WEST REGION
No. 1 Gonzaga 61 No. 4 West Virginia 58
In a game that featured almost as many fouls (51) as West Virginia had points (58), it took the Bulldogs a three pointer made by Jordan Mathews with just under a minute left to clinch the game. With a chance to put the Mountaineers (28-9) up by three late, Daxter Miles. Jr missed both free throws just before Mathews’ clutch shot. Gonzaga’s win did not come without difficulty, though, as West Virginia had numerous attempts to tie as the game clock approached zero. Leading the Bulldogs in scoring were Johnathon Williams, Przemek Karnowski and Mathews each with 13 points. On the opposing side, Jevon Carter scored 21 points for the Mountaineers. Gonzaga advances to their third Elite Eight appearance in school history and will take on Xavier.
No. 11 Xavier 73 No. 2 Arizona 71
Trevon Bluiett dropped a game-high 25 points as the Musketeers pulled off yet another upset. At times, it appeared that Arizona (32-5) had the game in hand especially after Allonzo Trier scored 15 straight points for the team in the second half. However, that would not be the case. Facing an eight-point deficit with just under four minutes left, Xavier (24-13) came back and ended the game on a 12-2 run. The most crucial of these points came when Sean O’Mara made the eventual game-winning bucket on a move inside the paint. On the opposing side, Dusan Ristic had 17 points while Trier finished with 19. Xavier will play top-seeded Gonzaga in the Elite Eight.
MIDWEST REGION
No. 1 Kansas 98 No. 4 Purdue 66
Naismith Award finalist, Frank Mason III had himself a night with 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting to go along with seven assists in the Jayhawks’ win. Mason’s backcourt partner, Devonte Graham also had 26 points. After a closely contested first twenty minutes, Kansas (31-4) quickly pulled away in the second half with a series of dunks and forced turnovers. Working for the team was their exceptional defense as they held the Boilermakers (27-8) to under 45 percent shooting for the game. Caleb Swanigan, another Naismith Award finalist, led Purdue with 18 points and 7 rebounds. This was the third straight tournament game that Kansas has won by double digits. They will face Oregon in the Elite Eight.
No. 3 Oregon 69 No. 7 Michigan 68
Tyler Dorsey‘s performance in the Sweet 16 proved just why Oregon (32-5) calls him “Mr. March.” For the sixth straight game, he scored 20 points while also making a layup with 1:08 left in the second half to put the Ducks up ahead. He was not the lone contributor in the victory though. Pac-12 player of the year Dylan Brooks netted 10 points and Jordan Bell contributed a double-double as well. Derrick Walton led the Wolverines (26-12) as he compiled 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists. With the win, Oregon will face Kansas in the Midwest regional final.
Leave a Reply