South Carolina beat South Florida, 76-45, to advance to the round of 16 for the ninth consecutive tournament, thanks to an impressive second-half performance from Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke. Meanwhile, UConn beat St. Mary’s 70-55, with Adama Sanogo delivering another dominant performance. Connecticut has advanced to the round of 16 for the first time since 2014.
LSU secured a place in the round of 16 for the first time since 2014, beating Michigan 66-42, with Angel Reese and Kateri Poole both contributing important three-pointers. LSU had a significant offensive rebounding advantage, which helped them secure the win.
In another game, No. 3 seed Xavier defeated Pittsburgh, an 11th seed, to advance to the round of 16. The team’s good performance was fueled by the fact that so many other top teams had faltered in the tournament.
As the NCAA tournament progresses, teams are taking advantage of their opponents’ weaknesses to advance to the next round, with some teams putting on impressive performances in the process.
Stanford Loses to Mississippi in Women’s Basketball Tournament: First Top Seed to Miss Round of 16 Since 2009
In a stunning upset, the Mississippi Rebels defeated the top-seeded Stanford Cardinal in the second round of the women’s NCAA basketball tournament. This marks the first time in 14 seasons that Stanford has failed to make it to the round of 16. The game ended with a score of 54-49, with the Rebels employing a physical defense that resulted in one of Stanford’s worst shooting games of the season.
Mississippi’s victory is especially noteworthy as it is the first time a No. 1 seed has failed to make the round of 16 since 2009 when Duke lost to Michigan State in the round of 32. The Rebels’ coach, Yolett McPhee-McCuin, spoke emotionally after the game, saying, “This is for the people with $1 and a dream. I’m a little girl from the Bahamas that was given an opportunity.” Her players celebrated with the school’s band after the win.
Stanford’s defeat is a significant loss for the team, which has been a consistent force in college basketball for decades. It has won three national championships and was the defending national champion before being knocked out of the tournament. However, Stanford has not looked as dominant this season, with the team stumbling into the tournament after losing to U.C.L.A. in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Conference tournament.
Observers had predicted that Mississippi could pose a challenge to Stanford, noting that South Carolina, the overall No. 1 seed, needed overtime to beat the Rebels in a game in February. Despite being seeded eighth, Mississippi put up a strong defense against Stanford, causing turnovers on three straight possessions and preventing the Cardinal from scoring a field goal in the last two minutes of the game.
Angel Baker led Mississippi’s effort, scoring 13 points and 4 rebounds, while Marquesha Davis added 12 points and 4 steals. In comparison, Stanford’s offense was inconsistent throughout the season, fluctuating between spectacular and lethargic performances. Its position as a No. 1 seed also came under debate, with some arguing that Iowa, which won its conference tournament and finished No. 2 in the final national rankings, deserved the top billing in Stanford’s region.
Overall, Mississippi’s victory over Stanford is a testament to the unpredictability of the NCAA tournament and the importance of strong defense in the game of basketball. Despite Stanford’s loss, the tournament continues with other top teams vying for the championship.
Mississippi Upsets Stanford in Women’s NCAA Tournament
Mississippi pulled off a significant upset in the second round of the women’s NCAA basketball tournament, defeating top-seeded Stanford with a score of 54-49. This victory marks the first time a No. 1 seed has failed to advance to the round of 16 since 2009. Mississippi’s success came from their physical defense, which forced Stanford into one of their worst shooting performances of the season.
Mississippi’s victory over Stanford is especially noteworthy given their underdog status as an eighth-seeded team. However, some observers had predicted that Mississippi could pose a challenge to Stanford, noting their strong defense and the fact that the overall No. 1 seed, South Carolina, needed overtime to beat the Rebels in a game in February.
Mississippi’s success against Stanford was reminiscent of their earlier victory against South Carolina during the regular season. In that game, Mississippi held the Gamecocks, the odds-on favorite for a national title, to their third-lowest scoring total. On Sunday, Mississippi played a slow-paced game that forced Stanford into difficult shots, the same kind of game they had imposed on South Carolina earlier in the season.
