Markquis Nowell scored 23 of his 27 points after halftime, leading Kansas State to a win against Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Ismael Massoud hit a crucial 3-pointer with just over two minutes left to give Kansas State the lead for good, while Keyontae Johnson followed with another 3 to secure the win. Kansas State will advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2018 and will play against Michigan State.
In another game, Michigan State beat second-seeded Marquette 69-60, sending coach Tom Izzo’s squad back to the Sweet 16 for the first time in four years. Tyson Walker scored 23 points, while Joey Hauser had 14 points and A.J. Hoggard had 13. Izzo reached his 15th regional semifinal and won his record 16th March Madness game with a lower-seeded team.
Xavier beat 11th-seeded Pittsburgh, reaching its first Sweet 16 since 2017. Jack Nunge scored 18 points, while Adam Kunkel added 15 on five first-half 3-pointers. Xavier moves on to play No. 2 seed Texas on Friday in the Midwest Region semifinals in Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas State emerged victorious against Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, with Markquis Nowell leading the charge for Kansas State, scoring 23 of his 27 points after halftime. The Wildcats overcame a poor start from outside and hit two crucial 3-pointers to secure the win over Kentucky, 75-69. Third-seeded Kansas State advances to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2018 and will play Michigan State in the East Region semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Ismael Massoud hit a 3 from the right wing at the 2:21 mark, giving Kansas State the lead for good. Keyontae Johnson followed with another 3 with 1:23 left, putting the Wildcats ahead by five. Nowell, a third-team Associated Press All-American, played a fearless game, making 7 of 14 shots and 10 of 11 free throws.
Oscar Tshiebwe scored 25 points and had 18 rebounds for Kentucky, which shot 55% after halftime and led by eight early in the second half. However, it was not enough to hold off Kansas State.
In another game, Michigan State beat second-seeded Marquette 69-60, sending coach Tom Izzo’s squad back to the Sweet 16 for the first time in four years. Tyson Walker scored 23 points, while Joey Hauser had 14 points and A.J. Hoggard had 13. The Spartans will advance to play Kansas State in the next round.
Izzo, the 68-year-old Hall of Fame coach, reached his 15th regional semifinal and won his record 16th March Madness game with a lower-seeded team. He surpassed Jim Boeheim, who retired after this season, by winning his 16th March Madness game with a lower-seeded team. This win was especially meaningful for Izzo and the team, who represent a grieving school where three students were killed in a campus shooting on Feb. 13.
In the Midwest Region, Xavier beat 11th-seeded Pittsburgh, reaching its first Sweet 16 since 2017. Jack Nunge scored 18 points, while Adam Kunkel added 15 on five first-half 3-pointers. Colby Jones had 10 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. Souley Boum and Jerome Hunter each chipped in with 14 points, as all five Xavier starters scored in double digits. Xavier moves on to play No. 2 seed Texas on Friday in the Midwest Region semifinals in Kansas City, Missouri.
In the first half, Xavier had 17 assists on 19 baskets, building a 48-34 lead at halftime. The Musketeers finished with 22 assists. Blake Hinson scored 18 points and Jamarius Burton had 16 for Pitt.
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