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5. Texas Tech reminds the world how good it can be
Buffalo earned a lot of praise as a team that could defend at an elite level. In the Bulls’ second-round game, they saw what elite defense really looks like. Chris Beard has his Texas Tech team playing as well on the defensive end of the floor as any team in college basketball.
On Sunday, Buffalo’s high-speed offensive attack was absolutely smothered by the Red Raiders. The Bulls managed to record just three more made field goals than turnovers. Every trip down the floor was a slog against the activity of Tech’s defense. At one point, the Red Raiders went on a 27-3 run, leaving Buffalo with no answers.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaabk/eight-biggest-takeaways-from-sundays-ncaa-tournament-games/ar-BBVb9sd?ocid=spartandhpTwo Virginia Teams still in:
4. Top of the ACC shows its might
All five of the top teams in the ACC have advanced to the Sweet 16, the most of any conference. That was expected of the three teams from the conference that were awarded top seeds. North Carolina and Virginia both coasted relatively unharmed through the first weekend. Both trailed at the half in the first round before coasting through their next 60 strong minutes of basketball.
Duke faced the toughest test of any ACC club, barely sneaking past UCF. Even though the Blue Devils were one last-second bucket away from heading home early, they are still the favorites to cut down the nets at season’s end.
The other two ACC teams advancing have been among the most impressive in the tournament. Florida State held off a tough challenge from Vermont and routed a Murray State team that was clicking late in the season. Virginia Tech looked strong in two wins this weekend, with Justin Robinson back healthy in the lineup providing senior leadership and a scoring pop. These two 4 seeds will now have a crack at Gonzaga and Duke to earn a bid to the Elite Eight.
7. Virginia has exorcised its demons
The Cavaliers have a long way to go before Tony Bennett, his players and their fans are pleased with this season, but after the way Virginia ended its season last year, a strong first weekend was an absolute must. Even though Virginia started slowly and trailed at the half against Gardner-Webb, this weekend has been an unequivocal success for the Hoos.
Virginia played its way and earned two hard-fought, but relatively easy victories. The Cavaliers' opponents struggled to crack the Pack Line defense, hoisting up a host of bad shots. Even when Virginia also went cold for stretches, Bennett’s club consistently manufactured stops on defense to control the game.