It's the most wonderful time of the year, at least for college basketball fans, as conference tournaments are well underway in the major conferences, and have already left fans across the country on the edge of their seats with some incredible games. The conference tournaments are almost the appetizer to the main course, the NCAA Tournament, and Friday gave fans arguably one of the most exciting games in recent memory with the UConn Huskies beating the Cincinnati Bearcats, 104-97, after the fourth overtime.
Freshman guard Jalen Adams hit the biggest shot of his collegiate career Friday, as he hit a miracle 60-foot bank after the Bearcats took a 88-85 lead with 0.8 seconds left in the third overtime. The Huskies freshman guard scored a career-high 22 points, and is just one of the reasons their NCAA Tournament hopes are still alive.
"That was amazing," Adams said following the game. "That was the best game, and the longest game." Huskies sophomore guard Daniel Hamilton scored a team-high 32 points, and has been a leader for the Huskies all season, averaging 11.6 points and 8.7 rebounds a game this season.
The Huskies are known for playing their best basketball in clutch moments, and won the National Championship as a seventh seed in 2014. UConn has not officially clinched a tournament spot even with its win Friday, but are in the conversation and has a valid argument in its favor to be included in March Madness.
The Huskies now have four top-50 wins, and many are starting to put them as a lock for the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Kevin Ollie will look to have his team ready for their matchup with American Athletic Conference top-seed Temple, and a win in Saturday's game should guarantee any doubts about the Huskies making the tournament.
While the Huskies clearly improved their chances at earning a spot in the tournament, the Bearcats shouldn't be knocked out for their loss Friday. A win over the Huskies was expected to lock Cincinnati in the tournament, but head coach Mick Cronin's team only showed ita ability to keep fighting despite the loss. Both Cincinnati and UConn should make the tournament after their exciting four-overtime thriller on Friday, but Cincinnati will have to wait for Selection Sunday, while the Huskies look control their own destiny against Temple.
