Mar 23, 2025, 12:30 AM ET
It is been a jam-packed 3 days of guys’s school basketball — and we are already midway via the second one around of March Insanity.
Whether or not you observed all or none or Saturday’s video games, our journalists have you ever coated with research from on-site of every location, whilst our professionals damage down every winner’s keys to the Candy 16.
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Saturday effects
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Ultimate: Houston defeated Gonzaga 81-76
How Houston received: For the primary 35 mins, Houston seemed to be on its technique to as comfy a win as any crew may hope to get towards a Mark Few-coached Gonzaga crew in March, extinguishing one Bulldogs’ comeback bid after every other with well timed shotmaking. Gonzaga did ultimately damage via, despite the fact that, trimming a 76-65 deficit with 4:29 ultimate to a 77-76 hole with 21 seconds to play. The past due surge in the end fell quick, however the Bulldogs surely made the Cougars sweat on their technique to securing a fifth-straight Candy 16 look. At Friday’s media availability, Kelvin Sampson would not say whether or not he felt this yr’s crew was once roughly proficient than Houston squads of the previous, however he did admit that he thinks they “have extra guys that may make a basket” this time round. That proved true on Saturday as Houston rode a 16-point first 1/2 from L.J. Cryer and back-to-back particular person scoring runs from J’Wan Roberts and Emanuel Sharp after halftime. Cryer’s game-high 30 issues on 6-of-11 taking pictures from 3-point vary led 4 Cougars in double figures and drowned out an outstanding 27-point effort from Gonzaga’s Graham Ike. Up subsequent, Houston heads right into a probably difficult Candy 16 matchup towards No. 4-seeded Purdue in Indianapolis, kind of 70 miles south of the Boilermakers’ campus. — Eli Lederman
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Gonzaga’s Khalif Fight will get blocked on game-tying triple try
Khalif Fight will get his shot blocked within the nook as he tries to position up a game-tying 3-pointer.
Houston’s key to Candy 16 matchup towards Purdue: The Cougars’ revel in. After his crew’s exciting win over Gonzaga, L.J. Cryer (30 issues) stated, “We now have been right here prior to.” Within the ultimate seconds of Saturday’s sport, Gonzaga’s Khalif Fight looked for a 3-pointer to tie the sport. On the time, Houston had a couple of avid gamers who had spent a couple of years in the ones actual eventualities — Cryer, J’Wan Roberts and Mylik Wilson are all fifth-year seniors. Ja’Vier Francis, who blocked Fight’s shot on the buzzer, could also be a senior. Houston has the entire guns to win a countrywide identify, together with nice 3-point taking pictures and elite protection. However the Cougars’ self-discipline is a derivative of the revel in inside of a program that has misplaced just one sport since Nov. 30. — Myron Medcalf
Ultimate: BYU defeated Wisconsin, 91-89
How BYU received: The Cougars flaunted their intensity, confirmed some defensive enamel and not let the high-scoring, tenacious Badgers take the lead (despite the fact that BYU did must live to tell the tale essentially the most livid of rallies to do it). The Cougars’ 10-player rotation held the Badgers underneath 30% taking pictures for a lot of the primary 1/2 and shot 49% from the sector themselves. 9 other Cougars scored, led by means of Richie Saunders’ 25 issues. BYU head trainer Kevin Younger, an established NBA assistant in his first yr with the Cougars, has stated a lot of what the crew does is modeled after an NBA template from apply, to diet, to game-planning, to offensive units — and the Cougars had the glance of a crew nonetheless ascending as they outrebounded the Badgers, neglected only one loose throw (15-of-16) and made 12 3-pointers. The Badgers had closed to inside of six issues with 15:53 left within the sport, however trainer Greg Gard was once assessed a technical foul as Saunders hit each loose throws, scoring at the following ownership to finish the rally. The Badgers furiously rallied once more within the ultimate mins, final to inside of 91-89 with underneath a minute to play; John Tonje led them with 37 issues. BYU’s Dawson Baker was once ejected, with 3:11 left within the sport, for a flagrant foul 2 after he collided with the Badgers’ Max Klesmit. — Jeff Legwold
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BYU celebrates maintaining off Wisconsin by means of throwing down dunk as time expires
John Tonje’s shot is off the mark, and BYU’s Trey Stewart throws down an unpleasant dunk after the whistle in birthday celebration.
