Tag: FAU

The best reactions to SDSU’s Final Four buzzer-beater from Petco Park to Miami’s tunnel

A San Diego State miracle!

Lamont Butler, welcome to the March Madness history books.

The San Diego State University junior became a college basketball legend on Saturday night in NRG Stadium by drilling a buzzer-beating jump shot to send his team to the national championship game in epic fashion.

In a tournament that always delivers, Butler provided the best moment yet in 2023 with San Diego State’s 72-71 victory over Florida Atlantic— one reminiscent of the shot Kris Jenkins hit in 2016 to win the title for Villanova in the same building.

College basketball fans across the country were stunned and the reactions were priceless. Here are the best from inside the building in Houston and around the country.

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UConn’s Jordan Hawkins and the 6 best NBA draft prospects playing in the Final Four

UConn’s Jordan Hawkins is a ready-to-play movement shooter perfect for the NBA.

This is a fascinating Final Four in the NCAA men’s tournament, especially because we may only have one first-round draft pick playing in either game.

Between the two matchups, UConn vs. Miami is the game to watch if you want to see likely future NBA players. Even if there aren’t many players selected in the first round, there are several who could find their way onto your favorite pro team.

Before the two games have their tipoffs in Houston on Saturday, these are the top NBA draft prospects you should keep your eyes peeled for whenever they are on the court.

NOTE: UConn’s Donovan Clingan would also make this list if he decides to declare for the 2023 NBA Draft.

The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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Updated national championship odds entering the Elite Eight

Texas and UCONN are national title favorites.

Just eight teams remain in the hunt for a national title heading into Saturday. For the first time in the history of the NCAA Tournament, zero No. 1 seeds have advanced past the Sweet 16.

Top-seeded Alabama fell to San Diego State 71-64 in the upset of the weekend. The Aztecs held Alabama star Brandon Miller to just nine points in the win.

Fellow No. 1 seed Houston lost to Miami just a couple hours later as the final one seed domino to fall. Miami’s outside shooting was too much for Houston’s normally stingy defense to handle.

Texas is now the highest ranked team remaining in the tournament after dismantling Xavier. The Longhorns join Kansas State in representing the Big 12 in the Elite Eight.

Other intriguing storylines included Creighton ending Princeton’s cinderella story, Gonzaga hitting a late t
hree-pointer to beat UCLA and FAU upsetting Tennessee.

Here is a complete look at the updated national title odds entering the Elite Eight according to BetMGM.

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Florida Atlantic eliminates Vols from NCAA Tournament

Florida Atlantic eliminates the Vols from the NCAA Tournament.

No. 9 seed Florida Atlantic (34-3, 18-2 C-USA) defeated fourth-seeded Tennessee (25-11, 11-7 SEC), 62-55, Thursday in the NCAA East Region semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

The Owls scored 40 points in the second half to overcome a 27-22 halftime deficit.

Johnell Davis scored 13 of his 15 points after halftime for Florida Atlantic.

Nicholas Boyd totaled 12 points, eight rebounds and two assists for the Owls.

Josiah-Jordan James and Jonas Aidoo finished with 10 points each for the Vols.

Santiago Vescovi had nine points, seven rebounds and four assists for Tennessee.

Uros Plavsic scored all eight of his points early in the contest.

PHOTOS: FAU defeats Tennessee in Sweet 16

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PHOTOS: FAU defeats Tennessee in Sweet 16

PHOTOS: FAU defeats Tennessee in the Sweet 16

No. 9 seed Florida Atlantic (34-3, 18-2 C-USA) defeated No. 4 seed Tennessee (25-10, 11-7 SEC), 62-55, in the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament Thursday at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

FAU advances to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament and will play No. 3 seed Kansas State on Saturday.

The Vols advanced to the Sweet 16 after defeating No. 5 seed Duke, 65-62, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Tennessee defeated Louisiana, 58-55, in the first round.

PHOTOS: Vols practice at Madison Square Garden ahead of Sweet 16

Below are photos of the Tennessee-Florida Atlantic game in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden.

NCAA Tournament: Tennessee-FAU basketball pregame social media buzz

NCAA Tournament Sweet 16: A look at Tennessee-FAU basketball pregame social media buzz

No. 4 seed Tennessee (25-10, 11-7 SEC) will play No. 9 seed Florida Atlantic (33-3, 18-2 C-USA) in the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament Thursday at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

Tipoff between the Vols and Owls is slated for 9 p.m. EDT. TBS will televise the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 contest.

