The primary spherical of the 2026 males’s NCAA event had slightly little bit of every little thing: upsets, blowouts and massive performances from the sport’s brightest stars.
Right here is ESPN’s information to all 16 first-round video games from Day 1, full with evaluation from on-site reporters of how every recreation was received, and our specialists’ takes on every winner’s possibilities to advance to the Candy 16.
Bounce to: Relive the day
How VCU received: The Rams completed a ridiculous comeback, erasing a 19-point second-half deficit to knock off North Carolina in time beyond regulation. Terrence Hill Jr. was electrical, connecting on 5 of VCU’s final six baskets, together with a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in additional time that successfully sealed the sport. Hill had 34 factors, 5 assists and 5 boards. It was an epic collapse for the Tar Heels, who missed their last 9 pictures, botched a pair of important free throws in time beyond regulation and, after main by 19 with 14:58 to play, related on simply seven of 25 pictures. Per ESPN Analysis, the Rams’ 19-point comeback is tied for the biggest within the spherical of 64 because the event expanded in 1985 — together with South Alabama in opposition to Alabama in 1989. — David Hale
VCU’s second-round opponent: Illinois
How the Rams can advance to the Candy 16: Phil Martelli Jr.’s squad can advance previous Illinois if Terrence Hill Jr. performs the function of Superman once more and his teammates make use of the identical resilience — on offense and protection — they demonstrated within the last 10 minutes of regulation on Thursday. The secret’s they will must do it for 40 minutes in opposition to Illinois on Saturday. The Rams scored at a clip of 138 factors per 100 possessions within the second half earlier than they compelled time beyond regulation in opposition to the Tar Heels. However the 19-point deficit the Rams needed to overcome might flip right into a 40-point drawback in opposition to an Illinois squad with one of the best offense within the nation. They cannot let that occur. They’re going to additionally want Lazar Djokovic (15 factors, 2 blocks) to place up huge numbers, too, as they try to stall the Illinois offensive machine. — Myron Medcalf
How Duke received: No. 1 general seed Duke advances to the spherical of 32. That should not come as a lot of a shock, however Siena definitely did all it might to make issues attention-grabbing, taking the Blue Devils to the restrict earlier than falling 71-65. The Saints led by 11 on the half and did not give up the lead till the 5:08 mark, however their starters performed with out a substitution till the ultimate 90 seconds of motion. And by late within the second half, it confirmed. Siena shot simply 8-of-34 from the ground over the ultimate 20 minutes, permitting the Blue Devils to claw their manner again into the sport. Cameron Boozer had 22 factors and 13 boards to steer the Blue Devils, whereas his brother Cayden added 19. — David Hale
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TCU set to face Duke in 2nd spherical of NCAA event
Try a few of the finest highlights from TCU and Duke forward of their Spherical of 32 matchup within the NCAA event.
Duke’s second-round opponent: TCU
How the Blue Devils can advance to the Candy 16: Effectively, it could assist in the event that they confirmed up just like the crew that dominated within the second half in opposition to Siena — and never the model that performed within the first half, when it was down by double digits. Duke’s offensive rhythm was clearly disrupted with out Caleb Foster, its finest 3-point shooter (40.2%), and the Blue Devils’ protection was weaker than anticipated with Patrick Ngongba II out resulting from harm, too. Within the second half, nonetheless, the Blue Devils turned to a zone and performed with a unique defensive depth. They’re going to advance if they’ve the identical mojo in opposition to TCU. Isaiah Evans was a headache for Siena on quick breaks and off the dribble after halftime; Duke has to do extra to place him able to affect the sport. Cameron Boozer was 13-for-14 from the free throw line. Good protection, Evans making performs and Boozer being Boozer are the keys to Duke transferring on. — Myron Medcalf
How Excessive Level received: Wisconsin jumped out to a 15-5 lead over Excessive Level inside 5 minutes — however the Panthers did not let that final lengthy. They put collectively a 7-0 run to chop the result in 15-12 and performed the Badgers shut till coming into the half down solely two factors. Wisconsin constructed one other eight-point lead with 7:08 to play, however Excessive Level outscored the Badgers 18-12 to shut out this system’s first NCAA event win on a go-ahead layup from Chase Johnston — his first 2-point discipline aim of the season. Johnson entered the sport 0-for-4 from 2-point vary, incomes most of his buckets from past the arc on 64-of-132 capturing from the three on the season. Three Panthers gamers completed with double-doubles: Rob Martin (23 factors, 10 assists); Terry Anderson (15 factors, 11 rebounds); and Cam’Ron Fletcher (14 factors, 11 rebounds). — ESPN Workers
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Excessive Level comes up clutch to stun Wisconsin
A late layup units up a grandstand end as Excessive Level fends of Wisconsin for the upset win.
