We are on to day two of the Sweet 16 after an upset-filled day one of this round in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Yesterday saw two one seeds fell leaving only one remaining in the tournament looking to be the only one to advance to the Elite Eight. After tonight’s four games the Midwest and East regionals will both have their Elite Eight matchups set with Final Four berths on the line Sunday.
The matchups aren’t quite as intriguing tonight as they were last night but we are sure to get some good games and have three Blue Bloods in action tonight, two of which will be squaring off. St. Peter’s, a 15-seed who has taken over the nation with their story is looking to become the first ever 15-seed to make the Elite Eight while Purdue looks to break a 42-year drought of not making a Final Four. Providence made their first Sweet 16 in some time so there are storylines galore heading into tonight’s games.
So let’s jump into what happened during these games as we recap each game as it finishes up.
No. 15 St. Peter’s vs. No. 3 Purdue
St. Peter’s 67 – Purdue 64
In a game that had the biggest spread of the night, it was always going to be interesting to see whether St. Peter’s could keep their momentum going or if the size of Purdue would overwhelm them. Early it looked like the latter may be the case as Zach Edey and his 7’4″ frame got a couple of easy baskets and Purdue started 4/4 from the field. St. Peter’s settled in pretty nicely though and made it a dogfight for the remainder of the half countering each punch tried to throw its way.
These Peacocks can FLY ? #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 25, 2022
The start of the second half belonged to St. Peter’s as they held Purdue scoreless for almost the first six minutes of the half and took the lead early. Once the lid was removed from the basket for Purdue they quickly took their halftime lead of four right back and then it was on. Both teams stayed within earshot of each other as it became clear that Purdue was in for a dogfight vs this 15-seed.
HISTORY MADE! Saint Peter’s becomes the first 15 seed EVER to advance to the Elite 8!
PEACOCKS FLY ? #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 26, 2022
Then the last five minutes came and St. Peter’s put the clamps on holding Purdue scoreless for four of those five minutes. They used a 9-1 run to take a two possession lead and did just enough down the stretch to hold off a talented Purdue team. And with it, made history becoming the first ever 15-seed to make the Elite Eight in what was a shocking result.
No. 4 Providence vs. No. 1 Kansas
Kansas 66 – Providence 61
This game was plain and simple, absolutely ugly, disgusting, grotesque, or whatever word you can think of to describe a game with terrible shooting and next to no offense. Both defenses were good but each team also just missed shots they’re used to making. Kansas held the Friars to just 17 first half points and 1/15 shooting from three after Providence came in with 20 made threes in their first two tournament games combined. Providence also did a number on the Jayhawks keeping them somewhat in distance at just 26 points.
Here come the Friars! #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 26, 2022
It had to be assumed that Providence would wake up a bit on offense and make their run, it was just a matter of whether Kansas and their All-American Ochai Agbaji would also make shots when it happened. Kansas continued to sputter as Agbaji was nearly non-existent on offense and Providence was able to battle back and eventually take the lead. Kansas was intimidated and answered right back with a 7-0 run to re-take the lead and add a bit of separation. With that run, they would never relinquish the lead as each traded buckets coming down the stretch. Kansas though was able to get a few more stops before Providence eventually had to turn to fouling where Remy Martin continually went to the free throw line where he seemingly went one for two each trip. Providence was unable to take advantage and outside of a couple of twos that took a bit longer than they’d like were not able to make a three to truly put pressure on the Jayhawks.
With the win, Kansas becomes the only one seed to make the Elite Eight in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. The win also made them the winningest program of all time, breaking the tie they held with Kentucky after last week’s second round win. They are one game away from making the Final Four for the first time since 2018 and will play either Miami or Iowa State on Sunday.
No. 8 North Carolina vs. No. 4 UCLA
North Carolina 71 – UCLA 66
In the battle of the Blue Bloods, it was going to be an interesting clash of styles where North Carolina wants to get it and go while UCLA would rather grind things down and play in the halfcourt. UCLA won out in that regard as the game was played at a snails pace and neither team could seem to get away from the other on the scoreboard. The first half consisted of each team knocking down tough shots back and forth although they combined for just 59 points.
SHEESH Jaime Jaquez with the moves #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 26, 2022
The second half was no different, except the shot-making seemed to go to another level with each team seemingly playing a game of horse in the middle of a Sweet 16 game. The entire second half was just both teams going shot for shot against a good defense on both sides.
Caleb Love! We feel you Roy Williams! ? #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 26, 2022
Caleb Love then took over down the stretch knocking down shots from the logo on his way to 30 points and helping close UCLA in a remarkable game. North Carolina continues their excellent run in the tournament and outside of the stunning blowout loss to Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament has been outstanding for weeks now. They now match up with the Cinderella in St. Peter’s with a berth to the Final Four on the line. Now a 15 and 8 seed will match up with a Final Four berth on the line in what has been a wild 2022 NCAA Tournament.
No. 11 Iowa State vs. No. 10 Miami
Miami 70 – Iowa State 56
Another clash of styles in this game which seemed to be a theme of the night, this time between Iowa State and Miami. Iowa State is great on defense but struggles to put points up on the other end, meanwhile, Miami has no issues scoring but has a tough time getting stops when on defense. Early it seemed like Iowa State may get run out of the gym as Miami jumped on them early and were getting out in transition which is their bread and butter.
Iowa State like every team tonight who got down early punched back and was able to go into halftime down just three. The early deficit was something they could never truly overcome as the offense never was able to get going as they were only able to muster 4 three-pointers, two of which came with under five minutes to go in the game.
The Hurricanes have now earned the chance to take on Kansas, the lone one seed remaining in the field, to advance to the Final Four in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Miami will be playing in their school’s first ever Elite Eight game. It will certainly be quite the game as both teams enjoy getting out in transition and don’t mind letting it fly from three, we may get ourselves a track meet in the Windy City on Sunday.