Going into the Elite Eight matchup between the nation’s most efficient offensive team, Gonzaga, and the nation’s most efficient defensive squad, Texas Tech, there was an easy narrative to latch on to.
The injury questions piled up in NCAA Sweet 16 games in the East and Midwest regions with the potential to impact who earns the final two spots in the Final Four.
Ruthy Hebard had 24 points and 14 rebounds, and Sabrina Ionescu added 17 points and 11 assists to send second-seeded Oregon to its third straight Elite Eight with a 63-53 victory over No. 6 South Dakota State on Friday night in Portland.
Blessed with an ability to finish at the rim, pop a quick midrange jumper and drain the occasional 3-pointer, sophomore Jarrett Culver is the ultimate weapon for Texas Tech.
Zion Williamson scored 23 points, RJ Barrett had 18 and a career-high 11 assists, and Tre Jones added 22 points and eight assists, helping No. 1 overall seed Duke avoid an NCAA Tournament upset and edge No. 4-seeded Virginia Tech 75-73.
Tyler Herro hit a 3-pointer with 25.8 seconds left to give Kentucky the lead after Houston had erased a double-digit lead, and the Wildcats escaped their NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal with a 62-58 win over Houston
Fifth-seeded Auburn poured in 17 3-pointers, many of them during a game-changing run that spanned halftime, and the Tigers rolled to a 97-80 upset over North Carolina in the Midwest Region semifinals.
Freshmen Aaron Henry and Gabe Brown led experienced Michigan State past LSU 80-63 and into the Elite Eight. Henry and Brown each had career highs in points. The second-seeded Spartans are in the Elite Eight for the 10th time under coach Tom Izzo.
