide were no match for Dutcher’s ball and body selling San Diego State Aztecs in a 71-64 South Region loss in Louisville, Kentucky. San Diego State is the first Mountain West Conference school to reach the Elite Eight.
Miami capped the No. 1 carnage in the Midwest by taking down one of the stingiest defenses in the nation in an 89-75 win over Houston in Kansas City, Missouri that featured Hurricanes coach Jim Larrañaga , dancing in the dressing room.
«Unfortunately, one bad night and you’re going home in this tournament,» Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson said.
To an Elite Eight like no other.