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The first weekend is finished, folks, and we're back in action with the Sweet 16. We compiled the best sights and sounds of Thursday evening, but if you missed anything from the round of 32 or the aftermath of the weekend, here's what you need to know:
+ ESPN.com's Sweet 16 roundtable
+ Here's how to take down No. 1 seeds
+ Really, don't sweat Duke's 3-point-shooting woes
+ Every Sweet 16 team, ranked by tradition
+ Phil Cofer finds solace after father's death with FSU and coach Leonard Hamilton
News roundup:
+ Kentucky's PJ Washington still uncertain about status
+ UNC's Nassir Little, battling flu, is game-time decision
+ Nate Oats bounces from Buffalo, heading to Alabama
+ Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska in talks about head-coaching vacancy
+ Virginia Tech's Ty Outlaw will play despite marijuana possession charge
Thursday's results
No. 1 Virginia 53, No. 12 Oregon 49
With that, the tournament's last underdog is ousted. Oregon kept it close but stumbled defensively in the final minute. Cavaliers star De'Andre Hunter exploited that and scored three of Virginia's final four points to maintain a two-possession lead the Ducks couldn't close. Virginia advances to its seventh Elite Eight and second under Tony Bennett.
Tournament Challenge update: Just 13.1 percent of people predicted that No. 1 Virginia would face No. 3 Purdue in the Elite Eight. Of those brackets, 67.7 percent have the Cavaliers moving on to the Final Four.
FINAL: Virginia 53, Oregon 49.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 29, 2019
Cavaliers will face Purdue on Saturday with a Final Four appearance on the line. One program will break a 30-plus-year Final Four drought.
No. 3 Texas Tech 63, No. 2 Michigan 44
The Red Raiders allowed 16 points in the first half and were not going to go easy on the Wolverines. Michigan's 44 points matched the fewest points ever scored by a 2-seed. Michigan went 1-of-19 from behind the 3-point line (5.3 percent), making its only 3-pointer on that 19th attempt with 22 seconds to go. Texas Tech isn't messing around this postseason: The Red Raiders topped Michigan by 19 in Thursday's Sweet 16 matchup after beating Buffalo by 20 in last week's round of 32 game.
Stat blast: Texas Tech hopes to advance to its first Final Four on Saturday. The Red Raiders officially have 12 wins in their NCAA Tournament history, six of which have come the past two seasons, including both of their Elite Eight appearances.
Fun fact: Virginia-Oregon and TTU-Michigan combined for 209 total points ... just 16 more points than Purdue and Tennessee's overtime matchup.
No. 3 Purdue 99, No. 2 Tennessee 94
The Carsen Edwards show rolled on, as Purdue's junior guard scored 29 points, including two clutch free throws to force overtime. The Boilermakers withstood a Tennessee rally at the end of regulation and held on for the win in OT. Edwards was assisted by Ryan Cline, who scored 27 points and shot 7-of-10 from behind the arc.
Tournament Challenge update: 17.7 percent of people had Purdue advancing to the Elite Eight.
No. 1 Gonzaga 72, No. 4 Florida State 58
It was "sweet" revenge for the Bulldogs. Gonzaga fended off a late charge by the Seminoles to advance to the Elite Eight one year after the Seminoles ousted the Bulldogs in the Sweet 16. Brandon Clarke became the first player since Jeff Withey in 2013 with at least 15 points and five blocks in consecutive NCAA tournament games, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Gonzaga was 7-of-16 on contested 3-pointers, including 5-of-11 in the first half. In last year's Sweet 16 loss to Florida State, Gonzaga was just 1-of-13 on contested 3s. Zach Norvell Jr. made four of six contested 3s for Gonzaga, erasing the memory of his 0-of-4 on such shots last year.
Tournament challenge update: Gonzaga was picked to make the Elite Eight in 64.3 percent of brackets and the Final Four in 42.4 percent.
Thursday things
Duke has company at the top
Gonzaga is now 3-1 to win the national title at @WestgateVegas, tied with Duke for the shortest odds.
— Mackenzie Kraemer (@MackNova) March 28, 2019
This is the first time Duke hasn't been the solo favorite to win the title since mid-September!
Imitation is the highest form of flattery
.@redditCBB said it, not us! #Sweet16 #MarchMadness #ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/mtWCvq62tQ
— University of Houston (@UHouston) March 28, 2019
Volunteers legend Tony White, battling cancer, sends his support
Vol legend Tony White, aka the Wizard, is fighting leukemia and doing so with @Vol_Hoops very near and dear to his heart. He sent this video to the team prior to the Vols' Sweet 16 matchup with Purdue. Keep the Wiz in your prayers. #51 🙏 pic.twitter.com/sf3R4RqRsT
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) March 28, 2019
Love him or hate him ...
On This Date: In 1992, Christian Laettner gave people yet another reason to hate him with "The Shot." (via @30for30) pic.twitter.com/0Cc1HKHr1w
— ESPN (@espn) March 28, 2019
No distance too far
Moretti finished with 15 points (5-of-7 from the field, 3-of-4 from beyond the arc) and four assists.