March Madness scores, takeaways: Duke, Purdue advance as NC State continues historic run to Elite Eight

The Elite Eight field is now set with four more teams advancing on Friday

DETROIT -- Sweet 16 action continued Friday with more chaos and upsets. In the South Region, No. 11 seed NC State delivered a 67-58 upset over No. 2 seed Marquette to continue its improbable run, and No. 4 seed Duke knocked off top-seeded Houston to set up an all-ACC South Regional final on Sunday.

Duke advanced to the Elite Eight with a 54-51 win over Houston behind big performances from Kyle Filipowski and Jeremy Roach. Houston All-American guard Jamal Shead suffered a severe ankle injury with 6:38 remaining in the opening frame and did not return. The Cougars are the second No. 1 seed to lose in the Sweet 16 after Alabama knocked off North Carolina on Thursday.

No. 1 seed Purdue avoided a letdown by defeating No. 5 seed Gonzaga 80-68 in a rematch of the opening round of this season's Maui Invitational. Purdue star and reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey scored 27 points, and co-star Braden Smith recorded a near triple-double with 14 points, 15 assists, and eight rebounds.

The Boilermakers will have a marquee showdown with No. 2 seed Tennessee in the Elite Eight. The Volunteers eliminated No. 3 seed Creighton 82-75 behind 24 points from SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht.

1. NC State on a historic run

NC State was on the ropes in the ACC Tournament semifinals against Virginia less than two weeks ago. The Wolfpack trailed by three points in the closing seconds and needed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Michael O'Connell to force overtime. That victory over Virginia was part of five wins and five days at the ACC Tournament to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. If O'Connell doesn't make that shot, NC State is likely playing in the NIT. Now, it will have a chance to return to the Final Four for the first time since 1983. 

2. Purdue's Smith, Edey dominate 

Purdue showed no signs of a letdown after a dominant win over Utah State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Edey continued his brilliance in March with 27 points to set up a date with No. 2 seed Tennessee. Smith set a Purdue NCAA Tournament record by dishing out 15 assists. After Gonzaga jumped out to a brief lead midway through the opening frame, it was all Purdue. The Boilermakers are on the verge of returning to the Final Four for the first time since 1980 and less than a year after being on the wrong side of one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history against No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson. 

3. Houston can't overcome Shead's injury

There aren't many players more valuable to their respective teams than Jamal Shead. The Houston All-American guard is the heart and soul of the top-ranked scoring defense in the country. After he exited against Duke, the Cougars never looked the same. Duke outscored Houston 44-35 in the final 26 minutes. The Cougars managed to force 14 turnovers, but it wasn't enough.

2024 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 TV schedule

All times Eastern | NCAA Tournament schedule | LIVE bracket

Friday, March 29

• (11) NC State 67, (2) Marquette 58 | (Condensed game)
• (1) Purdue 80, (5) Gonzaga 68 | TBS (Condensed game)
• (4) Duke 54, (1) Houston 51 | (Condensed game)
• (2) Tennessee 82 (3) Creighton 75 | (Condensed game)

CBS Sports was with you the entire way updating this story with the latest from every Sweet 16 game on Friday. Scores, analysis and highlights from throughout the evening can bee viewed below. 

[Mar 30, 2024 at 12:21 am ET · David Cobb]

Tennessee hangs on, advances to Elite Eight

Final: (2) Tennessee 82, (3) Creighton 75

Tennessee withstood a furious second-half rally from Creighton to reach its second Elite Eight in program history and first since 2010. The Volunteers used an 18-0 run early in the second half to push their advantage to 55-39. It was an impressive turnaround for a team that struggled to score in an ugly second-round victory against Texas. From there, the Vols held on for dear life as Creighton cut the deficit all the way down to three points.

Dalton Knecht led Tennessee with 24 points, going blow for blow with Creighton star Baylor Scheierman, who scored 25. The Volunteers will get No. 1 seed Purdue in the Midwest Region final on Sunday in yet another rematch of a game the Boilermakers won in November. One plot line to watch will be the health of fifth-year senior guard Santiago Vescovi, who was unavailable against Creighton due to illness.

