It didn’t take long for this year’s NCAA Tournament to register its first buzzer beater.
11-seed Loyola-Chicago, a chic upset selection in the South Region, downed 6-seed Miami, 64-62, on Thursday afternoon via Donte Ingram’s game-winning three-pointer from the top of the key with 0.3 seconds remaining.
DONTE INGRAM GAME WINNER FOR LOYOLA-CHICAGO!!!https://t.co/Oh5prtXNvq pic.twitter.com/8X1WILQD5M
— Basketball Society (@BBallSociety_) March 15, 2018
The shot was made possible a few possessions earlier courtesy of a beautifully executed “hammer” set called by Loyola head coach Porter Moser.
Warning: The following is basketball porn in its most explicit form.
FYI: Loyola Chicago’s Hammer Play pic.twitter.com/tlw7CX0MWh
— Todd Wolfson (@SFHShoops) March 15, 2018
The Ramblers, dancing for the first time since the 1984-85 season, advance to take on 3-seed Tennessee in a second-round pairing on Saturday.
Miami star freshman Lonnie Walker did not end his career on a high note, assuming the projected lottery pick will be a one-and-done. In crunch time, he broke down defensively multiple times, committed a crucial late turnover, and missed the front end of a one-and-one that led directly to Ingram’s heroic moment.
Based on lofty preseason expectations, Miami underachieved this season, Bruce Brown injury or not. The Hurricanes end the year with a 22-10 record and now will likely lose Walker and Brown as well as senior guard Ja’Quan Newton.
Photo: Getty Images
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