Mississippi’s win over Stanford sets them up for a game against the winner of Louisville-Texas, which will take place in Seattle on Friday.
In another game on Sunday, Florida Atlantic, a ninth seed, defeated No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson, 78-70. Florida Atlantic was a heavy favorite in this game and made Fairleigh Dickinson look overmatched for much of the match. Florida Atlantic’s Johnell Davis led the team with 29 points and 12 rebounds.
The game ended with a failed attempt to humiliate Fairleigh Dickinson, with Florida Atlantic’s Alijah Martin attempting a spinning, windmill dunk with his team up 8 points. The dunk failed, and boos rang out from the stands. Fairleigh Dickinson Coach Tobin Anderson confronted Florida Atlantic’s coach, Dusty May, in the postgame handshake line, and May apologized.
Florida Atlantic’s win over Fairleigh Dickinson was not as surprising as Mississippi’s victory over Stanford, but it does mark the end of an improbable run for Fairleigh Dickinson. They had earlier pulled off an upset victory against top-seeded Purdue.
Fairleigh Dickinson and Iowa Advance to Women’s NCAA Round of 16
Florida Atlantic ended Fairleigh Dickinson’s improbable run in the N.C.A.A. basketball tournament on Sunday, defeating the No. 16 seed Knights with a score of 78-70. Despite being a heavy underdog, Fairleigh Dickinson had earlier pulled off an upset victory against top-seeded Purdue. Against Florida Atlantic, Fairleigh Dickinson showed flashes of brilliance, at times looking like they might pull off another upset. However, ultimately, Florida Atlantic’s physical play was too much for the Knights to overcome.
Despite the loss, Fairleigh Dickinson’s coach, Tobin Anderson, expressed pride in his team’s accomplishments this season. He noted that the hardest part about the loss was not being able to go to practice the next day. Anderson was also proud of the new stardom his team had achieved, with fans approaching him for pictures during the tournament.
Meanwhile, second-seeded Iowa and their star shooter, Caitlin Clark, advanced to the women’s NCAA round of 16 by defeating Georgia in a tightly contested game. The two teams exchanged the lead nine times, but Iowa took a lead at the end of the third quarter that they would not relinquish. Iowa won the game, 74-66, even as Georgia pulled within two points in the final minutes of the game.
In other tournament action, top-seeded Stanford suffered an upset defeat at the hands of eighth-seeded Mississippi. This marks the first time in 14 seasons that Stanford will not advance to the round of 16. Mississippi’s physical defense forced Stanford into one of their worst shooting performances of the season, resulting in a 54-49 victory for Mississippi. Mississippi’s victory over Stanford is especially noteworthy given their underdog status as an eighth-seeded team.
Mississippi’s victory over Stanford was reminiscent of their earlier victory against South Carolina during the regular season. In that game, Mississippi held the Gamecocks, the odds-on favorite for a national title, to their third-lowest scoring total. On Sunday, Mississippi played a slow-paced game that forced Stanford into difficult shots, the same kind of game they had imposed on South Carolina earlier in the season.
Mississippi’s victory over Stanford sets them up for a game against the winner of Louisville-Texas, which will take place in Seattle on Friday.
Iowa advances to the Women’s Round of 16 after holding off Georgia
The second-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes, led by their star shooter Caitlin Clark, have advanced to the women’s round of 16 after narrowly defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in a tightly contested game. The two teams exchanged blows throughout the game, with the lead changing hands nine times. However, the Hawkeyes took the lead at the end of the third quarter and managed to hold on to it, winning 74-66 despite a late push by the Bulldogs. Audrey Warren hit a 3-pointer, her only basket of the game, pulling Georgia within 2 with just over 2 minutes left, but that was as close as they would get. Clark, who tallied 22 points and 12 assists, hit a jumper and four free throws in the final minute to help secure the win.
Georgia attempted to stifle Clark with quick defense, catching the Hawkeyes off guard for much of the first half. However, Diamond Battles’ outside shooting helped keep the Bulldogs close as she finished the game with 21 points. Nevertheless, Clark’s wizardry and ball control, especially in the final minutes, proved too much for Georgia.
