Florida Atlantic-Kansas State
Saturday, March 25, 2023 06:09 PM (ET)
NEW YORK -- The college basketball world did not harbor high expectations for either Florida Atlantic or Kansas State entering the NCAA Tournament, most prognosticators focusing more on the top seeds and the brand names.
But March has a way of creating new legacies.
Following dramatic victories Thursday in the Sweet 16, third-seeded Kansas State (26-9) and ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic (34-3) will meet Saturday in the East Region final with a trip to the Final Four on the line.
"I've always heard that it's probably the hardest game to win," Kansas State first-year coach Jerome Tang said. "Both teams know that they're right there."
Playing in his native New York, All-American guard Markquis Nowell starred for Kansas State against seventh-seeded Michigan State. He finished with 20 points and an NCAA Tournament-record 19 assists, including lobbing the go-ahead alley-oop dunk to Keyontae Johnson in overtime to lift the Wildcats to a 98-93 win.
Nowell needed to be helped off the court early in the second half with a right ankle injury, but he quickly returned. By Friday it was being described as a "tweak." Nowell told reporters his ankle is 85-90 percent good to go.
While Florida Atlantic is making its second NCAA appearance and won tournament games for the first time in program history, Kansas State is making its third trip to the Elite Eight since 2010, under three different coaches. The Wildcats are aiming for their first Final Four since 1964.
Still, there were some lean years in the tough-as-nails Big 12 before Tang took over and recruited players like Johnson out of the transfer portal.
"My goal was to try to change a program," Johnson said.
Johnson, who had a team-high 22 points Thursday, leads Kansas State with 17.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Nowell averages 17.2 points, 8.1 assists and 2.5 steals.
The Owls are studying up on the Wildcats' floor general.
"On-ball pressure is a big key," Florida Atlantic guard Bryan Greenlee said, "and also the help-side defense, and making sure that the rest of the defenders see their man and don't get back-door cut and different things like that that just give him an opportunity to find open people."
Thursday's nightcap, while not nearly as high-scoring, still provided some theatrics. The Owls trailed most of the game up until 12:08 left, when they embarked on a lengthy 18-2 run to overtake fourth-seeded Tennessee and win 62-55.
It marked the Owls' 10th straight win, a streak that began Feb. 23. In those 10 games, six different players have led them in scoring, which coach Dusty May felt was a testament to Florida Atlantic's balanced offense.
"Extremely excited to still be playing, surviving and advancing," May said. "Like much of the year, (Thursday) night is a great example of different guys stepping up for our team in a cumulative effort."
Case in point: Michael Forrest, who averages 8.5 ppg but went scoreless in the Owls' first two tournament wins over No. 8 Memphis and No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson. Forrest scored eight straight points, including back-to-back 3-pointers, to fuel the pivotal 18-2 run.
Forrest said his teammates sensed he was putting too much pressure on himself and helped keep him upbeat. Before the Tennessee game, he found another way to unwind.
"I took a little walk to Central Park and went there and just relaxed," Forrest said. "That's really been the biggest difference, just being able to relax and just release from all the city stuff."
Johnell Davis leads Florida Atlantic with 13.9 points per game and scored a game-high 15 on Thursday. Alijah Martin averages 13.0 ppg and Vladislav Goldin adds 10.2 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game.
"(May) has a terrific team," Tang said. "And I'm telling you, if you just took the names off the front of the jerseys and you line them up against anybody in America, you'd say they're a high-major team. They are a high-major team, but they're high-major competitors, too."
Owls are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games following a ATS win.
Owls are 16-6 ATS in their last 22 Saturday games.
Owls are 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Owls are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Owls are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Wildcats are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game.
Wildcats are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Wildcats are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Wildcats are 23-9 ATS in their last 32 games following a straight up win.
Wildcats are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
Wildcats are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing more than 90 points in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Owls last 6 overall.
Under is 5-1 in Owls last 6 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-2 in Owls last 7 Saturday games.
Under is 20-8-1 in Owls last 29 neutral site games.
Over is 4-0 in Wildcats last 4 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-0 in Wildcats last 4 games following a straight up win.
Over is 5-0 in Wildcats last 5 NCAA Tournament games.
Under is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 games after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 Saturday games.
Over is 5-1 in Wildcats last 6 overall.
