One of the many reasons why March Madness is so special is because fans can get a glimpse of teams showing respect for one another on one of the biggest stages in sports.
There was plenty of this respect shown between Mount St. Mary’s and American on Wednesday night in the First Four.
Mount St. Mary’s Classy Gesture
After the final buzzer sounded on Mount St. Mary’s 83-72 victory over American in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, on Wednesday, there was a great moment of respect between the teams.
Earlier in the game, American star forward Matt Rogers injured his leg while trying to box out for a rebound in the first half. He would come back later on in the game, but the injury was too tough to overcome.
In the handshake line, the Mount St. Mary’s players all approached Rogers to shake his hand and show him respect.
Mount St. Mary's players show love after the buzzer to American's Matt Rogers, who exited the game in the first half after sustaining a knee injury.
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Fans across social media noted how special and respectful this moment was between the opposing players.
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What March Madness is All About
Yes, fans and analysts love March Madness because of the drama and excitement of watching all of these teams play with their seasons on the line. But in the end, respect between both teams has to exist, and when it does, it is a great sight.
But when it was on them on Wednesday night, both sides showed their true colors.
Mount St. Mary’s, despite winning, understood that Rogers, who was playing in the final game of his college career, was going out on a tough note after a great college career.
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Their gesture towards him truly should warm the hearts of fans all over the country.
The Mountaineers will now face the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
Although they are heavy underdogs when they take the court, a loss will not define this group of men after seeing how they handled themselves when their opponent lost their best player to injury.
Don’t miss a moment of March Madness! Download your 2025 NCAA Tournament printable bracket and stay on top of every game, matchup, and Cinderella story. Get yours now!
