Last year it was the George Mason Patriots and their improbable journey to the Final Four. This year, Virginia Commonwealth University started off the opening day of March Madness by defeating Duke in the opening round:
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Duke’s done. Eric Maynor hit a 15-foot jumper with 1.8 seconds left to give Virginia Commonwealth a 79-77 upset victory over the Blue Devils in the first round of the NCAA tournament Thursday night. Maynor finished with 22 points, six of them in the final 1:24.
Duke lost a first-round game for the first time since 1996. The loss also ended the Blue Devils’ string of Sweet 16 appearances at nine. It was the longest active streak and second-longest behind North Carolina’s 13-year run.
Fittingly, it was VCU that knocked off George Mason _ the tournament’s surprise team last year _ in the Colonial Athletic Association championship game. Maynor sealed that 65-59 win by scoring nine of his 20 points in the final 2 minutes.
Let’s see how long this one lasts……
