Paul Sancya/AP
Five-seed VCU rolled over 12-seed Akron Thursday night, 88-42. It was a historic blowout with some interesting stats:
1. VCU's margin of victory was the largest in NCAA history by a team not seeded No. 1 or No. 2.
2. In six regular season losses, Akron lost by a combined 49 points. Against VCU, the Zips lost by 46.
3. In terms of No. 5 vs. No. 12 games, the highest previous margin of victory was when Tennessee defeated Long Beach State by 35 points in 2007. (via @kenpomeroy)
4. Akron had six more turnovers (21) than field goals (15). Overall, Akron made just 26 shots from the floor and the free-throw line combined.
5. The Zips field-goal percentage wasn't even the lowest of the day! New Mexico State, Marquette and UNLV all shot worse. Montana is likely to fall beneath the 34% mark too. Midway through the second half, the Grizzlies were shooting a woeful 18%.
6. VCU is 11-1 in tournament games (conference or NCAAs) under Shaka Smart when playing on more than three days rest. The only loss? Against Butler, in the 2011 Final Four.
7. Only twice in VCU's four seasons under Shaka Smart has the team won a game by more than Thursday's 46-point margin. Both those games were against teams with a combined 20-43 record. In other words, they weren't NCAA caliber.
8. VCU beat Akron by more points (46) than Akron scored (42).
Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/03/22/vcu-akron-blowout-ncaa-tournament-game/2008299/