Drama takes center stage

They call it March Madness for a reason, but the drama typically slows after opening weekend. Not this year.

The men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments have featured numerous close contests, and the trend has continued during the Final Four.

Virginia’s Kyle Guy hit three free throws with 0.6 seconds left to help the Cavaliers beat Auburn 63-62 in a wild and controversial finish Saturday night in the national semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. It’s the result of a play that will be long discussed, with official James Breeding whistling Samir Doughty for a bump on Guy’s desperation 3-point shot with No. 1 seed Virginia facing elimination before the final. Several members of the Auburn student section were escorted out of U.S. Bank Stadium by police after protesting the call.

On Monday night, Virginia will face Texas Tech, which defeated Michigan State 61-51 in Saturday’s second semifinal.

During the women’s Final Four in Tampa, Notre Dame star Arike Ogunbowale scored 14 of her 23 points in the final period, leading a rally from a nine-point deficit with eight minutes left to help the defending champion Irish beat UConn 81-76 late Friday night for a return trip to the title game. Baylor’s Kalani Brown scored 22 points and Lauren Cox added 21 as the Lady Bears (36-1) held off Final Four newcomer Oregon 72-67 to reach the women’s title game for the first time since 2012.

Notre Dame and Baylor will face off for the crown Sunday night, with the Irish trying to become the fourth school to win consecutive championships — UConn, Tennessee and Southern California have done it.