One of the biggest weekends on the sports calendar continues with the 2023 edition of March Madness.
We have wall-to-wall action with 16 games on Friday for the second day of the Round of 64 in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Social media is full of amazing fan moments, rants, heartwarming stories and more!
[2023 March Madness live updates and highlights]
Here are the best moments that captured the internet’s attention throughout the day!
16. Fairleigh Dickinson vs. 1. Purdue
Here a slight height difference
Despite this, Farleigh Dickinson surprisingly grabbed an early lead, perhaps validating its coach’s desire to face the mighty Purdue.
FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON lead at half time
HARD HANGING FDU
11. Providence vs. 6. Kentucky
The rims are still uneven…
After a historically bad shooting performance from Iowa State after some rim trouble earlier in the game, the lever came out again and disrupted Kentucky’s shootout.
Oh, and the Iowa State sideline incident became even more ironic in retrospect.
13. Iona vs. 4. UConn
It’s a Gael party!
After the Saint Mary’s Gaels took care of business against VCU earlier Friday, their mascot wished the Iona Gaels the best in their upset bid against UConn.
The massive clash has social media buzzing
Two proud Northeast programs and two well-known head coaches. UConn-Iona in Albany is already off to a good start.
Oh, and things could get even more interesting given the past history between UConn’s Dan Hurley and one of the refs in this game.
The safe enough…
Adama Sanogo says good night, Iona
UConn, and senior Adama Sanogo, took over in the second half to get past Iona and Bill Murray, whose son Luke is an assistant coach for the Huskies, could only laugh.
And UConn even offers some annoying Dan Hurley facial content.
Network Repair!
We had another hoop, this time in Albany, as a ladder had to be removed to fix the netting next to the UConn court.
11. North Carolina State vs. 6. Creighton
Not a big fan of the chair
Terquavion Smith wasn’t too thrilled when Creighton rallied in the second half to beat his NC State Wolfpack.
Although Smith had some aggression left to take out at the rim on a screaming dunk.
15. Vermont vs. 2. Marquette
Kam Jones shuts down
Vermont was facing Marquette, aiming to repeat Princeton’s 15-2 win from Thursday. Then Kam Jones happened.
Shaka gets his milkshake!
A Marquette win means one thing: smoothies!
11. Pitt vs. 6. Iowa State
Tire problems
Iowa State couldn’t go through its normal pregame walk because the edge of the Cyclones’ end of the court was uneven and needed to be straightened.
That may have contributed to Pitt’s 22-2 (!!!) run to open the game.
4. Kennesaw State vs. 3. Xavier
Xavier barely survives, and controversially
Xavier rallied late in the second half and got a key block from center Jack Nunge to edge Kennesaw State, 72-67.
Some on social media, however, thought that Xavier may have committed a foul in the ensuing ball scramble.
It marked the end of a stressful and, often for Xavier, frustrating game despite the win.
HOOTY-HOO!
Three years after winning just one game all season, Kennesaw State is in its first NCAA tournament appearance and giving Xavier all it can handle. Needless to say, owl fans and Cinderella fans are delighted.
12. VCU vs. 5. Santa Maria
Territory known to the Gaels… in ALBANY?!?
St. Mary’s is a long way from home, and in an unfamiliar climate in cold Albany. But there’s at least one familiar sight, as their namesake church is right across the street from where they’re playing their first-round game.
10. USC vs. 7. State of Michigan
Classic Tom Izzo
Michigan State pulled away in the second half to take care of the Trojans, and Tom Izzo is already in incredible March form.
Speaking of Michigan State legends, football coach Mark Dantonio and former Spartans and Detroit Tigers star Kirk Gibson are in attendance.
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