Highlights of last night's Elite 8 games
No. 1 Louisville vs. No. 12 Oregon
Louisville's Russ Smith matched a career high while battling the flu scoring 31 points. Smith stepped up when it mattered most in the Cardinals most important game of the season so far. Rick Pitino and the Cardinals were up big at halftime but faced a much tougher Oregon Ducks team in the second half. The Ducks pulled within 6 points but that was as close as they would get. Bottom line is the Cardinals move onto the Elite 8 to take on No. 2 seeded Duke Blue Devils this Sunday.
No. 4 Michigan vs. No. 1 Kansas
The Kansas Jayhawks were confident with 7 minutes left in the game that they would be moving onto the Elite 8. Michigan's Trey Burke did not see it that way. With 21 seconds left Michigan still felt as if they were moving onto the next round of the Tournament. Michigan did not see it that way yet! Michigan's All-American Point Guard Trey Burke was held to 0 points in the first half and later exploded for all 23 of his points in the second half and in overtime. Burke hit the tying 3 pointer to force overtime vs. the Jayhawks. In overtime the Jayhawks finally completely caved as the Wolverines won 87-85. Next up for the Wolverines are the Florida Gators.
No. 3 Michigan St. vs. No. 2 Duke
Seth Curry and the Duke Blue Devils were just too much for Michigan State to handle. Curry scored 29 points to lead all scorers. Duke only led by 1 at halftime but used the 2nd half to pull away from the Spartans. Coach Krzyzewski and his Blue Devils advanced to the Elite 8 by the score of 71-61. Next up for Duke, the #1 overall seed in the Tournament the Louisville Cardinals.
No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast vs. No. 3 Florida
The Gators finally put a stop to the Cinderella story known as The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles. The start of the game was all too familiar for the Gators as they were seeing up close and person what all the hype was about. The Gators found themselves in a dogfight and down early to the Eagles. But Florida used a 16-0 run to end the first half up by 30-26. At the start of the 2nd half the Gators and Guard Mike Rosario pulled away and never looked back on their way to victory 62-50 Just like that, the Eagles magical run to the sweet 16 was over. The Gators move onto to the Elite 8 to face the Michigan Wolverines.
By Steven Spector - 3 -30-13
