Sweet 16

Houston’s first in 35 years; North Carolina recalls old fire, is back; Williamson, Duke survive UCF; Tennessee blows 25-pt lead, wins

TULSA Oklahoma – Houston’s fans chanted “Sweet 16” in the final minute of the Cougars’ NCAA Tournament 83-77 win over Ohio State.

The celebration was long overdue – it’s been 35 years since the Cougars have made this trip.

“I saw a lot of proud Cougars up there behind us tonight,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said, “and the ones I was happiest for were the guys that’s been supporting this program since those days.”

Corey Davis scored 21 points to help Houston beat the Buckeyes 74-59 in a second-round Midwest Region game Sunday night.

In Columbus, Ohio, North Carolina, after making an early exit from the NCAA Tournament last season, breezed to the Sweet 16.

Luke Maye and Nassir Little each scored 20 points and the top-seeded Tar Heels beat Washington 81-59 Sunday. They never trailed and moved on to face fifth-seeded Auburn on Friday in a Midwest  duel.

In Columbia, South Carolina, Zion Williamson took on 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall at the end and won. So did top-seeded Duke – barely – when two last-ditch shots by UCF rolled off the rim.

Williamson had 32 points and helped rally the Blue Devils from behind in the final minute for a 77-76 victory Sunday to reach the Sweet 16.

In Columbus, Ohio, Admiral Schofield ran around the court in sheer joy, waving a March Madness towel after Tennessee made it back to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014.

The rest of the Volunteers? Just trying to breathe normally again.

Tennessee avoided one of the biggest meltdowns in NCAA Tournament history Sunday, letting a 25-point lead slip away before SEC player of the year Grant Williams asserted himself in overtime for an 83-77 victory over Iowa.