UCLA guard Johnny Juzang scored 28 points while fighting off an ankle injury to help carry upstart UCLA past No. 1 seed Michigan 51-49.
The Bruins, an 11 seed, reached the Final Four for the first time since 2008. They are the fifth No. 11 seed to reach the Final Four, joining Loyola Chicago (2018), Virginia Commonwealth (2011), George Mason (2006) and LSU (1986).
The Wolverines’ Mike Smith missed a potential game-winning three-pointer with two seconds remaining and Franz Wagner’s miss with 0.5 seconds left sealed the loss for a Michigan team playing without second leading scorer Isaiah Livers.
MEANWHILE… No. 1 Gonzaga Drubs USC
No. 1 Gonzaga dominated No. 6 seed Southern California 85-66 on Tuesday in the Elite Eight to secure the program’s second ever men’s Final Four – keeping the quest alive for the first undefeated season in men’s college basketball since 1976 when Indiana went 32-0.
Gonzaga’s nation-leading offense was firing on all cylinders, building up a 49-30 halftime lead and never looking back. Big man Drew Timme provided the early offense, scoring 23 points, while Corey Kispert (18 points) and Jalen Suggs (18 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists) were also on their A-game.
