NCAA Tournament Notebook: Sweet 16

Photo+credit+to+Jamie+Rhodes+of+USA+TODAY+Sports

Photo credit to Jamie Rhodes of USA TODAY Sports

Florida State vs. Gonzaga

Score: 72-58 Gonzaga

Florida State looked like a different team this round. After putting up 50 in the first half in the round of 32 against Murray State, the Seminoles shot just 15% (3-20) from 3-point range. Chicago native Zach Norvell Jr. had 14 points and four big threes to help lift Gonzaga over FSU and onto the Elite Eight.

Next up for Gonzaga: vs. Texas Tech (No. 3 seed)

 

Texas Tech vs. Michigan

Score: 63-44 Texas Tech

The shooting in the first half of this game was ridiculously bad, as the Red Raiders left 24-18 at halftime. For Texas Tech, that turned around, but Michigan just couldn’t find their groove. Michigan shot a horrific 32% from the field, and couldn’t find a way to stop Texas Tech guard Jarrett Culver, whose 22 points led his team to a victory and a trip to the Elite Eight.

Next up for Texas Tech: vs. Gonzaga (No. 1 seed)

 

Purdue vs. Tennessee

Score: 99-94 Purdue

Carson Edwards is arguably one of the best guards in all of college basketball, and Tennessee just couldn’t defeat him. The junior guard scored 29 points, and fellow guard Ryan Cline had a career-high night with 27 points for the Boilermakers. Despite blowing an 18-point lead, and only forcing overtime because of a questionable foul call that went their way, Purdue was able to continue rolling and beat the Volunteers 99-94.

Next up for Purdue: vs. Virginia (No. 1 seed)

 

Virginia vs. Oregon

Score: 53-49 Virginia

Virginia guards can flat-out score. 46 of their 53 points came from their starting guards, and they were able to put away Oregon’s chance at a third consecutive upset to reach the Elite Eight. Oregon was led by Louis King, who scored a team-high 16 points.

Next up for Virginia: vs. Purdue (No. 3 seed)

 

Duke vs. Virginia Tech

Score: 75-73 Duke

Duke played without the shooting of Cam Reddish, who is dealing with a knee injury, and in his place came Tre Jones, who hit five  threes and scored 22 points. But even still, the game came down to a final shot, where a missed alley-oop by Virginia Tech sealed the deal for for the Blue Devils.

Next up for Duke: vs. Michigan State (No. 2 seed)

 

LSU vs. Michigan State

Score: 80-63 Michigan State

LSU was led by Tremont Waters, who scored a game-high 23 points and led a valiant effort that pulled the Tigers within four points. Unfortunately for LSU, Aaron Henry and Cassius Winston made sure it didn’t get any closer, scoring a combined 37 points and 14 assists to help the Spartans advance to the Elite Eight.

Next up for Michigan State: vs. Duke (No. 1 seed)

 

Auburn vs. North Carolina

Score: 97-80 Auburn

No. 5 seed Auburn came out on fire in the second half, shooting 45.9% from the 3-point line and blowing past top-seed North Carolina. The Tigers held North Carolina, who average 86 points a game, to 80 points while scoring 97 of their own. Auburn also had six players scoring in the double digits, showcasing their ability to share the ball and get all of their players involved. Auburn’s Chuma Okeke (20 points, 11 rebounds) had to leave the game early with a knee injury and is now out for the tournament with a torn ACL.

Next up for Auburn: vs. Kentucky (No. 2 seed)

 

Kentucky vs. Houston

Score: 62-58 Kentucky

A nail-biter at the end, Kentucky scraped by Houston to advance to the Elite Eight. Tyler Herro led the way with 19 points, P.J. Washington — coming off an injury — put up his own 16 points and Reid Travis contributed 11 rebounds. Houston fought hard and pushed the tempo, coming up big in the second half, but the efforts of Armoni Brooks, Corey Davis Jr. and the Cougars came up short. This will be Kentucky’s 34th Elite Eight appearance.

Next up for Kentucky: vs. Auburn (No. 5 seed)