Excessive Level’s second-round opponent: Arkansas
How the Panthers can advance to the Candy 16: Excessive Level has received 23 of its previous 24 video games and simply beat Wisconsin whereas enjoying a run-and-gun up-tempo affair — do not depend the Panthers out in opposition to Arkansas. They will not be afraid of the tempo battle, though they will must discover a option to sluggish Darius Acuff Jr. and backcourt companion Meleek Thomas. Each are tough to maintain from attending to their spots, and Excessive Level simply allowed Nick Boyd and John Blackwell to mix for 49 factors within the win over the Badgers. The place Excessive Level might have some success is on the different finish of the ground. Arkansas is strong defensively, however susceptible to off ball and rotation lapses, and Excessive Level will look to rise up and down the ground and take 3s. A repeat 15-for-40 3-point capturing effort can be good, too. — Jeff Borzello
How TCU received: The Horned Frogs led by 15 on the half, trying poised to cruise into the second spherical; groups with halftime leads of 15 or extra factors have been an ideal 34-0 over the earlier three tournaments, based on ESPN Analysis. However the Buckeyes had no real interest in taking place with out a struggle, climbing all the way in which again to take a 51-50 lead on the 7:24 mark. The 2 groups traded blows the remainder of the way in which — till a nifty dish from David Punch to Xavier Edmonds with 4 seconds to play proved the distinction in a TCU victory. Punch was the late-game hero for the Horned Frogs, racking up 13 of his 16 factors, seven of his 13 rebounds and two assists within the second half to maintain his crew dancing. — David Hale
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Edmonds’ late bucket helps TCU maintain off Ohio State
Xavier Edmonds hits the go-ahead basket with 4.1 seconds left to steer TCU to a 66-64 win over Ohio State.
TCU’s second-round opponent: Duke
How the Horned Frogs can advance to the Candy 16: Siena turned the primary 16-seed to carry a double-digit halftime lead over a 1-seed in NCAA event historical past, per ESPN Analysis, due to its early dominance within the paint. Francis Folefac, a 6-foot-7 ahead, was the anchor of a Saints squad that scored 22 factors within the paint within the first half in opposition to the Blue Devils. That must be the blueprint for TCU, too. The Blue Devils have been weak inside with out Patrick Ngongba II, their finest defensive participant who will not be out there for the second spherical. That is how the Horned Frogs can win, attacking inside and defending the rim in opposition to Boozer & Co. They will even want 3s to fall once more (39% in opposition to Ohio State), which solely occurred occasionally throughout the season after they have been fifteenth out of 16 groups within the Large 12 in 3-point capturing. — Myron Medcalf
(11) Texas 79, (6) BYU 71
How Texas received: AJ Dybantsa did every little thing he might to forestall BYU from being part of a second upset on the Moda Middle on Thursday. He poured in 35 factors, changing into the primary freshman with that many in his NCAA event debut. He is the second freshman with a 35-point recreation within the NCAA event, together with De’Aaron Fox (39 factors) within the 2017 Candy 16 in opposition to UCLA. However it wasn’t sufficient. Texas managed the momentum from the soar, as BYU led for simply 22 seconds. When the Cougars have been on the verge of staging a comeback, Longhorns guard Jordan Pope buried a clutch 3-pointer from the nook to increase his crew’s result in 75-68 with 1:29 to go. The Longhorns acquired a powerful efficiency from huge man Matas Vokietaitis, who posted 23 factors and 16 rebounds. Tramon Mark added 16 factors. — Ryan McFadden
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Matas Vokietaitis’ big-time block secures Texas’ win
Matas Vokietaitis comes up with an enormous late-game block to seal Texas’ win over BYU.
