The No. 8 vs. No. 9 games are not typically the most exciting or entertaining matchups of the tournament. Typically, the two teams are mediocre high majors who limped into the field of 68.
But on Thursday night, No. 8-seeded USC and No. 9-seeded Providence put on the most entertaining display of action of the early tournament with a 70-69 thriller.
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Despite having the two best players on the floor in Kris Dunn and Ben Bentil, the Friars played from behind for most of the second half, but never let the Trojans pull away.
The final minute was played at a breakneck pace, with both teams trying to score quick buckets but running into roadblocks along the way.
Providence seemed to be just seconds away from an agonizing defeat, only to receive one more chance.
With 2.2 seconds remaining, Providence inbounded the ball under USC's basket. The Trojans double-teamed both Dunn and Bentil, leaving Rodney Bullock wide open for the game-winning shot.
The reaction from the USC bench was heartbreaking.
USC's bench was absolutely stunned pic.twitter.com/XP5uWsJKxx
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) March 18, 2016
Bentil led the way for the Friars with 19 points, while both Bullock and Dunn chipped in with 16 points apiece. Jordan McLaughlin led the Trojans in scoring with 15 points.
The Friars will face No. 1 seed North Carolina on Saturday.