The NCAA Tournament kicked off its second weekend with an unforgettable Thursday. Texas Tech, the No. 3 seed, faced off against No. 10 seed Arkansas in a thrilling clash that ended in an 85-83 overtime victory for the Red Raiders. They came back from a staggering 16-point deficit, fueled by solid performances from three starters, each scoring 20 points.
Darrion Williams was the hero of the night, netting the game-winner with just seven seconds left on the clock. Despite a shaky start with only one successful shot out of eleven attempts, he rallied in the second half and overtime to finish strong, scoring 15 points when it mattered most.
Meanwhile, the No. 1 seed Duke battled No. 4 seed Arizona, securing a nail-biting 100-93 win. Duke led by as much as 19 points, but fifth-year guard Caleb Love of Arizona kept his team close with a stunning 35 points. However, Duke’s standout freshman, Cooper Flagg, proved to be too much for Arizona to handle.
Earlier in the evening, No. 1 seed Florida cruised to victory against No. 4 seed Maryland, winning 87-71. Additionally, No. 2 seed Alabama dominated No. 6 seed BYU with a 113-88 scoreline. These results confirm that the SEC will have at least three teams competing in the Elite Eight. With No. 2 seed Tennessee and No. 3 seed Kentucky set to play soon, the possibility of five SEC teams advancing is within reach if a couple of more upsets occur.
As fans tuned in, social media platforms lit up with reactions to the games. Many expressed excitement about the thrilling finishes, while others commented on standout player performances. Overall, this weekend promises more excitement as teams fight for a spot in the Elite Eight.
For those interested in following the action, check out the full NCAA Tournament schedule for updates on upcoming games.
Check out this related article: Cooper Flagg Shines as Duke Triumphs Over Arizona: Sweet 16 Highlights with Caleb Love
Source link