Jarius Lyles' Dagger Three Sends UMBC to The NCAA Tournament

Holy. Shit. What an upset by UMBC and what a game. This was the first win by UMBC over Vermont in 10 years and it clearly couldn’t have come at a better time. Vermont looked to be in control in the second half only to go stagnant offensively and letting UMBC back in.

Lyles was unreal in this game though ending with 27 points including the biggest three of his career. The VCU-transfer is good enough to win a game by himself. Sort of what he did in the second half here. Nobody on UMBC scored more than 7 points besides Lyles. As for Vermont? This loss sucks. Vermont was good enough to win a game in the NCAA Tournament and would have likely been a 12 or 13 seed.

So who is UMBC? They are coached by Ryan Odom – Dave’s son and he’s going to be a star coaching. They don’t really have a notable nonconference win, but it doesn’t matter. Lyles is going to be a guy giving big time programs trouble.

This is March or something. 14 in, 54 to go:

NCAA Tournament bids handed out: 

UNC Greensboro (SoCon) – projected 12/13 seed
Iona (MAAC) – projected 15/16 seed
Michigan (Big 10) – projected 3/4 seed
Murray State (OVC) – projected 13 seed
Loyola (MVC) – projected 12 seed
Radford (Big South) – projected 15/16 seed
Lipscomb (A-Sun) – projected 15/16 seed
Wright State (Horizon League) – projected 14/15 seed
LIU-Brooklyn (NEC) – projected 16 seed
College of Charleston (CAA) – projected 13/14 seed
Gonzaga (WCC) – projected 3/4 seed
South Dakota State (Summit) – projected 13/14 seed
Bucknell (Patriot) – projected 13/14 seed
UMBC (America East) projected 14/15 seed