The winner of the Tennessee-Florida Atlantic matchup will advance to the Elite Eight versus the winner of the No. 3 seed Kansas State and No. 7 seed Michigan State game.

Kansas State and Michigan State is slated to tipoff at 6:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday (TBS).

Ahead of Thursday’s Sweet 16 contest between Tennessee and FAU, Vols Wire looks at pregame social media buzz. Pregame social media buzz is listed below.

PHOTOS: Vols practice at Madison Square Garden ahead of Sweet 16

PHOTOS: Tennessee basketball practices at Madison Square Garden ahead of the Sweet 16

No. 4 seed Tennessee (25-10, 11-7 SEC) will play No. 9 seed Florida Atlantic (33-3, 18-2 C-USA) in the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament Thursday at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

Tipoff between the Vols and Owls is slated for 9 p.m. EDT. TBS will televise the Sweet 16 contest.

The winner of the Tennessee-Florida Atlantic matchup will advance to the Elite Eight versus the winner of the No. 3 seed Kansas State and No. 7 seed Michigan State game.

NCAA Tournament Sweet 16: Tennessee-FAU score predictions

Tennessee practiced at Madison Square Garden ahead of Thursday’s Sweet 16 game versus FAU. Tennessee’s practice photos at Madison Square Garden are below.

NCAA Tournament Sweet 16: Tennessee-FAU score predictions

NCAA Tournament Sweet 16: Tennessee-FAU basketball score predictions

No. 4 seed Tennessee (25-10, 11-7 SEC) will play No. 9 seed Florida Atlantic (33-3, 18-2 C-USA) in the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament Thursday at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

Tipoff between the Vols and Owls is slated for 9 p.m. EDT. TBS will televise the Sweet 16 contest.

The winner of the Tennessee-Florida Atlantic matchup will advance to the Elite Eight versus the winner of the No. 3 seed Kansas State and No. 7 seed Michigan State game.

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Ahead of the Tennessee-FAU game, Vols Wire provides score predictions.

Tennessee-FAU score predictions

Dan Harralson (Vols Wire): Tennessee 72, FAU 67

Ken Lay (Vols Wire): Tennessee 71, FAU 56

Zach McKinnell (Vols Wire): Tennessee 65, FAU 56

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats Duke in NCAA Tournament

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Vols return to Madison Square Garden to play FAU

Tennessee basketball returns to Madison Square Garden for the NCAA Tournament.

No. 4 seed Tennessee (25-10, 11-7 SEC) will play ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic (33-3, 16-2 C-USA) Thursday in the NCAA Tournament East Region Semifinal at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

Tipoff is slated for 9 p.m. EDT and TBS will televise the contest.

Thursday’s contest marks the 17th time the Vols will play at Madison Square Garden, home of the NBA’s New York Kicks and NHL’s New York Rangers.

The venue was also the longtime home of the preseason and postseason NIT semifinals and finals.

Tennessee is 7-9 in its previous games played at Madison Square Garden.

Tennessee has competed with players from New York throughout its history.

All-America players to play for the Vols with New York roots include Ed Weiner (Brooklyn), Ernie Grunfeld (Forest Hills), Bernard King (Brooklyn), Howard Wood (East Hampton) and Tobias Harris, a Dix Hills native, who plays for the 76ers.

Sophomore Zakai Zeigler is from Long Island, New York.

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Uros Plavsic previews NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game versus FAU

Tennessee forward Uros Plavsic previews the Vols’ NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game versus FAU.

No. 4 seed Tennessee (25-10) will play No. 9 seed Florida Atlantic on Thursday in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.

Tipoff between the Vols and Owls is slated for 9 p.m. EDT from Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

TBS will televise the Sweet 16 matchup. Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Jim Jackson (analyst) and Allie LaForce (reporter) will be on the call.

Tennessee enters Thursday’s contest after defeating No. 13 seed Louisiana, 58-55, in the first-round and Duke, 65-52, in the second-round.

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats Louisiana in 2023 NCAA Tournament

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats Duke in 2023 NCAA Tournament

Tennessee forward Uros Plavsic met with media Monday and previewed the Sweet 16 matchup. Plavsic’s media availability can be watched below.