Over is 15-6 in Wildcats last 21 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Saturday, March 25, 2023 06:09 PM (ET)
NEW YORK -- The college basketball world did not harbor high expectations for either Florida Atlantic or Kansas State entering the NCAA Tournament, most prognosticators focusing more on the top seeds and the brand names.
But March has a way of creating new legacies.
Following dramatic victories Thursday in the Sweet 16, third-seeded Kansas State (26-9) and ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic (34-3) will meet Saturday in the East Region final with a trip to the Final Four on the line.
"I've always heard that it's probably the hardest game to win," Kansas State first-year coach Jerome Tang said. "Both teams know that they're right there."
Playing in his native New York, All-American guard Markquis Nowell starred for Kansas State against seventh-seeded Michigan State. He finished with 20 points and an NCAA Tournament-record 19 assists, including lobbing the go-ahead alley-oop dunk to Keyontae Johnson in overtime to lift the Wildcats to a 98-93 win.
Nowell needed to be helped off the court early in the second half with a right ankle injury, but he quickly returned. By Friday it was being described as a "tweak." Nowell told reporters his ankle is 85-90 percent good to go.
While Florida Atlantic is making its second NCAA appearance and won tournament games for the first time in program history, Kansas State is making its third trip to the Elite Eight since 2010, under three different coaches. The Wildcats are aiming for their first Final Four since 1964.
Still, there were some lean years in the tough-as-nails Big 12 before Tang took over and recruited players like Johnson out of the transfer portal.
"My goal was to try to change a program," Johnson said.
Johnson, who had a team-high 22 points Thursday, leads Kansas State with 17.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Nowell averages 17.2 points, 8.1 assists and 2.5 steals.
The Owls are studying up on the Wildcats' floor general.
"On-ball pressure is a big key," Florida Atlantic guard Bryan Greenlee said, "and also the help-side defense, and making sure that the rest of the defenders see their man and don't get back-door cut and different things like that that just give him an opportunity to find open people."
Thursday's nightcap, while not nearly as high-scoring, still provided some theatrics. The Owls trailed most of the game up until 12:08 left, when they embarked on a lengthy 18-2 run to overtake fourth-seeded Tennessee and win 62-55.
It marked the Owls' 10th straight win, a streak that began Feb. 23. In those 10 games, six different players have led them in scoring, which coach Dusty May felt was a testament to Florida Atlantic's balanced offense.
"Extremely excited to still be playing, surviving and advancing," May said. "Like much of the year, (Thursday) night is a great example of different guys stepping up for our team in a cumulative effort."
Case in point: Michael Forrest, who averages 8.5 ppg but went scoreless in the Owls' first two tournament wins over No. 8 Memphis and No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson. Forrest scored eight straight points, including back-to-back 3-pointers, to fuel the pivotal 18-2 run.
Forrest said his teammates sensed he was putting too much pressure on himself and helped keep him upbeat. Before the Tennessee game, he found another way to unwind.
"I took a little walk to Central Park and went there and just relaxed," Forrest said. "That's really been the biggest difference, just being able to relax and just release from all the city stuff."
Johnell Davis leads Florida Atlantic with 13.9 points per game and scored a game-high 15 on Thursday. Alijah Martin averages 13.0 ppg and Vladislav Goldin adds 10.2 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game.
"(May) has a terrific team," Tang said. "And I'm telling you, if you just took the names off the front of the jerseys and you line them up against anybody in America, you'd say they're a high-major team. They are a high-major team, but they're high-major competitors, too."
Owls are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games following a ATS win.
Owls are 16-6 ATS in their last 22 Saturday games.
Owls are 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Owls are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Owls are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Wildcats are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game.
Wildcats are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Wildcats are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Wildcats are 23-9 ATS in their last 32 games following a straight up win.
Wildcats are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
Wildcats are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing more than 90 points in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Owls last 6 overall.
Under is 5-1 in Owls last 6 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-2 in Owls last 7 Saturday games.
Under is 20-8-1 in Owls last 29 neutral site games.
Over is 4-0 in Wildcats last 4 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-0 in Wildcats last 4 games following a straight up win.
Over is 5-0 in Wildcats last 5 NCAA Tournament games.
Under is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 games after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 Saturday games.
Over is 5-1 in Wildcats last 6 overall.
Over is 15-6 in Wildcats last 21 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
UConn-Gonzaga
Saturday, March 25, 2023 08:49 PM (ET)
UConn was unceremoniously sent home in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament, so the Huskies were flying well under the radar when this year's version of March Madness began.
