Best Moments From the Third day of the 2024 NCAA Basketball Tournament

We're through three days of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. First Round action on Thursday and Friday brought us some all-time moments that we'll look back on forever with Oakland upsetting Kentucky and Yale taking down Auburn.

The Second Round began on Saturday, and though the higher seed prevailed in each matchup with several run-away wins, we still had some exciting finishes.

Here are the best moments from Saturday's Second Round action...

Double-digit seeds play thriller for a trip to the Sweet 16

Two of the biggest stories of March have been the Oakland Golden Grizzlies and the NC State Wolfpack. NC State, which seemed on the verge of firing HC Kevin Keatts, made a miraculous run to win the ACC Tournament before taking down Texas Tech in the First Round.

Oakland became America's adopted team after taking down Kentucky in a shootout behind Jack Gohlke's 10 made threes. The two double-digit seeds met Saturday with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line, and they played a classic.

These squads battled from start to finish. Oakland's Trey Townsend carried his team as times with 30. NC State big man DJ Burns Jr. was a force down low with 24 points and 11 boards. Tied at 66, Oakland had the ball at the end with a chance to win, but an unfortunate turnover sent the teams to overtime.

NC State took control in OT with 13 points in the extra period. The Golden Grizzlies went 1-9 shooting in OT, and the clock struck midnight on a potential Cinderella. Still it was a incredible showing by Oakland that won't be forgotten.

And give NC State credit. Their own run as been improbable, and now they're off to their first Sweet 16 since 2015..

Rick Barnes gets revenge on his old school

Tennessee HC Rick Barnes has an unfortunate reputation of postseason struggles. He had advanced past the first weekend of the tournament just twice since 2009 despite having several highly-seeded teams, and that includes his final seven seasons as the HC of Texas.

It's what got him fired from the Longhorns, and that criticism has continued at Tennessee despite a pair of Sweet 16 appearances in Knoxville. It's fitting that Texas and Tennessee would meet in this year's Second Round with the Sweet 16 on the line.

It was a slugfest between the two orange-wearing UTs. The Vols shot just 34% and went 3-25 from three, but they got 15 points off of 17 Texas turnovers. That proved to be the difference, and Tennessee prevailed 62-58. Texas had a chance down three with 25 seconds left, but a baffling possession sealed their fate.

Tennessee is in the Sweet 16 for the second-straight season and third time under Barnes. Can they make their first Elite 8 since 2010 and Barnes' first since 2008?

Double-overtime madness between Oregon and Creighton

Saturday saved its best for last, as Oregon and Creighton played what was arguably the game of the tournament. In double-overtime, the Blue Jays got the win 86-73. But don't let the final margin fool you. This was a thriller.

78 of Creighton's 86 points came from four starters - Mason Miller, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Steven Ashworth, and Baylor Scheierman, who equally contributed to the effort. Oregon rode the incredible duo of Jermaine Couisnard (32 points and 8 rebounds) and N'Faly Dante (28 points and 20 rebounds). That combo scored all of the Ducks' second-half points.

A defensive battle throughout regulation, the teams went to the first overtime tied at 62. A Couisnard three with 18 seconds left in the first OT tied things at 71. The Ducks held on defense to force a second OT.

The last period was all Blue Jays. Creighton couldn't miss, and Oregon couldn't buy a bucket. They simply ran out of gas, as Creighton pulled away for the win. But this was an absolutely incredible game and a perfect way to end the Saturday slate.

If Sunday's action is anything like these three games, we're in for a treat.