Indianapolis, Indiana – The second weekend of the NCAA Tournament showcased four intense games on Friday, narrowing down the Sweet 16 field to the Elite Eight. No. 1 seed Houston survived a close call against No. 4 seed Purdue, securing a dramatic victory with a last-second layup by star guard Milos Uzan. Meanwhile, No. 2 seed Tennessee redeemed themselves with a decisive 78-65 win over No. 3 seed Kentucky, led by Zakai Zeigler’s double-double performance of 18 points and 10 assists. The Volunteers will now face Houston in the upcoming Elite Eight game, aiming for their first Final Four appearance and seeking redemption after falling short in the Elite Eight last year.
On the other side, No. 1 overall seed Auburn held off a tough challenge from No. 5 seed Michigan to secure a spot in the Final Four, marking their second appearance in program history. Despite trailing by as many as nine points in the second half, Auburn managed to rally and clinch a 78-65 victory, thanks to stellar performances from Johni Broome and Tahaad Pettiford. Additionally, No. 2 seed Michigan State overcame a 10-point deficit in the first half to edge past No. 6 seed Ole Miss with a final score of 73-70. The Spartans will now face off against Auburn in the Elite Eight showdown on Sunday.
The NCAA Tournament continued to deliver thrilling matchups and unexpected outcomes, as teams battled fiercely to advance in the competition. The stage is set for intense competition as the Elite Eight games approach, with each team vying for a coveted Final Four spot. Fans can expect more excitement and drama as the tournament progresses, with underdog teams poised to challenge the favorites and create more memorable moments on the road to the championship. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights as the NCAA Tournament unfolds.