Texas’ second-round opponent: Gonzaga
How the Longhorns can advance to the Candy 16: Texas, after shedding 5 of six video games coming into the NCAA event, has picked up back-to-back wins over NC State and BYU — and it might want to proceed defending at a excessive degree to have an opportunity in opposition to Gonzaga. The Longhorns’ defensive deficiencies haven’t precisely been a secret; Sean Miller has talked about it at size, bemoaning their lack of ability to protect opponents with out fouling. However in opposition to NC State, they held the Wolfpack to 0.98 factors per possession — their first time limiting an opponent to fewer than one level per possession since Jan. 14. BYU scored 1.06 factors per possession in opposition to Texas, however that is properly beneath the Cougars’ season common, they usually have potential No. 1 NBA draft decide AJ Dybantsa. Fortuitously for Miller, Gonzaga’s offense isn’t predicated on attending to the free throw line. The Zags rating extra paint factors per recreation than any crew within the nation, so Saturday’s recreation will likely be key for Matas Vokietaitis to guard the rim and stifle All-American Graham Ike. — Jeff Borzello
How Louisville received: Isaac McKneely led the way in which for the Cardinals, regardless of a late comeback push by South Florida to show what had as soon as been a 23-point result in inside single digits within the last 5 minutes. However the Bulls have been utlimately unable to compete with the Cardinals’ 3-pointers, with star guard Wes Enis going 0-for-11 from 3 — the second-most missed 3-point discipline aim makes an attempt in an NCAA event recreation because the line was launched in 1987 (Wofford’s Fletcher Magee, 2019, was 0-for-12), per ESPN Analysis.
McKneely was 7-of-10 from past the arc — tied for many 3s made by a Louisville participant in an NCAA event recreation (with Taquan Dean in 2005), per ESPN Analysis. He scored a team-high 23 factors, simply his second 20-point recreation this season. Total, Pat Kelsey’s crew completed 13-for-25 (52%) from 3, in comparison with the Bulls’ 5-for-33 effort (15.2%). — Alaina Getzenberg
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Isaac McKneely’s fifth 3-pointer provides Louisville their largest lead
Isaac McKneely splashes his fifth 3-pointer to present the Cardinals a 23-point lead.
Louisville’s second-round opponent: Michigan State
How the Cardinals can advance to the Candy 16: Regardless of main South Florida by 23 factors earlier than a late surge by the Bulls made the ultimate margin a lot nearer, Louisville has to wash up loads to be able to beat Michigan State. South Florida grabbed 18 offensive rebounds — 37.5% of its misses — and Louisville can have a tougher time in opposition to Michigan State, one of the vital dominant offensive rebounding groups within the nation. The important thing on the offensive finish, because it at all times is for Louisville, will likely be making 3s. The Cardinals rank within the high 5 nationally in 3-point try fee and made 13 in opposition to South Florida. Michigan State was in the midst of the pack within the Large Ten in 3-point protection and allowed a median of 11.1 3-pointers in its losses this season. The X issue would be the availability of Mikel Brown Jr., although Louisville has discovered the way to win with out him over the previous 5 video games. — Jeff Borzello
How Gonzaga received: Kennesaw State tried its hardest to drag off the largest upset of the primary spherical, and it hung robust for some time. The Owls have been down by one level within the second half earlier than Gonzaga used a 17-4 run to stretch its result in 60-46 — then made one final try at a comeback within the last minutes, trimming the deficit to 5 factors earlier than Graham Ike‘s layup put the Bulldogs up 71-64 with 1:16 left.
Gonzaga was led by Ike, who completed with a game-high 19 factors and eight rebounds. Davis Fogle added 17 factors off the bench. The Bulldogs benefited from their journeys to the free throw line, the place they have been 20 of 23 and 12 of 15. Additionally they managed the glass, outrebounding Kennesaw State 45-34. — Ryan McFadden
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Graham Ike throws down 2-handed slam
Graham Ike elevates and throws down a two-handed slam dunk for Gonzaga.
