What a Start to the 2011 NCAA Tournament

March Madness keeps on rolling and even though it is not my presence, it can definitely provide for some great basketball, crazy plays, wonderful shots, and marvelous finishes. The start of the tournament is known to be most exciting because of the multiple games that are to be played and the numerous upset probabilities. This tournament has shown right from the start that amazing finishes are to be expected and upsets will not be absent this year round. Starting with 3 of the first 4 games had decisive shots made with less than 3 seconds on the clock and the other one had the winner and 5th seed trailing for most of the first half.

Louiville was probably expected to be one of the teams that could surprise people in this tournament but now it seems that they where the ones that were surprised in the first round. Morehead State came out very aggresive and showed louiville that they were going to have to work hard if they wanted to move on. Louiville however kept on controlling the game until arguably their best handler Preston Knowles got injured which sparked a Morehead State 13-4 run to take a big 5 point lead with less than 5 minutes to play. The game was not to end there however, Louiville showed they were the better of teams but overcoming their bad loss and inmediately go on a 9-0 run to regain the 4 point lead. With just under 20 seconds Louiville missed a free throw to leave the window open for MORE. Do you go for the win or the tie? The Eagles used up the clock as much as they could which showed they were probably going for the win, apparently the cardinals didnt expect it. A quick fake move to the basketball and pull up shot from straight ahead saw Demonte Harper give the lead to the Eagles with 3 seconds to go. One of the big upsets usually comes with controversy which happen as louiville's Mike Marra tried a shot and appeared to be foul. You clearly heard on TV "AND Foul.....NO..... NO CALL... THE EAGLES WIN!!!!". A shocking win but a delightful finish. Morehead State has now to focus on a good Richmond team that upset Vanderbilt meaning that one of these unlikely teams will move on to the 3rd round.

Another great shot came from Temple vs Penn State. Temple was down and never seemed to have control of the game but still they found a way to stay ahead. With the Lion down 3 the Talor Battle shot an incredible 3 pointer that would go along with his 23 points as the lions looked to force overtime. However, the Temple Owls had other plans for this finish. The owls gave the ball to Juan Fernandez who tried to create a shot for himself but got stuck with a defender on his face. With no other option and time running down, a couple of moves saw him fade to the middle and putting up an incredible shot that would go in with 0.4 remaining. Never mind that the shot looked impossible to make from that angle, the fact that he hit it with 0.4 was even more crushing, he could've just let it run to overtime. The Temple Owls held on for a great win after battling it out at the beginning.

One of the best ways to finish a basketball game is to get a shot at the buzzer and see the ball go in while the red lights turn on. Butler didnt plan it to go that way, but they will take the win. Shawn Vanzant got the call to get Butler the win, but as he drove to the basket he lost his footing which caused him through quick thinking to throw the ball up in the air for his center. A desperation tip in saw the center bank the ball of the backboard and G Matt Howard came from nowhere to get the rebound and slap the shot in as time ran out. Close call but last years runner up stays in the tournament barely.

An exciting start to the 2011 tournament that will probably see more action happening, with more crazy shots, and amazing finishes.