Three games later, nobody is taking the fourth-seeded Huskies lightly. They have won those games by an average of 20.7 points to crash the West Region final and will battle third-seeded Gonzaga on Saturday night in Las Vegas for a spot in the Final Four.
The fabulous run has UConn (28-8) in the Elite Eight for the first time since winning the national title in 2014. Taking the next step won't be easy, as the Bulldogs (31-5) have won 12 straight games to reach the Elite Eight for the fifth time in the past eight NCAA Tournaments.
But after thrashing Arkansas 88-65 in the Sweet 16 for their 12th win in 14 games, the Huskies are playing as well as any team in the tournament. And the journey began after that embarrassing 70-63 loss to New Mexico State 12-plus months ago.
Coach Dan Hurley met with Adama Sanogo, Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson Jr. and apologized for not putting more talent around them. He promised it would be different in March 2023.
"We were in Coach's office, and he really just told us things are going to change now," Jackson recalled. "And he just told us we're all captains. And we hold part of that on our shoulders, too -- we're going to take part of that blame when you feel that pain.
"We really, from that moment on, from that day on, we just really held each other to a higher standard and just told each other we're going to push for a national championship."
Sanogo, UConn's star, has team-best averages of 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds. He is averaging 23.3 points and 9.7 rebounds and shooting 75 percent from the field (33 of 44) in the NCAA Tournament.
Hawkins had a team-best 24 points against Arkansas to raise his season average to 16.1. He has knocked down a team-high 98 3-point baskets. Jackson is a playmaker who averages 6.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
Together, they helped the Huskies become a dangerous team.
"We're playing our best basketball right now because we know we have a good team," Sanogo said. "We play for UConn. UConn is the place, people care about you, people want to see you do good. We know it's awesome, and every time we play, we want to show people wrong."
Gonzaga coach Mark Few doesn't need much convincing.
"I think they're playing probably better than anybody in the tournament right now," Few said. "I've got to see them several times. They've just done a fabulous job of roster building. The pieces they have fit really, really well."
The Bulldogs rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit to post a 79-76 win over second-seeded UCLA in the Sweet 16. Julian Strawther's go-ahead 3-pointer with 7.2 seconds left was the big shot.
"Nothing was going our way," Strawther said. "We weren't playing our brand of basketball at all through that whole first half. We flipped that switch. And there's not a lot of teams in the country who could bond together and make a run like that."
Gonzaga star Drew Timme put on a show with 36 points and 13 rebounds. He set an NCAA Tournament record with his 10th career 20-point outing.
The Bulldogs outrebounded UCLA 50-26 and collected 16 on the offensive end. Things might be tougher against the Huskies, who outrebounded Arkansas 43-31.
"It's going to be a battle," Timme said. "We'll have to play hard and gritty, and we're going to have to get dirty and nasty, do whatever it takes to win because they have a hell of a duo, big-man punch. It's going to be a war."
UConn has won three of the previous five meetings with Gonzaga, including a 67-62 victory to reach the 1999 Final Four en route to winning the national championship.
Huskies are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Huskies are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Huskies are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Huskies are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games.
Huskies are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Huskies are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Huskies are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games following a straight up win.
Huskies are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 NCAA Tournament games.
Bulldogs are 8-21-2 ATS in their last 31 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Bulldogs are 7-19-2 ATS in their last 28 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Bulldogs are 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17 neutral site games.
Bulldogs are 3-11-1 ATS in their last 15 games following a ATS win.
Bulldogs are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 NCAA Tournament games.
Under is 5-1 in Huskies last 6 games following a ATS win.
Under is 5-1 in Huskies last 6 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-1 in Huskies last 6 Saturday games.
Under is 5-2 in Huskies last 7 overall.
Over is 10-3 in Bulldogs last 13 overall.
Over is 9-3 in Bulldogs last 12 games following a straight up win.
Over is 45-17 in Bulldogs last 62 Saturday games.
Over is 5-2 in Bulldogs last 7 games following a ATS win.
Saturday, March 25, 2023 08:49 PM (ET)
UConn was unceremoniously sent home in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament, so the Huskies were flying well under the radar when this year's version of March Madness began.
Three games later, nobody is taking the fourth-seeded Huskies lightly. They have won those games by an average of 20.7 points to crash the West Region final and will battle third-seeded Gonzaga on Saturday night in Las Vegas for a spot in the Final Four.
