Maryland basketball was part of a 5-0 day for the Big Ten at the NCAA Tournament

In case you’re just now finding out, Maryland basketball is advancing in the NCAA Tournament. The No. 6-seed Terps avoided an upset against Belmont, prevailing in the final minute for a 79-77 win.

Maryland is one of eight Big Ten teams in the big dance, the most of any conference. And so far, the league is off to a perfect start.

Michigan State did have some trouble with No. 15-seed Bradley, trailing with as few as 7:04 left, but Tom Izzo’s No. 2-seed Spartans pulled away late and avoided another first-round upset. They’ll face No. 10-seed Minnesota, who played in Thursday’s first game and knocked off No. 7-seed Louisville, 86-76, in the first round. Should Maryland beat LSU on Saturday, the Terps will meet one of these conference foes in the Sweet 16.

In the evening wave of games, Michigan dispatched Montana for the second year in a row, leading wire-to-wire and winning 74-55. Purdue also handled business against Old Dominion, winning 61-48 to cap a 5-0 day.

Friday’s dose of madness includes No. 11-seed Ohio State taking on Iowa State, No. 10-seed Iowa battling Cincinnati and No. 5-seed Wisconsin playing a hot Oregon team.

In other news

We’ve got five people in Jacksonville covering this tournament, which means coverage of a wild game from all angles.

Here are Justin’s takeaways from the close contest.

Lila took some incredible photos, including one of Jalen Smith’s poster dunk.

I wrote about the range of postgame reactions from both sides.

And here’s Amy with more from Maryland’s locker room.

Maryland women’s lacrosse also picked up a victory yesterday, routing No. 23 Penn State on the road.

And Youssif Hemida dropped his opening match at the NCAA Championships, moving into the consolation bracket.