Florida-Colorado Round of 64 sprint joins short list of games to achieve high-scoring superlative
The Florida Gators are going home after just 1 game in the NCAA tournament after falling to KJ Simpson, Tristan Da Silva and Colorado Friday afternoon.
The Gators and Buffaloes played a heck of a game, though. Colorado led by 13 points with just under 5 minutes remaining and Florida came all the way back to tie it with the below shot from Walter Clayton Jr.
FLORIDA TIES THE GAME ?
A STUNNER ?#MarchMadness @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/KHZA8MTPd9
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 22, 2024
But Simpson and the Buffaloes responded, with Simpson hitting a tough shot that rattled around the rim before dropping through the cylinder.
KJ SIMPSON’S SHOT RATTLES HOME FOR THE WIN!!! #10 COLORADO UPSETS #7 FLORIDA 102-100 IN A MARATHON CLASSIC pic.twitter.com/ctj1LWHSnv
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 22, 2024
Clayton’s shot to tie things up pushed the game over a threshold and onto a short list of tournament games where both teams reached 100 points. It’s just the 21st time it’s ever happened and the 14th time it’s happened in regulation.
The Colorado-Florida game is the 21st tournament game in which both teams scored at least 100 points, including just the 14th decided in regulation. The last one was West Va. over Wake in 2005 (2OT). The last time it happened in a regulation game was 2004 (UAB over Washington).
— David Worlock (@DavidWorlock) March 22, 2024
It’s definitely fair to say there was zero defense being played Friday afternoon in Indianapolis. Colorado shot 63% from the field while Florida shot just under 52%. The teams combined to shoot 85% from the free throw line, too. Finally, both teams were averaging over 1.3 points per possession.
Colorado moves on to the Round of 32 where the Buffaloes will face off against 2-seed Marquette. The Golden Eagles are currently -4.5 to beat the Buffs according to FanDuel.