2021 NCAA tournament live updates: Scores and analysis from Saturday’s first round March Madness games
After falling just short of a Pac-12 title, the Trojans return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years, this time led by likely NBA Lottery pick Evan Mobley. The 7-foot freshman is averaging 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game – and his brother, Isaiah Mobley, fortifies the front court with 9.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. The Trojans, who went 5-5 against NCAA Tournament teams this season, haven’t reached the Sweet 16 since 2007.
The Bulldogs won their first NCAA Tournament game in 50 years during the First Four on Thursday night, using a furious second half rally to defeat Wichita State, 53-52. The Bulldogs started the season 18-0 and were cruising to potentially a higher seed in the tournament, but endured a Covid pause and lost two of their top players in Roman Penn and ShanQuan Hemphill to separate foot injuries in February. Still the Bulldogs had enough to appear in the Missouri Valley Conference title game and then stun the Shockers on Thursday night, thanks in large part to 21 points guard Joseph Yesufu.
