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Oral Roberts upsets Ohio State to bust everyone’s March Madness bracket

By Mike Phillips

WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - MARCH 19: Justice Sueing #14 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball against Kareem Thompson #2 of the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in the second half in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Mackey Arena on March 19, 2021 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - MARCH 19: Justice Sueing #14 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball against Kareem Thompson #2 of the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in the second half in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Mackey Arena on March 19, 2021 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Ohio State basketball got bounced from March Madness by Oral Roberts and Twitter had all sorts of emotions.

March Madness is back and the South Region has produced its first epic upset. Ohio State, the No. 2 seed in the South and a national championship contender, is done after getting bounced by 15-seed Oral Roberts in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Golden Eagles scored a 75-72 win, becoming just the ninth 15-seed to top a two since the field expanded to 64 teams back in 1985. The most recent came back in 2016 when another Big Ten school, Michigan State, was knocked off by Middle Tennessee.

The key to the win was Oral Roberts’ one-two punch of Max Abmas, the nation’s leading scorer, and Kevin Obanor. The pair combined for 59 of the Golden Eagles’ 75 points, earning Oral Roberts the school’s second-ever tournament win and blowing up brackets across the nation.

Twitter predictably went nuts as they watched the first massive March Madness upset of the year.

https://twitter.com/bai_vann/status/1373022682191630342?s=20

While most of the attention will be focused on how the Buckeyes blew up brackets, we can’t forget how well Oral Roberts played in this game. The Golden Eagles were battled tested out of conference, playing a non-league schedule against the likes of Arkansas, Wichita State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Missouri, experience that played a big role in calming their nerves in today’s game.

Next up for Oral Roberts is a trip to the Round of 32 against Florida on Sunday with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line. If the Golden Eagles can find a way to beat the Gators they would become just the second 15-seed ever to reach the second weekend, joining the 2013 Florida Gulf Coast team better known as Dunk City.

Next. 20 biggest upsets in the history of March Madness. dark

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