The first game of the day had it all – NCAA Tournament records, the first overtime of this year’s tournament, a fake argument with a coach leading to a lob and a dramatic finish all wrapped in No. 3 seed Kansas State’s 98-93 win over No. 7 seed Michigan State. It set the tone for a night filled with record performances, big comebacks and dominant play.
The Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight in large part due to Markquis Nowell’s historic performance. He scored 20 points, dished an NCAA Tournament-record 19 assists and had five steals, with a lob to Keyontae Johnson that turned out to be the winning bucket and a steal and layup as time expired to seal the deal.
🚨A GAME FOR THE AGES @TheGarden🚨
MARKQUIS NOWELL – 20 Points & 19 Assists🔥
FINAL IN OT
🏀: (3)@KStateMBB 98 (7)@MSU_Basketball 93
🗣️: Gary Cohen & @JonCrispinESPN 📻 pic.twitter.com/hEejlfZvxH
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 24, 2023
Drew Timme tied a Gonzaga NCAA Tournament record with 36 points as No. 3 seed Gonzaga outlasted No. 2 seed UCLA 79-76 in a duel for the ages. Both teams erased double-digit deficits in the second half and hit huge shots late, but a deep 3-pointer from Julian Strawther proved decisive for the Bulldogs.
Absolute MADNESS from Vegas 🔥@ZagMBB advances to the Elite Eight after a 79-76 win over @UCLAMBB with some late clutch plays from Julian Strawther.
Ryan Radtke and P.J. Carlesimo had the call for Westwood One Sports#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/zK9Y8AVbPg
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 24, 2023
No. 9 seed Florida Atlantic continued its storybook run in its second NCAA Tournament appearance, reaching the first Elite Eight in school history with a 62-55 win over No. 4 seed Tennessee.
🦉UPSET FOR THE OWLS @TheGarden🦉#MarchMadness #Sweet16
🏀: (9)@FAUMBB 62 vs. (4)@Vol_Hoops 55
🗣️: Gary Cohen & @JonCrispinESPN 📻 pic.twitter.com/MC4OCeEheM
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 24, 2023
No. 4 seed UConn got out to a big early lead and cruised to an Elite Eight berth against No. 8 seed Arkansas, winning their third game of the tournament, all of them by double digits
The Huskies are in the Elite Eight 🔥🔥🔥@uconnMBB took down @RazorbackMBB 88-65 to get one step closer to a Final Four berth.
Ryan Radtke and P.J. Carlesimo had the call for Westwood One Sports#MarchMadness #Made4March #EliteEight pic.twitter.com/F0RssBRZQZ
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 24, 2023