Gonzaga’s second-round opponent: Texas
How the Bulldogs can advance to the Candy 16: Gonzaga will get to keep away from going through AJ Dybantsa within the second spherical, however now the Zags must play a Texas crew with some momentum — and one with some dimension that would probably make life tough for Mark Few’s membership. What ought to decide the end result would be the paint battle and the free-throw margin. Gonzaga leads the nation in paint factors per recreation, scoring practically 45 per recreation in that space of the ground whereas capturing practically 59% contained in the arc. However the Zags outscored Kennesaw State by solely 4 factors within the paint on Thursday. Graham Ike must be his regular dominant self, and it could be useful to get Matas Vokietaitis in foul bother. Vokietaitis averages 5.3 fouls per 40 and dedicated no less than 4 fouls in seven straight video games coming into Thursday. On the flip facet, Ike should decelerate the previous Florida Atlantic switch; Vokietaitis is averaging 17.6 factors over his final 11 video games, and simply had 23 factors and 16 boards in opposition to BYU. — Jeff Borzello
How Vanderbilt received: There will not be any extra aura this March Insanity — no less than not from viral McNeese State supervisor Amir Khan. The 12-seed Cowboys began scorching and constructed an 11-point lead early within the first half, however Vanderbilt held on and rallied to take a three-point lead into halftime with a dominant presence within the submit. The Commodores completed the sport outscoring McNeese 34-22 within the paint, thanks largely to a 6-for-6 effort from huge man Devin McGlockton. Vanderbilt’s dimension benefit additionally supplied an edge on the glass, outrebounding the Cowboys 37-34, together with 28-18 in defensive boards. Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner led all scorers with 25 factors — 17 within the second half — and three 3-pointers. McNeese stored tempo with Vanderbilt, recording 16 fast-break factors and 9 steals, however it wasn’t sufficient to drag off the upset. — Brooke Pryor
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Tyler Tanner hits the and-1 floater for Vanderbilt
Tyler Tanner drives to the basket and hits the and-1 floater for Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt’s second-round opponent: Nebraska
How the Commodores can advance to the Candy 16: Vanderbilt wants Tyler Tanner to excel and to restrict Nebraska’s shooters to be able to advance. The Commodores have been a unique crew within the second half in opposition to McNeese on Thursday when Tanner, a projected first-round NBA draft decide, obtained extra snug in opposition to the stress from one among America’s finest defensive groups. He scored 17 of his game-high 26 factors after halftime. Total this season, Vanderbilt is 13-3 when the 6-foot guard scores no less than 20 factors. Nebraska, which had one of the best protection in Large Ten play this season, will do all it could to frustrate him. It is not on him alone, although. The Commodores should do their finest to close down the Cornhuskers on the 3-point line: They’ve made 34 3-pointers of their final three video games. — Myron Medcalf
How Texas A&M received: Affected by an sickness and Texas A&M’s swarming protection, St. Mary’s main scorer, Paulius Murauskas, was held to a season-low 4 factors and performed simply 23 minutes off the bench. The Aggies’ protection was stifling: It recorded 12 steals, compelled the Gaels to show the ball over a season-high 18 instances and held them to simply 26 factors within the first half — their second-lowest output of the season. TAMU dominated within the paint, outscoring St. Mary’s 28-12 as ahead Rashaun Agee led all scorers with 22 factors. Agee and Aggie guard Rubén Dominguez every hit three 3-pointers. — Brooke Pryor
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Rashaun Agee’s 3 tacks on to Texas A&M’s second-half lead
Rashaun Agee knocks down a 3-pointer within the second half vs. Saint Mary’s.
Texas A&M’s second-round opponent: Houston
How the Aggies can advance to the Candy 16: It is all about Bucky Ball and the way efficient it may be in opposition to Houston and among the best backcourts within the nation. A&M desires to play quick, it desires to drive turnovers and it desires to make groups uncomfortable. Houston takes care of the ball, rating seventh within the nation in turnover share — and the Cougars are even higher in Large 12 play. A&M forces turnovers on 18.6% of its defensive possessions; Houston has turned it over that steadily simply 5 instances all season. Can A&M win the tempo battle? The Aggies common greater than 70 possessions per recreation, rating within the high 40 nationally. In the meantime, the Cougars play simply over 63 possessions per recreation, rating No. 352 nationally. This will likely be a real distinction of kinds, however the truth that A&M simply beat one other grind-it-out crew in Saint Mary’s ought to give the Aggies optimism. — Borzello
How Michigan State received: North Dakota State took an 8-5 lead early within the first half in opposition to Michigan State. That was the final time the Bisons had the sting because the Spartans received their first recreation of their twenty eighth NCAA event look below Tom Izzo (third most in Division I since 1995-96, per ESPN Analysis). Michigan State transformed 58.9% of its discipline objectives (the crew’s finest in an NCAA event recreation since 1986) and made 50% of its 3s, along with going 16-of-18 from the road. The Spartans capitalized on the Bison struggling from 3 (6-of-25) with 31 defensive rebounds to their 4 offensive rebounds. Guard Jeremy Fears Jr. additionally turned the sixth completely different Michigan State participant prior to now 60 years to document no less than 10 assists in an NCAA event recreation, becoming a member of a prestigious listing of Magic Johnson, Cassius Winston, Draymond Inexperienced, Mateen Cleaves and Denzel Valentine. — Alaina Getzenberg
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Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr join for big Michigan State alley-oop
Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr join for an enormous Spartans alley-oop vs. North Dakota State.
