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The Sweet 16 is here. The NCAA Men’s Tournament tipped off just days ago, and March Madness has been in full effect. The round of 32 concluded Sunday, locking in the matchups for the Sweet 16.
RT IF YOUR TEAM IS DANCING IN THE SWEET 16#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/NfPbjLzYlQ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2023
Bracket Busters
With zero perfect brackets remaining, this year has had its share of bracket-busters.
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The round of 64 featured three major upsets. No. 16 FDU defeated Purdue to become the second 16 seed in NCAA history to defeat a No. 1 seed.
In a true David vs Goliath matchup, FDU was ranked the shortest team in Division I, while Purdue was ranked the tallest.
No. 13 Furman upset No. 4 Virginia in the closing seconds with a game-winning three.
A cinderella team was also born in 15-seeded Princeton. In the round of 64, the Tigers came back from 12 to upset No. 2 Arizona. In the round of 32, Princeton beat No. 7 Missouri to become just the fourth 15 seed to make it to the Sweet 16. The Tigers beat Missouri in convincing fashion, winning by 15, 78-63.
History in the Making
Princeton last made the Sweet 16 all the way back in 1967. At the time, the pool was 23 teams and only one win earned a spot in the round.
FAU secured their spot in the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history on Sunday. The Owls pulled away late, defeating the 16-seeded FDU Knights 78-70. The Conference USA champions picked up their 33rd win of the season in the second round, after a game-winner against Memphis in the round of 64.
FAU will have a chance to make it to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history on Thursday.
Sweet 16 Matchups
The Sweet 16 tips off on Thursday with four games.
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The early slate has Michigan State against Kansas State at 6:30 p.m. and Arkansas vs UConn at 7:15 p.m.
The later games have FAU facing Tennessee at 9 p.m. and Gonzaga vs UCLA at 9:45 p.m.
On Friday, the early slate has San Diego State vs Alabama at 6:3o p.m. and Miami facing Houston at 7:15 p.m.
The later games have Princeton going against Creighton at 9 p.m. and Xavier matching up against Texas at 9:45 p.m.
In one of the most anticipated games of this year’s tournament, Gonzaga faces UCLA in a rematch from the 2021 Final Four. Heartbreak hit UCLA in that game as Jalen Suggs hit a half-court buzzer-beater to send Gonzaga to the National Championship.
It will look to be a high-scoring game as Gonzaga averages 87.3 points per game while UCLA averages 74.1 points per game. UCLA is outscoring opponents by 16 points a game this year and they will look for redemption and revenge on Thursday.