The fabulous run has UConn (28-8) in the Elite Eight for the first time since winning the national title in 2014. Taking the next step won't be easy, as the Bulldogs (31-5) have won 12 straight games to reach the Elite Eight for the fifth time in the past eight NCAA Tournaments.
But after thrashing Arkansas 88-65 in the Sweet 16 for their 12th win in 14 games, the Huskies are playing as well as any team in the tournament. And the journey began after that embarrassing 70-63 loss to New Mexico State 12-plus months ago.
Coach Dan Hurley met with Adama Sanogo, Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson Jr. and apologized for not putting more talent around them. He promised it would be different in March 2023.
"We were in Coach's office, and he really just told us things are going to change now," Jackson recalled. "And he just told us we're all captains. And we hold part of that on our shoulders, too -- we're going to take part of that blame when you feel that pain.
"We really, from that moment on, from that day on, we just really held each other to a higher standard and just told each other we're going to push for a national championship."
Sanogo, UConn's star, has team-best averages of 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds. He is averaging 23.3 points and 9.7 rebounds and shooting 75 percent from the field (33 of 44) in the NCAA Tournament.
Hawkins had a team-best 24 points against Arkansas to raise his season average to 16.1. He has knocked down a team-high 98 3-point baskets. Jackson is a playmaker who averages 6.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
Together, they helped the Huskies become a dangerous team.
"We're playing our best basketball right now because we know we have a good team," Sanogo said. "We play for UConn. UConn is the place, people care about you, people want to see you do good. We know it's awesome, and every time we play, we want to show people wrong."
Gonzaga coach Mark Few doesn't need much convincing.
"I think they're playing probably better than anybody in the tournament right now," Few said. "I've got to see them several times. They've just done a fabulous job of roster building. The pieces they have fit really, really well."
The Bulldogs rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit to post a 79-76 win over second-seeded UCLA in the Sweet 16. Julian Strawther's go-ahead 3-pointer with 7.2 seconds left was the big shot.
"Nothing was going our way," Strawther said. "We weren't playing our brand of basketball at all through that whole first half. We flipped that switch. And there's not a lot of teams in the country who could bond together and make a run like that."
Gonzaga star Drew Timme put on a show with 36 points and 13 rebounds. He set an NCAA Tournament record with his 10th career 20-point outing.
The Bulldogs outrebounded UCLA 50-26 and collected 16 on the offensive end. Things might be tougher against the Huskies, who outrebounded Arkansas 43-31.
"It's going to be a battle," Timme said. "We'll have to play hard and gritty, and we're going to have to get dirty and nasty, do whatever it takes to win because they have a hell of a duo, big-man punch. It's going to be a war."
UConn has won three of the previous five meetings with Gonzaga, including a 67-62 victory to reach the 1999 Final Four en route to winning the national championship.
Huskies are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Huskies are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Huskies are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Huskies are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games.
Huskies are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Huskies are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Huskies are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games following a straight up win.
Huskies are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 NCAA Tournament games.
Bulldogs are 8-21-2 ATS in their last 31 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Bulldogs are 7-19-2 ATS in their last 28 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Bulldogs are 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17 neutral site games.
Bulldogs are 3-11-1 ATS in their last 15 games following a ATS win.
Bulldogs are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 NCAA Tournament games.
Under is 5-1 in Huskies last 6 games following a ATS win.
Under is 5-1 in Huskies last 6 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-1 in Huskies last 6 Saturday games.
Under is 5-2 in Huskies last 7 overall.
Over is 10-3 in Bulldogs last 13 overall.
Over is 9-3 in Bulldogs last 12 games following a straight up win.
Over is 45-17 in Bulldogs last 62 Saturday games.
Over is 5-2 in Bulldogs last 7 games following a ATS win.
Creighton-San Diego State
Sunday, March 26, 2023 02:20 PM (ET)
Creighton and San Diego State shared a chartered flight to the Maui Invitational four months ago and the two head coaches sat across from each other on the aisle, talking about possibly playing in the tournament championship game.
That didn't happen in Maui but the Aztecs and Bluejays are about to play on a much bigger stage.
Sixth-seeded Creighton (24-12) and fifth-seeded San Diego State (30-6) are the final two teams standing in the South Region. Both programs are aiming to reach new heights when they share the court in Louisville, Ky., with a Final Four berth on the line.