The Hawkeyes will now face the winner between Duke and Colorado, who will play on Monday night, on Friday in Seattle.
Kentucky suffers defeat to Kansas State in N.C.A.A. Tournament
The Kentucky Wildcats, seeded sixth, have become the latest college basketball blue blood to be eliminated from the N.C.A.A. men’s tournament in the first weekend. They were beaten by the third-seeded Kansas State, 75-69, despite being favored by 3 points in the game. Kansas State’s point guard Markquis Nowell had a brilliant game with 27 points and nine assists, helping to carve up the Kentucky defense with timely passes, big 3-point shots, and clutch free throws.
Nowell, a Harlem native, will be returning home for his next game. Kansas State will play in the round of 16 on Thursday at Madison Square Garden against the seventh-seeded Michigan State.
The loss is the latest setback for Kentucky Coach John Calipari, who is the highest-paid coach in college basketball. Calipari led Kentucky to the national championship in 2012 and to three other Final Four appearances. However, the Wildcats were stunned by the No. 15-seeded St. Peter’s in the first round in 2022 and missed the tournament altogether in 2021.
Despite high expectations, Kentucky’s loss to Kansas State is likely to stir further unrest among the Wildcats’ fans, known as Big Blue Nation.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark shines as Hawkeyes secure round of 16 spot
In the women’s N.C.A.A. tournament, the Iowa Hawkeyes, seeded second, are celebrating after advancing to the round of 16. The team was led by star shooter Caitlin Clark, who helped to secure their win over Georgia with 22 points and 12 assists, despite only shooting 35%. In a game that saw the lead change hands nine times, Georgia’s quick defense caught the Hawkeyes off guard in the first half. However, Clark’s wizardry and ball control proved too much for Georgia, as she made several crucial shots in the final minutes to help Iowa to a 74-66 victory.
Iowa will face the winner between Duke and Colorado, who will play on Monday night, on Friday in Seattle.
Kansas State defeats Kentucky in N.C.A.A. Tournament
The Kansas State Wildcats have beaten the Kentucky Wildcats in the N.C.A.A. men’s tournament. Despite being seeded third, Kansas State was able to overcome sixth-seeded Kentucky, winning 75-69. Kansas State’s
Kansas State and Michigan State Earn Sweet Sixteen Bids
Kansas State advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament by beating Kentucky, 75-69. The win means Kentucky has joined other traditional college basketball powerhouses Duke and Kansas in being eliminated from the tournament. Markquis Nowell led the way for Kansas State, scoring 27 points and dishing out nine assists. He had plenty of help from Ismael Massoud and Keyontae Johnson, who hit back-to-back three-pointers to give Kansas State the lead for good at 67-62. The Wildcats will face Michigan State, which beat Marquette, 69-60, in another upset. Michigan State will head to Madison Square Garden to take on Kansas State in the Sweet Sixteen.
Kentucky and Kansas Join Duke in NCAA Upsets
No. 6 seed Kentucky lost to No. 3 seed Kansas State in the second round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament by a score of 75-69. Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell scored 27 points and added nine assists, while Ismael Massoud and Keyontae Johnson combined for a clutch three-pointer to put the Wildcats up 67-62 late in the game. The loss was another disappointing exit for Kentucky, which has a passionate fanbase known as Big Blue Nation. Kansas State’s next game will be against Michigan State in the Sweet Sixteen.
Michigan State Beats Marquette to Advance to Sweet Sixteen
In another upset in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, seventh-seeded Michigan State defeated second-seeded Marquette, 69-60, to earn a spot in the Sweet Sixteen. The win was emotional for Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, who fought back tears on the bench and then broke down after the game. The Spartans were able to contain Marquette’s offense with nine steals and cut off passing lanes, frustrating Marquette’s plucky point guard Tyler Kolek. The game was tight until the final minutes, with Michigan State’s Tyson Walker delivering nine of the Spartans’ final 13 points, including a key contested layup. The win means Michigan State will face Kansas State in the Sweet Sixteen at Madison Square Garden.
