No. 15 seed Bryant is hanging around with Michigan State basketball in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and the defensive effort of players such as Earl Timberlake is a big reason why.
Timberlake went for a tough rebound with two Spartans near him and was fouled hard enough to receive a cut to his forehead, allowing blood to flow profusely from his forehead. He went to the locker room and received stitches before returning to the court late in the first half.
Michigan State fans won’t like it, but that kind of effort can rally an underdog in March Madness.
Timberlake, one of Bryant’s best players this season, entered the game averaging 15.5 points with 8.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. He also averages 1.8 blocks per contest and was named the American East Player of the Year this season.
The Spartans hold a halftime lead of 33-28, but the Bulldogs are proving to be a tough out, especially with the determination they’re showing.
Earl Timberlake bloodies head: Social media reacts
Here are the best reactions to Timberlake’s bleeding forehead, which required stitches before he returned to the game:
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bryant’s Earl Timberlake bloodied vs. Michigan State in March Madness