They are flying in unprecedented altitude as neither school has ever reached the Final Four. The Aztecs hadn't advanced past the Sweet 16 until stunning No. 1 overall seed Alabama 71-64 on Friday, while the Bluejays' 86-75 win over 15th-seeded Princeton got them into their first Elite Eight since 1941 when there were just eight total teams in the tournament.
This is heady territory for San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher. He initially came to the school as Steve Fisher's top assistant prior to the 1999-2000 season. The Aztecs then went 5-23 and didn't win a single Mountain West Conference game.
Now the school is an NCAA Tournament regular but it typically is done by this stage of March Madness.
"We recruit and we say our goal is to win a national championship, so we can't act surprised when we have an opportunity to advance to the Final Four," Dutcher said after the knockout of Brandon Miller-led Alabama. "That's what we tell them when we recruit them, and it's just not words to get them to come here. It's words we believe in."
Dutcher sat across from Creighton coach Greg McDermott on that flight to Maui that began with the Bluejays boarding in Omaha, Neb. The plane stopped in San Diego to refuel and that's when the Aztecs boarded.
The two schools also flew back to the mainland together.
"We talked on the way out about wanting to meet in the championship of Maui and then we would be OK with one of us winning and one of us losing," McDermott said. "So it's pretty ironic that we're going to meet with an opportunity to go to the Final Four. It's going to be a fun Sunday."
The teams also met in the first round of last season's NCAA Tournament, and the ending wasn't much fun for San Diego State.
The Aztecs led by nine points with under four minutes left in regulation before the Bluejays went on a 9-0 run to force overtime. Creighton eventually prevailed 72-69.
The game will include a sibling rivalry as well. The Bluejays' Arthur Kaluma, who averages 11.8 points per game, is the younger brother of San Diego State's Adam Seiko (6.2 points per game).
Seiko is tied for the team lead with 53 3-pointers, along with Matt Bradley, who is the Aztecs' lone double-digit scorer at 12.8 points per game.
San Diego State revolves around tenacious defense -- Alabama's Miller was 3 of 19 shooting and committed six turnovers -- and team basketball. The offensive hero on Friday was Darrion Trammell, who scored 21 to raise his average to 9.8.
"This point in the year, you kind of just have to have that confidence that you're going to knock those shots down that you've been working on," Trammell said.
Aztecs big man Nathan Mensah is a two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and he will be asked to keep Creighton big man Ryan Kalkbrenner in check.
Kalkbrenner, who is a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, is averaging 21 points on 24-of-36 shooting (66.7 percent) during Creighton's three-game NCAA Tournament run. For the season, he is averaging 15.9 points and shooting 70.8 percent.
The 7-foot-1 Kalkbrenner is one of five double-digit scorers for the Bluejays.
"There are eight teams left, to be one of those eight teams is just crazy," Kalkbrenner said. "It means what we worked for all year. It's what you work for since you get here on campus in the summer, and it's just all the hard work paying off now."
The winner will fly alone to Houston for the Final Four and will face either third-seeded Kansas State or ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic.
Bluejays are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 NCAA Tournament games.
Bluejays are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Bluejays are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 neutral site games.
Bluejays are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Bluejays are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Bluejays are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Bluejays are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 Sunday games.
Aztecs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Aztecs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
Aztecs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Aztecs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
Aztecs are 13-3-2 ATS in their last 18 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Aztecs are 12-3-2 ATS in their last 17 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Aztecs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 NCAA Tournament games.
Over is 4-1 in Bluejays last 5 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Bluejays last 5 games following a straight up win.
Over is 4-1 in Bluejays last 5 NCAA Tournament games.
Over is 6-2 in Bluejays last 8 overall.
Over is 3-1-1 in Bluejays last 5 Sunday games.
Over is 9-3 in Bluejays last 12 neutral site games.
Under is 7-0 in Aztecs last 7 games following a ATS win.
Under is 7-0 in Aztecs last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 14-3 in Aztecs last 17 games following a straight up win.
Under is 26-8 in Aztecs last 34 neutral site games.
Under is 16-5 in Aztecs last 21 overall.
Under is 15-6 in Aztecs last 21 Sunday games.
Under is 5-2 in Aztecs last 7 NCAA Tournament games.
