Northern Iowa's miracle shot proves March Madness is already upon us

March is but one week old, yet Northern Iowa star Wes Washpun has already created a buzzer-beating memory to last a lifetime. Washpun hit a last-second shot -- one that nearly did not go in at all -- on Sunday to give his Panthers an NCAA Tournament berth later this month. 

But that's just a footnote for the rest of us; what Washpun really did was officially announce that March Madness is now underway. What glory does this magnificent month still have in store? 

Northern Iowa was tied 54-54 with Evansville in the Missouri Valley Conference championship game. There were five seconds to play and a Big Dance berth on the line. The Panthers gave the ball to their leading scorer, Washpun. The 6-foot-1 senior guard dribbled left, then crossed over before elevating for a jumpshot that bounced high off the back rim, then skidded off the glass. It fell through the hoop as the buzzer sounded. Here's a look -- as well as an awesome shot of Washpun's teammates leaving the bench to mob him in ecstasy. 

Now here's what the magical moment looked like from the sideline. 

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Had Washpun's shot not dropped through, the Panthers might have missed the Big Dance. But he made it, and their ticket is punched. 

"You can’t say enough about these guys," Washpun told The Des Moines Register about his teammates after making his game-winner. "Our locker room has always stuck together.”

Now they get to stick together for a potential Cinderella run later this month -- and the rest of us can dream of more March Madness magic to come. 

Selection Sunday is March 13 and the tournament proper -- which is to say, the round-of-64 -- begins Thursday, March 17.

If Washpun's miracle shot is any indication of what's in store, the tournament can't tip off soon enough.  

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