After 6 games over a 3 day period in the Upstate, two teams are advancing to the round of 16. The NCAA Tournament found its way back to Greenville for the 1st time since 2017. While it certainly didn't go without hitches, the tournament games at "the Well" were a success. Not only did they produce some high drama, compelling basketball but they also produced high visibility for Greenville as a city and millions of dollars in revenue in the local economy.
On Sunday, Duke advanced winning a hard fought competitive game against Michigan State. It's the last dance for the legendary Coach K and the Devils have now danced to the round of 16. Duke won 85-76 over MSU in a game that was closer than the final score indicated. The Blue Devils were up just one, 75-74 with less than 1:20 to play. Guard Jeremy Roach hit a three with 1:15 to go to put Duke up four. That was part of a 10-2 run for Duke to close out the game, they also hit 7 of 8 free throws in the game's final minute to ice it.
Duke got good shots and were able to convert on them shooting 57% overall. They shot 38% from three which isn't bad, but was well below the 50% Michigan State shot from downtown. MSU had three in double figures led by a team high 18 from Gabe Brown. Marcus Bingham had a double-double of 16 points and 10 boards, Tyson Walker added a baker's dozen. Duke had 5 in double figures, Freshman phenom Paolo Banchero had a game high 19, he also grabbed 7 boards. Wendell Moore added 15 which included a perfect four for four from the line in the final minute. Jeremy Roach and Mark Williams added 15, Williams also had 8 rebounds and Trevor Keels added a dozen.
Sunday's night cap surprised many around the nation. Not only was it not expected by most that Miami would win, I'm not sure anyone including the players felt they would blow Auburn out. Miami used a 46-29 2nd half advantage to handle Auburn 79-61. Miami hit 48% from the floor but had another subpar shooting night from three, as they hit 20% from downtown. This is now twice in a row after they hit just one three in their win over Southern Cal Friday.
Miami's defense more than made up for the poor perimeter shooting though. They held Auburn to an abysmal 30% from the floor and 19% from deep. While, Auburn won the battle of the offensive glass 17-6 , Miami off set that by being +11 in the turnover margin. Their swarming defense forced 14 Auburn turnovers, while playing nearly mistake free with just 4 turnovers. Miami got a combined 41 points and 12 boards from guards Isaiah Wong and Kam McGusty. Charlie Moore had a complete performance of 15 points, 9 boards and 8 assists. For Auburn projected top 5 pick Jabari Smith had a double-double of 10 points and 15 boards.
Duke now moves on to the round of 16, they are two wins away from the program's 13th Final Four under Coach K. Miami is making just their 4th appearance all time in the round of 16, three of those have come since Coach Jim Larranaga took over in 2011. The Hurricanes are looking for their 1st ever trip to the Final 4, Larranaga led George Mason to their only Final 4 appearance in history in 2016. Duke takes on Texas Tech Thursday night in the West Region from San Francisco. Miami takes another somewhat surprise team in Iowa State, who upset Wisconsin. That game is set for the Midwest Region from Chicago on Friday night.