March Madness: The best moments from the 2015 NCAA Tournament

Mar 20, 2015, 1:42 AM | Updated: 9:22 pm

March Madness has officially arrived, and with it comes the inevitable fluttering ashes of brackets long destroyed.

You may not make it past the second round without your picks imploding, but with or without you, the coolest moments in college basketball just keep coming.

Take a pause from your losing bracket bonfire to stay updated on the best — and worst — of this year’s NCAA Tournament.

March 19, Round of 64

(3) Notre Dame 69, (14) Northeastern 65

Notre Dame held off Northeastern mostly because of this:

Notre Dame outscored Northeastern 17-0 off turnovers, 22-2 in transition in today’s win: pic.twitter.com/zBhuAnyaXA

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 19, 2015

Oh, and Demetrius Jackson did this to a couple of hapless defenders:

Then, things got a little…mad.

(14) UAB 60, (3) Iowa State 59

UAB, wearing mismatched shoes to help raise awareness of pediatric cancer, became the first Cinderella story of the 2015 tournament.

#BracketBusted! Only 5% of you had UAB over Iowa St. #UABvsISU pic.twitter.com/WLQs48235K

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 19, 2015

UAB's upset over Iowa St. was the third biggest since we started forecasting in 2011. Updated tournament odds: http://t.co/Ls86pjASgj

— FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) March 19, 2015

This is the same UAB team whose football program was cut earlier this year.

Are you rooting for them yet?

(14) Georgia State 57, (3) Baylor 56

When RJ Hunter hit a game-winning three to push Georgia State over Baylor for the upset victory, perhaps the best moment in college basketball this year happened:

The Georgia State Vine you HAVE to see. https://t.co/UDGuqUl0Ro

— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) March 19, 2015

See that guy fall off his stool?

That’s Ron Hunter, Georgia State coach and father of the player who hit the shot — no wonder he was so excited.

By the way, Hunter is the same coach who tore his achilles tendon last week celebrating with his team after a Sun Belt championship.

He may be our March Madness MVP so far — or maybe it’s the stool.

Fewer than 1% of brackets are still perfect.

It's 4pm on Thursday. #BracketBusted pic.twitter.com/zOAHHhBREi

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 19, 2015

(2) Arizona 93, (15) Texas Southern 72

The Wildcats creamed Texas Southern, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a triple-double — if you count his shimmies, of course.

#RespectTheShimmy pic.twitter.com/VxWRcneqq8

— Paul Avila (@PaulAvila25) March 19, 2015

(6) Butler 56, (11) Texas 48

The world finally became a world we know when Butler beat Texas. And a sad world for the Big 12.

With Texas’ loss to Butler, the Big 12 goes winless on Thursday (0-3) pic.twitter.com/uyPXaTR9m2

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 19, 2015

(11) UCLA 60, (6) SMU 59

The “gaining steam” Bruins may have caused a bit of a fuss by getting in the tournament in the first place, but Bryce Alford hit nine 3-pointers — which would’ve been eight, and a loss, if it weren’t for a much-debated goaltending call.

Bryce Alford finished 9-of-11 from 3 — the last one on a goaltend.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) March 19, 2015

Only Bryce Alford could make a missed 3-pointer to win a game.

— LostLettermen.com (@LostLettermen) March 19, 2015

And the guy who committed the error tweeted out a heartfelt apology after the game:

I would like to apologize for all the SMU fans as senior I shouldn't make those type of mistake.. I'm really sorry

— Yanick Moreira (@Ymoreira35) March 19, 2015

These guys don't deserve it 😔. It really hurts . All those mile run in the summer all those 2 a day to end my college career like this 😔😔😔😔

— Yanick Moreira (@Ymoreira35) March 19, 2015

Now, UCLA will face UAB, which of course everybody had in their brackets. Not.

(6) Xavier 76, (11) Mississippi 57

Talk about a loss of momentum.

After scoring 62 points in the second half against BYU, Ole Miss only had 57 points in the entire game today against Xavier.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 19, 2015

(10) Ohio State 75, (7) VCU 72

Ohio State freshman D’Angelo Russell broke a freshman school scoring record after a 28-point game against VCU, and pulled the gnarliest crossover in recent memory:

C’mon, man, you couldn’t have finished that one, of all your buckets?

