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NCAA Tournament 2017: 15 best moments

By Nathaniel Reeves

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels players hoist the national championship trophy after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels players hoist the national championship trophy after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Xavier Musketeers forward Kaiser Gates (22) shoots against Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) during the first period in the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Xavier Musketeers defeated the Arizona Wildcats 73-71. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Xavier Musketeers forward Kaiser Gates (22) shoots against Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) during the first period in the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Xavier Musketeers defeated the Arizona Wildcats 73-71. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Xavier completes the upset over Arizona 

Xavier’s incredible March run continued in the Sweet 16 with a stunning win over second-seeded Arizona.

After star point guard Edmond Sumner went down with a torn ACL in late December, the Musketeers lost six of their last seven regular season games to earn an 11 seed. Xavier earned wins over Maryland and Florida State to begin its NCAA Tournament campaign, but Sean Miller’s Wildcats promised to provide a much tougher challenge.

Arizona started the game on a 10-2 run before Xavier quickly battled back to make it a tight contest throughout. While the Wildcats appeared ready to break things open with a 67-61 lead on back-to-back threes with just under five minutes to go, Trevon Bluiett rallied the Musketeers to tie the game at 71.

With 44 seconds left, Sean O’Mara hit a open layup to put Xavier back in front, although he would miss a potential game-sealing free throw on the next possession. Like so many other teams this tournament, the Wildcats appeared to have no plan for their final possession, and Allonzo Trier missed a contested three at the buzzer.

Chris Mack defended his reputation as one of the best coaches in America by getting a depleted roster to the Elite Eight, while Miller is still in search of his first Final Four.

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