Louisiana State Advances to Round of 16 After Beating Michigan
Louisiana State’s women’s basketball team secured their spot in the NCAA tournament’s round of 16 after defeating Michigan 66-42 on Sunday. With this win, the Tigers have advanced to the round of 16 for the first time since 2014. Third-seeded L.S.U. will face second-seeded Utah on Friday in Greenville, S.C.
The Tigers struggled in the first half against the Wolverines, but the team’s offensive rebounding advantage, 22-5, helped them take 22 more attempts than the Wolverines. L.S.U. had 18 second-chance points compared to Michigan’s 2. The third quarter of the game saw Angel Reese make a layup and get fouled, but L.S.U. missed the and-one. However, LaDazhia Williams managed to secure the offensive rebound, and Kateri Poole made a three-pointer for a five-point trip down the floor.
Jasmine Carson’s Three-Pointers Helped Build L.S.U.’s Lead
Guard Jasmine Carson played a vital role in helping the Tigers build their lead in the second quarter. She came off the bench to make three three-pointers as part of an 11-0 run. Coach Kim Mulkey praised Carson’s performance, saying that if the team was going to stay in the zone, she’d give Carson a look, and she came out “smoking.” Carson’s efforts helped L.S.U. build its lead, which they maintained until the end of the game.
Angel Reese Shines for L.S.U.
Angel Reese led the Tigers with her 30th double-double of the season, scoring 25 points and fighting hard for 14 offensive rebounds. Reese’s performance included putbacks, post moves, dribble-drives to the basket, and free throws. She also played an integral role in the team’s defense, forcing a shot-clock violation when she switched onto Michigan guard Laila Phelia at the end of the third quarter. Reese finished the game by blocking an Emily Kiser three-pointer and making an X motion across her chest.
Michigan Struggled to Keep Up with L.S.U.
Michigan struggled to keep up with L.S.U. in Sunday’s game. While Laila Phelia scored 20 points for Michigan, the team’s other leading scorers, Leigha Brown and Emily Kiser, who each had averaged more than 16 points per game, combined for just 7 points. The loss ended Michigan’s bid to make a third straight appearance in the round of 16.
South Carolina Escapes Seismic Upset to Secure Spot in the Round of 16
In another women’s college basketball game, South Carolina, the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, found themselves trailing eighth-seeded South Florida 16-12 at the end of the first quarter. However, the Gamecocks eventually secured their spot in the round of 16 after defeating South Florida 71-47. South Carolina outscored South Florida 59-31 over the final three quarters. Aliyah Boston had 17 points and 11 rebounds for South Carolina.
Despite struggling early on, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said she was pleased with how her team eventually found their rhythm, stating that “it’s better that it happened now than later.” South Carolina will face fifth-seeded Oregon on Saturday in the round of 16.
UConn Defeats St. Mary’s, 70-55, to Advance to Round of 16
The fourth-seeded UConn Huskies, led by dominant 6-foot-9, 245-pound big man Adama Sanogo, earned their second win in the N.C.A.A. tournament and advanced to the round of 16. Sanogo contributed 24 points and 8 rebounds in UConn’s 70-55 win over No. 5 seed St. Mary’s.
UConn took a 1-point halftime lead, but opened the second half with a 20-10 run to pull ahead. Jordan Hawkins scored 12 points and Tristen Newton scored 13 points, and the Huskies showed depth with 11 players scoring.
This is the first appearance in the round of 16 for UConn since their fourth national championship win in 2014. They will face No. 8 seed Arkansas in Las Vegas on Thursday.
Bobby Hurley, the former Duke star and current coach of Arizona State, is Dan Hurley’s brother. He believes that UConn has the potential to go far, and the ESPN analyst Jay Bilas has picked them to win the national championship.
Xavier, the third-seeded team, dominated Pittsburgh, the eleventh-seeded team, in their Sunday matchup in the NCAA tournament. While Pittsburgh had come into the game after winning a play-in game and dispatching Iowa State, Xavier was determined to run up the score by playing skillfully and steeling themselves for a run. The Panthers tried to make a late comeback, but it was too little too late. Xavier emerged victorious with a final score of 84-73, and is now advancing to the round of 16.
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