Elite 8, Part 1!!!

Mizzou 75, UCONN 82

One name sums up the UCONN-Mizzou Elite 8 showdown: Kemba Walker. The freshman from the Bronx came off the bench and gave the Huskies HUGE minutes. Walker tied his career high with 23 points, went 7-9 from the field, 9-10 from the line, had 5 boards and 5 assists, and played with the composure of a senior as he handled the ball against Mizzou's patented full-court pressure. Many felt that Jerome Dyson's absence would keep them from advancing as far as they have, but Walker's performance against Mizzou made that a moot point. UCONN also helped themselves immensely down the stretch, hitting 26-32 free throws in the game, many of which came late in the second half. The Tigers were led by Matt Lawrence and Leo Lyons who had 13 apiece. 

Villanova 78, Pitt 76

This one was an instant classic. Back and forth all game. Both teams played great, but in the final seconds, Scottie Reynolds had the ball. Reynolds got a full head of steam, and finished at the basket in the face of Gilbert Brown, leaving .5 seconds on the clock. The Wildcats got as balanced an effort as one could ask for, with 4 of 5 starters scoring in double-digits, and Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes combining for 16 off the bench. Pitt's big three played well, too, particularly Sam Young DeJuan Blair. Young and Blair had 28 and 7 rebounds, and 20 and 10 respectively, and both did wonders for their draft stocks. They're without question two of the most NBA-ready players in the Tournament. In the end, though, the difference maker in a game played as evenly as possible, was the free throw line: 'Nova was 22-23, while Pitt was 21-29.

Via: ESPN