The play in games are done, which means the 64-team bracket is set for March Madness in 2022. Three of the four play in games were decided by less than 10 points.
Texas Southern beats Texas A&M Corpus Christi
In the battle to determine who takes on No. 1 seed Kansas, Texas Southern got the win.
Texas Southern beat Texas A&M Corpus Christi 76-67. The Tigers produced more than 70% of their scoring from players coming off of the bench. Corpus Christi shot better from the three-point line and forced more turnovers, but the Islanders were not able to compete with the amount of free throws Texas Southern shot and made. Corpus Christi shot 19 free throws and made nine. The Tigers shot 35 and made 26. Texas Southern was led by Bryson Etienne with 21 points.
Texas Southern makes it into the 64-team bracket and will play Kansas in the first round. Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self talked about the upcoming matchup and how Texas Southern is not an easy win.
Indiana beats Wyoming
Aside from a few minutes at the end of the first half, Indiana was in control of the game and led Wyoming.
Indiana, led by an efficient 29 point performance by Trayce Jackson-Davis, beat Wyoming 66-58. Indiana struggle from three-point range, but were able to secure the win thanks to their rebounding and forcing turnovers. Wyoming turned the ball over 19 times, Indiana only eight times. This difference in turnovers led to Indiana taking 16 more shots than the Cowboys.
The Hoosiers will play 5 seed Saint Mary’s in the first round.
Wright State beats Bryant
The Wright State Raiders take the final 16 seed in the tournament after beating Bryant University in a high scoring affair.
Wright State beat Bryant 93-82. The Raiders were led by a 37 point, 11 rebound performance by junior Tanner Holden. Bryant was able to keep the game in striking distance until the midpoint of the second half when Wright State pulled out a 10 point lead which did not drop to single digits again.
Wright State will take on 1 seed Arizona in the first round.
Notre Dame beats Rutgers
It took two overtime periods for Notre Dame to take down Rutgers.
Notre Dame beat Rutgers 89-87 in the second overtime. Notre Dame was outrebounded by 12, but shot 10 more free throws. The game was close the whole way but Notre Dame only turned the ball over five times.
The Fighting Irish will play 6 seed Alabama in the first round of March Madness.