BYU’s key within the Candy 16: Appearing up defensively. It is laborious to consider BYU’s offense being a lot of a subject matter, whether or not the Cougars face Alabama or Saint Mary’s subsequent week. Alabama can combat at that finish of the ground, and whilst Saint Mary’s is elite defensively, BYU has the country’s second-best offense during the last month. The Cougars’ protection, then again, has to turn up. They completed 9th within the Giant 12 in defensive potency and feature allowed a minimum of 1.09 issues in step with ownership in every in their previous 4 video games. Making an attempt to outscore Alabama is ill-advised, and if the Pink Tide get going from 3, that would imply a protracted day for BYU. In the meantime, Saint Mary’s would glance to grind the sport all the way down to the slowest pace BYU has observed all season outdoor of its video games towards Houston, which with ease beat the Cougars two times. — Jeff Borzello
Ultimate: Auburn defeated Creighton 82-70
How Auburn received: After trailing 37-35 at halftime, Auburn used an 18-4 run to take regulate of the sport and construct sufficient of a buffer to resist a small Creighton surge deep in the second one 1/2. Two large elements have been at play: Auburn’s second-half protection, and the play from guards Tahaad Pettiford and Denver Jones. Pettiford scored 16 of his game-high 23 issues in the second one 1/2, whilst Jones additionally tallied 11 after halftime. Their contributions have been large after Chad Baker-Mazara, who scored 8 issues early within the 1/2, sat out the remainder of the sport after a troublesome fall on a power to the basket. It wasn’t the cleanest or essentially the most inspiring efficiency, which is usually a downside for the top-seeded Tigers, who entered the event with large aspirations — however they are going to have a couple of days to determine that out. After being bounced within the first weekend in 3 immediately years, Auburn is headed to the Candy 16 for the second one time in trainer Bruce Pearl’s tenure. — Ben Child
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Denver Jones hits ‘night-night’ celly after grasp and-1
Auburn’s Denver Jones drives for a difficult and-1 to increase the Tigers’ lead and hits the “night-night” birthday celebration.
Auburn’s key to Candy 16 matchup towards Michigan: The Tigers’ intensity. So much went mistaken for Auburn early on Saturday, starting with Creighton connecting on 64% of its 3-point makes an attempt within the first 1/2. Chad Baker-Mazara left about seven mins in with an harm and not seemed like he was once 100% after returning. Johni Broome, one of the vital top-two nationwide participant of the yr applicants, began 4-for-13. And Dylan Cardwell handled cramps in the second one 1/2. All dangerous stuff. However the Tigers grew to become to Tahaad Pettiford (23 issues) and Denver Jones (15 issues) as they stormed again within the ultimate 20 mins. Auburn continues to end up that it may win, even if the crew’s excellent avid gamers undergo lulls. That is the power of this crew — and its maximum essential asset for the following around. — Myron Medcalf
Ultimate: Arkansas defeated St. John’s 75-66
How Arkansas received: In a second-round sport that had the depth and physicality of a Candy 16 matchup — with an amped-up crowd contributing to a unique March Insanity atmosphere — Arkansas constructed an 11-point second-half lead prior to maintaining off a past due fee from St. John’s to publish the nine-point victory. RJ Luis Jr., the Giant East Participant of the 12 months, had 9 issues on 3-of-17 taking pictures from the sector, as his struggles mirrored what in the end value the Pink Typhoon maximum: a brutal taking pictures efficiency. After totaling a season-high 14 3-pointers of their first-round win over Omaha, the Typhoon have been 2-of-21 from 3 towards Arkansas. They shot 28% from the sector.