[Mar 30, 2024 at 12:09 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Duke outlasts top seed Houston

Final: (4) Duke 54, (1) Houston 51

The second No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament has been eliminated. No. 4 seed Duke defeated top-seeded Houston 54-51 to advance to the Elite Eight for the second time in the last three years — and first under second-year coach Jon Scheyer. Houston guard Emanuel Sharp missed a 3-pointer with four seconds left that would've sent the game to overtime.

Houston star guard Jamal Shead exited the game with 6:38 remaining in the first half with an ankle injury and did not return. Shead's injury changed the outlook of the whole game; the Cougars were never able to fully recover from losing the heart and soul of their roster. Duke outscored Houston 44-35 after Shead departed the game. Duke star Kyle Filipowski scored a team-high 16 points, and Jeremy Roach added 14.

The Blue Devils will face No. 11 seed NC State in an all-ACC South Regional final on Sunday. Houston ends its season with a 32-5 record. The Cougars fell to Miami last season as a No. 1 seed in the Sweet 16.

[Mar 30, 2024 at 12:00 am ET · David Cobb]

Down the stretch we go

3:54: (2) Tennessee 68, (3) Creighton 64

Tennessee and Creighton are going blow for blow now. The Bluejays have nearly erased the 16-point deficit but haven't quite made it all the way back. Dalton Knecht vs. Baylor Scheierman in the Sweet 16 is making for quite a duel. Steven Ashworth has also been huge for Creighton here in the last few minutes with a big corner 3 and a contested layup.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 11:52 pm ET · David Cobb]

Creighton is back in it

7:54: (2) Tennessee 62, (3) Creighton 55

Creighton has outscored Tennessee 16-7 over the past six minutes and is back in it as the final Sweet 16 game of the night heads toward the home stretch. Baylor Scheierman is putting the Bluejays on his back and is up to 25 points, willing his team back into this game after they fell behind 16.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 11:44 pm ET · David Cobb]

Creighton not going quietly

9:18: (2) Tennessee 62, (3) Creighton 50

Creighton took Tennessee's 18-0 run and didn't flinch. The Bluejays have hit their last three shots and are chipping away. Tennessee has no answer for Ryan Kalkbrenner inside. The Vols built the lead by going up-tempo and getting good looks before the Creighton defense was fully set. But it's tempting to take the air out of the ball up double-digits. Big stretch for Rick Barnes' legacy coming up.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 11:36 pm ET · David Cobb]

Tennessee is on fire

13:51: (2) Tennessee 55, (3) Creighton 39

Tennessee is on an 18-0 run that has completely opened up this game. The Volunteers are 8 of 14 from the field in the second half and 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. They've also turned up the pace in a significant way and depleted Creighton's reservoir of timeouts to one with a long way to go. Bluejays have been punched. Now we say if they can punch back.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 11:30 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Duke leading Houston in close one

U12 timeout: (4) Duke 39, (1) Houston 37

We've got a close one brewing in Dallas but Duke has so far kept Houston at arm's length in this second half. The Blue Devils have led the entire second half after taking the lead into halftime and are up by a bucket at the U12 break. Jeremy Roach has a team-high nine points but Kyle Filipowski, Jared McCain and Tyrese Proctor have all had some moments.

Houston still without star guard Jamal Shead as he nurses a right ankle injury suffered in the first half. Per Houston, he will try to give it a go down the stretch, but he did not warm up with the team coming out of halftime and has yet to take his sweats off.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 11:29 pm ET · David Cobb]

Vols on a run

16:12: (2) Tennessee 45, (3) Creighton 39

Tennessee opened the second half on an 11-4 run, which included and 8-0 spurt. The Vols own a 10-0 edge in points off turnovers and have turned it up on the defensive end to begin the second half. Zakai Zeigler is up to 10 points for Tennessee while Dalton Knecht is at 14. The Blujays will get a double-rest here after calling a timeout with the u16 break just around the corner. For a team light on depth, that will be beneficial.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 11:15 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Jamal Shead officially questionable to return

Houston star guard Jamal Shead, the Big 12 Player of the Year and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, is officially questionable to return in this one as the Cougars try to close out Duke in the second half. He exited with 6:38 remaining in the first half and has not returned. I'm sitting across from him on the court. He's the first player on the bench but he has not taken his sweats off since emerging from halftime. Would be surprised if he plays, and if he does, highly unlikely he's effective. Was limping around pretty good as the team warmed up for the second half.

