There are still three rounds to play before a champion can be chosen, but this 2023 edition of the “March Madness” is already (literally) historic: for the first time in the history of the tournament, there There will be no #1 seed in the “Elite Eight”, that is to say the quarter-finals of the tournament!
Because Alabama And Houstonthe only #1 seeds still in contention after early exits from Kansas and Purdue last week, effectively lost tonight.
Brandon Miller completely holes himself
On the one hand, the Crimson Tide’s usually explosive attack was muzzled by the enormous rough and physical defense of San Diego State (#5), the sixth-best in the country this season. The Aztecs limited their opponents to 32% on shots, including 11% from behind the arc, an incredible 3/27! Particularly targeted, the “freshman” Brandon Miller spent a nightmarish evening on the offensive level, concluded with 9 points at 3/19 on shots! A completely missed last university game which will undoubtedly leave him bitter for a few days, before announcing his registration for the 2023 Draft.
” We were well prepared for this game. But I our attack, especially our shooting choices, could clearly have been better obviously » moreover declared the young Crimson Tide winger. ” But you also have to give credit to San Diego State, they are good players. They have experience, and we got into it. »
Houston defense overwhelmed
On the other side, the Cougars, usually calm in their own half, were overwhelmed by the “up tempo” attack of Miami (#5). With their five holders in “double figure”, including one Nijel Pack particularly hot (26 points at 8/12 on shots including 7/10 from behind the arc), the Hurricanes simply disgusted their opponents by concluding the match at 51% on shots, including 44% from behind the arc (11/25) . In a day without also in attack, to make matters worse (38% on shots, including 9/31 from 3-pointers), Houston then logically sank…
” We wanted this win. We were the underdogs in this game » thus summed up Jordan Miller, the Miami winger with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. ” We led throughout the game. And quite comfortable. So we didn’t release the pressure on them. »
So, as surprising as it may seem, these two defeats are in fact far from being the most surprising of the tournament. Because San Diego State and Miami were quite simply the “kryptonite” of their respective adversaries, with profiles capable of exposing the weak points of the two teams, and turning them against them…
In the Elite Eight, San Diego State will challenge Creighton (#6) in the South region, while Miami will face Texas (#2) in the Midwest region.