Michigan State’s second-round opponent: Louisville
How the Spartans can advance to the Candy 16: Michigan State’s greatest edge in opposition to North Dakota State was its dominant frontcourt, with Carson Cooper, Jaxon Kohler, Coen Carr and Cam Ward combining for 62 factors and 24 rebounds. That will even be the place the Spartans might want to win in opposition to Louisville. Regardless of having loads of dimension and depth up entrance, the Cardinals struggled on the defensive glass in opposition to South Florida, and Michigan State is without doubt one of the top-10 offensive rebounding groups within the nation. The Spartans ought to be capable to have success in that space in opposition to the Cardinals. Jeremy Fears Jr. would be the key — he did not rating the ball properly in opposition to North Dakota State and turned it over a season-high 4 instances, however he’ll be capable to get downhill and put stress on Louisville. — Jeff Borzello
How Nebraska received: The Cornhuskers made historical past with their first NCAA event win in program historical past as they throttled Troy with a dominant efficiency on each ends of the ground; they entered the sport as the one program of any energy convention with out an NCAA event win after going 0-8 of their earlier appearances. Junior ahead Pryce Sandfort erupted with a program-record seven 3-pointers in an NCAA event recreation, one wanting his profession excessive set earlier this season. As a crew, Nebraska shot 14-of-39 from past the arc whereas holding Troy to 8-of-28 from 3. The Cornhuskers not solely dominated the glass, however turned these rebounds into 19 second-chance factors — properly over their season common of 9.2. Nebraska additionally compelled Troy to commit 17 turnovers and turned these errors into 17 factors. — Brooke Pryor
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Nebraska followers erupt on Pryce Sandfort’s triple
Off of a Troy turnover, Pryce Sandfort will get a superb look and buries the triple to take the lead for Nebraska.
Nebraska’s second-round opponent: Vanderbilt
How the Cornhuskers can advance to the Candy 16: Nebraska has already made historical past by successful the primary NCAA event recreation in class historical past. Now it could add to that feat with one other victory and its first Candy 16 look. How? Its protection has the power to drive Vanderbilt star Tyler Tanner into tough pictures. He was simply 2-for-6 in opposition to McNeese within the first half Thursday, struggling in opposition to its relentless stress. Nebraska is larger and higher (high 10 protection nationally) than McNeese, and the Cornhuskers have put the identical defensive clamps on elite groups in Large Ten play. In opposition to everybody else, they have been ferocious. However they did maintain Troy to simply 47 factors (77 factors per 100 possessions) — one of the best protection we have seen within the opening spherical by way of the primary half of Thursday. Mix that with Pryce Sandfort, Rienk Mast and Sam Hoiberg all hitting huge pictures within the first spherical, and Nebraska could be on its option to the Candy 16 for the primary time. — Myron Medcalf
How Arkansas received: The victory marked the primary time the Razorbacks scored 90-plus factors in an NCAA event recreation since 1999. (They beat Siena 94-80 within the first spherical.) They jumped to a 17-point lead within the first 9 minutes and by no means regarded again. SEC Participant of the Yr Darius Acuff Jr. was one among 5 Arkansas gamers to attain in double figures, ending with 24 factors, seven assists and one steal. Meleek Thomas totaled 21 factors, eight rebounds and 5 assists, making him and Acuff the primary freshman teammates with 50 factors and 5 assists every in an NCAA event recreation. Thomas was additionally efficient on protection, recording a block and two steals. Despite the fact that the Razorbacks shot 19% from the 3-point line, they dominated within the inside, outscoring Hawai’i 64-40 within the paint. Arkansas generated 23 fast-break factors and 26 assists. — Ryan McFadden
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Darius Acuff Jr. hits a tricky reverse layup
Darius Acuff Jr. drives to the basket and hits a tricky reverse layup for Arkansas.
Arkansas’ second-round opponent: Excessive Level
How Arkansas can advance to the Candy 16: Arkansas desires to run, and it desires a high-scoring recreation. Excessive Level will likely be prepared to play into that hand, and it is onerous to see how that is not a plus for John Calipari’s crew. The Razorbacks do not give the ball away since they’ve two high-level playmakers in Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, and their frontcourt is considerably extra cellular and athletic than Wisconsin’s bigs. The turnover battle will likely be key; Excessive Level ranks within the high 5 in defensive turnover share, however Arkansas protects the ball higher than any crew within the nation. If Acuff and Thomas maintain the ball and the Razorbacks can dominate the paint like they’ve completed numerous instances this season, Excessive Level probably will not have a solution defensively. Defensively, they cannot let Chase Johnston get scorching — from anyplace on the ground. — Jeff Borzello
How Illinois received: The Illini dominated all phases of this win. Although 5 Illini completed in double figures, freshman David Mirkovic was the star, main all scorers with 28 factors, 17 rebounds and three assists. Penn had no solutions to Mirkovic and Illinois’ dimension. The Illini had 44 factors within the paint, pulled down 20 offensive boards and shot 50% from the sphere. Add of their 15 3s, and there was merely nothing Illinois did not do properly. The Illini’s 105 factors have been essentially the most by any crew on the event’s opening day and their highest output since scoring 113 in every of their first two video games of the season. — David Hale
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David Mirkovic’s steal sparks one other Illinois fast-break slam
David Mirkovic will get the steal and units up his teammate Zvonimir Ivisic for the dunk.
Illinois’ second-round opponent: VCU
How the Combating Illini can advance to the Candy 16: Illinois, which owns the No. 1 offense in America, can advance with the identical overwhelming offensive assault it has relied on in wins over Texas Tech, Tennessee and Purdue. The Combating Illini scored 40 factors within the first half in opposition to Penn on Thursday earlier than including 65 within the second half at a fee of 197 factors per 100 possessions. For comparability: the Denver Nuggets have the NBA’s finest offense of the season at 120 factors per 100 possessions. That is how good Illinois is correct now. Brad Underwood’s crew can advance with one other overwhelming offensive effort. On Thursday, the Illini turned to David Mirkovic (29 factors, 17 rebounds) to maintain their nationwide title hopes alive. It is a tall process for the Rams, who should cease one of the vital potent offensive assaults in current school basketball historical past. In the meantime, Illinois simply must be Illinois. — Myron Medcalf
How Saint Louis received: This one was all Billikens. Georgia by no means held a lead within the 102-77 loss to Saint Louis, that means they continue to be the one SEC crew with out a NCAA event win since 2003. The Bulldogs merely had no reply for the Billikens’ offense as they scored layup after layup whereas a struggling Georgia offense made 34.7% of discipline objectives (25 of 72).
Saint Louis dominated within the paint with 66 factors, the best whole by any crew in a recreation within the final 20 NCAA tournaments. Six Saint Louis gamers completed with double-digit factors and the Billikens made 58.3% of discipline objectives. The lone brilliant spot for the Bulldogs was Jeremiah Wilkinson, who turned the primary Georgia participant with a 30-point recreation since 2002. The sport marked the biggest loss by an SEC crew to an A-10 crew in an NCAA Match recreation (earlier lowest was in 1997, when 9-seed Temple beat 8-seed Ole Miss by 22 factors). — Alaina Getzenberg
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Robbie Avila exhibits off his footwork down low
Saint Louis’ Robbie Avila makes a spin transfer to complete inside.
