Two NCAA coaching legends faced off in San Antonio as Jay Wright’s Villanova advanced to their third Final Four with a 50-44 victory against Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars. Neither team shot above 30% in the defensive slugfest. On the west coast, second-seeded Duke handled Arkansas from wire to wire to keep Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final season alive for at least one more game. In Division II, Northwest Missouri State won their third title in a row and fourth in five years as the Bearcats withstood a late charge from Augusta University.
Villanova went 15 for 15 from the free-throw line in the closing minutes to hold off a strong Houston team that clawed back from a seven-point halftime deficit to get within two in the final five minutes. The Wildcats advance to their third Final Four in school history thanks to the 50-44 win and will face the Midwest Region champion.
🚨'NOVA BOOKS A FINAL FOUR TICKET🚨@ScottWipeout & P.J. Carlesimo had the final call live on Westwood One as @NovaMBB outlasted @UHCougarMBK 50-44⤵️
With the win, the Wildcats advance to the #FinalFour for the 3rd time in their history.#MarchMadness2022 pic.twitter.com/VXoa6Ilqyl
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 27, 2022
Duke started hot and didn’t slow down in their 78-69 victory over Arkansas, and the Blue Devils will now advance to the Final Four for a 13th time. Trevor Keels hit a three at the first-half buzzer, the Blue Devils never looked back and Duke now await their future opponent from the East region.
Coach K's @DukeMBB picked back up right where they left off at halftime, when Trevor Keels nailed a three at the buzzer.
Currently leading @RazorbackMBB by 9⃣ with 12 minutes left.
Ryan Radtke & @SteveLavin64 had the call just before the break⤵️#MarchMadness #BuzzerBeater pic.twitter.com/S5bWsm17Nj
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 27, 2022
In Division II action, Northwest Missouri State won their third championship in a row with a 67-58 win against Augusta University. Trevor Hudgins scored 31 points for the Bearcats on his way to setting a new NCAA Division II record for three-pointers made in a season.
🎊That's a 3rd straight DII National Title for @NWBearcatMBB!🎊
The Bearcats take down @AUG_MBB 6⃣7⃣ to 5⃣8⃣ thanks to 3⃣1⃣ points from Trevor Hudgins.@BrandonGaudin & @CoachRexWalters had the call⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Lep1vOnbeU
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 26, 2022
