SOUTH REGION
Baylor 76
Wisconsin 63
Davion Mitchell scored 16 points and spearheaded a dominant defensive first half, helping top-seeded Baylor avoid another NCAA tournament upset with a win against Wisconsin. The Bears (24-2) found their defensive groove in the first half against the Badgers, looking every bit a Final Four favorite. Wisconsin (18-13) showed a bit of fight after being backed into an 18-point corner, rallying to within seven midway through the second half behind D’Mitrik Trice (12 points).
Oral Roberts 81
Florida 78
Oral Roberts pulled off yet another upset to become just the second No. 15 seed in NCAA tournament history to advance to the round of 16 with an victory against Florida. Kevin Obanor and Max Abams carried the Golden Eagles (18-10) out of an 11-point deficit to knock off the Gators (15-10). Tre Mann led the Gators (15-10) with 19 points. Oral Roberts, which opened the tournament with a stunning upset against No. 2 seed Ohio State, will next try to knock off No. 3 seed Arkansas next weekend.
Arkansas 68
Texas Tech 66
Justin Smith had 20 points and played a key role in a final-play defensive stop, helping Arkansas beat Texas Tech securing the program’s first trip to the Sweet 16 in a quarter-century. In the final seconds, he defended Texas Tech’s Kyler Edwards who drove into the paint with Smith on his hip and missed a layup. Star freshman Moses Moody had 11 of his 15 points after halftime for Arkansas (246).Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 20 points for the sixth-seeded Red Raiders (18-11).
Villanova 84
North Texas 61
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl scored 18 points and Jermaine Samuels Jr. had 15 as Villanova knocked down 15 3-pointers, emphatically ending 13thseeded North Texas’ bid for a second upset. The fifth-seeded Wildcats (18-6) move on to the Sweet 16 to face top-seeded Baylor. The Mean Green (1810) got off to quick start with Javion Hamlet putting UNT up 21-13. Then Villanova tightened its defense. Coach Jay Wright’s team won the whole thing the past two times it got this far in 2016 and ’18.