Arkansas upsets Gonzaga to advance to Elite Eight

SAN FRANCISCO – It took an exertion that had not took place in school basketball in almost 30 a long time to get it accomplished but the Arkansas Razorbacks are headed back again to the Elite 8 thanks to a 74-68 acquire in excess of leading-rated Gonzaga on Thursday afternoon inside Chase Centre.

No men’s school basketball group had crushed two different No. 1 teams from the AP poll in the similar year considering the fact that 1992-93 when Ga Tech defeat Duke and North Carolina in the exact same season, right up until the Razorbacks included No. 1 Gonzaga to the get column together with a victory around No. 1 Auburn from the regular year.

Neither victory arrived straightforward but Thursday’s place the Hogs in the team’s second straight Elite Eight, a little something that experienced not transpired since back again-to-again outings to the Remaining at the conclusion of the 1994 and 1995 seasons.

Arkansas’ defensive exertion was the big difference against the Bulldogs, keeping the nation’s most effective scoring offense (87.8 ppg) and finest shooting offense (52.6%) to just 68 details on 37.5% shooting. After enduring a 4-minute scoring drought halfway by the very first half, the Razorbacks responded with a 9- operate to consider the lead and concluded the fifty percent on a 13-2 run to choose a 32-29 direct into the locker rooms. The late half operate was fueled by forcing 4 Gonzaga turnovers and keeping the Zags to just 1-of-7 from the subject over the remaining 6:29.

Gonzaga quickly he drew even to open up the 2nd 50 % but once again the Razorbacks answered with a run once again fueled by defense. Arkansas held the Bulldogs devoid of a area intention for just about 5 minutes to enable develop an eight-place guide.

Nursing a 5-issue guide with just eight seconds still left, Au’Diese Toney’s block of a Drew Timme shot was the last momentum swing the Hogs wanted. Toney put an exclamation place on the victory with a dunk with just one next remaining to keep the Hogs dancing.

JD Notae led the Razorbacks with 21 points, 6 helps and a few steals. Jaylin Williams scored 15 factors and grabbed 12 rebounds to record his 15th double-double of the time whilst becoming Arkansas’ all-time leader in rebounds in a solitary time. Trey Wade’s 15 points and 7 rebounds ended up large in the get and marked just the fourth time this period he has scored in double digits.

Timme led Gonzaga with 25 factors. Chet Holmgren scored 11 details and had 14 rebounds ahead of fouling out.

Video game Notes

• Arkansas starters have been Stanley Umude, JD Notae, Trey Wade, Au’Diese Toney and Jaylin Williams – the 20th straight video game with that commencing lineup
• Kamani Johnson was the Razorbacks’ first sub for just the 2nd time this season, the other video game coming in opposition to Auburn.
• Jaylin Williams turned the Arkansas solitary-time document holder for rebounds late in the first 50 % when he snagged his eighth rebound of the sport just before ending with 12 boards.
• Williams recorded his 15th double-double with 15 details and 12 rebounds.