PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) ― Will Sheehey had two options when he grabbed the loose ball: back it out and play for the final shot of regulation, or take the open jumper.
Indiana coach Tom Crean wanted the Hoosiers to be aggressive on Saturday, and Sheehey was paying attention.
The sophomore forward made a 15-footer from the baseline with 12.7 seconds left after a shot was blocked right to him, and the fourth-seeded Hoosiers beat 12th-seeded VCU 63-61 on Saturday to reach the NCAA tournament’s round of 16 for the first time in a decade. Welcome back Indiana.
“It’s been a constant grind for us ever since the end of last year,” Christian Watford said. “We’ve been working hard and we did a great job with adversity, and it feels great to be in this position.”
Indiana (27-8) trailed by as many as nine at 57-48 and held VCU to just four points the final 12 1/2 minutes. When Rob Brandenberg’s open look at a potential winning 3 rimmed off, the Hoosiers were finally able to celebrate their first trip to the regional semifinals since 2002. Next up is a rematch with top-seeded Kentucky in Atlanta. The Hoosiers’ last-second win over the Wildcats back in December announced their return to the national stage.
Syracuse 75, Kansas State 59
Ohio State 73, Gonzaga 66
Marquette 62, Murray St. 53
Wisconsin 60, Vanderbilt 57
Kentucky 87, Iowa State 71
Baylor 80, Colorado 63
Louisville 59, New Mexico 56
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
