CLEVELAND — Oh, is there ever a Buzz in the tournament.
Brent Williams is better known as Buzz — Coach Buzz if you play for Marquette — and his postgame celebrations have become the stuff of legend. On Sunday, he might have had his wildest yet.
His bald head glistening with sweat, he leaped in the air, pounded his fists on tables, shared tears and hugs with his family.
Darius Johnson-Odom sparked the celebration by hitting a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 27 seconds left that sent Marquette (22-14) to a 66-62 win over Syracuse, putting the Golden Eagles in the NCAA’s round of 16 for the first time in eight years.
“Luckily, I knocked the shot down,” Johnson-Odom said.
Luck didn’t set up the winner as much as the last sloppy pass in a turnover-marred game by Syracuse (27-8).
With 51 seconds left, Dion Waiters threw his sideline inbounds pass too high and close to the midcourt line. Scoop Jardine tiptoed over the line on his jump to snag the ball for a backcourt violation that set up Johnson-Odom’s shot.
North Carolina 86, Washington 83
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tyler Zeller scored 23 points and Harrison Barnes added 22 for North Carolina (28-7).
Ohio State 98, George Mason 66
CLEVELAND — David Lighty made all seven of his 3-pointers and scored 25 points, and Jared Sullinger added 18 for the Buckeyes (34-2).
The Associated Press
