The Ncaa Tournament has lived up to its name in the first two rounds. With No. 1 seeds going down, double-digit seeds are making their bid for the Cinderella teams, and entertaining games in between. The Sweet 16 had eight great games on tap, and the first half of the games on Thursday night lived up to the expectations.
Oregon Squeezes by Michigan
The Oregon Ducks continue to survive and advance, as the beat No. 7 seeded Michigan 69-68. Tyler Dorsey, or as his team calls him 'Mr. March,' came up big again, scoring 20 points. He made the go-ahead layup with 1:08 left in the game.
The team is riding his hot hand, as Dylan Ennis said to ESPN "We lean on him right now, he's playing his best basketball, and it's coming at the right time." This will be Oregon's second straight trip to the Elite Eight, having a school record 32 wins.
Michigan was in the game until the final shot, as Derrick Walton Jr. missed on the game's final shot. Michigan has been a great story for the tourney, overcoming obstacles, and defeating the mighty two-seeded Louisville. Coach John Beilein said to ESPN "this last six weeks to be more than a story. It was a great team. They were becoming a great team before the story." The Wolverines shot under 40 percent from the field, and fatigue might have finally caught up to the Wolverines.
Gonzaga Escapes West Virginia
Gonzaga found a way out, beating West Virginia 61-58. It was a slugfest, as both teams shot poorly from the field. Jordan Matthews was the big hero, as he hit the go-ahead three with under a minute left. According to ESPN, Mark Few said his defense stepped up "All year we've been banking on our defense, our defense, our defense.
Our defense stepped up and got it done there at the end." Gonzaga has made it to its third Elite Eight.
West Virginia struggled with their shot, shooting 26.7 percent in the game. That was their lowest FG percentage of the season. Jevon Carter kept them in the game with timely threes, but his missed two of WVU's final three shots.
"To know you were so close and you gave everything you had and to come up sort, it hurts. Carter said according to ESPN.
Kansas Glides Past Purdue
The Jayhawks blew out Purdue 99-68. Frank Mason III got his shot going, scoring 26 points. He shot 9-11 from the field and facilitated the offense. Star freshman Josh Jackson produced a double-double, and the Jayhawks built an excellent game on both sides of the court. Frank Mason III explained how all they needed was to slow down saying "When we started to slow down and play our style of basketball, that's when we started rolling." per ESPN.
The Boilermakers couldn't get Caleb Swanigan going, as Kansas collapsed on him in the paint. He had to work for every.
Kansas was able to get in transition against Purdue, and that is what did them in as Matt Painter said to ESPN "You just cannot let them get in transition like that. "If they keep getting those types of opportunities and shoot like that, they can't be stopped."
Xavier Stuns Arizona
Xavier continues their upset run, as they beat Arizona in a 71-73 nail biter. Trevon Blueitt was the key player in the game, keeping the Musketeers close throughout the match. He finished with 25 points. Xavier shot over 50 percent from the field, and that good shooting is what kept it close. They make their third Elite Eight appearance against top-seeded Gonzaga.
Arizona had the game in control, as Allonzo Trier scored 15 points to put the lead to eight.
But they crumbled and let Xavier come back for the win. With one final shot, Trier missed, and their championship dreams were gone. They couldn't get good looks, shooting 43.5 percent from the field. Per ESPN "We weren't able to get good looks down the stretch, and that's on me," said coach Sean Miller.
Thursday treated us to great games and Friday will be the same as the next half of the Sweet 16 will be happening. Make sure your order your pizza early, as you don't want to miss a second of NCAA Tournament action.
