It seems like we see it all too often at this point.
A team sneaks into the tournament via the First Four and makes a magical run much further than anyone expected. We’ve already watched VCU (2011), Wichita State (2016), Syracuse (2018) and UCLA (2021) do it.
Now we can add No. 10 Colorado (2024) to the list — and calling this team “magical” might be underselling how it held off No. 7 Florida on Friday.
After the Gators clawed their way back from down 12 with 4:30 left in regulation to knot the game at 100, KJ Simpson put up a step-back jumper with five seconds on the clock that looked like it would bounce forever before deciding to go in.
This sequence is peak March.
WOW.@GatorsMBK ties it 100 all with 9 seconds to play pic.twitter.com/1VojVo6I6n
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 22, 2024
A LAST SECOND WINNER!
No. 10 @CUBuffsMBB UPSETS No. 7 @GatorsMBK 🚨 pic.twitter.com/L3FiGvLqcy
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 22, 2024
The thrill of victory vs. the agony of defeat pic.twitter.com/IUW63rURHj
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 22, 2024
Seriously, the ball looked like it would deflate before it went through the net. What an unreal shot and make from Simpson, who finished with a team-high 23 points — none bigger than the final two.
Up next for the Buffaloes is a date with No. 2 Marquette on Sunday. We’ll find out soon enough if Colorado has a little more magic left.