Sunday, March 26, 2023 02:20 PM (ET)
Creighton and San Diego State shared a chartered flight to the Maui Invitational four months ago and the two head coaches sat across from each other on the aisle, talking about possibly playing in the tournament championship game.
That didn't happen in Maui but the Aztecs and Bluejays are about to play on a much bigger stage.
Sixth-seeded Creighton (24-12) and fifth-seeded San Diego State (30-6) are the final two teams standing in the South Region. Both programs are aiming to reach new heights when they share the court in Louisville, Ky., with a Final Four berth on the line.
They are flying in unprecedented altitude as neither school has ever reached the Final Four. The Aztecs hadn't advanced past the Sweet 16 until stunning No. 1 overall seed Alabama 71-64 on Friday, while the Bluejays' 86-75 win over 15th-seeded Princeton got them into their first Elite Eight since 1941 when there were just eight total teams in the tournament.
This is heady territory for San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher. He initially came to the school as Steve Fisher's top assistant prior to the 1999-2000 season. The Aztecs then went 5-23 and didn't win a single Mountain West Conference game.
Now the school is an NCAA Tournament regular but it typically is done by this stage of March Madness.
"We recruit and we say our goal is to win a national championship, so we can't act surprised when we have an opportunity to advance to the Final Four," Dutcher said after the knockout of Brandon Miller-led Alabama. "That's what we tell them when we recruit them, and it's just not words to get them to come here. It's words we believe in."
Dutcher sat across from Creighton coach Greg McDermott on that flight to Maui that began with the Bluejays boarding in Omaha, Neb. The plane stopped in San Diego to refuel and that's when the Aztecs boarded.
The two schools also flew back to the mainland together.
"We talked on the way out about wanting to meet in the championship of Maui and then we would be OK with one of us winning and one of us losing," McDermott said. "So it's pretty ironic that we're going to meet with an opportunity to go to the Final Four. It's going to be a fun Sunday."
The teams also met in the first round of last season's NCAA Tournament, and the ending wasn't much fun for San Diego State.
The Aztecs led by nine points with under four minutes left in regulation before the Bluejays went on a 9-0 run to force overtime. Creighton eventually prevailed 72-69.
The game will include a sibling rivalry as well. The Bluejays' Arthur Kaluma, who averages 11.8 points per game, is the younger brother of San Diego State's Adam Seiko (6.2 points per game).
Seiko is tied for the team lead with 53 3-pointers, along with Matt Bradley, who is the Aztecs' lone double-digit scorer at 12.8 points per game.
San Diego State revolves around tenacious defense -- Alabama's Miller was 3 of 19 shooting and committed six turnovers -- and team basketball. The offensive hero on Friday was Darrion Trammell, who scored 21 to raise his average to 9.8.
"This point in the year, you kind of just have to have that confidence that you're going to knock those shots down that you've been working on," Trammell said.
Aztecs big man Nathan Mensah is a two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and he will be asked to keep Creighton big man Ryan Kalkbrenner in check.
Kalkbrenner, who is a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, is averaging 21 points on 24-of-36 shooting (66.7 percent) during Creighton's three-game NCAA Tournament run. For the season, he is averaging 15.9 points and shooting 70.8 percent.
The 7-foot-1 Kalkbrenner is one of five double-digit scorers for the Bluejays.
"There are eight teams left, to be one of those eight teams is just crazy," Kalkbrenner said. "It means what we worked for all year. It's what you work for since you get here on campus in the summer, and it's just all the hard work paying off now."
The winner will fly alone to Houston for the Final Four and will face either third-seeded Kansas State or ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic.
Bluejays are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 NCAA Tournament games.
Bluejays are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Bluejays are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 neutral site games.
Bluejays are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Bluejays are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Bluejays are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Bluejays are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 Sunday games.
Aztecs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Aztecs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
Aztecs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Aztecs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
Aztecs are 13-3-2 ATS in their last 18 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Aztecs are 12-3-2 ATS in their last 17 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Aztecs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 NCAA Tournament games.
Over is 4-1 in Bluejays last 5 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Bluejays last 5 games following a straight up win.
Over is 4-1 in Bluejays last 5 NCAA Tournament games.
Over is 6-2 in Bluejays last 8 overall.
Over is 3-1-1 in Bluejays last 5 Sunday games.
Over is 9-3 in Bluejays last 12 neutral site games.
Under is 7-0 in Aztecs last 7 games following a ATS win.
