NCAA Tournament 2017: 10 best moments from opening weekend

Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wichita State Shockers guard Daishon Smith (2) controls the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Dominique Hawkins (25) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; USC Trojans guard Elijah Stewart (30) hits the game-winning shot as Southern Methodist Mustangs guard Jarrey Foster (10) defends at the end of the game in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. USC defeated SMU 66-65. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

8. The USC Comebacks (And Almost Sequel)

Maybe it’s a mentality that they need to be counted out or facing incredible odds to reach their potential. Perhaps it’s as simple as the team just doesn’t start well and needs to figure the game out to hit their stride across 40 minutes. Whatever the explanation, though, the USC Trojans became the poster-children for being comeback kings this season. Most would say, however, that’s not something sustainable once in the NCAA Tournament. Think again.

USC just made it into the field of 68 as they went to Dayton to face the Providence Friars in a First Four matchup. After a truly awful first half from Andy Enfield’s bunch, the Trojans trailed by 15 points going into the locker room at halftime and by as many as 17 early in the second half. However, Bennie Boatwright and Jordan McLaughlin turned it on and completely took over on both ends of the floor. Once they got rolling, they wouldn’t be stopped as they outscored the Friars by 21 in final 19 minutes of play to move on with a four-point victory.

As impressive as that was, they followed it up with another absurd comeback to pull off possibly the biggest upset of the First Round. The SMU Mustangs were a dark horse out of the East Region with a tremendously athletic, versatile and talented top of their shallow rotation. And they looked the part early against USC as they got up by as many as 12 points in the first half and then took and eight-point cushion into halftime.

Once again, the Trojans clawed back by largely shutting down SMU after they went to a zone defense. That set up a more heroic finish as Elijah Stewart drilled a tough 3-pointer from the corner to give them the one-point lead with 36 seconds remaining. After stopping SMU, missing a free throw, and then forcing a tough game-winning attempt that came up short, USC shocked the Mustangs.

It would have been even more absurd had they done it a third time against Baylor in the Second Round—and they came damn close. Though not as substantial, USC trailed the Bears by 10 points late in the first half. They quickly made a game of it and took the lead midway through the second half. However, Baylor thwarted the trilogy of upsets and ousted the Trojans. Still, their mini-run of comebacks was exhilarating.

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