He did take an elbow to the face, though…

VIDEO: Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell takes elbow to the face and ends up bloody #MarchMadness http://t.co/rlFCKswTze pic.twitter.com/RqFfgwLF4R

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 19, 2015

(1) Villanova 93, (16) Lafayette 52

Water break.

(8) Cincinnati 66, (9) Purdue 65

Poor Boilermakers. Two 7-foot guys and the lane was still wide open for Cincinnati to send it into overtime with a layup at the buzzer.

The Cincinnati-Purdue game was within 5 points in either direction for all but 4 seconds of playing time.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 20, 2015

And then, Purdue couldn’t quite sink their last chance of moving on:

Purdue was this close to moving on. Cincinnati was this close to going home. It's a game of inches. pic.twitter.com/wNoj2gGMnG

— CBS Sports CBB (@CBSSportsCBB) March 20, 2015

#Madness

Still a few to go… RT @DavidWorlock: The Cincy win over Purdue ties a @marchmadness record for 1-point games in one day (4).

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) March 20, 2015

(4) North Carolina 67, (13) Harvard 65

Harvard nearly banked a three to beat UNC, who barely fended their Ivy-league opponent off after a 21-8 run.

It’s okay, Harvard.

A crushing defeat for Harvard fans, who will have to console themselves with running the world and being successful and stuff

— SB Nation (@SBNation) March 20, 2015

(5) Utah 57, (12) Stephen F. Austin 50

Stephen F. Austin went, ah, stone cold in the final moments against Utah.

Delon Wright did this:

Utah's Delon Wright just scored his 1,000th career point

— Ryan Krasnoo (@RyanKras) March 20, 2015

And SFA, to their disappointment, did this:

Stephen F Airball

— PlannedSickDays (@PlannedSickDays) March 20, 2015

(8) NC State 66, (9) LSU 65

What rhymes with “beat LSU?”

Round of 32.

BeeJay Anya's game-winner https://t.co/CATg9jEOak

— Pack Pride (@PackPride) March 20, 2015

NCSU just won the FIFTH one-point game of the day, 66-65 over LSU. That's an NCAA tournament record for an opening day, folks!

— Arizona Sports 98.7 (@AZSports) March 20, 2015

(5) Arkansas 56, (12) Woffard 53

This is pretty neat:

Wofford, who doesn’t have a starter taller than 6-6, is out-rebounding Arkansas 34-30.

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 20, 2015

This is pretty feet:

(4) Georgetown 84, (13) Eastern Washington 74

Despite this:

Eastern Washington dunking like Florida Gulf Coast! https://t.co/MLRWIZmKVI

— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) March 20, 2015

…and a “guaranteed win” by EWU head coach Jim Hayford, the hot upset pick cooled off.

(1) Kentucky 79, (16) Hampton 56

Water break.

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North Carolina State's Beejay Anya (21) holds the ball as LSU's Tim Quarterman (55) tries to get it during the first half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game, Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Cincinnati guard Troy Caupain, left, watches his game-tying basket against Purdue at the end of the second half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. At right is Purdue center A.J. Hammons and Cincinnati forward Jermaine Sanders. Cincinnati won 66-65 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

Purdue forward Vince Edwards, left, shoots over Cincinnati forward Jermaine Sanders during the second half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Cincinnati won 66-65 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

North Dakota State head coach David Richman looks on during practice for an NCAA college basketball tournament second round game in Seattle, Thursday, March 19, 2015. North Dakota State plays Gonzaga on Friday. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Cincinnati guard Troy Caupain, left, celebrates his game-tying basket against Purdue, forcing overtime, during an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. At right is Cincinnati forward Jermaine Sanders. Cincinnati 66-65 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

LSU's Josh Gray tries to keep the ball in bounds in front of North Carolina State's Beejay Anya and Anthony Barber (12) during the first half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game, Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

North Dakota State's Lawrence Alexander spins a ball on his finger during practice for an NCAA college basketball tournament second-round game in Seattle, Thursday, March 19, 2015. North Dakota State is to play Gonzaga on Friday. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Cincinnati guard Troy Caupain, left, congratulates teammate Kevin Johnson after Purdue forward Vince Edwards, bottom, missed a last-second shot during overtime of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Cincinnati won 66-65. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

