With two minutes left to play, Howard looked like they were safely advancing out of the first four with an 11 point lead for a date with Michigan.

Then, Caden Diggs hit a layup to cut the lead to 9. So, Howard ran the shot clock down but Cam Gillus missed a long jumper – still they took 30 seconds off the clock. Then, UMBC’s DJ Armstrong Jr got fouled in the lane and hit two free throws to cut the lead to 7. Howard looked clearly content to take another 30 seconds off the clock, so UMBC fouled Cam Gillus – and he missed the free throw. This time, it would be Caden Diggs heading to the line after being fouled, and his two free throw cut the lead to 5 with about a minute to play.

So, UMBC fouls Gillus again, and the 77% free throw shooter leaves it short, so the Retrievers rush down the court. They get the ball out to DJ Armstrong Jr on the wing, who takes a step back to the three point line and launches a shot over his defender. And it hits nothing but net – the lead is down to 2 points with 43 seconds.

With the momentum suddenly going against the Bison, they wind the clock down and get the ball inside to Bryce Harris. Looking like he might not even get a shot off – he takes a wild 10 foot turn-around jumper, and drills it with 14 seconds to extend the lead back to 4 points.

UMBC sprints down the court with Jah’Likai King needing only 7 seconds to get to the rim and cut the lead back to 2 points, and so they foul Howard’s Isaiah Brown with about 4 seconds left. Brown hits the first free throw, but misses the second, and the Retrievers have one last chance to tie the game. But Armstrong’s half court shot misses, and Howard escapes with an 86-83 victory.

Hopefully, that is a reminder to all favorites that the only lead that is safe is the one that happens when the clock strikes zero. The Retrievers cut an 11 point lead down to 2 in just over a minute. But unfortunately for them, their frantic comeback just ran out of time.

It was certainly an exciting way to start the tournament. 66 more games to go!!!!