The run continues for the Florida Atlantic Owls, as the C-USA champions took down Kansas State with a 79-76 win over the Wildcats. The Owls are the first number-nine seed to make the Final Four since 2013. In the west region, Connecticut ran over Gonzaga and booked their ticket to Houston with an 82-54 thrashing of the Bulldogs.
Jon Crispin and Gary Cohen had the call from Madison Square Garden as Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell continued his hot hand with a game-leading 30 points but was unable to overcome a full team performance by FAU. The Owls had four players scoring in double digits and withstood a late charge to keep this dream run alive and send Florida Atlantic into the Final Four.
The Owls of @FAUMBB lead @KStateMBB 4⃣2⃣ to 3⃣8⃣ at the break but both teams were trading punches in that first half.
Our @JonCrispinESPN & Gary Cohen got themselves a great #Elite8 game in the Garden tonight! pic.twitter.com/BnVJBWH0Cc
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 25, 2023
The Wildcats of @KStateMBB opened the second half with some lockdown defense and big shots like this three from leading scorer Markquis Nowell but it's a 1⃣ point game with just under 7 minutes left! pic.twitter.com/EGs2zmyRVy
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 25, 2023
FLY OWLS FLY!!
The Florida Atlantic Owls of @FAUMBB took down @KStateMBB 79-76 and our @JonCrispinESPN & Gary Cohen had the call live on Westwood One as FAU advances to their first-ever #FinalFour ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/oGcXH3dpZk
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 26, 2023
In the West Region, Ryan Radtke and P.J. Carlesimo had the call that by all accounts looked set up to be an NCAA Tournament classic as the Connecticut Huskies took on the Gonzaga Bulldogs. But after Gonzaga’s Drew Timme took a few early fouls and UConn’s Jordan Hawkins hit six threes, the Huskies advanced to the Final Four with an overwhelming 82-54 victory.
Second half coming up momentarily, @UConnMBB lead @ZagMBB 39-32. can the Huskies pick up where they left off hitting a three at the buzzer? pic.twitter.com/1HLK5KKQTS
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 26, 2023
It's all Hawkins & Huskies as @UConnMBB lead @ZagMBB 6⃣5⃣ to 4⃣0⃣ with 11:30 to go thanks to shots like this three and follow-up fast break by Nahiem Alleyne.
🎙️Ryan Radtke & P.J. Carlesimo have the call🎙️
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/PNa14EKoNo— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 26, 2023
Well that was a statement!@UConnMBB outscored @ZagMBB 4⃣3⃣ – 2⃣2⃣ in the second half and punched their ticket to the #FinalFour with an 82-54 win and our own Ryan Radtke & P.J. Carlesimo had the final call🎙️ pic.twitter.com/rVI5TXEFFk
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 26, 2023
