The best play of the first round of the NCAA Tournament arrived on the final game of Day 1 between No. 13 seed Samford and No. 4 seed Kansas. Unfortunately for the underdogs, it didn't count.
Down four points with 20 seconds left, Samford's Jaden Campbell made a 3-points to cut the Jayhawks' lead to 90-89. Samford used a full-court press to look for a turnover, but Kansas guard Nicolas Timberlake snuck away for what should have been an easy breakaway to put the Jayhawks up three.
We say "should have" because Samford's A.J. Staton-McCray ran down Timberlake and broke up the play with what was immediately called a foul, sending Timberlake to the line for two free throws.
To the naked eye, it looked like a foul with Timberlake hitting the floor hard. Replay, however, showed the truth: Staton-McCray made an incredible block and barely touched Timberlake.
Unfortunately for Samford, there were no challenges to be made. Timberlake made his free throws and the Bulldogs came up short on their next possession, allowing Kansas to survive with a 93-89 win.
The Jayhawks will advance to face No. 5 seed Gonzaga in the second round.