Sometimes it takes one prayer, and sometimes it takes a few. Just ask Michigan’s Jordan Poole, or Loyola-Chicago’s suddenly famous Sister Jean, each capable of throwing up momentous prayers.
Eventually, it takes plays and players. For all the giddy upsets and buzzer-beaters in the NCAA Tournament, for all the hyperventilating about the hyphenated heroes from Maryland-Baltimore County and Illinois- Chicago, there are plenty of bluebloods still alive in the Sweet 16.
Just as many 11 seeds (Syracuse, Loyola-Chicago) remain as No. 1 seeds (Villanova, Kansas). Two fashionable favorites — Arizona, Michigan State — are gone. Defending champ North Carolina is gone.