The Final Four field is set. Auburn and Michigan State punched the final two tickets to the NCAA men's basketball semifinals next weekend in Minneapolis. They join Virginia and Texas Tech. Fifth-seeded Auburn knocked off two-seed Kentucky 77-71 in overtime to earn its first-ever Final Four appearance. The second-seeded Spartans stunned top-overall seed Duke 68-67 in the East Regional Final. Auburn meets top-seeded Virginia next Saturday in the Final Four, while Michigan State takes on third-seeded Texas Tech. The national championship game is set for Monday, April 8th.
Here are the recaps:
(Anaheim, CA) -- Third-seeded Texas Tech got 19 points from Jarrett Culver to pick up a 75-69 win over top-seed Gonzaga in Anaheim to advance to the Final Four for the first time in program history. Matt Mooney scored 17 points for the Red Raiders. Davide Moretti chipped in 12 for Texas Tech, who move onto Minneapolis with a chance to compete for a spot in the National Championship Game. Rui Hachimura led Gonzaga with 22 points. Josh Perkins added 16, but committed a crucial technical foul for reaching over on a late inbounds pass for Texas Tech that sealed the Bulldogs' fate. Tech advances with a 30-and-6 record, while Gonzaga ends at 33-and-4.
(Louisville, KY) -- Mamadi Diakite made a jumpshot to force overtime after an improbable play to help top-seed Virginia pick up an 80-75 win over three-seed Purdue in Louisville and a trip to the Final Four. After Ty Jerome missed a free throw down two, the Cavaliers recovered the ball deep in their own end and raced up the floor to force the extra frame. Kyle Guy led the Cavaliers with 25 points while Jerome added 24. Virginia is going to its first Final Four since 1984. Carsen Edwards led the Boilermakers with 42 points. Purdue bows out at 26-and-10.
(Washington, DC) -- Michigan State is heading to the Final Four for the 10th time in school history. The second-seeded Spartans slipped past top-overall seed Duke 68-67 in the East Regional Final in Washington, DC. Cassius Winston posted 20 points and 10 assists to lead MSU, which advances to the Final Four for the first time since 2015. The Spartans will take on third-seeded Texas Tech next weekend in Minneapolis. Duke freshman Zion Williamson racked up 24 points and 14 rebounds in what's most likely his final college game. Fellow freshman RJ Barrett had 21 points for the Blue Devils, who end the year 32-and-5. Williamson and Barrett are both projected by many to be top-three picks in this summer's NBA Draft.
(Kansas City, MO) -- Auburn is heading to the Final Four for the first time in school history. The fifth-seeded Tigers knocked off second-seeded Kentucky in overtime 77-71 in the Midwest Regional Final in Kansas City. Jared Harper scored 26 points and Bryce Brown had 24 for Auburn, which advances to face top-seed and South Region winner Virginia next weekend in the Final Four in Minneapolis. The Tigers had never been past the Elite Eight until this year. PJ Washington netted a game-high 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Wildcats, who end the season 30-and-7.
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