By Zion Williams, Staff Writer
March Madness didn’t let up in the Sweet Sixteen, continuing to deliver must-watch basketball. For the first time in tournament history, none of the no. 1 seeds moved on to the Elite Eight.
San Diego State moved on to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history after upsetting no. 1 Alabama 71-64. A great defensive performance was the key to the Aztecs’ success. They held Alabama star, freshman Brandon Miller, to nine points on 3-19 shooting and forced him to turn the ball over multiple times. Darrion Trammel led San Diego State offensively, scoring 21 points in their historic win.
Kansas State grinded out a 98-93 win against Michigan State, requiring one overtime period to decide the result. It was a very even game, featuring multiple ties and lead changes. Kansas State ended the first half leading 43-38. Michigan State’s Tyson Walker converted a layup at the end of the second half, tying the game at 82, and sending it into overtime.
Markquis Nowell of the Wildcats would put up 20 points during the game, but it wasn’t his scoring that stole the show. Nowell broke the NCAA tournament assist record, registering 19 assists. With one minute left in overtime, Nowell looked to the sideline, seemingly gesturing at and talking to his coach. From a fan’s perspective, he suddenly lobbed a pass from the logo, and Keyontae Johnson slammed down the alley-oop, giving KSU the lead, 94-92. The Spartans, who fell for Nowell’s ruse, would not be able to make up the deficit.
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) achieved their first ever Elite Eight appearance, beating Tennessee 62-55. Tennessee continued to show what they are known for: playing strong, physical defense. They led at halftime 27-22. However, with roughly 10 minutes left in the game, FAU began to hit the three-pointers that they were missing for much of the game. Tennessee was not able to compete offensively, being outscored by 12 in the second half, and FAU made program history with the win.
Miami convincingly beat no. 1 Houston 89-75, led by Nigel Pack with 26 points and Isaiah Wong with 20 points. Houston could not contain Miami’s three-point game and would go down by 17 with 10 minutes left in the second half. Houston went 2-12 from the three-point line in the second half, an effort that was not conducive of a comeback. Miami moved on to their second straight Elite Eight.
Gonzaga edged out a 79-76 win against no. 3 UCLA, who had a substantial 46-33 lead at halftime. Despite the lead, the game would go down to the wire. Down 75-76, Julian Strawther hit a three-pointer from just below the logo to make it 78-76 for Gonzaga. UCLA could not convert a deep three in response, and time ran out on the clock, sealing Gonzaga’s win.
Creighton ended Princeton’s Cinderella run, beating them 86-75. After knocking out no. 1 Kansas, no. 8 Arkansas fell to no. 4, UConn 88-65. Texas’s championship dreams are still alive, as they beat Xavier 83-71. There is much more excitement to be witnessed as the tournament weeds out the weak and showcases the strong.
