Worst bad beats of the NCAA tourney so far

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hacheman@therx.com
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[h=1]Worst bad beats of the NCAA tourney so far[/h]Rob Nelson
ESPN Staff Writer

tournament's first two rounds.

[h=2]Wednesday[/h]
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[h=3]USC Trojans vs. Providence Friars[/h]Closing line: USC -2
You couldn't have asked for a better start if you took Providence, which led by 15 at halftime as two-point underdogs. The Friars extended that lead to 17 early the second half, before it all fell apart -- they made just three field goals in over a 10-minute span to let USC back in it.
After giving up the lead with under seven minutes left, Providence never got it back. The Trojans would go on to win by four, giving those who bet the Friars a rough start to this year's tournament. As for USC, it wouldn't be the last time it brought misery to bettors.
Final score: USC 75, Providence 71 (USC covers)

[h=2]Thursday[/h]
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[h=3]Vermont Catamounts vs. Purdue Boilermakers[/h]Closing line: Purdue -9
Vermont was riding the nation's longest winning streak at 21 games and jumped out to an early eight-point lead. The Catamounts were facing a Purdue team that had lost outright as eight-point favorites against Arkansas-Little Rock in the first round of last year's tournament.
Vermont would relinquish the lead, but it never trailed by more than eight in the first 38 minutes. With under two minutes left, Purdue's P.J. Thompson nailed a 3-pointer to stretch the lead to 11. The Catamounts had one last chance for a backdoor cover, trailing by 10 with less than 30 seconds left, before their last possession resulted in Trae Bell-Haynes having his layup blocked by Caleb Swanigan.
Final score: Purdue 80, Vermont 70 (Purdue covers)

[h=2]Friday[/h]
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[h=3]Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Michigan Wolverines[/h]Closing line: Michigan -2.5


No game in this year's tournament had more combined points than the 183 scored in Indianapolis between Oklahoma State and Michigan. The final three points provided those on Michigan -2.5 one the worst "bad beats" in recent tournament memory.
The Wolverines led by seven in the final minute, but a pair of missed free throws by Duncan Robinson -- both on the front end of a one-and-one -- opened the door for Oklahoma State. While two made free throws by D.J. Wilson sealed the win for the Wolverines by putting them up four with 3.7 seconds left, the spread was still in play. In what was a shot that will haunt those on Michigan for some time, Oklahoma State's Jawun Evans nailed an NBA-range 3-pointer at the buzzer to make the final margin one point.
Final score: Michigan 92, Oklahoma State 91 (Oklahoma State covers)
[h=2]Saturday[/h]
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[h=3]Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Arizona Wildcats[/h]Closing line: Arizona -5.5
A cold finish would prove to be too much to overcome for Saint Mary's on Saturday night.
The Gaels started off strong, building a 10-point lead in the first half. But after an Arizona run, the underdogs led by just one at halftime. Saint Mary's lost the lead but hung around throughout, never trailing by more than five during the first 33 minutes.
With 1:51 left, the Gaels were covering the spread as they trailed, 65-60. But they never scored again, missing each of their final five shots and lost by nine.
Final score: Arizona 69, Saint Mary's 60 (Arizona covers)

[h=2]Sunday[/h]
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[h=3]USC Trojans vs. Baylor Bears[/h]Closing line: Baylor -5


For the third time in five nights, USC faced a double-digit deficit. But as those on Providence and/or SMU in the previous games learned: Don't count out the Trojans.
Baylor led by 10 in the first half before allowing USC to come back and actually take the lead late in the second half. The Bears would regain control and looked to reward bettors who backed them by taking an 82-76 lead off of two free throws with 5 seconds left. But in one of the strangest tip-ins you'll see, USC's Chimezie Metu flicked the ball in at the buzzer, after rebounding a missed 3-pointer. The Trojans finished their tournament run by covering in all three of their games.
Final score: Baylor 82, USC 78 (USC covers)
 

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I could write a novel on bad beats!!!! Had over 131 in St.Mary/Arizona gm....score was 67-60 with 1:25 left in the game....final score 69-60!!! Really WTF!!
 

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How bout a lucky as hell cover? I had Duke/SC O145.5 yesterday and the score sat at 53 total. Needed 93 2H points to get the cover. I'm sitting here praying for OT as they end up scoring 116 2H points. This is why I hate betting unders!!
 

Biz

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I think we need to redefine what a bad beat is. A blown lead isn't a bad beat.

- OKC chucking up a 30 footer at the buzzer? Bad beat
- USC tossing up a last shot after the ball lands in his lap off a bricked 3 pointer?? Bad beat

A tough beat isn't a bad beat.

Having your team cover most of the game, but fail to finish the deal isn't a bad beat. Its part of the game flow. St Mary's failing to score down the stretch is a tough beat. Providence blowing a huge lead is a tough beat. St Mary's not going over is a tough beat.

Bad beats usually happens on the last possession or 2, usually a play that determines nothing but the spread and not the winner/loser of the game. The USC/Baylor game a prime example. Also the OKC game.

A game going Over instead of under because 11 points were scored in the last 30 seconds? Bad beat.
 

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The USC/Baylor 4 foot skyhook tap in off the missed 3 killed me. Tough to accept a 3700 swing when laying 4-. I've seen worse but it never makes them any easier.
 

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I was on Mi. Man I was praying mi would miss that last free throw because I knew they wouldn't play any d and give them a wide open shot which of course he made. Also when mi was up 7 with 50 secs left that banked in 3 pointer was a joke by ok st.
 

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"Funny" I had all 5 losers he listed but I agree not all bad beats
you can double your "pleasure " by playing both halves OV/un plays
i can't list how many I lost by last possession or FT's !!!
 

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Sal I see what you're doing. One Indiana in here cyberblowing everybody is enough ;-)
 

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