Under is 7-0 in Aztecs last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 14-3 in Aztecs last 17 games following a straight up win.
Under is 26-8 in Aztecs last 34 neutral site games.
Under is 16-5 in Aztecs last 21 overall.
Under is 15-6 in Aztecs last 21 Sunday games.
Under is 5-2 in Aztecs last 7 NCAA Tournament games.
Miami-Texas
Sunday, March 26, 2023 05:05 PM (ET)
When Texas underwent an early-season coaching change, the Longhorns could have fallen apart.
But interim coach Rodney Terry kept them together, and the No. 2 Longhorns are a win away from their first Final Four since 2003. They will get the chance to advance on Sunday against No. 5 Miami when the two meet in the Midwest Region final of the NCAA Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday.
The downtown Kansas City arena is familiar territory for the Longhorns, who won the Big 12 Championship there two weekends ago with a resounding victory over top-seeded Kansas.
"We've been here before," Texas guard Marcus Carr said. "Having our fans come out and support us is big."
The Longhorns (29-8) dismantled No. 3 Xavier in the region's semifinal game on Friday, 83-71. They shot 52.5 percent from the field, including 7 of 12 from 3-point range.
In the first half, the Longhorns hit 53.1 percent of their shots and held Xavier to just 27.3 percent, taking a 42-25 halftime lead when Timmy Allen hit a half-court shot at the first-half buzzer.
Xavier never got closer than 12 points in the second half and Texas led by as many as 24 points.
What was the secret to Texas' success?
"Rodney Terry," Sir'Jabari Rice said, per the Houston Chronicle. "He prepares us really well. He's the GOAT in preparation. There's no other guy I would rather ask for to be in that situation."
The Hurricanes (28-7) will bring Nigel Pack back to the region, where he played at Kansas State for two seasons before joining the Hurricanes ahead of this campaign.
In Friday night's 89-75 win over No. 1-seed Houston, Pack scored 26 points, hitting 7 of 10 from 3-point range, including several that were well beyond the arc.
"My teammates found me early and got me going," Pack said. "They kept feeding me and telling me to shoot the ball. I tried to have confidence that it would keep going in."
His head coach, Jim Larranaga, meant it as the highest of compliments when he called his star's game, "a joke."
"He was ridiculous," Larranaga said. "I don't know how far some of those shots were. People ask me what I say to him when he misses one of those long shots. I say, 'Keep shooting.'"
Expect a high-scoring game. The Hurricanes hung 89 points on Houston, the nation's second-best defense in terms of points allowed (57.5). The Cougars also entered first in field-goal percentage defense (36.6 percent).
Texas will need to find a way to stop Pack, who has found a different gear in the NCAA Tournament. He scored 21 against Drake in the first round before hitting his season high against Houston. He averages 13.8 points per game and is shooting 40.5 percent from 3-point range.
The Longhorns can score, too. They average 77.9 points per game and are led by Carr (15.8) and Rice (12.9).
They could be without forward Dylan Disu, who sustained a foot injury in the second-round game against Penn State. His status won't be known until pregame activities, CBS Sports reported Saturday. Disu averages 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Larranaga will rely on his team defense performing like it did against Houston, which limited the Cougars to 37.5 percent shooting and 29.0 percent from 3-point territory, including 14.3 percent in the second half.
"We used the expression that on defense, you need to be omnipresent," he said. "You need to be everywhere all at once."
Miami has never made a Final Four appearance.
Hurricanes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 NCAA Tournament games.
Hurricanes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Hurricanes are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Hurricanes are 37-16-1 ATS in their last 54 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Longhorns are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Longhorns are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Longhorns are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
Longhorns are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Longhorns are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Longhorns are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
Longhorns are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 Sunday games.
Longhorns are 3-11-1 ATS in their last 15 NCAA Tournament games.
Over is 5-1 in Hurricanes last 6 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Hurricanes last 5 games following a straight up win.
Under is 6-2 in Hurricanes last 8 NCAA Tournament games.
Under is 6-0 in Longhorns last 6 games following a ATS win.
Under is 7-1 in Longhorns last 8 overall.
Under is 6-1 in Longhorns last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 5-1 in Longhorns last 6 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-1 in Longhorns last 6 neutral site games.
Over is 4-1 in Longhorns last 5 Sunday games.
Over is 14-6 in Longhorns last 20 NCAA Tournament games.
