With the help of a computer game, Dave Koch Sports, the 2020 NCAA Tournament is being played on Holt Street in Ashland, Kentucky.
It’s computer vs. computer except when Kentucky plays and that’s when yours truly becomes Coach Cal. The Cats were a No. 3 seed in an East bracket where Dayton was No. 1 and Villanova was No. 2.
Kentucky was matched against Hofstra in the opening round and came away with a 61-48 victory. Nick Richards had two fouls in the first 45 seconds and was rendered ineffective. The Cats still led most of the way and looked like they might pull away, but then Hofstra fought back to keep it close (sound familiar?) before falling.
UK’s Immanuel Quickley scored 13 and Tyrese Maxey added 10. Ashton Hagans, the game MVP, had nine points and eight assists. UK shot only 38 percent and went 2-for-12 on 3-pointers – a bad overall shooting game. But the Cats defended well and especially on the 3-point line, where Hofstra was 3-for-21.
Quickley was hot early, scoring nine, as Kentucky took a 22-7 lead, matching the largest margin in the game. The Cats maintained a double-figure advantage most of the game.
Kentucky plays 11th seed East Tennessee in the second round. The Bucs shocked No. 3 seeded BYU 90-76.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Bradley stunned Louisville 89-81, North Texas shocked Seton Hall 74-67, Texas Tech pummeled defending champion Virginia 71-39. Akron upset Ohio State 82-74 and West Virginia edged Indiana 74-73.
In the SEC, Auburn advanced but LSU and Florida both fell in the opening round.
Looks like MARK MADNESS has as many surprises as they real thing. Tune in tomorrow for the second-round games.
First-round scores
EAST
1-Dayton 67, 16-Boston U. 62
8-Marquette 81, 9-Colorado 73
4-Maryland 66, New Mexico State 42
12-Akron 82, 5-Ohio State 74
2-Villanova 79, 15-Northern Kentucky 60
7-Illinois 66, 10-Cincinnati 62
3-Kentucky 61, 14-Hofstra 48
11-East Tenn. State 90, 3-BYU 76
MIDWEST
1-Kansas 73, 16-NC Central 57
8-USC 85, 9-Florida 55
13-Liberty 64, 4-Wisconsin 53
12-Stanford 61, 5-Butler 55
2-Creighton 84, 15-Eastern Mich. 69
7-Iowa 85, 10-Arizona State 76
3-Duke 94, 14-UC Irvine 57
6-West Virginia 74, Indiana 73
SOUTH
1-Baylor 87, 16-Winthrop 79
8-St. Mary’s 70, 9-LSU 65
13-Bradley 89, 4-Louisville 81
5-Auburn 80, 12-Yale 67
2-Florida State 82, 15-North Dakota State 46
7-Providence 70, 10-Utah State 64
3-Michigan State 102, 14-Belmont 80
11-Texas Tech 71, 6-Virginia 39
WEST
1-Gonzaga 89, 16-Sienna 72
8-Houston 75, 9-Oklahoma 68
4-Oregon 84, 13-Vermont 57
5-Penn State 64, 12-Stephen F. Austin 59
2-San Diego State 82, 15-Arkansas-Little Rock 79
10-Rutgers 85, 7-Arizona 74
14-North Texas 74, 3-Seton Hall 67
6-Michigan 73, 11-UCLA 64
MARK MY WORDS 2 