NCAA Tournament recap: Michigan State first Big Ten team to reach Elite Eight

We are winding down March Madness, as the NCAA Tournament is now set for Elite Eight action this weekend. After four teams secured spots in the next round Thursday, four more did the same on Friday night.

Alabama, Florida, Duke and Texas Tech made it through action with wins in the Sweet 16. They will take to the court Saturday for bids to the Final Four in San Antonio next weekend on the line.

The lone Big Ten team competing on Thursday was eliminated, as Maryland fell to Florida. Three more are in action starting with Michigan State, as Michigan and Purdue close out the session.

Michigan State marches into Elite Eight

Tom Izzo has done it once again, directing the Spartans into the final eight with a thrilling 73-70 victory over Ole Miss. Michigan State erased a halftime deficit, advancing to the Elite Eight for the 11th time.

Jase Richardson scored 20, Coen Carr had 15 and Jaden Akins 13, as the Spartans were 19 of 22 from the free throw line. For the Rebels, Sean Pedulla scored 24 and Matthew Murrell added 13.

Michigan’s extended postseason win streak halted by Auburn

It has been quite a while since Michigan fans felt the sting of a defeat, as the reigning Big Ten Tournament champions were ousted Friday night by Auburn, 78-65. The Wolverines had not lost since March 9 to rival Michigan State.

Danny Wolf scored 20 points with six rebounds while both Vladislav Goldin and Nimari Burnett each added 10. Goldin also had nine rebounds with Burnett grabbing seven.

But Auburn was too much in the second half, as the Tigers outscored Michigan, 48-36. Johni Broome had 22 with 16 rebounds, as Denver Jones added 20.

Heartbreak for Purdue vs. top-seed Houston

Houston advanced past Purdue, 62-60, on a last-second bucket off a perfectly designed in-bounds play. Milos Uzan passed it in and received it right back, as the Boilermakers left him all alone for an uncontested layup.

Braden Smith’s desperation 3-point attempt from just inside half-court fell short. Smith, the Big Ten Player of the Year, had 15 assists, including 11 on all 11 made field goals in the second half. His pass to Camden Heide with the shot clock winding down tied the game at 60-all with 35 seconds to play.

Fletcher Loyer had 16 and Trey Kaufman-Renn 14 for the Boilermakers.

For Houston, Uzan had 22 with Emanuel Sharp adding 17.

NCAA TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Sweet 16 Round

Thursday’s results

Alabama 113, BYU 88
Florida 87, Maryland 71
Duke 100, Arizona 93
Texas Tech 85, Arkansas 83 (OT)

Friday’s results

Michigan State 73, Ole Miss 70
Kentucky vs. Tennessee
Auburn 78, Michigan 65
Houston 62, Purdue 60

Elite Eight Round

Saturday’s Games

Texas Tech vs. Florida (-6.5-point favorites), 5:09 p.m. (TBS/truTV)
Alabama vs. Duke (-6.5-point favorites), 7:49 p.m. (TBS/truTV)

Sunday’s Games

Tennessee vs. Houston, 1:20 p.m. (CBS)
Michigan State vs. Auburn, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)

(All start times are CST)