Upset fans will be disappointed, since Saturday's eight matches gave rise to no real surprises. Only Kansas (#4), largely dominated by Gonzaga (#5), did not justify his rank. But it must be said that it was the most balanced display in the table between the 4th and 5th seeds. With 21 points from Anton Watson and great general skill (60% on shots, 53% on 3-pointers) , the Zags won 89-68, and they confirm that we will still have to count on them in this March Madness.
This is the 9th year in a row that Gonzaga has qualified for the Sweet 16, and in the next round of the Midwest table, Chet Holmgren's former university will face the winner of the meeting between Purdue and Utah State.
“Cinderella” walks out the door
To have suspense, you had to tune into the meeting between Creighton (#3) and Oregon (#11) from this Midwest region. Doug McDermott's former team came out on top after two overtimes against the Ducks led by their shock duo Jermaine Couisnard and N'Faly Dante. The first, author of 40 points against South Carolina, scored 32 points, while the second accumulated 28 points and 20 rebounds! Winner 86-73, Creighton signs a 15-0 in the 2nd overtime to secure its qualification, and win its ticket to face Tennessee (#2), who barely beat Texas (#7), with 18 points from Dalton Knecht.
Suspense also in the “little thumbs” match between North Carolina State (#11) and Oakland (#14). Thanks to its imposing interior DJ Burns Jr. (2m06, 130 kg!), the Wolfpack won 79-73 after overtime against the Cinderella of March Madness. Like Creighton, North Carolina State KOs its opponent 9-0 in overtime, and validates its place in the “Sweet 16”. In the semi-final of the South tournament, Kevin Keatts' players will face the winner of the Marquette (#2) – Colorado (#10) match. For the Wolfpack, it will be about reaching the Elite Eight for the first time since… 1986!
Tom Izzo beaten again by North Carolina
The “sexiest” poster of the evening opposed North Carolina (#1) to Michigan State (#9), and it was the Tar Heels who won 85-69 with 20 points from RJ Davis. It's now been 26 years since Tom Izzo fell to the Tar Heels in an NCAA tournament, and the legendary Spartans coach still hasn't found the key to overcoming the obstacle. In the West table semi-final, North Carolina will challenge the winner of the match between Grand Canyon and Alabama.
Still in the West part of the table, Arizona (#2) logically beat Dayton (#7) with 19 points from Caleb Love. Winners 78-68, the Wildcats qualify for their second “Sweet 16” in three years, and they will face the winner of the match between Clemson (#6) and Baylor (#3).
Finally, in the East region, the logic was respected since Illinois (#3) largely dominated Duquesne (#11), LeBron James' favorite university. In the next round, the players will face Iowa State (#2), 69-57 winner over Washington State (#7), Klay Thompson's former college.
