Saturday’s Second Round action started out in thrilling fashion, as LSU’s Tremont Waters scooped in a game-winning layup with under 2 seconds to play–after the Tigers and Terrapins exchanged three-pointers in the final minute–to dispatch sixth-seeded Maryland. Gonzaga’s Junior transfer Brandon Clarke had a career night to propel the the Bulldogs past ninth-seeded Baylor.
Skylar Mays led LSU into the Sweet 16 with 16 points, while Jalen Smith had 15 for Mark Turgeon’s squad in the losing effort.
Clarke was incredible for the Zags Saturday, scoring a career-high 36 points–on an unbelievable 15-of-18 shooting from the field–while blocking five shots and pulling down eight rebounds. Mark Vital was the hot-hand for the Bears, scoring 17 points, but foul trouble limited his second half contributions.
Kentucky managed to shut down the most prolific three-point shooter in NCAA history, as the Wildcats came back to squeak past Fletcher Magee’s Wofford Terriers. Reid Travis led the Wildcats with 14 points and 11 boards.
Auburn’s Bryce Brown poured in seven threes–on only 11 attempts–on his way to 25 points in an 89-75 win over Kansas, which was never a contest.
Jordan Pooled scored 19 points on 4-of-9 shooting from behind the arc, as Michigan pulled away in the second half to beat tenth-seeded Florida 64-49.
Ja Morant scored 28 points, but it was not enough, as Florida State erased an early deficit to pull away for a 90-62 win over Murray State. Mfiondu Kabengele came off the bench to score 22 points for the Seminoles, who advance to face Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 for the second year in a row.
A balanced Spartan attack propelled Michigan State past familiar foes Minnesota–and Amir Coffey’s 27 points–and into the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015.
Purdue’s Carsen Edwards rained nine three-pointers on his way to 42 points, as the Boilermakers raced out to an early lead and rolled past defending champion Villanova.