Purdue head coach Matt Painter, left, talks with Vince Edwards during the second half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game against Cincinnati in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Cincinnati won in overtime 66-65. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Purdue's Rapheal Davis, right, guards Cincinnati's Kevin Johnson during the second half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Cincinnati won 66-65 in overtime. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Arkansas guard Rashad Madden (00) drives into Wofford guard Karl Cochran (2) during the first half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Cincinnati guard Troy Caupain passes to Cincinnati forward Shaquille Thomas (3) after running into Purdue forward Vince Edwards during the second half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Cincinnati won 66-65 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

Utah guard Delon Wright, left, collides with Stephen F. Austin forward Tanner Clayton during the second half of an NCAA college basketball second-round game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

Utah guard Brandon Taylor, left, shoots over Stephen F. Austin guard Dallas Cameron during the second half of an NCAA college basketball second-round game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

North Carolina forward Brice Johnson, right, blocks a shot by Harvard guard Siyani Chambers during the second half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Utah forward Jordan Loveridge, left, drives on Stephen F. Austin forward Clide Geffrard during the second half of an NCAA college basketball second-round game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

North Carolina guard/forward Justin Jackson (44) goes up for a dunk after getting past Harvard guard Wesley Saunders (23) and forward Steve Moundou-Missi (14) during the second half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. North Carolina won the game 67-65. (AP Photo/Rick Wilson)

Members of the Lafayette basketball team look up at the display board as they are losing to Villanova as time runs during the second half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game, Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Pittsburgh. Villanova won 93-52 to advance to the third round. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

North Carolina forward Theo Pinson, right, pushes his way around Harvard guard Wesley Saunders during the second half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The Stephens F. Austin mascot swings his ax during the first half of an NCAA college basketball second-round game against Utah in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

Purdue center Isaac Haas dunks during the first half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game against Cincinnati in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

Purdue guard Jon Octeus is fouled on the way to the basket by Cincinnati center Coreontae DeBerry during the first half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

North Carolina forward Brice Johnson (with ball) is fouled by Harvard forward Steve Moundou-Missi during the first half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Rick Wilson)

Virginia Commonwealth forward Jarred Guest, right, comforts injured teammate Briante Weber after losing an NCAA tournament college basketball second round game against Ohio State, Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Portland, Ore. Ohio State won 75-72. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)

The UAB bench cheers after guard Robert Brown hit a 3-point basket in the closing seconds of the second half against Iowa State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. UAB won the game 60-59. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

UAB guard Denzell Watts acknowledges the fans as he and his team celebrate their win over Iowa State in an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. UAB won the game 60-59. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

Georgia State players celebrate as they surround R.J. Hunter, right, after he made the game-winning shot against Baylor late in the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia State won 57-56. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Georgia State head coach Ron Hunter celebrates as he goes on the court after defeating Baylor 57-56 in the secound round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Georgia State's R.J. Hunter (22) celebrates with fans as he leaves the court after he made the game-winning shot against Baylor in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia State won 57-56. (AP Photo/Rick Wilson)

Arizona center Kaleb Tarczewski, center, battles for a rebound against Texas Southern forwards Chris Thomas, left, and Malcolm Riley during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Tarczewski scored 13 points as Arizona won 93-72. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)

Texas Southern guard Madarious Gibbs pulls his jersey over his face during the second half of an NCAA college basketball second round game against Arizona in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Arizona won 93-72. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)

Arizona forward Stanley Johnson scores over Texas Southern players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball second round game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)

Georgetown guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, left, celebrates with teammate Jabril Trawick after winning an NCAA college basketball second round game against Eastern Washington in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Smith-Rivera scored 25 points as Georgetown won 84-74. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

Georgetown guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera gestures during the second half of an NCAA college basketball second round game against Eastern Washington in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Smith-Rivera scored 25 points as Georgetown won 84-74. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein, right, shoots over Hampton's Jervon Pressley during the second half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Kentucky won 79-56. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Kentucky forward Trey Lyles dunks during the first half of an NCAA tournament second round college basketball game against Hampton in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Kentucky won the game 79-56. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

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