We are one step closer to the Final Four after 8 games. Here’s the recap.
West Region
- 1 Gators Bounce Back – After some slow starts in the 2nd Round and again in the first half against 4 Maryland, Florida turned on the jets in the 2nd half. The Crab 5 as they are known in Maryland were right there down, 40-38 at the break, but foul trouble on G Ja’Kobi Gillespie really hurt them during the Florida move to take the lead up to 18. Despite, Derik Queen’s 27 points, the Gators held the Terps to 33 points in the 2nd half, which allowed them to advance to Saturday, with the 87-71 win.
- 3 Tech Ends Cinderella’s Night – As the lone double digit seed left, Coach Cal’s team does not care. After trailing 5-3 at the 17:54 mark in the 1st half, the 10 Razorbacks took control of the game. G Johnell Davis carried the scoring load with 30 points. The real story is the Arkansas D held 3 Texas Tech to 41% shooting, but the Red Raiders were not done. Tech trailed by 16 with 10:24 left, but they went on a run – 27-11 to force OT buoyed by 20 offensive rebounds in the game. In OT, it was a seesaw battle. Then, Texas Tech finally took a 3 point lead with 1:34 in OT. Could Arkansas answer? Yes!! G Trevon Brazile (11 points) hit a triple to tie the game at 81-81, then JT Toppin (20 points, 9 boards) hit a jump hook to give Tech the lead again. Next, DJ Wagner (13 points) hit an up and under layup to tie the game again at 83. The Red Raiders held for one shot and F Darrion Williams (20 points, 9 rebounds) hit it off the glass and in for the lead. Arkansas pushed for one last shot, but came up short, and so did their Cinderella hopes, Red Raiders advanced 85-83in OT.
East Region
- 2 Bama Wins A Shootout – It was an old fashioned run and gun game in New Jersey, but 6 BYU forgot to guard the 3 point line. The Crimson Tide rained 3s from all angles with a record setting 25 made – G Mark Sears alone hit 10-16 from deep. G Richie Saunders did his best to keep up with 25 points, but Alabama won by 25 even though they gave up 88 points to BYU in the 113-88 win. Alabama will try to go to back to back Final Fours after making their first in 2024.
- 1 Duke Fended Off 4 Arizona – Duke has looked great through 2 rounds, but Arizona brought a big gun of their own to this one in G Caleb Love, the former Tarheel had something to prove, and he did – 35 points on 11-21 shooting. The Blue Devils led by 15 in the 2nd half, but Love willed his team back to within striking distance. Down 8 with 3:22 left, the Wildcats headed to the line to cut the lead to 6, then to 5 with 1:56 to go, but they would not get closer. Cooper Flagg hit his free throws down the stretch and finished with 30 points, 6 Rebounds, 7 Assists in the 100-93 victory.
South Region
- 2 Sparty Closed Strong – Like a lot of Michigan State games, they start slow, as the 6 Ole Miss Rebs took it too them and led at the half. However, Coach Izzo must fire them up at the half, as in the 2nd half, the Spartans played much better shooting 50% for the game. G Jace Richardson led them with 20 points, and it took them until the last minute to hold off Ole Miss, 73-70. On to another Elite 8 for Coach Izzo.
- 1 Auburn Ran Away In The 2nd Half – Not unlike Sparty, the Tigers take a minute to find their stride. 5 Michigan was right with them in the first half into the second, but then Auburn has another gear. G Tashaad Pettiford really helped off the bench with 20 points and despite the height on the Wolverines’ roster, Auburn crushed Michigan on the glass – 48-33. The Tigers advance to the Elite 8 with a comfortable, 78-65 win.
Midwest Region
- 2 Vols 3rd Time The Charm – 3 Kentucky had beat Tennessee twice in the regular season, but this time the Vols shut down the three point game of the Wildcats – allowing only 6 in the game. The game was never in doubt as 3 Vols reached double digits – G Zakai Zeigler (18 points, 10 assists), F Chaz Lanier (27 points) and G Jordan Gainey (16 points). The Vols reach back-to-back Elite 8s.
- 1 Houston Sweated Out The Win – 4 Purdue was ready for this one and the slow pace. G Braden Smith did all he could to keep the Boilers scoring, as he finished with 15 assists. However, even with HOU’s LJ Cryer not hitting shots, G Milos Uzan carried the load with 22 points. After Smith found Camden Heide in the corner for a game tying 3 with 35 ticks left, Houston had an inbounds play after a miss with just 3 seconds left. Uzan inbounded the ball to Joseph Tugler who gave it right back to Uzan for a dunk with just one second left. The Purdue last second heave was offline, and the Cougars advance to their 3rd Elite 8 in 5 years under Coach Kelvin Sampson, 62-20.
Wegs Pool Update
Well, chalk still reigned supreme in the Sweet Sixteen. If you wanted Cinderellas, then this is not the year. As such, the top kept on top for the most part. At this stage, 20 people have lost their champion – an all time low.
Standings After the Sweet 16
Sorry for the delay. Next update late tonight (Sunday.
Wegs