March Insanity’ highway to a pair of No. 1 seed runners got here to an finish Thursday night time, because the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Arizona Wildcats missed out on the Elite Eight in two extra losses on the NCAA Championship. The Zags, seeded No. 1 within the event and who was chasing their first Nationwide Championship at school historical past, fell 74-68 to the fourth-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks making their second straight journey to the Elite Eight. The opposite Western powerhouse of the night time, the Arizona Wildcats, could not beat fifth seed Houston Cougar in a 72-60 loss that places the Coogs one step nearer to their fourth straight last if they’ll get previous the additionally victorious Villanova.
The No. 1 seed’s loss may need been the headline another night time, however the Duke Blue Devils stretching coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final dance, because the third seed Texas Tech Pink Raiders jumped 78-73, captured the eye of the school basketball world and past.
The ESPN crew made up of Jeff Borzello, John Gasaway and Joe Lunardi make clear all the things they noticed Thursday night time, and look ahead to the numbers that shall be one other night time of pleasure at Candy 16 on Friday.
Observe this hyperlink for NCAA event tip instances, and go to right here to take a look at your March Insanity arc.
Friday March Insanity schedule:
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15 St Peter’s reverse No. 3 Bordeaux, 7:09 p.m. ET (CBS)
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No. 4 Windfall versus No. 1 KS, 7:29 p.m. ET (TBS)
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No. 8 North Carolina v. No. 4 UCLA, 9:39 p.m. ET (CBS)
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No. 11 Iowa vs No. 10 Miami, 9:59 ET (TBS)
Table of Contents
Thursday’s sport with Texas Tech would not appear like it favors an underdog and has traditionally challenged Duke on the West Coast. What impressed you most in regards to the Blue Devils, and the way did you are feeling early in Saturday’s sport with Arkansas?
Gasaway: First towards Michigan State after which once more towards Texas Tech, Duke completed the match sturdy. We did not see that coming when Virginia Tech defeated the Blue Devils by 15, however now that loss within the ACC title sport appears like a very long time in the past. Jeremy Roach specifically was superb. The sophomore put in 30 factors on 21 photographs during the last two wins, and Roach added 5 assists towards the Pink Raiders. We all the time knew Coach Okay’s flip was proficient, however now this younger crew is growing earlier than our very eyes.
Borzello: Roach was one of many NCAA superstars, and it is one thing I by no means imagined I might write a number of months in the past. This can be a participant who has been relegated to the bench on a number of events this season, and his final 9 video games earlier than the NCAA Championship have been a reserve. However Duke wanted considered one of his perimeter gamers to step up and create photographs from dribbling throughout the event, and Roach answered the decision.
He had 12 factors and 5 assists within the opener towards Fullerton, 15 factors – together with a number of big baskets late – towards Michigan State and 15 factors and 5 assists towards Texas Tech, as soon as once more making a number of late photographs to offer the sting . On Saturday, Arkansas will attempt to make the sport a bit of extra chaotic than what Texas Tech did, but when Mark Williams can keep out of bother (Chit Holmgren could not tackle the Razorbacks), I believe Duke has the benefit.
Lonardi: The Blue Devils obtained an outstanding guarding efficiency and a degree of depth from Paolo Banchero that raised the extent of the complete crew. For the primary time since November’s victory over Kentucky and Gonzaga, Duke as soon as once more made a Ultimate 4 look. With Coach Okay’s storyline now over in sight, Arkansas has each Duke and Future as opponents within the Elite Eight. There’ll probably be so much to go over.
0:34
Houston’s Keeler Edwards drops three-pointers within the second inning because the Cougars pull the blow towards Arizona #1 to advance to the Elite Eight.
What proved to be Arizona’s deadly flaw in its loss to Houston?
Borzello: Arizona’s deadly flaw was to have the crew ranked second within the nation on practically each predictive measure. Houston is an extremely sturdy crew that excels on the offensive glass and on the defensive finish, particularly in relation to pressured turns. Sadly for the Wildcats, they’ve had points with each defensive rebounding and taking care of the ball—and so they’ve by no means confronted a crew as bodily imposing on each ends of the ground as Houston.
Wildcats have by no means been capable of get into the high-speed free-flow system. The Cougars imposed their will on Arizona, and the Wildcats could not reply by taking Houston out of their consolation zone. Benedict Mathurin struggled, Azulas Topilis could not transfer ahead and Kerr Kressa made his photographs till it was too late. Towards a disciplined and well-trained crew like Houston, this was a really robust factor to beat.
Gasaway: This can be a case the place Arizona has been bracketed with a #5 seed and is definitely as sturdy because the Wildcats. Tommy Lloyd’s mainstays, Mathurin and Christian Colocco, slowly began towards the strain of Houston. That is one thing a robust crew like Arizona can beat towards most opponents, however not towards the Cougars. Each groups successfully smashed offensive glass, however the UH caught the Wildcats with 34% of the shot contained in the arc. Houston performed with a bravado all too acquainted to anybody who has seen this crew attain the 2023 Ultimate 4. Arizona State, for its half, exceeded all expectations, shifting from the unranked pre-season to the highest seed within the championship.
How did Arkansas beat Gonzaga and is it repeatable towards Duke?