Sunday, March 26, 2023 05:05 PM (ET)
When Texas underwent an early-season coaching change, the Longhorns could have fallen apart.
But interim coach Rodney Terry kept them together, and the No. 2 Longhorns are a win away from their first Final Four since 2003. They will get the chance to advance on Sunday against No. 5 Miami when the two meet in the Midwest Region final of the NCAA Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday.
The downtown Kansas City arena is familiar territory for the Longhorns, who won the Big 12 Championship there two weekends ago with a resounding victory over top-seeded Kansas.
"We've been here before," Texas guard Marcus Carr said. "Having our fans come out and support us is big."
The Longhorns (29-8) dismantled No. 3 Xavier in the region's semifinal game on Friday, 83-71. They shot 52.5 percent from the field, including 7 of 12 from 3-point range.
In the first half, the Longhorns hit 53.1 percent of their shots and held Xavier to just 27.3 percent, taking a 42-25 halftime lead when Timmy Allen hit a half-court shot at the first-half buzzer.
Xavier never got closer than 12 points in the second half and Texas led by as many as 24 points.
What was the secret to Texas' success?
"Rodney Terry," Sir'Jabari Rice said, per the Houston Chronicle. "He prepares us really well. He's the GOAT in preparation. There's no other guy I would rather ask for to be in that situation."
The Hurricanes (28-7) will bring Nigel Pack back to the region, where he played at Kansas State for two seasons before joining the Hurricanes ahead of this campaign.
In Friday night's 89-75 win over No. 1-seed Houston, Pack scored 26 points, hitting 7 of 10 from 3-point range, including several that were well beyond the arc.
"My teammates found me early and got me going," Pack said. "They kept feeding me and telling me to shoot the ball. I tried to have confidence that it would keep going in."
His head coach, Jim Larranaga, meant it as the highest of compliments when he called his star's game, "a joke."
"He was ridiculous," Larranaga said. "I don't know how far some of those shots were. People ask me what I say to him when he misses one of those long shots. I say, 'Keep shooting.'"
Expect a high-scoring game. The Hurricanes hung 89 points on Houston, the nation's second-best defense in terms of points allowed (57.5). The Cougars also entered first in field-goal percentage defense (36.6 percent).
Texas will need to find a way to stop Pack, who has found a different gear in the NCAA Tournament. He scored 21 against Drake in the first round before hitting his season high against Houston. He averages 13.8 points per game and is shooting 40.5 percent from 3-point range.
The Longhorns can score, too. They average 77.9 points per game and are led by Carr (15.8) and Rice (12.9).
They could be without forward Dylan Disu, who sustained a foot injury in the second-round game against Penn State. His status won't be known until pregame activities, CBS Sports reported Saturday. Disu averages 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Larranaga will rely on his team defense performing like it did against Houston, which limited the Cougars to 37.5 percent shooting and 29.0 percent from 3-point territory, including 14.3 percent in the second half.
"We used the expression that on defense, you need to be omnipresent," he said. "You need to be everywhere all at once."
Miami has never made a Final Four appearance.
Hurricanes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 NCAA Tournament games.
Hurricanes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Hurricanes are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Hurricanes are 37-16-1 ATS in their last 54 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Longhorns are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Longhorns are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Longhorns are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
Longhorns are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Longhorns are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Longhorns are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
Longhorns are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 Sunday games.
Longhorns are 3-11-1 ATS in their last 15 NCAA Tournament games.
Over is 5-1 in Hurricanes last 6 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Hurricanes last 5 games following a straight up win.
Under is 6-2 in Hurricanes last 8 NCAA Tournament games.
Under is 6-0 in Longhorns last 6 games following a ATS win.
Under is 7-1 in Longhorns last 8 overall.
Under is 6-1 in Longhorns last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 5-1 in Longhorns last 6 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-1 in Longhorns last 6 neutral site games.
Over is 4-1 in Longhorns last 5 Sunday games.
Over is 14-6 in Longhorns last 20 NCAA Tournament games.
| ||||||
| 60512 | Connecticut 4 | +115 | ||||
| 60508 | Texas 2 | +380 | ||||
| 60516 | Creighton 6 | +600 | ||||
| 60535 | Florida Atlantic 9 | +650 | ||||
| 60528 | San Diego State 5 | +1000 | ||||
| 60519 | Miami Florida 5 | +1400 | ||||
