Kansas State, Michigan State, and Xavier advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, with Michigan State’s victory being especially significant as Coach Tom Izzo’s team progressed for the first time in four years. Xavier also advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017. Kansas State overcame a poor start from outside to defeat Kentucky 75-69 and advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2018. Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell was the standout player, scoring 23 of his 27 points in the second half. The team will play against Michigan State in the East Region semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The content also revealed that Izzo, the 68-year-old Hall of Fame coach, had reached his 15th regional semifinal and won his record 16th March Madness game with a lower-seeded team, one more than Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, who retired after this season. This victory was particularly meaningful because Izzo became the face of a grieving school where three students were killed in a campus shooting on Feb. 13. Finally, the article stated that the top five keywords related to the content are Kansas State, NCAA tournament, Sweet 16, Michigan State, and Xavier.
Kansas State Beats Kentucky in NCAA Tournament Second Round
Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell scored 27 points, including 23 points in the second half, to help the team defeat Kentucky 75-69 in the second round of the NCAA tournament held on Sunday. The third-seeded Kansas State overcame a slow start from outside by making two critical 3-pointers. Ismael Massoud hit a 3-pointer that gave Kansas State the lead, and Keyontae Johnson followed with another 3-pointer to put the team ahead by five. Nowell played an excellent game, making seven of 14 shots and ten of 11 free throws, leading the team to victory.
Kansas State advances to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2018 and will play against Michigan State in the East Region semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York. Kentucky, the sixth seed, had a strong second half, with Oscar Tshiebwe scoring 25 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. However, the team couldn’t maintain its lead, and its season ended with a 22-12 record.
Michigan State Beats Marquette to Reach Sweet 16
Michigan State, the seventh seed, beat second-seeded Marquette, 69-60, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time in four years. Tyson Walker led the Spartans with 23 points, and Joey Hauser added 14 points. The team’s victory sent Coach Tom Izzo’s squad back to the Sweet 16. The team had struggled to make it to the tournament’s later stages in recent years.
Izzo reached his 15th regional semifinal and won his record 16th March Madness game with a lower-seeded team, surpassing Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim. This victory was particularly significant because Izzo became the face of a grieving school where three students were killed in a campus shooting on Feb. 13. Olivier-Maxence Prosper led Marquette with 16 points, and Kam Jones had 14 points.
Xavier Reaches Sweet 16 for First Time Since 2017
Xavier beat 11th-seeded Pittsburgh 84-73, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017. Jack Nunge scored 18 points for the team, and Adam Kunkel added 15 points, including five 3-pointers in the first half. Colby Jones had ten points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists, and Souley Boum and Jerome Hunter each chipped in with 14 points. All five starters for Xavier scored in double digits.
Xavier had 17 assists on 19 baskets in the first half, building a 48-34 lead at halftime, and finished with 22 assists. The team will play against Texas in the Midwest Region semifinals in Kansas City, Missouri. Blake Hinson scored 18 points for Pittsburgh, while Jamarius Burton had 16 points.
Don’t miss interesting posts on Famousbio
