Florida State after playing a tight first half found themselves down to #1 Xavier by as many as 12 with just 10 minutes to play.   But on crazy bracket busting Sunday, no lead is safe.  The Seminoles kept cutting down the lead – getting it down to 4 with 4 minutes to play.  Then, on their next two possessions, Mfiondu Kabengele would get the offensive rebound off a missed shot, and lay the ball in to tie the game.

Xavier would retake the lead 70-68 as Paul Scruggs was fouled on a drive and hit two free throws.   Then, after an offensive foul on Florida State, Xavier has the ball stolen by Trent Forrest, and in transition, Forrest kicks the ball out to PJ Savoy, who drains a three pointer to give Florida State the lead 71-70.

Florida State’s Braian Angola stole the ball on the next possession.  Xavier tried to trap PJ Savoy to steal the ball, but instead foul him.  Savoy hits both free throws and they are now up 3.   Then, in a strange possession with only 22 seconds left, Xavier shows no urgency at all – almost walking up the court.   They eventually set up a play that gets Kerem Kanter a wide open three pointer, but he throws up an air ball.  Now forced to foul, Florida State’s CJ Walker gets to the line and hits the final two free throws, and the top seed in the West is going home.

Florida State joins Kansas State as 9 seeds who won today.   The Wildcats played a tight game with Cinderella darling #16 seed UMBC – but eventually started pulling away at the end to win by 9 and ending the Retrievers upset streak.  So, if your bracket hadn’t been destroyed by the top 4 seeds all losing in the South, the West responded with both UNC and Xavier losing tonight.

Its going to be a wide open tournament!!!!!