NCAA Tournament 2017: 10 best moments from opening weekend
9. Wichita State vs. Kentucky
Had we know about Wichita State Shockers’ head coach Gregg Marshall’s wife absolutely losing her mind in the stands to the point of being talked to by security on three occasions in real-time, this ending might’ve ranked even higher based on entertainment value. Even without that extra wrinkle, however, the matchup between the vaunted Kentucky Wildcats and the vastly under-valued Shockers was everything you could ask for.
In the first half, the momentum seemed to shift with each possession. It was clear that Kentucky had the talent advantage by a wide margin. However, Marshall had his team exceptionally prepared to do what was in their power to stifle them. They were out on shooters, controlling the pace of the game, and seemingly taking advantage of the fact that the Wildcats might not have been nearly as well prepared as them. Wichita State held Kentucky’s explosive offense to a mere 26 points at halftime and trailed by on two at the break.
Late in the second half, though, it looked as if the talent of the Wildcats might allow them to just put the Shockers away. They led by seven going into the final media timeout and had the chance to seal the easy win.
Instead, Wichita State exerted everything they had left to give, contending on the glass against the dominant Bam Adebayo, forcing tough shots and even answering a potential dagger 3-point make from Malik Monk and a dunk from De’Aaron Fox with two triples of their own to cut the lead to one.
That all led to maybe the most intense finish of opening weekend. Markis McDuffie got a look off from distance with about 12 seconds remaining, but it wasn’t particularly good and missed. Monk made the freebies off the immediate foul, setting the stage for one final possession. Once again, Kentucky’s defense stepped up to force a tough look, one blocked by Adebayo to end the game. Though anti-climactic and not an upset, this game will be one we remember looking back on the tourney.