Midwest Regional

(9) WASHINGTON 78 (8) UTAH ST. 61

Noah Dickerson had 20 points and 12 rebounds, and the Huskies made a successful return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eight years, beating the Aggies in Columbus, Ohio.

The Pac-12’s regular season champions swept the league’s awards — top player, best defensive player and coach of the year — and got something from all of them against one of the hottest teams in March.

Washington (27-8) got enough from its top players.

Jaylen Nowell, the Pac-12 player of the year, had 19 points and five assists. Top defender Matisse Thybulle helped the Huskies surge ahead to stay late in the first half but was limited by foul trouble the rest of the way. He finished with 10 points, five steals and three blocks.

Coach of the year Mike Hopkins got a $17.5 million extension through 2025 on the eve of the game, and then led the Huskies to their long-awaited win.

Brock Miller had 13 points for Utah State.

(1) NORTH CAROLINA 88 (16) IONA 73

Cameron Johnson scored 21 points, and the Tar Heels quickly erased a five-point halftime deficit against the hot-shooting Gaels, going on to win in Columbus, Ohio.

North Carolina (28-6), which came into the tournament as a top seed for a record 17th time, advanced to play Washington in the second roundSunday. They’re hoping to reach their 11th Final Four.