SIDELINES Headlines, observations and numbers from March Madness:
☛ The First Shot
First One Falls: Loyola of Chicago upsets No. 1 seed Illinois, Page D-2.
POINT OF CONTENTION: Add COVID-19 testing to the differences between the women’s and men’s tournaments that has coaches and players unhappy in Texas about what they say is a growing list of inequities. The NCAA has run 8,015 tests through Sunday with only one confirmed positive at the women’s tournament using daily antigen testing. The men are using daily PCR tests, considered more accurate. “Seeing men’s health valued at a higher level than that of women, as evidenced by different testing protocols at both tournaments, is disheartening,” Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said in a statement.
☛ Who’s Hot …
BUDDY BOEHEIM: The son of coach Jim Boeheim poured in 25 points to lead Syracuse’s 75-72 upset of No. 3 West Virginia. In two tournament games for the No. 11 Orange, Buddy is 19 of 32 from the floor — 13 of 23 from 3-point range — and has scored 55 points.
☛ And Who’s Not
BIG TEN: The conference that led the way with the most teams selected for the tournament is quickly bombing out. Of nine, six were gone by Sunday night, including Illinois, a No. 1 seed; Ohio State, a No. 2 seed; and Purdue, a No. 4 seed. Iowa, Michigan and Maryland are left to carry the mantle.
☛ Numerology 9
The number of double-digit seeds that advanced to the round of 32, matching the number that advanced in 2001 and 2012. In 2016, 10 double-digit seeds made the second round. This also was the first season four teams with a seed of 13 or worse made the second round.
☛ One to Watch
KANSAS VS. USC: 9:40 p.m., KDKA … It’s not so much the game as the location — tradition-rich Hinkle Fieldhouse. “That was one of the things I’ve said all along: I hope we get a chance to play in Hinkle,” said Kansas Bill Self, who considers himself “a big history guy when it comes to our sport.” “Every player has seen the movie ‘Hoosiers.’ We’ll certainly make sure they understand that’s where we’re playing.”
Complete TV lineup, Page D-2