This will not be the year that Gonzaga finally breaks through. The Bulldogs, who were the No. 1 overall seed in the men’s NCAA Tournament, were just eliminated by Arkansas in the Sweet 16.
The fourth-seeded Razorbacks led 32-29 at halftime and after falling behind briefly at the beginning of the second half, retook the lead for good at 34-33 with 18:10 remaining. Guard JD Notae (21 points) paced Arkansas, with forwards Trey Wade and Jaylin Williams adding 15 points apiece.
This is the first time the Razorbacks have been to back-to-back Elite Eights since 1994 and 1995. They won the national title and finished as the runner-up respectively in those years.
As for the ‘Zags, it’s another heartbreaking ending to an outstanding season. They’ve been a No. 1 seed five times under head coach Mark Few and have never won the national championship, though they did finish second last year and in 2017.
Relentless effort from Arkansas.Zags missed some good looks, but the Razorbacks beat them. Out-gritted em.
— Dana O’Neil (@DanaONeilWriter) March 25, 2022
Turn off the cameras quick. Eric Musselman is gonna get naked.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 25, 2022
Give Eric Musselman a lifetime contract. Right now
— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) March 25, 2022
seeing multiple reports of HAWGS
— Harry Lyles Jr. (@harrylylesjr) March 25, 2022
Eric Musselman has Arkansas in Elite Eight for second straight year. Elite program builder. What a win. Gonzaga comes up short in March yet again.
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) March 25, 2022
1st ever win against a number 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for @RazorbackFB
Entered tonight 0-10 all-time…
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) March 25, 2022
Arkansas becomes the 16th No. 4 seed to upend a No. 1 seed in the Sweet 16, and the first to do so since Michigan State knocked off Virginia in 2014. One seeds had won 11 in a row against the 4 seeds in this round.
— David Worlock (@DavidWorlock) March 25, 2022
I hope no Arkansas fans think they’re gonna get a whistle like this in a regional final against retiring Coach K.
— Mark Ennis (@MarkEnnis) March 25, 2022
FINAL: Arkansas 74, Gonzaga 68.
The Razorbacks have made the Elite Eight in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1994/1995. The officials were awful — again. But the Hogs were clearly the better team tonight. Impressive stuff from Eric Musselman and his players.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) March 25, 2022
With the win, Arkansas moves on to the West regional final on Saturday night. They will play the winner of Duke-Texas Tech, which will get underway momentarily.
A win in that game would move the Razorbacks into the Final Four for the first time in 27 years.
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