Sports

Tournament gets off to a wild start

There’s a reason the NCAA Tournament has become known as “March Madness.”

The first three games today have been living proof that the name fits.

Notre Dame and Old Dominion, the sixth and 11th seeds in the South Region, traded baskets right to the end before Old Dominion escaped with a thrilling 51-50 victory. Meanwhile, seventh seed BYU and 10th seed Florida in the West Region each broke 90 points in a game that went to double overtime before the Cougars, led by sharpshooter Jimmer Fredette (37 points) escaped with a 97-90 victory.

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But the day’s most amazing game so far, by far, was back in the South Region, where No. 2 seed Villanova barely squeaked past No. 15 seed Robert Morris, 73-70, with the Colonials blowing a late eight-point lead and then missing a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game to double overtime.

If this is the beginning of March Madness, there’s no telling how crazy the tournament should get over the next two-plus weeks.