Big upset? Not to Blue Raiders
Middle Tennessee took down another Big Ten team in the NCAA tournament, though the latest victory didn’t really feel like an upset. The Blue Raiders stood up to Minnesota’s rugged defense, then blew past the foul- prone Golden Gophers for an 81- 72 victory on Thursday in Milwaukee.
Middle Tennessee proved it was no one- year wonder after shocking Michigan State as a No. 15 seed last March.
“We think we belong on a national stage,” coach Kermit Davis said. “I knew we’d play well, and we did so today.”
Reggie Upshaw scored 19 points and Giddy Potts added 15 for the Blue Raiders ( 31- 4), who move on to face fourth- seeded Butler.
A season of redemption came to an end for fifth- seeded Minnesota ( 24- 10), which bounced back from an eight- win season in 2015- 16 to return to the NCAA tournament.
Amir Coffey had 17 points to lead Minnesota, while Dupree McBrayer added 16.
“We don’t believe in moral victories, but honestly I’m so proud of this team and this is probably one of the most historical Gopher teams,” center Reggie Lynch said.
Purdue 80, Vermont 70
Vincent Edwards scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half, and the Boilermakers won in Milwaukee for their first tournament victory in five years.
Caleb Swanigan added 16 points, 14 rebounds and four assists for the fourth- seeded Boilermakers ( 26- 7), who were upset by Arkansas- Little Rock in double- overtime in the first round of last year’s tournament. Dakota Mathias made three of Purdue’s nine three- pointers and finished with 13 points.
The Catamounts ( 29- 6) had the nation’s longest active winning streak at 21 games. But they were unable to make up for a huge disadvantage inside against the bigger, stronger Boilermakers.
Xavier 76, Maryland 65
Trevon Bluiett scored 21 points and Sean O’Mara had 18 to lead the Musketeers in Orlando, Florida. Xavier advanced to the second round for the third consecutive year. Maryland, which has started three freshmen for much the season, lost in the first round for the first time since 1997.
After a slow start, Bluiett came through with 18 second- half points. Freshman Kevin Huerter led the Terps with 19 points while star guard Melo Trimble had 13 points.
Wisconsin 84, Virginia Tech 74
Bronson Koenig made a school- record eight three- pointers and scored 28 points and Nigel Hayes added 16 for the Badgers ( 26- 9) in Buffalo, New York. One more win will send Wisconsin to its fourth consecutive Sweet 16.
Zach Leday scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half to pace the Hokies ( 22- 11), making their first NCAA visit since 2007.
Jackson will play for Kansas
Court officials in Lawrence, Kansas, released an affidavit that said freshman star Josh Jackson threatened to “beat” a women’s basketball player during a confrontation in December. Despite this revelation, Kansas coach Bill Self remained adamant that Jackson would play against UC Davis on Friday in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jackson also was suspended for last week’s quarterfinal loss to TCU as punishment for an accumulation of incidents.
UIC advances
Dominique Matthews scored 21 points to lead UIC to a 71- 69 victory over visiting Stony Brook in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational. The Flames host George Washington in the quarterfinals at 7 p. m. Monday.