Category: 2021 NCAA Basketball Tournament

Editor’s Note: Writing for NCAA.com, Sports Capital Journalism Program graduate student Owen Kaelble describes the pair of family histories that converged on a basketball floor in Bloomington Saturday night. Ben Vander Plas, who was named after the Bennett family, played an essential role in Ohio University’s upset victory over the defending champion Virginia Cavaliers, coached …

By David Hayden | @SluggySports Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS – Lucas Williamson understood what was happening. The senior guard from Loyola Chicago, part of the group that reached the Final Four three years ago, spoke up in a huddle during the first-round game against Georgia Tech. The Ramblers trailed by 10 points just 6:13 into …

By Owen Kaelble | @OwenKaelble Sports Capital Journalism Program BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Fueled by 10 points by sophomore guard Terrence Shannon Jr., Texas Tech pulled off a 24-4 run in the first 10 minutes of the second half that carried the Red Raiders to a 65-53 victory over the Utah State Aggies on Friday afternoon. …

By Nicole Reitz | @nicolereitz02 Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — Appearing in the NCAA tournament for the sixth time in the last seven tournaments, No.1 seed Baylor (23-2) is moving on to the second round after defeating No. 16 Hartford 79-55 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Baylor (23-2) will meet No. 9-seeded Wisconsin in the …

By Alex Burr | @alexburr4 Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — With just over 12 minutes left in the second half of their first round game, Andre Curbelo and Kofi Cockburn of Illinois ran a pick and roll at the top of the key. The 7-foot Cockburn was able to maneuver himself to the rim …

Editor’s Note: Sports Capital Journalism Program student Devin Voss, writing for NCAA.com, describes the commitment and belief that led No. 15 seed Oral Roberts to a victory over Ohio State in the South region of the NCAA tournament. http://ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2021-03-19/how-no-15-oral-roberts-shocked-no-2-ohio-state

By Caleb Lynn | @CalebLynn1 Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — For the No. 3-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks, the sounds in Bankers Life Fieldhouse began to suggest that the game could be slipping away. A pro-Arkansas crowd had temporarily become very quiet. The Raiders of Colgate, Patriot League champions, had taken a 14-point lead in the …

By David Hayden | @SluggySports Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS – Colin Castleton knew the moment demanded more. The No. 7-seed Florida Gators had a chance to reach the second round of the NCAA tournament, but for that to happen, the 6-foot-11 junior forward understood what had to be done. “I knew I wasn’t rebounding to …

Editor’s Note: Sports Capital Journalism Program M.A. graduate Frank Bonner, a reporter for the Tulsa World, wrote this profile of Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham. Cunningham has been named a finalist for the Wayman Tisdale Trophy as National Freshman of the Year. https://tulsaworld.com/sports/college/osu/osu-all-american-cade-cunningham-is-the-best-in-the-country-but-his-team-first/article_87df1dfe-875d-11eb-b8a6-bb31bbe13ca6.html

By David Hayden | @SluggySports Sports Capital Journalism Program WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – On the campus where John Wooden, the architect of the UCLA basketball dynasty, began a Hall-of-Fame career, the Bruins produced a comeback overtime thriller in the First Four at Mackey Arena on Thursday night. Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 27 points, a career …