#1 Gonzaga & #1 Arizona Upset While #2 Duke Sends Coach K Into Elite 8
The No. 1 overall seed has fallen! For the second straight season, Gonzaga entered the NCAA Tournament as the top dogs only to fall short of the ultimate goal. They werenât the only 1-seed to tumble on Thursday, though. Arizona also went down while both 2-seeds in action advanced. And to top it off, Coach K is still dancing. Four of the Elite 8 are locked in with four more tickets punched tonight. Letâs recap all four games from last nightâs Sweet 16 action before we look ahead.
#4 Arkansas def. #1 Gonzaga (74-68)
Score one for the SEC. After #2 Kentucky, #2 Auburn and #3 Tennessee all exited in the opening weekend, #4 Arkansas is the last SEC team still dancing. The Razorbacks fell behind 25-17, but a 15-4 run to close the half swung the scoreboard and they never trailed again. Gonzaga had an awful shooting night from deep (5-for-21) as Arkansasâ defensive presence made life miserable. Chet Holmgrenâs foul trouble was also factor down the stretch for the Zags. J.D. Notae led the Razorbacks with 21 points, and Eric Musselmanâs squad dances into the Elite 8 for the second straight season.
#2 Villanova def. #11 Michigan (63-55)
It was a valiant effort by 11-seed Michigan in a rematch of the 2018 National Championship, but Villanovaâs experience was too much on Thursday night. The backcourt of Jermaine Samuels (22), Justin Moore (15) and Collin Gillespie (12) each played more than 35 minutes and combined for 49 of Villanovaâs 63 points. Michiganâs Hunter Dickinson had a 15-point, 15-rebound performance, but it wasnât enough to stop âNova from reaching the Elite 8 for the fifth time in 17 seasons under Jay Wright.
Fun Fact: Both times Villanova previously reached the Elite 8 in the last decade (2016 & 2018), they played in the National Championship.
#2 Duke def. #3 Texas Tech (78-73)
The 100th career NCAA Tournament win for Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski was a memorable one. Texas Tech jumped out to a 10-2 run against a nervous Duke squad, but the Blue Devils quickly responded. All five Duke starters scored in double figures, including freshman phenom Paolo Banchero with a game-high 22 points. PG Jeremy Roach was also clutch (7-for-11, 15 points). Both players hit big shots down the stretch, and Coach K is still dancing into his 17th Elite 8. He'll have a shot at the record for Final Four appearances (13) on Saturday.
#5 Houston def. #1 Arizona (72-60)
The third No. 1 seed of the tournament â second of the night â went down in the nightcap at the hands of the Houston Cougars. Kelvin Sampsonâs club led wire-to-wire in a tight game and finished off the upset bid with their largest lead of the game (12). Houston was hot all night, shooting 46 percent overall and 45 percent from deep (9-for-20). Jamal Shead (21) and Kyler Edwards (19) poured in 40 points with a combined 7-for-14 night from 3. It was an incredible season for 'Zona and first-year head coach Tommy Lloyd, but the Cougars are moving on.
Fun Fact: Despite being the 5-seed, Houston will have a significant home-court advantage in Saturdayâs South Region final (San Antonio) against 2-seed Villanova.
Menâs NCAA Tournament Bracket
Additional Storylines
B/R: Sweet 16 Exit to Arkansas a New Low for No. 1 Gonzaga & Mark Few
CBS Sports: Houston Puts Away Arizona to Reach 2nd Straight Elite 8
USA Today: Duke Downs Texas Tech, Sends Coach Kâs Farewell Tour to Elite 8
