March Madness in Cleveland didn't disappoint

Six games. Two hundred forty minutes of basketball. Two winners.

The first and second round of the Division I men’s basketball tournament in Cleveland has come and gone, but it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Alabama and Michigan State, the two winners from Cleveland, are well on their way to preparing for their next opponents in the Sweet 16 at Newark, New Jersey and Atlanta, respectively.

But there were certainly highlights from Cleveland.

First, teams battled on every possession, and looked to do anything possible to move on.

Second, the Crimson Tide and Spartans emerged as the winners, but teams like Robert Morris, Saint Mary’s and New Mexico played extremely hard. There’s a difference between the top-tiered teams, but that gap continues to close.

Each tournament site has its own nuances and subplots.

In Cleveland, fans are aware of Tom Izzo, the Hall of Fame MSU coach who seems to have his team in contention every year to win a national title.

There’s Alabama, which has all-of-the-sudden has become a basketball powerhouse in the last five years.

There’s Robert Morris which made the short trip to Cleveland from Pittsburgh.

There’s Saint Mary’s (near Oakland) and New Mexico which flew from the west coast to Ohio.

There’s coaches Richard Pitino and Phil Martelli Jr. from New Mexico and Bryant (in Rhode Island), respectively, who fathers are/were famous coaches Rick Pitino and Phil Martelli Sr.

There’s the local connection of Cleveland area players who returned ‘home,’ including RMU’s Amarion Dickerson (Rhodes), Vanderbilt’s Grant Huffman (Aurora/St. Edward) and MSU’s Jesse McCulloch (Lutheran East).

Here are some of my awards from the weekend:

MVP: This one is tough. There was no dominating player from each of the winning teams. Both Alabama and MSU had multiple standouts. For the Crimson Tide, I’m going with Clifford Omoruyi, who scored 27 points in the two games, on an efficient 13 of 15 from the field, including many dunks, and 15 rebounds. Granted, most of Omoruyi’s made baskets were by dunk, but it electrified Rocket Arena. For MSU, Jaden Akins rebounded from an off-shooting night vs. Bryant Friday night to score 16 against New Mexico. Akins went 7 of 11 from the field, and hit key shots.

Best Game: SMC defeated Vanderbilt 59-56 in a game the Commodores missed a game-tying shot at the buzzer Thursday. But I’m going with the last game of the tournament as MSU defeated New Mexico 71-63 Sunday night. The Spartans couldn’t shake the Lobos late. The heavily pro MSU crowd made it that much more interesting.

Gutsy Performance 1: Alabama’s Grant Nelson, a regular starter who who was a game-time decision with a knee injury, didn’t enter Thursday’s game vs. RMU until the second half. The Colonials had taken a 65-64 lead with seven minutes left in the contest. Nelson scored just five points, but one was a two-handed dunk with just over two minutes to play that pushed the Crimson Tide’s lead back to double digits. His presence on the court helped stabilize his team.

Gutsy Performance 2: Dickerson nearly willed the Colonials to an upset win over the Crimson Tide with 25 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

Special Moment: The crowd erupted when the big scoreboard showed Rick Pitino, whose St. John team fell to Arkansas Saturday. He made the trek to Cleveland to watch Richard Pitino coach against MSU Sunday night.

I’m a big fan of March Madness, especially the early rounds.

Yes, there are one-sided games, but there’s also that potential for a 12 seed to upset No. 5, which has — and continues to — happen.

I didn’t have allegiance to any of the eight schools which played in Cleveland; I just wanted to see intense, hard-nosed basketball, which happened.

There weren’t huge upsets in Cleveland.

The closest one was New Mexico, as a No. 10 seeded, defeating seventh-seeded Marquette 75-66 Friday.

In the end, the weekend went about as expected. Alabama and MSU, both No. 2 seeds, displayed talent, depth and probably most important, made big plays at key times in earning wins. Both teams are certainly capable of winning the national title.

As for me, the Cleveland part of March Madness is finished, and I move on to high school, community, college and professional sports.

But let’s hope March Madness in Cleveland returns sooner than later.

Topics

March Madness in Cleveland | Where to park for NCAA Tournament games at Rocket Arena

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament has arrived in Cleveland, starting with open practices Thursday. Here's where to park around Rocket Arena.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Where Cleveland's first/second-round matchups stand in March Madness bracket predictions

Cleveland first/second-round March Madness bracketology and predictions on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16
Seattle hosts first two rounds of NCAA tourney; what to know

Eight teams, thousands of fans, and millions of dollars will be coming to Seattle as the Emerald City plays host to the first and second rounds of the March Madness NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Marquette basketball’s March Madness opponent is New Mexico to open 2025 NCAA tournament bracket

It’s Marquette basketball vs. New Mexico in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA tournament men’s bracket. Here’s what to know about the first-round game in Cleveland.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16
Darius Garland prominent in Vanderbilt basketball's NCAA Tournament trip to Cleveland

Former BA star Darius Garland and the Cleveland Cavaliers were at Vanderbilt practicing last week, in fact. Vandy plays in Cleveland on Friday in March Madness.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Fans send off RMU men’s basketball to NCAA Tournament appearance in Cleveland

The Robert Morris men’s basketball team left for Cleveland on Wednesday, as they get ready for the NCAA Tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Revisit the 2024 March Madness bracket results

College basketball fans are locking in their brackets ahead of the first round kickoff of the 2025 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
CBS News - 5d
Oregon basketball vs. Liberty in men's NCAA Tournament: March Madness 'never gets old'

It’s Oregon basketball vs. Liberty in March Madness to open its NCAA Tournament men’s bracket. Here’s what Oregon said about the first-round game.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
March Madness upset picks: What teams could surprise in Saturday men's second-round games

Here's a look at three potential upsets in the second round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament Saturday
Yahoo Sports - 3d

March Madness in Cleveland didn't disappoint

Topics

Related

March Madness in Cleveland | Where to park for NCAA Tournament games at Rocket Arena

Where Cleveland's first/second-round matchups stand in March Madness bracket predictions

Seattle hosts first two rounds of NCAA tourney; what to know

Marquette basketball’s March Madness opponent is New Mexico to open 2025 NCAA tournament bracket

Darius Garland prominent in Vanderbilt basketball's NCAA Tournament trip to Cleveland

Fans send off RMU men’s basketball to NCAA Tournament appearance in Cleveland

Revisit the 2024 March Madness bracket results

Oregon basketball vs. Liberty in men's NCAA Tournament: March Madness 'never gets old'

March Madness upset picks: What teams could surprise in Saturday men's second-round games

More from Yahoo Sports

Will Wade promises NCAA Tournament appearance in Year 1 in NC State introduction: 'This is not a rebuild'

Dak Prescott's shortcomings are impacting the club's coaching decisions, approach

World Athletics approves swab test to determine female gender

LA Kings’ Kuemper Latest to Test NHL’s Stance on Goalie Fights

Notre Dame 2026 four-star DE target Rodney Dunham sets decision date

More in Sports

Answering seven big questions on Russell Wilson to the Giants: What's the QB plan?

Will Wade promises NCAA Tournament appearance in Year 1 in NC State introduction: 'This is not a rebuild'

Butler is back in Miami: Follow live as the Warriors visit the Heat

Follow live: Rivals Brazil, Argentina meet in World Cup qualifier

Transfer rumors, news: Bayern eye Gyökeres to replace Tel