Check out the best plays from March Madness
Thursday's slate of March Madness action had dunks, passes, clutch three-pointers, and a Grandmother. Check it all out in a delicious sea of Vine and Gifs below.
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Ohio State guard D'Angelo Russell sank a key shot with a minute remaining in the Buckeyes' match up with the VCU Rams. Russell approached the top of the key with VCU guard Doug Brooks guarding him closely. Some quick footwork and two well-timed, behind-the-back dribbles dislodged Brooks and allowed Russell to sink a jumper from the foul line. No. 10 Ohio State defeated No. 7 VCU, 75-72, and will face No. 2 Arizona on Saturday.
#https://vine.co/v/OYaiZt3qE3E
(h/t David Gardner for the Vine)
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With about six minutes left in Notre Dame's game against Northeastern on Thursday, point guard Demetrius Jackson made a sick spin play as he brought the ball up the court that nearly shook a Huskies defender out of his shoes. The result was a crisp dime setting up a Zach Auguste dunk that put the Irish up by 11, 60-49.
#https://vine.co/v/OYBVlqVYQtp
(h/t UkhanNBA for the Vine)
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Shout out to grandma, who it appears sent up some effective prayers as Notre Dame forward Zach Auguste attempted, and made, two game-sealing free throws for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame won 69-65.
#https://vine.co/v/OYuWjQTjdjj
(h/t David Gardner for the Vine)
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Iowa State's Jameel McKay made a key block on UAB guard Denzel Watts to preserve what was then a lead for the Cyclones. The 14-seeded Blazers, however, would pull off the tournament's first major upset, beating the Cyclones 60-59.
#https://vine.co/v/OYuqgWYH30I
(h/t Vincent McVines for the Vine)
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With his team trailing by one with just under 12 minutes to go in the second half, Alabama-Birmingham freshman Chris Cokley put it down with authority on a dunk off of a teammate's missed three-pointer. The 14-seeded Blazers would pull off the tournament's first major upset, 60-59.
#https://vine.co/v/OYBl27d93tT
(h/t Vinnyviner for the Vine)
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Arizona freshman phenom Stanley Johnson helped the second-seeded Wildcats set the tone early against Texas Southern with a baseline drive and one-handed slam.
(h/t Ryan Kras for the Vine)
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After trailing in the games waning minutes by 10 points, Georgia State mounted a furious comeback capped by a last second, game-winning three-pointer from R.J. Hunter from way downtown. Georgia State would pull off the second 14-seed upset of the day, winning 57-56.
(h/t The Viner for the Vine)
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In reaction to his son's shot, Georgia State coach Ron Hunter - already coaching from a stool in the first place because he hurt his Achilles tendon celebrating the Panthers' conference tournament win - fell off said stool in sheer jubilation. Afterward, father and son gave an emotional post-game interview in which Hunter Sr. said he felt fine.
(h/t Lang Whitaker for the Vine)
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As part of SMU's 19-0 comeback run against UCLA,
(h/t Molly Geary for the Vine)
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#https://vine.co/v/OYzv5uu1uUa
(h/t Vinnyviner for the Vine)
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Down 59-58 and with time expiring, UCLA guard Bryce Alford, the son of UCLA coach Steve Alford, launched a shot to win the game that bounced off the front rim. SMU's Yannick Moriera, however, was called for goal-tending on the play, putting UCLA up 60-59. SMU would miss two final shot attempts, and the Bruins would win the game.
#https://vine.co/v/OYzrHIpQpZh
(h/t David Gardner for the Vine)
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Down 63-61 with just over a minute remaining in the game, Harvard guard Siyani Chambers gave the Crimson the lead with a four-point play. Chambers connected on a deep three and then converted a free throw to put Harvard up 65-63 late in the game.
#https://vine.co/v/OYWOzYUxOtq
(h/t David Gardner for the Vine)
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Cincinnati guard Troy Caupain sent the Bearcats into overtime against Purdue in their second-round NCAA tournament game with a buzzer-beater layup. The Bearcats prevailed in overtime, 66-65.
#https://vine.co/v/OYW5ZdMv33I
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Despite facing a double-digit deficit for much of the second half, N.C. State improbably advanced past LSU in the NCAA tournament second round after BeeJay Anya converted a hook shot with 0.1 remaining to give the Wolfpack a 66-65 lead. Anya's hook shot rattled around the rim before dropping in just before the buzzer.
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No. 1 Kentucky's game against No. 16 Hampton played out like a highlight reel for the Wildcats. Trey Lyles' one-handed dunk in the first minute set the tone early.
