I’ll update this with my thoughts as the games go along:

1. Syracuse didn’t look to be suffering at all from their conference tournament ordeal. In fact, they looked pretty darned good.

2. Two great finishes and exciting games overall in the wins by Marquette and Oklahoma State. Marquette got particularly lucky that Utah State’s two best players got fouled out down the stretch.

3. I was glad to see Arizona State win reasonably easily, but I was disappointed by the play of James Harden. He had the chance to shine on the biggest stage, but he was essentially absent. He’ll need to be much better against Syracuse on Sunday.

4. I hate the full court press. Really, really hate it. It makes games slow and boring.

5. This is not how Pitt drew up their game plan for the first round.

6. I was high on Arizona coming into the tournament, so I am relieved that they took care of business. No one can complain that they don’t belong anymore. That was a dominant performance, and I don’t necessarily think that they are done.

7. If USC had shown a fraction of the ability all season that they have shown in the last 10 days then they certainly wouldn’t be a 10 seed. They are extremely dangerous right now.

8. I like Xavier a lot, but I certainly wasn’t feeling comfortable about them coming into the tournament given their recent form. They addressed those concerns in a very convincing win today. They have another win in them.

9. Wake Forest just crushed a lot of bracket dreams. Thankfully mine wasn’t among them. That was just plain pitiful. I knew there was a reason I wasn’t in love with the ACC.

10. Overtime makes basketball better.