Elite Eight results Instant analysis from Auburn s OT win Michigan State s takedown of Duke to set up Final Four
Elite Eight results: Instant analysis from Auburn's OT win, Michigan State's takedown of Duke to set up Final Four NCAA.com
Tom Izzo, Cassius Winston & are ready for the — NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) The point guard position was also a huge difference here. Cassius Winston went for 20 points and 10 assists, while Tre Jones was essentially a non-factor. Tillman, who we mentioned earlier, was awesome. He scored 19 points and grabbed nine boards while guarding Williamson most of the afternoon. He certainly didn't shut Williamson down, but he provided enough resistance that Michigan State didn't have to send constant double and triple teams to help him. That's part of the reason Duke's supporting cast struggled. What a coaching job Tom Izzo has done this season.
CHAMPS
PRESENTED BY Texas Tech, Virginia, Auburn and Michigan State are headed to the Final Four. Here are instant reactions from the two Sunday games, where Kentucky and Duke each went home. THE BRACKET:Auburn 77 Kentucky 71 OT
Say it with us: guards and defense. Guards and defense. Auburn has a phenomenal backcourt and a hungry, aggressive defensive scheme. Both were on display in the Tigers' overtime win over Kentucky. Jared Harper and Bryce Brown combined for 50 points on Sunday afternoon. Harper went 11-for-11 from the free-throw line, and his speed just continues to be a game-changer for Auburn. Ashton Hagans couldn't stay in front of Harper, and spoiler alert: no one can. Hagans is one of the best perimeter defenders in the country. Harper gave North Carolina similar trouble. Auburn also forced 14 Kentucky turnovers, which is pretty standard for the Tigers. They force turnovers on almost 25 percent of opponents' possessions, which leads the country. It has to be so fun to play for Auburn, by the way. Fast pace, a ton of 3s, offensive freedom, and aggressive defense. These guys are a blast to watch. Kentucky just didn't have much going for it besides P.J. Washington and his 28 points. The Wildcats' guards simply weren't as dynamic as the Tigers' guards, and that was the difference in the game.Michigan State 68 Duke 67
It's safe to say this one lived up to the hype. Zion Williamson went for 24, 14 and three blocks, but Xavier Tillman and the Spartans actually did a nice job of containing him. Turnovers were the difference in this one. Duke committed 17 while Michigan State only coughed it up seven times. The Spartans just don't screw up very often in general. That's not sexy, but it's an underrated trait in a basketball team. Michigan State makes the right pass almost every time, is on point with its defensive rotations, and knows when to switch and when to fight through screens. "To be the best you've got to beat the best."Tom Izzo, Cassius Winston & are ready for the — NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) The point guard position was also a huge difference here. Cassius Winston went for 20 points and 10 assists, while Tre Jones was essentially a non-factor. Tillman, who we mentioned earlier, was awesome. He scored 19 points and grabbed nine boards while guarding Williamson most of the afternoon. He certainly didn't shut Williamson down, but he provided enough resistance that Michigan State didn't have to send constant double and triple teams to help him. That's part of the reason Duke's supporting cast struggled. What a coaching job Tom Izzo has done this season.