The Ohio Bobcats have their first NCAA Tournament win since 2012, and it came in very impressive fashion. The No. 13 seed Bobcats took down the No. 4 seed Virginia Cavaliers 62-58 on Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Bobcats! No. 13 Ohio takes down No. 4 Virginia. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/aRD3pR6FT5
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 21, 2021
Virginia is the defending champion (won the 2019 NCAA Tournament; COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 tournament), so there will be a new champion this time around.
Ohio went on a 16-2 run in the second half, and this Ben Roderick three to go up seven points was when it really felt like the Bobcats would pull this victory off:
Ohio trying to pull off the upset! 🏀🔥 pic.twitter.com/12I2fEs9wf
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 21, 2021
Now, this upset isn’t nearly as surprising as your usual 4 vs. 13 game, and definitely not as surprising as Oral Roberts’ win over Ohio State on Friday.
THE. OHIO. UNIVERSITY. 🙃#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/46EEBJvQ3T
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 21, 2021
Ohio entered this game ranked 82nd on Ken Pomeroy’s efficiency rankings, and 30th on offense. They lost by only two points at Illinois — now a No. 1 seed — in November.
The Bobcats also have a star player in Jason Preston, who came into the game averaging 16.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. The 6’4″ junior guard had 11 points (only attempted seven shots from the field), 13 rebounds, and eight assists in this one.
So, Ohio is a dangerous team, and they have a real chance to pull off another upset in their second-round matchup against No. 5 seed Creighton. Don’t be shocked if the Bobcats are this year’s Cinderella.
As for Virginia, what a weird three years it’s been. They became the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed when they were blown out by UMBC in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, then won the 2019 NCAA Tournament, and now lose to a No. 13 seed.
