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Saturday's tournament takeaways: Gonzaga is peaking at right time

Gonzaga basketball players celebrate their defeat of Kansas in the NCAA Tournament Gabriel Mayberry-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday's NCAA men's tournament takeaways: Gonzaga is peaking at right time, NBA Draft prospect's stock rises

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 3/23/24

Half of the field for this year's Sweet 16 in the NCAA men's tournament is set.

From the Oakland-NC State overtime thriller to Gonzaga's stunning second half against Kansas, here are our takeaways from Saturday's games.

NC State's improbable March run continues

Two weeks ago, NC State looked like it wouldn't advance past the first round of the ACC Tournament. Now, it's going to the Sweet 16.

The Wolfpack had lost four in a row to end the regular season ahead of their first-round ACC tourney game against Louisville. After a stunning five wins in five nights gave them the conference's automatic qualifying berth, NC State has now made the regional semifinals for the first time since 2015.

The Wolfpack withstood an outstanding effort by Oakland, which was led by forward Trey Townsend and guard Jack Gohlke. Townsend led the Golden Grizzlies with 30 points while Gohlke – this tournament's ultimate folk hero – drained six of his 17 three-point attempts.

Massive 6-foot-9, 260-pound NC State power forward DJ Burns Jr. was impossible to defend with 11 rebounds and 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting. With an eighth consecutive win next week in the Sweet 16, NC State will reach the Elite Eight for the first time since 1985-86 under Jim Valvano.

Daron Holmes II is an NBA first-round pick

Arizona showed why it's a legitimate title contender against Dayton in Saturday's 78-68 win, but Flyers forward Holmes also improved his draft stock with a 20-point double-double in a losing effort.

He was strong when attacking the rim on this drive and showed off his range with a couple of threes.

Daron Holmes #MarchMadness @DaytonMBB pic.twitter.com/VkjUqbzoyH
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2024

Holmes finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds and three steals, likely attracting the attention of NBA draft scouts. Cavaliers reporter Chris Fedor took notice and Holmes could certainly be in Cleveland's range when it's on the clock in June's NBA Draft.

#Cavs fans: Dayton’s DaRon Holmes II will probably be around their draft range at the end of Round One if you are not doing anything else on this Saturday afternoon. He has 14 points at the half.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) March 23, 2024

March is Gonzaga's time

It's that time of year when flowers start to bloom, temperatures rise and Gonzaga wins basketball games.

Mark Few at Gonzaga:

24 straight NCAA Tournaments.

9 straight Sweet 16s.

Has been a part of March Madness in EVERY season since he's been a head coach.

And maybe did his best job this season.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 23, 2024

Gonzaga is headed to its ninth consecutive Sweet 16 after bulldozing Kansas in the second half of its second-round win. The Jayhawks led 44-43 at the half but were outscored by the Bulldogs 46-24 over the final 20 minutes. Gonzaga is 5-3 in the regional semifinals since 2015 and will play either Midwest one-seed Purdue or eight-seed Utah State in the next round.

Rick Barnes revenge game

The Vols head coach spent 17 seasons at Texas before being fired following the 2014-15 season and 16 NCAA Tournament appearances. He was largely criticized for failing to win big games, only making one Final Four and failing to get past the first weekend with Kevin Durant in 2007, among other shortcomings.

But with Tennessee's 62-58 win over Texas propelling the Vols to their second consecutive Sweet 16, Barnes gets the last laugh.

Iowa State's defense can lead the Cyclones to an NCAA title...

Iowa State is menacing on defense. If that wasn't clear after the team's dominant win over Houston in last Saturday's Big 12 championship game, it was when it tightened its python-like grip on the Washington State Cougars in a 67-56 win.

The Cyclones held the Cougars 18 points below their season-scoring average (74.1) and forced 13 turnovers. Iowa State outscored Washington State 21-4 on turnovers and held the Cougars to one fast-break point. Head coach T.J. Otzelberger has turned the program around in rapid order, from a two-win season the year before his arrival to two Sweet 16 trips in three seasons. Chances are this year's squad still hasn't peaked.

...if they can get past Illinois

Illinois set up what could be one of several tantalizing match-ups in the next round by blitzing Duquesne, 89-63. Illinois and Iowa State won the Big Ten and Big 12 tournaments, respectively, readying a collision course between two unstoppable forces. Per KenPom, Illinois ranks second in adjusted offense and Iowa State ranks second in adjusted defense.

The Fighting Illini play a completely different style to the Cyclones. Whereas Iowa State likes to slow things down, Illinois plays at a faster pace. The matchup at guard between Illinois' Terrence Shannon and Iowa State guards Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey will be excellent to watch, as will the contest inside between Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins and Cyclones forwards Robert Jones and Hason Ward.

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