We’re back for the second weekend of the 2022 NCAA Tournament as the Sweet 16 kicks things off on Thursday and Friday. Four games will be played each night with a chance to play in the Elite Eight on the line and we’ve got four extremely intriguing matchups on night one in the West and South regions. The number overall seed Gonzaga will kick things off against Arkansas who may pose a matchup issue with their speed similar to Memphis.
You can look back on our recaps from last weekend to get updated on what happened last weekend as we get a couple of steps closer to the Final Four.
Let’s jump into the recaps as that’s what you’re here for.
No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 1 Gonzaga
Arkansas 74 – Gonzaga 68
After a couple of ugly starts in their first two games, it had to be on Gonzaga’s mind not to fall into the same trap vs a team who could truly take advantage of that. And slow they did not start as they jumped out to a quick five to nothing lead before Arkansas could get on the board. The Razorbacks answered back but the Zags knew they would need a little extra jump from the start of this game and it was clear they did.
Then around the middle of the first half, it looked like the Zags may be about to run away with this game, opening up the lead a bit from the tight two or three point game that the first 10 minutes seemed to be. Once again Arkansas answered right back and finished the half on a 13-2 run to enter halftime with the lead.
JD Notae steal and SLAM #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 24, 2022
The story of the game was Chet Holmgren being in foul trouble. His two in the first then seemed to trigger the first half Arkansas run to the end the half and he picked up a third somewhat early in the second half. Mark Few rolled the dice on Holmgren and left him in. Chet repaid the favor by scoring all of his points in the second half and helping go blow for blow with Arkansas. JD Notae for Arkansas just seemed to make play after play for the Razorbacks to keep the lead in the second half. Gonzaga not shooting well made things difficult and seemed to make them press at times.
GONZAGA HAS FALLEN!! Arkansas is in the Elite 8! #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 25, 2022
Gonzaga never took the lead in the second half and Arkansas was near flawless at the line to help secure an upset over the top seed in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Now Arkansas after a massive win is back in the Elite Eight for the second year in a row under Eric Musselman. Now they wait to see if they get Duke or Texas Tech with a berth to New Orleans on the line on Saturday.
No. 11 Michigan vs No. 2 Villanova
Villanova 63 – Michigan 55
Villanova has developed the reputation of a team that just grinds you down over 40 minutes and it was Michigan’s turn to take a spin in the grinder. Michigan put up quite the fight for the young team but the experience of Villanova eventually won out as they just made big shot after big shot. Michigan has struggled shooting the ball from the outside all year long and ultimately in the end, in a tight game they lost by eight being outscored by nine from the three-point line was the difference.
Villanova claims the second spot in the Elite 8 #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 25, 2022
Jermaine Samuels was massive for Villanova, leading the way with 22 points and seven rebounds and icing the game away with free throws late. The super-senior has been great in the tournament so far for the Wildcats and this was arguably his best game of the three. Collin Gillespie wasn’t his usual self but his four threes in the first half were a big reason Villanova went into the half with the lead. Now they await the winner of Arizona and Houston in what will surely set up a fantastic Elite Eight game.
No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 2 Duke
Duke 78 – Texas Tech 73
This game was a classic battle between young (Duke) and old (Texas Tech), offensively-driven (Duke), and defensively-driven (Texas Tech). Duke is the much more talented team but Texas Tech is hard-nosed, tough, and play to their system. Early it seemed like toughness and experience were going to win out as the Red Raiders jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead jumpstarted by their defense with the young Blue Devils looking a bit rattled early. Eventually, they settled in and made it quite the back and forth with each team earning every basket they made.
Kevin Obanor from way downtown! #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 25, 2022
Texas Tech with a late push before half allowed them to take a four point lead into the half. Everyone knew Duke would push back, especially as with the way the first half went, they were lucky to be down just four with Tech seemingly missing an opportunity. And the second half was an absolute war with each pushing back and forth, with tough shots and occasionally getting out in transition. Duke went to a zone in the half and it seemed to slow down Tech for a bit before they connected on a couple of threes to match the Blue Devils.
Mark Williams OH MY ? #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 25, 2022
In the end, Duke just like last week vs Michigan State used a late run to put the game away, allowing them to advance to the Elite Eight and giving Coach K his 100th career tournament win. The young guys have been adept at closing out games in this tournament, something you don’t always see with such young teams. Jeremy Roach has been key, knocking down a host of big buckets vs. Michigan State and once again tonight to help ice the game tonight. Duke will move on in the 2022 NCAA Tournament and face Arkansas with a trip to the Final Four on the line this Saturday.
No. 5 Houston vs. No. 1 Arizona
Houston 72 – Arizona 60
And just like that, both one seeds to play in the Sweet 16 so far are out of the tournament. Arizona joins Gonzaga and Baylor as one seeds now out of the tournament. Houston from the jump was more physical, quicker, tougher, and made their presence known. Arizona never led and never truly got anything going as Houston kept them at arms length score-wise the entire game. It was a special performance by a Houston team that was doubted because of their resume entering the year but has been top 10 in KenPom throughout.
Fabian White is a CHEAT CODE #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 25, 2022
Houston’s culture just continues to keep things moving even with the injuries they’ve faced throughout the year and yet, Kelvin Sampson just keeps this program winning. Now they will go up against another school built on a culture that they’ve seemed to perfect over the last 6 years. Villanova and Houston will do battle in what is sure to be physical and a battle of toughness on Saturday. Houston is looking to get to their second Final Four in as many years while Villanova will look to make it to their first since 2018 when they eventually won the national title.. Should be a fun one on Saturday.