However take not anything clear of the Razorbacks, which navigated a lot of the second one 1/2 with large guy Jonas Aidoo enjoying with 4 fouls and backup Zvonimir Ivisic fouling out halfway via the second one 1/2. That was once asking so much towards St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor, who was once terrific with 23 issues and 12 rebounds. St. John’s controlled to chop the result in two in the second one 1/2, and Amica Mutual Pavilion was once humming. However Arkansas held its floor. — Mike Reiss
Editor’s Selections
1 Comparable
Arkansas’ key to Candy 16 matchup towards Texas Tech: Win the paint. When Adou Thiero went down with an harm in past due February, John Calipari moved Trevon Brazile into the beginning lineup and has leaned into the two-big glance, with the 6-foot-10 Brazile and 6-foot-11 Jonas Aidoo inflicting issues for combatants at each ends of the ground. At the offensive finish, Arkansas has been way more potent within the paint. Aidoo handled foul hassle towards St. John’s however had averaged 18.5 issues and eight.5 rebounds in his earlier 4 video games, whilst Brazile had double-doubles in 4 of his earlier 5 video games. Texas Tech was once the most efficient defensive rebounding crew within the Giant 12, and JT Toppin has been essentially the most dominant frontcourt participant within the nation during the last month. Can Arkansas win the combat on the rim? That is the key query. — Jeff Borzello
Ultimate: Texas Tech defeated Drake 77-64
How Texas Tech received: Put merely, the Pink Raiders have been too large. Two days after the Bulldogs greater than held their very own bodily towards a larger opponent in Missouri, Texas Tech ruled Drake inside of, outscoring the Missouri Valley Convention champions within the paint 50-20 in the back of a monstrous and environment friendly 25-point (11-of-13 FG), 12-rebound efficiency from sophomore JT Toppin. In conjunction with a game-high 28 issues from Darrion Williams and a 16-point, seven-assist effort from Elijah Hawkins, the Pink Raiders had greater than sufficient to triumph over a putrid, 2-for-13 taking pictures efficiency from 3-point vary. For Drake, it is the finish to a storybook season powered by means of first-year trainer Ben McCollum, guard Bennett Stirtz (21 issues, 8 assists) and an not going 10-man rotation stuffed with Department II and junior school transfers. All eyes now fall on the place the Bulldogs — and McCollum — cross from right here, whilst Texas Tech advances to a Candy 16 date with 10-seed Arkansas subsequent Thursday in San Francisco. — Eli Lederman
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Texas Tech’s JT Toppin is going off for 19 issues within the first 1/2
JT Toppin is going 9-of-10 from the sector within the first 1/2 for 19 issues for the Pink Raiders.
Texas Tech’s key to Candy 16 matchup towards Arkansas: Determine JT Toppin. Texas Tech’s first two video games of the event could not had been extra other from an offensive standpoint. The Pink Raiders shot 46 3-pointers within the first around towards UNC Wilmington, making 13 of them. In opposition to Drake, they shot simply 14 from past the arc — and made simply two. They’re going to wish to discover a satisfied medium towards Arkansas within the Candy 16. Getting a wholesome Probability McMillian again can be useful, however a very powerful factor is setting up Toppin at the inside. He has been totally dominant during the last six weeks, averaging 22.6 issues and 10.6 rebounds in his previous 13 video games, with 25 and 12 towards Drake. In Tech’s previous 3 losses, despite the fact that, Toppin is hanging up 13.0 issues and 9.0 rebounds. We additionally noticed towards St. John’s how Arkansas may also be liable to foul hassle. — Jeff Borzello
Ultimate: Michigan defeated Texas A&M 91-79
How Michigan received: The Wolverines survived a breakout event from Texas A&M’s Pharrel Payne and mustered simply sufficient find-a-way, crunch-time heroics that Michigan trainer Dusty Would possibly had lauded the day prior to, to transport directly to the Candy 16. Michigan did not also have a second-half lead till simply over six mins have been left within the sport. Payne, who had back-to-back video games of 25 and 26 issues for the Aggies within the event — his two highest-scoring video games of the season — was once an issue for lots of the sport, as was once the Aggies’ swarming protection that restricted Michigan to 43% taking pictures. However Would possibly has stated his avid gamers tackle a unique demeanor when it is time to settle in, regardless of how the sport has long gone to that time — that “it simply seems other.” The Wolverines went on a 9-0 run to start out taking the lead, and that proved to be the adaptation. Guard Roddy Gayle Jr., who hit a number of loose throws to near it out, led the Wolverines with 26 issues whilst Vladislav Goldin completed with 23 issues. — Jeff Legwold
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Vladislav Goldin’s career-high 23 issues secures Michigan’s Candy 16 spot
Vladislav Goldin fuels the Wolverines with 23 issues as Michigan tops Texas A&M to achieve the Candy 16.
