HoopsHD continues its series leading up to Selection Sunday and March Madness, as we simulate what would have happened in TTTW (The Tournament That Wasn’t). Up next it is time to start the NCAA Tournament with a trip to Dayton for the First Four. The first two games are about to be played, as 16-seed Robert Morris and Sam Houston State go head-to-head, followed by a battle of 12-seeds as Xavier takes on Richmond! What would have happened in these games? It is time to find out!
BRACKET CHALLENGE: Submit your completed bracket to us by Noon Eastern on Friday, March 27 to join our free The Tournament That Wasn’t Bracket Challenge. For information on how to join, message us on Twitter (@HoopsHD) or email us at brackets@hoopshd.com. Good Luck!!!
FIRST FOUR – SOUTH REGION – DAYTON, OHIO
(16) Robert Morris vs (16) Sam Houston State
The 2020 Tournament That Wasn’t begins in Dayton, Ohio with the First Four game between 16-seed Sam Houston State and 16-seed Robert Morris. The Bearkats of Sam Houston were the surprise winners of the Southland Conference tournament, knocking off Stephen F. Austin on the way to earning their dance ticket. The Colonials of Robert Morris had used their home court advantage as the top seed in the Northeast Conference to win that league’s automatic bid. Both teams now had their sites set on Omaha, Nebraska – the city the winner would head off to in order to take on overall #1 seed Kansas.
The tournament began with a bang, as the Bearkats and Colonials fought back-and-forth the entire way. Despite Robert Morris building a 10-point lead early, Sam Houston fought back to tie it at 40 at halftime. In the second half, neither team built a lead greater than 7 points. With the Colonials up 73-70 and 7 seconds left to play, SHSU’s Mark Tikhonenko nailed a shot from beyond the arc to tie the game and put it on the brink of going to an extra period. Robert Morris had one last chance, and Jon Williams put up a 3 from the right wing that got out of his hand right before the clock went to zero. When the ball found nothing but net, we had our first buzzer-beater in our very first game, and Robert Morris was moving on to the Round of 64. Josh Williams led the way with 21 points and 11 rebounds for the winners.
Final Score: (16) Robert Morris 76, (16) Sam Houston State 73
FIRST FOUR – MIDWEST REGION – DAYTON, OHIO
(12) Xavier vs (12) Richmond
The second game of the tournament featured the last two teams to get in as at-large bids – the Xavier Musketeers and the Richmond Spiders. Both teams had plenty of warts on their resumes, which probably made it appropriate that they meet in the First Four. Neither team was certain its name would even be called on Selection Sunday, as they both suffered upset losses in their first conference tournament games. A cross-country trip to Sacramento was waiting for the winner, and a matchup with the Midwest Region’s 5-seed, Ohio State.
Richmond came out strong in the first half against Xavier, and the Spiders were able to build a 7-point lead at the halftime break. A 14-4 run to start the second, however, brought the Musketeers to a lead which they would eventually spread out to as much as 7. Richmond was not done, however, as the Spiders made a late run to take a 2-point lead with 4 minutes left to play. Back-to-back baskets by Jason Carter and Tyrique Jones put Xavier back on top, and good free throw shooting in the final minute locked in the win, 76-71. Naji Marshall led the way with 25 points while Tyrique Jones scored 20 and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Musketeers. Blake Francis was the top scorer for Richmond with 19.
Final Score: (12) Xavier 76, (12) Richmond 71
Updated Bracket:
