Florida Advances Past Wisconsin at the Buzzer
The Florida Gators and Wisconsin Badgers were involved in a game Friday night that is the definition of March Madness. After Zak Showalter sent the game to overtime with a three-pointer with under a second left, Chris Chiozza hit the game-winning three at the buzzer, giving the Gators a wild 84-83 overtime win. Florida advances to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2014, and the first time under head coach Mike White. The Badgers were enjoying their fourth straight Sweet 16 appearance, and got 22 points from Nigel Hayes in his final game with the school. They did rally from a 12-point deficit in the final 4:15 of regulation to force the extra session. The Gators got 35 points from KeVaughn Allen, as he was the only Gator to finish in double figures. Florida's win gives the SEC three teams in the Elite 8 for the first time since 1986. They split two regular season games with the their opponent on Sunday, South Carolina.
South Carolina Continues Run Past Baylor
The South Carolina Gamecocks are having a season for the books in their school's history, as they are now heading to their first ever Elite 8 after a 70-50 blowout upset of the Baylor Bears on Friday night. Sindarius Thornwell had 24 points, giving the Gamecocks their 25th win of the season, which sets a program record for a single year. DJ Dozier and Chris Silva added 12 point apiece, while Duane Notice contributed 11 points in another South Carolina upset. They also knocked off No. 2 Duke in the Round of 32. Jonathan Motley finished with 18 points in the Bears' worst tournament loss in school history. South Carolina will battle the Florida Gators on Sunday night.
UNC, Kentucky Returning to Elite 8
There are a few names that are commonly found deep in brackets year after year, and two of those names punched their tickets to the Elite 8 on Friday night. First, Joel Berry II had 26 points, while Justin Jackson scored 24, to lead the North Carolina Tar Heels past the Butler Bulldogs with ease, 92-80. Luke Maye also recorded his first career double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, as the Tar Heels are heading to their 26th Elite 8. Andrew Chrabascz had 21 points and seven rebounds to lead the fourth-seeded Bulldogs in the loss. Meanwhile, the Heels' opponent was revealed, as De'Aaron Fox went off for 39 points to lead Kentucky past the UCLA Bruins, 86-75. The win makes the Wildcats the only 2-seed to reach the Elite 8 this season. It was also their 14th straight victory, as Fox's point total was a career-high at the best time. Malik Monk added 21 points in the victory, as Kentucky avenged an upset loss to the Bruins in December. The two legendary programs will go at it in the Elite 8 on Sunday night. Lonzo Ball had just 10 points on the night, and declared for the NBA Draft immediately following the Bruins' defeat.
The Florida Gators and Wisconsin Badgers were involved in a game Friday night that is the definition of March Madness. After Zak Showalter sent the game to overtime with a three-pointer with under a second left, Chris Chiozza hit the game-winning three at the buzzer, giving the Gators a wild 84-83 overtime win. Florida advances to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2014, and the first time under head coach Mike White. The Badgers were enjoying their fourth straight Sweet 16 appearance, and got 22 points from Nigel Hayes in his final game with the school. They did rally from a 12-point deficit in the final 4:15 of regulation to force the extra session. The Gators got 35 points from KeVaughn Allen, as he was the only Gator to finish in double figures. Florida's win gives the SEC three teams in the Elite 8 for the first time since 1986. They split two regular season games with the their opponent on Sunday, South Carolina.
South Carolina Continues Run Past Baylor
The South Carolina Gamecocks are having a season for the books in their school's history, as they are now heading to their first ever Elite 8 after a 70-50 blowout upset of the Baylor Bears on Friday night. Sindarius Thornwell had 24 points, giving the Gamecocks their 25th win of the season, which sets a program record for a single year. DJ Dozier and Chris Silva added 12 point apiece, while Duane Notice contributed 11 points in another South Carolina upset. They also knocked off No. 2 Duke in the Round of 32. Jonathan Motley finished with 18 points in the Bears' worst tournament loss in school history. South Carolina will battle the Florida Gators on Sunday night.
UNC, Kentucky Returning to Elite 8
There are a few names that are commonly found deep in brackets year after year, and two of those names punched their tickets to the Elite 8 on Friday night. First, Joel Berry II had 26 points, while Justin Jackson scored 24, to lead the North Carolina Tar Heels past the Butler Bulldogs with ease, 92-80. Luke Maye also recorded his first career double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, as the Tar Heels are heading to their 26th Elite 8. Andrew Chrabascz had 21 points and seven rebounds to lead the fourth-seeded Bulldogs in the loss. Meanwhile, the Heels' opponent was revealed, as De'Aaron Fox went off for 39 points to lead Kentucky past the UCLA Bruins, 86-75. The win makes the Wildcats the only 2-seed to reach the Elite 8 this season. It was also their 14th straight victory, as Fox's point total was a career-high at the best time. Malik Monk added 21 points in the victory, as Kentucky avenged an upset loss to the Bruins in December. The two legendary programs will go at it in the Elite 8 on Sunday night. Lonzo Ball had just 10 points on the night, and declared for the NBA Draft immediately following the Bruins' defeat.
