SI

March Madness: SI's Best Photos

March Madness: SI's Best Photos
March Madness: SI's Best Photos

March Madness: SI's Best Photos

Dayton 60, Ohio St. 59

<italics>SI's best photographs from Thursday's games in the NCAA tournament.</italics> Vee Sanford was the hero of the day for Dayton, hitting this shot in the closing seconds to lift the Flyers over Ohio State. <bold>SI Video: Dayton knocks off Ohio State </bold>

Dayton 60, Ohio St. 59

Ohio State's Aaron Craft, pictured here against Matt Kavanaugh (35), Shannon Scott (3) and Khari Price, scored 16 points for the Buckeyes. His vallant attempt at a game-winning shot at the buzzer was just off the mark.

Texas 87, Arizona State 85

Cameron Ridley of Texas got this shot over the outstretched arm of Jordan Bachynski at the buzzer to advance the Longhorns to the next round.

Texas 87, Arizona State 85

In order to put up the game-winner, Cameron Ridley first had to jostle with Arizona State defenders for the loose ball off an errant three-point attempt.

Harvard 61, Cincinnati 57

Kyle Casey throws down two of his five points during Harvard's upset of Cincinnati. <bold>SI VIDEO: Harvard win over Cincy no surprise</bold>

Harvard 61, Cincinnati 57

Steve Moundou-Missi and teammates celebrate only the second tournament victory in Harvard history. The Crimson knocked off New Mexico a year ago.

North Dakota St. 80, Okla. 75 (OT)

Kory Brown blocks a Buddy Hield shot during the 12th seed's upset win over Oklahoma, a five seed.

Michigan St. 93, Delaware 78

Adreian Payne (shooting) scored a career-high 41 points in Michigan State's win over the Blue Hens. It was the first 40-point performance in the NCAA tournament since Stephen Curry did it for Davidson in a win over Gonzaga in 2008.

Michigan St. 93, Delaware 78

Kenny Kaminski of Delaware tries to get a shot past Adreian Payne.

Wisconsin 75, American University 35

Sam Dekker and Wisconsin enjoyed the most lopsided victory of the day, trouncing American by 40 points.

Wisconsin 75, American University 35

Josh Gasser and the Badgers were down 17-10 in the early going but turned things around quickly.

Wisconsin 75, American University 35

Sam Dekker was one of three Badgers to score in double digits. Wisconsin will play Oregon on Saturday.

Pittsburgh 77, Colorado 48

Jamie Dixon's Panthers had an easy time against Colorado, but play top-seeded Florida next.

Pittsburgh 77, Colorado 48

Michael Young and Pittsburgh outscored Colorado 46-18 in the first half.

Pittsburgh 77, Colorado 48

Jamel Artis came off the bench to score seven points for Pitt.

Syracuse 77, Western Michigan 53

Jerami Grant and the Orange were too long and too athletic for Western Michigan.

Syracuse 77, Western Michigan 53

Rakeem Christmas (25) helped Syracuse outrebound the Broncos 39-19.

Syracuse 77, Western Michigan 53

Jerami Grant and his teammates have a date with Dayton on Saturday.

Oregon 87, BYU 68

Jason Calliste of Oregon and Tyler Haws of BYU scramble for a loose ball.

Oregon 87, BYU 68

Oregon's Elgin Cook drives against Josh Sharp.

Florida 67, Albany 55

Casey Prather and the Gators extended their school-record winning streak to 27 games.

Florida 67, Albany 55

Dorian Finney-Smith (10) and Patric Young helped Florida move on to face Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Florida 67, Albany 55

A view of the pro-Florida crowd that traveled to Orlando for the Gators' opener.

UConn 89, St. Josephs 81 (OT)

Ryan Boatright finished with 17 points in the Huskies win.

UConn 89, St. Josephs 81 (OT)

UConn outscored St. Joseph's 19-11 in overtime to earn a Saturday matchup against Villanova. Niels Giffey chipped in 10 points and four rebounds during the game.

Michigan 57, Wofford 40

Jon Horford shows his athleticism in scoring agaisnt C.J Neumann.

Michigan 57, Wofford 40

Glenn Robinson III and Jordan Morgan battle for the same rebound in a game that Michigan won primarily with its defense.

Louisville 71, Manhattan 64

Louisville is trying to become the first school since Florida in 2007 to win back-to-back titles, and needed two pivotal three-pointers by Luke Hancock in the final 1:19 to get past Manhattan.

Louisville 71, Manhattan 64

Stephan Van Treese shoots over Rhamel Brown during Louisville's win.

St. Louis 83, N.C. State 80 (OT)

Tyler Lewis tries to make sense of North Carolina State's overtime loss to St. Louis, a five seed.

St. Louis 83, N.C. State 80 (OT)

John Manning (left) and Tanner Lancona celebrate their victory over N.C. State.

San Diego St. 73, N. Mexico St. 69 (OT)

San Diego State squandered a 14-point lead but recovered in time to win in overtime against the Aggies. The game was a record-fourth to go into overtime on Thursday.

Villanova 73, Wisconsin-Milwaukee 53

Just like this play along the out-of-bounds line, the game was closer than the final score indicated. A 14-point run spanning halftime gave the Wildcats a nine-point lead early in the second half and they held on.

Villanova 73, Wisconsin-Milwaukee 53

JayVaughn Pinkston tries to keep from fouling after getting caught in the air on a block attempt.

Villanova 73, Wisconsin-Milwaukee 53

Villanova coach Jay Wright in the heat of the moment.