Mock NCAA tournament marches on

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What has been a well-received mock NCAA Tournament in Chatham County continued over the weekend with the Sweet 16 and the Great Eight contests.

Locally, Duke flew past top-seed Dayton 86-81 at the East Regional in New York City to advance to battle the Creighton Blue Jays in the Great Eight. Despite falling behind by double digits late in the opening half, the Blue Devils rallied to capture a 93-91 overtime win to punch its ticket to the Final Four in Atlanta.

The news wasn’t as good for fellow ACC member Florida State, which was upset by a red hot East Tennessee State club by a 77-69 count at the South Regional in Houston. The Buccaneers went on to battle Aubrun, a 69-61 victor over topseed Baylor in the Sweet 16. Despite a great effort, East Tennessee State fell 88-84 to Auburn which returns to the Final Four for a second straight season under coach Bruce Pearl.

In Indianapolis at the Midwest Regoinal, top-seeded Kansas was upset 92-90 in overtime by the most veteran team in the tournament, Brigham Young. The Cougars went on to cruise past Villanova 74-62 to reach the Final Four in Atlanta in stunning fashion.

Out at the West Regional in Los Angeles it was Michigan State, the preseason No. 1, battling past Gonzaga 91-90 in a thrilling contest in the finals. Gonzaga was the last hope for a No. 1 seed in the tournament to advance to the Final Four, only to see its hopes dashed by the Spartys.

Action begins on Saturday in Hot Atlanta in the semifinals with the NCAA Finals set for Monday night.