Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

March Madness Roundup: Michigan, UConn, Michigan State and Kentucky advance

Michigan

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Michigan’s Glenn Robinson III and Tennessee’s Jeronne Maymon (34) go after a rebound during the first half of an NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal college basketball tournament game Friday, March 28, 2014, in Indianapolis.

Updated Friday, March 28, 2014 | 9:42 p.m.

Michigan holds on late to beat Tennessee

INDIANAPOLIS — Jordan Morgan scored 15 points and Nik Stauskas had 14 including a key free throw to help Michigan hold on for a 73-71 victory over Tennessee in Friday's first Midwest Regional semifinal.

The second-seeded Wolverines now play either Louisville, who they lost to in last year's national championship game, or 2012 national champion Kentucky Sunday.

The Wolverines (28-8) led by 15 with 10:55 to go, but committed four turnovers in the final 97 seconds. Tennessee (24-13) cut the lead to 72-71 and had a chance to take the lead, but Jarnell Stokes was called for an offensive foul with 6 seconds left.

Stauskas then made 1 of 2 free throws and Tennessee's long desperation heave was off the mark.

Jordan McRae scored 24 to lead the 11th-seeded Vols.

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UConn holds off Iowa St 81-76 in Sweet 16 at MSG

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Connecticut's DeAndre Daniels exults during the second half in a regional semifinal of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Friday, March 28, 2014 in New York. Iowa State's DeAndre Kane is at right.

NEW YORK — DeAndre Daniels scored 26 points, 18 in the second half, and UConn held off Iowa State 81-76 on Friday to reach the East Regional final a year after the Huskies were barred from the NCAA tournament.

Daniels hit his first six shots after halftime, the only Husky to make a field goal for over 8 1/2 minutes. His 3-pointer gave seventh-seeded UConn a 49-32 lead.

The Cyclones rallied late, pulling within 67-63 with 2 1/2 minutes remaining. But senior Niels Giffey hit a 3 in the corner for his first points since the game's opening moments, and when the Huskies (29-8) made their free throws in the final minute, the UConn fans packing Madison Square Garden could celebrate.

Dustin Hogue scored a career-high 34 points for third-seeded Iowa State (28-8).

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Michigan State beats Virginia 61-59

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Michigan State’s Branden Dawson scores past Virginia’s Joe Harris during the second half of a regional semifinal at the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Friday, March 28, 2014, in New York.

NEW YORK — Branden Dawson had 24 points and 10 rebounds and Michigan State beat top-seeded Virginia 61-59 on Friday night to advance to East Regional final.

The fourth-seeded Spartans (29-8) will play Connecticut (29-8) on Sunday with a Final Four berth at stake. The seventh-seeded Huskies beat third-seeded Iowa State 81-76 on Friday.

Michigan State overcame a horrible start to the second half and then withstood a late run by the Cavaliers (30-7) to advance to the regional finals for the eighth time since 1985 — all under coach Tom Izzo.

Joe Harris and Malcolm Brogden both had 17 points for Virginia, which became the second No. 1 seed to be eliminated, joining Wichita State.

These were the first NCAA tournament games played at Madison Square Garden since 1961.

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Kentucky tops Louisville 74-69 in Midwest Regional

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Kentucky's Alex Poythress (22) and Julius Randle celebrate after an NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal college basketball tournament game against the Louisville Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Indianapolis. Kentucky won 74-69.

INDIANAPOLIS — Aaron Harrison made a 3-pointer with 39 seconds left to give Kentucky the go-ahead points Friday night in a 74-69 victory in the Midwest Regional over in-state rival Louisville.

Harrison, Julius Randle and Dakari Johnson, all finished with 15 points for the eighth-seeded Wildcats (27-10), who will play Michigan in Sunday's regional final.

Fourth-seeded Louisville (31-6) got 23 points from senior Russ Smith, who missed a late 3 with a chance to tie.

The Wildcats, who start five freshmen, led for a grand total of 65 seconds and took the lead for the last time when Randle found Harrison in the corner and Harrison spotted up and swished the shot for a 70-68 lead.

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