Michigan’s key to Candy 16 matchup towards Auburn: The stamina of the Wolverines’ 7-footers. On the finish of Michigan’s second-round victory over Texas A&M, the Aggies appeared drained; they needed to maintain Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf, each 7-feet tall and 250 kilos, for a whole sport. A large number of groups have tricky avid gamers within the publish, however Goldin (32 mins) and Wolf (35 mins) have a tendency to put on combatants down — a technique that labored towards Texas A&M when the 2 have been enjoying with a bodily taste across the rim, drawing further defenders and growing house for his or her teammates at the perimeter all evening. Once they steer clear of foul hassle and maintain the power to compete for a whole sport, the pair are a problem for any crew. — Myron Medcalf
Ultimate: Tennessee defeated UCLA 67-58
How Tennessee received: Tennessee is the true deal. The two-seed Volunteers have been in cruise regulate in the second one 1/2 towards an overmatched UCLA squad. Senior guard Chaz Lanier, the big name of this week’s video games in Lexington, led the Vols with 20 issues. His catch-and-shoot skill was once on complete show and is a big explanation why Tennessee is again within the Candy 16. Don’t disregard senior guard Zakai Zeigler, both. Zeigler had a cast appearing in Thursday’s first-round win over Utah State and endured that shape towards the Bruins with 15 issues, 6 assists and three steals. Between Lanier, Zeigler and senior ahead Igor Milicic, Tennessee has the revel in and firepower to make it to the event’s ultimate weekend. The Volunteers will face the winner 3-seed Kentucky and 6-seed Illinois subsequent week in Indianapolis. — Ben Child
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Zakai Zeigler hits Tennessee’s tenth 3-pointer of the sport
Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler pulls up from past the arc and hits the Volunteers’ tenth 3-pointer of the sport.
Tennessee’s key within the Candy 16: Staying aggressive within the 3-point combat. Tennessee is not going to outshoot Illinois or Kentucky from 3-point vary. Illinois ranks 5th nationally in 3-point makes an attempt in step with sport and has made a minimum of 11 3s in 4 of its previous 5 video games. Kentucky was once the most efficient 3-point taking pictures crew within the SEC and went 12-for-24 from 3 in each video games towards the Vols this season. However Tennessee has the third-best 3-point protection within the nation and has allowed simply certainly one of its previous 10 combatants to hit double-digit 3s (and the Vols additionally held Illinois to 4-for-23 3-point taking pictures again in December). And the Vols do have some perimeter shotmakers, particularly Chaz Lanier and Jordan Gainey. The Vols can not let both the Illini or the Wildcats get sizzling from 3, and Lanier must be at his excellent. On that latter level, Tennessee stepped forward to 21-0 this season when Lanier scored a minimum of 18 issues, in keeping with ESPN Stats and Data. — Jeff Borzello
Ultimate: Purdue defeated McNeese 76-62
How Purdue received: Purdue performed with the pedigree of a crew that was once within the nationwide championship sport a yr in the past with its convincing 76-62 victory over McNeese. Led by means of junior ahead Trey Kaufman-Renn (22 issues, 15 rebounds) and All-The united states guard Braden Smith’s stable hand within the face of power, the Boilermakers began speedy by means of opening a 17-6 lead in making an early remark that they were not overlooking the Cinderella-story Cowboys, who had ruled No. 5 Clemson within the first around. Purdue trailed simply as soon as (3-2) in a sport that had a “been-there, done-that” really feel to it. A signature second got here when Smith dove to stay the ball in play within the first 1/2, immediately in entrance of the Purdue bench. It was once an all-out effort from the chief who was once keen his crew into the Candy 16 within the Midwest Area, the place they are going to play in Indianapolis, about 65 miles from campus in West Lafayette. — Mike Reiss
Purdue’s key to Candy 16 matchup towards Houston: Purdue has to power extra turnovers. Purdue beat Michigan 91-64 on Jan. 23 after forcing 22 turnovers for a charge of 1 on virtually one-third of the Wolverines’ possessions. On the time, the Boilermakers have been a defensive powerhouse that careworn groups into pricey errors for 40 mins (they ranked fifteenth in opponent turnover charge between Dec. 29 to Feb. 7, in step with BartTorvik.com). As they due to this fact misplaced six of 9 getting into the NCAA event, despite the fact that, the Boilermakers squandered their edge and changed into a subpar defensive crew. A extra assertive way might be the adaptation between a travel to the Elite 8 and a tragic airplane experience house. — Myron Medcalf
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