Vincent Frank
Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament opened on Thursday. North Carolina was upset by a game Alabama team. UConn head coach Dan Hurley backed up his talk with the program heading to the Elite 8.
A certain Illinois wing also did his thing as the Illini moved on. North Carolina dropped its bag, too.
These are among the winners and losers from Thursday’s Sweet 16 action in the NCAA Tournament.
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Winner: Dan Hurley, UConn
Hurley always talks a good game. He’s a divisive figure in the college basketball world. Some might even consider him public enemy No. 1 for opponents heading to the Sweet 16. That’s fine. But he backed up that talk by leading his team to a 30-point win over what might be considered a game San Diego State team. The defending champs opens up a nine-point halftime lead before absolutely dominating in the second half en route to a 30-point victory. These Huskies look very much the part of a juggernaut, and they have Hurley to than for it.
Loser: Lamont Butler, San Diego State
Lamont Butler played a major role in San Diego State’s NCAA Tournament run a season ago. The guard from California also shot 6-of-10 from three-point range in helping the Aztecs to the Sweet 16. Unfortunately, that did not extend to Thursday night’s blowout loss to UConn. Butler shot a mere 2-of-7 from the field without a single trey. He finished with seven points while turning the ball over three times. SDSU needed more from him in a rematch of last season’s championship game. He did not provide that Thursday night. It’s that simple.
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Winner: Terrence Shannon
From his days at Texas Tech to some off-court issues, Shannon’s college career has been drama-filled. Despite all of this, he led Illinois into the Sweet 16 against Iowa State. In leading the Illini to the Elite 8, Shannon showed NBA teams what he can provide. The dude dropped 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting, displaying the efficiency we have become accustomed to during his odd college career. Good for the kid.
Loser: Hubert Davis, North Carolina
As a No. 1 seed, Hubert Davis and North Carolina fancied itself as a legit national title contender. Afer disposing of Duke late in the regular season and doing its thing in the first two rounds of the tourney, North Carolina came up empty against Alabama in the Sweet 16. It couldn’t contain Alabama’s starting five (82 points) in what was an ugly 89-87 loss. The fact that Duke is playing basketball as North Carolina’s season came to an end makes Davis a loser.
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Winner: PJ Hall, Clemson
Hall certainly had a lot on the line leading into the Sweet 16 after two so-so performances to open the NCAA Tournament. That’s especially true with the center going up against Arizona big man Oumar Ballo. Boy, did he impress. While Ballo went for 15 points and 15 rebounds, Hall upped his game on offense in leading the Tigers to an upset win. He dropped 17 points with eight rebounds on 7-of-15 shooting. Hall was one of three Clemson players to go for 14 points or more as the program made its first Elite 8 in eons.
Loser: Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
Iowa State needed some help behind leading scorer Keshon Gilbert heading into the Sweet 16 against Illinois. It did not get that in the Sweet 16 against Illinois. The guard shot a mere 3-of-9 from the field with eight points. His struggles on defense for the best defensive team in the country also played a role. Just an ugly loss for Lipsey and the Cyclones.
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Winner: Stephon Castle, UConn
One of the top recruits in the nation in the class of 2023, Castle had a lot to prove heading into the Sweet 16. His performance was not necessarily up to snuff as a freshman for the defending champs. Boy, did Castle change that narrative Thursday night against San Diego State. The guard and potential NBA Draft lottery pick scored 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting while adding a resounding 11 rebounds in the 30-point win. If Castle plays like this moving forward, UConn is going to be hard to defeat. It’s that simple.
Loser: Caleb Love, Arizona
It’s sad that Caleb Love finished his otherwise brilliant and interesting college career with an absolute dud in the Sweet 16. The 6-foot-4 transfer from North Carolina entered Thursday’s action averaging 18.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He responded by shooting 5-of-18 from the field, including an ugly 0-of-9 from three point range in Arizona’s upset loss to Clemson. That’s not how you want to open NBA Draft season.