Gasaway: The Razorbacks received by defending to carry Gonzaga 68 factors in a sport with 77 factors. Within the field, it seems to be like a typical 25-point efficiency from Drew Timme. The truth is, Arkansas collapsed on Timmy with a number of defenders all through the night and made him take 19 photographs to get these factors. Then, when a crew misplaced a double or perhaps a triple, his teammates could not attain 3 seconds. Bulldogs have been solely 5 of 21 from behind the bow. The Zags have all the time made their title with precision taking pictures, however two of their worst performances from the bottom previously three years have solely occurred previously six video games (the opposite being the loss at St Mary’s). Eric Musselman shut out Gonzaga, and the Hogs had the league’s greatest protection in a SEC sport and will completely repeat that efficiency of their subsequent sport towards the Blue Devils.
Lonardi: Within the final 14 NCAA tournaments beginning earlier than tonight, Gonzaga has averaged 82.9 factors per sport. The one different time he scored a minimum of 68, the Bulldogs received. Credit score for Arkansas’ defensive sport plan and extra for its implementation. Clearly the Zags have by no means been snug on the offensive finish and it could be nice to see the Razorbacks attempting to copy the efficiency towards Duke. Regardless, Arkansas has been a 40-minute drive from the First Ultimate 4 in practically three many years, and we should not put something past Moose’s bus at this level.
Borzello: Arkansas entered the sport considering they wanted to forestall Gonzaga from having simple baskets within the transition as a way to win the sport. And whereas the vials have been nonetheless capable of get fast factors at instances, the Arkansas transitional protection did its job. Andrew Nimbard was hardly ever capable of get a steam head and get baskets towards an unstable protection (he wasn’t capable of get baskets, interval; it was 2 vs 11 at night time). Forcing Gonzaga to make an assault towards a half-court protection was a recipe for slowing their development all through the season – the Zags merely did not have the encompassing playmakers and shot makers as they did final season. And that is what Arkansas made them do.
0:57
St Peter coach Shaheen Holloway joined GameDay to debate his crew’s path to the Candy 16.
Till Friday night time, how shocked would you be to see St Peter win one other sport?
Gasaway: Effectively, it is March and this St. Peter’s crew actually worn out Kentucky. I anticipate Purdue to win, however the Peacock’s work of miracles, opposite to my expectations, won’t be the primary. Shaheen Holloway’s crew shoots a lot better towards the NCAA championship groups than it has carried out all season at MAAC. In idea, this shot may cool off sooner or later, however the match with Boilermakers may doubtlessly be a penalty shootout as each groups put factors on the board.
Borzello: I might be very shocked – however I used to be additionally amazed to see St. Peter defeat Kentucky and really shocked to see the Peacock defeat Murray State. So I do not depend them! They seem to be a formidable defensive crew, and I believe they’re going to trigger issues for Purdue at that finish of the ground – regardless of being at an obstacle in relation to low quantity. Concern comes on the different finish of the ground, but it surely’s price noting that Bordeaux struggled defensively for many of the second half of the season. If St. Peter continues to shoot like he did within the first two rounds, the Peacock has an opportunity.
Lonardi: I used to be much more shocked by the victory over Kentucky. Not as a result of it wasn’t a horrific final result, however the wild cats a minimum of had the “we don’t know” excuse. This rationale doesn’t apply to Purdue, who should be very ready and shall be absolutely ready for regardless of the peacocks have left within the tank.
0:44
North Carolina had a 25-point lead within the second half however managed to keep up a 93-86 win over Baylor.
What different Friday Candy 16 match pursuits you probably the most?
Gasaway: I look ahead to seeing the blue-blooded conflict as North Carolina competes for UCSD. The 2 tar heels have been largely doubtful all season as a result of they lacked high quality wins. They then convincingly received the season finale at Duke, however this group nonetheless gave the impression to be considerably undervalued. Brady Mannick is a dimension scorer on both facet of the bow, and Tar Heels energy misses the paint whereas limiting you with a single shot. A victory over the Bruins would absolutely be an announcement for the doubters, but it surely will not be simple.
Mick Cronin’s crew is great on each side of the ball. I simply hope Jaime Jaquez Jr. recovers. From spraining his ankle and with the ability to play towards UNC. It’s the coronary heart and soul of Bruins. One protected wager with that is that UCLA will get a number of first photographs. The Bruins take glorious care of the ball, and the heels do not impose a number of swings.
Lonardi: I will be in Chicago and might’t await the opening sport between Kansas and Windfall. The Jayhawks have been my pre-season option to win the Nationwide Championship and about the one factor that might nonetheless go in my private class. The Brothers have been amongst my favourite groups to observe all season, partly due to their story and extra as a result of they all the time discovered a strategy to win. The time period “Crushed ’em by three…” will not be properly carried out. No thought who would win, glad to be residence to search out out.
Borzello: I will take Miami and Iowa – one double-digit seed shall be 40 minutes from the Ultimate 4 on Friday night time. The battle on the ocean should be nice. Miami’s trio of guards made up of Charlie Moore, Cameron McGusty and Isaiah Wong are among the many greatest within the nation, and the three aren’t afraid to take huge photographs in late or late play conditions. On the flip facet, Iowa State is an elite defensive crew and imposes its fashion on its opponent. On the whole, this results in the video games of the fifties. Would Miami be snug with that? Tyrese Hunter and Izaiah Brockington must take hits for Hurricanes, which Brockington did all season and Hunter did within the first spherical towards LSU. The sport will descend into the backcountry and the personnel turnover battle.
