March 28, 2025 — Sweet 16 Recap with NBA Draft Top-10 Candidates (per NBADraft.net, updated)
The second half of the 2025 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament’s regional semifinals (Sweet 16) has completed. Let’s take a look at which teams will advance to the Elite Eight on Sunday.
Michigan State 73, Mississippi 70
Michigan State edged Ole Miss in a gritty game, advancing to the Elite Eight behind clutch shooting and defense. Jase Richardson of Michigan State is currently projected mid-first round at No. 15 per on NBADraft.net where he scored 20 points for the Spartans.
Tennessee 78, Kentucky 65
Tennessee finally broke through against Kentucky after two previous losses this season, dominating the second half. Chaz Lanier of Tennessee is a projected late first-round, at No. 20 on NBADraft.net. Not a realistic top-10, but an experienced senior drawing NBA attention.
Auburn 78, Michigan 65
Auburn rallied from down nine to dispatch Michigan behind standout guard play, led by two freshmen. Tahaad Pettiford of Auburn is projected to be No. 26 on NBADraft.net. He had a 20-point performance in the Sweet 16. That said,
Houston 62, Purdue 60
Houston won a defensive slugfest on a last-second layup by Milos Uzan, sending Purdue home in heartbreaking fashion.
NCAA men’s Elite Eight games today
- No. 1 Florida vs. No. 3 Texas Tech, 6 p.m. ET on TBS/TruTV
- No. 1 Duke vs. No. 2 Alabama, approximately 8:30 p.m. ET on TBS/TruTV