Saint Louis’ second-round opponent: Michigan
How the Billikens can advance to the Candy 16: Saint Louis an environment friendly offensive operation, capturing round 59% contained in the arc and round 40% from 3. That is what the Billikens might want to get a win over a Michigan crew with simply three losses this season. They’re going to must be good on the perimeter and across the rim as they have been in opposition to Georgia on Thursday with 66 factors within the paint. However how? They’re going to must assault Michigan’s huge males, particularly Aday Mara, on ball screens, which is what Duke did down the stretch of its win over Michigan this season, and discover methods to attain. The 7-foot-3 Mara might be a weak hyperlink in opposition to a Saint Louis roster that has six gamers who’ve made no less than 37% of their 3-point makes an attempt this season. Saint Louis can advance if it exhausts Michigan’s frontcourt with an inside-outside recreation that retains the Wolverines guessing and performs its finest protection of the season to guard the rim in opposition to one among America’s greatest frontcourts. Simpler stated than completed. — Myron Medcalf
How Houston received: Demise, taxes and Kelvin Sampson successful no less than one NCAA event recreation. With a dominant 78-47 win in opposition to Idaho, the Cougars have received no less than one recreation in eight consecutive NCAA tournaments, the second-longest lively streak behind Gonzaga. This time round, they have been paced by freshman phenom Kingston Flemings, who set a program document with 18 factors — essentially the most ever by a Houston freshman in an NCAA event recreation. Houston overwhelmed Idaho in each side of the sport, outrebounding the Vandals 47-32 and outscoring them within the paint 36-16. 5 Cougars completed in double figures, whereas only one Vandal, Kolton Mitchell, reached that mark. — Brooke Pryor
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Emanuel Sharp knocks down a pair of 3-pointers for Houston
Emanuel Sharp hits back-to-back 3-pointers within the first half vs. Idaho.
Houston’s second-round opponent: Texas A&M
How the Cougars can advance to the Candy 16: Houston, on paper, is constructed to resist Texas A&M’s urgent, up-tempo model. The Cougars have an elite three-guard trio in Kingston Flemings, Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp who do not flip the ball over and are efficient at getting the sport to be performed at Kelvin Sampson’s most popular tempo. Additionally they can drive their very own justifiable share of turnovers, and A&M has had some points in opposition to groups with intense on-ball stress. The place Houston can actually have an edge is on the offensive glass. The Cougars are yearly among the best offensive rebounding groups within the nation, and whereas this 12 months’s group is not fairly as elite as earlier variations, they’re nonetheless within the high 30 nationally in offensive rebounding fee and second-chance factors per recreation. A&M, in the meantime, was one of many worst defensive rebounding groups within the SEC. — Borzello
How Michigan received: Howard gave Michigan a run for its cash early, holding the sport inside 4 factors going into halftime. However popping out of it, the Wolverines distanced themselves by flexing their offensive muscle tissue to drag away for his or her thirty second win of the season — second most in program historical past (most have been 33 in 2017-18). The Wolverines shot 67.3% to the Bison’s 42.6%. Michigan additionally held the sting on the glass (35-23), led by ahead Morez Johnson Jr., who turned the fifth participant prior to now 60 years with 20 factors, 10 rebounds and 100% FG (8 for 8) in an NCAA event recreation. Howard’s 10 first-half 3s stored the Bison within the recreation as they regarded for his or her second NCAA event win, however they adopted that up with simply 4 (4 of 13) within the second half. — Alaina Getzenberg
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Aday Mara throws down huge slam for Michigan
Michigan’s Aday Mara punches it inside for a dunk late vs. Howard.
Michigan’s second-round opponent: Saint Louis
How the Wolverines can advance to the Candy 16: The Wolverines can advance in the event that they use their dimension to their benefit on offense and subdue a novel Saint Louis offense. Michigan had early struggles as Kenny Blakeney’s Howard crew targeted on Yaxel Lendeborg (9 factors) and used a zone to maintain the Wolverines out of the lane. It did not work for the entire recreation as a result of Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. — who had 40 factors mixed — performed excessive of it whereas persevering with to attain from the perimeter to seal the win. Saint Louis does not have the scale to defend Michigan at any place. On offense, the Billikens might be compelled to camp out on the 3-point line as a result of the Wolverines will not give them a number of room to function within the paint. If Michigan hits its 3s, dominates inside and defends a flexible Saint Louis offense, the Wolverines ought to advance to the Candy 16. — Myron Medcalf