Jamal Shead injury: Houston star leaves Sweet 16 game loss to Duke with ankle injury in first half

Kyle Boone

[Mar 29, 2024 at 11:01 pm ET · David Cobb]

Great game at half

Half: (3) Creighton 35, (2) Tennessee 34

Tennessee played 10 guys in the first half against Creighton, even with fifth-year senior guard Santiago Vescovi unavailable due to illness. The Bluejays use one of the nation's shortest benches, so perhaps Rick Barnes is trying to test their endurance. The Volunteers have already made more 3-pointers (5 of 10) than they did in their second-round win over Texas. But Creighton is 6 of 14 from deep as well whkle getting some great looks for Ryan Kalkbrenner around the rim, particularly on lobs out of the pick and roll.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 10:52 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Duke leads at the break

HALF: (4) Duke 23, (1) Houston 22

The biggest storyline after 20 minutes of play in this heavyweight Sweet 16 matchup is the status of Houston star Jamal Shead. The All-American guard exited the game with an apparent ankle injury and needed assistance getting off the court. He is questionable to return.

Houston jumped out to an 8-0 lead, but two different prolonged scoring droughts allowed Duke to get back in it. Duke star freshman Jared McCain leads all scorers with seven points in a low-scoring affair. The Cougars have the top-ranked scoring defense, and it's certainly been on display early.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 10:48 pm ET · David Cobb]

Stars coming out

3:41 1H: (2) Tennessee 29, (3) Creighton 27

The stars are starting to shine as Baylor Scheierman is up to 12 points for Creighton while Dalton Knecht is up to 10 for Tennessee. Critical stretch ahead to close the half. The Volunteers have committed six fouls, and Creighton will be at the line for the rest of the half. That's where the Bluejays build their leads, and it'll be important for the Vols to avoid giving away free points in the final few minutes before the break.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 10:39 pm ET · David Cobb]

 Buckets getting scarce

7:48 1H: (2) Tennessee 18, (3) Creighton 14

Buckets are getting hard to come by in game No. 2 from the Midwest Region. Both teams are shooting 35% from the floor in what amounts to quite a pivot from the excellent offensive execution of the night's first game. Baylor Scheierman has attempted 9 of Creighton's 17 shots but has hit just 3 of them. Oddly, the Bluejays have yet to attempt a free throw, which is a critical source of offense for them.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 10:34 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Houston star Jamal Shead hurt

Houston All-American guard Jamal Shead went down on the court and appeared to be in serious pain after turning his right ankle. Shead is the heart and soul of the Cougars' top-ranked scoring defense. Shead is averaging 13.2 points, 6.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals this season. On the broadcast, it showed Shead needing assistance to the locker room.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 10:28 pm ET · David Cobb]

Tight start

11:30 1Q: (2) Tennessee 14, (3) Creighton 12

Tennessee's advantage has been built on an early 4-1 turnover edge leading to an 8-0 differential in points off turnovers. The Vols are also 3 of 7 from deep courtesy of a couple makes from Josiah-Jordan James. The fifth-year senior is a mercurial shooter, but the Vols will need him to deliver tonight against a Creighton team that has done a good job of taking away Dalton Knecht thus far. Baylor Scheierman has 7 early for the Bluejays.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 10:24 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Houston out in front early

MID 1H: (1) Houston 10, (4) Duke 7

One of the most intriguing showdowns on the Sweet 16 slate is turning into a low-scoring affair. After Houston jumped out to an 8-0 lead, Duke used a 7-2 run to cut the deficit to three. Houston hasn't scored in over four minutes, while Duke is also on a scoring drought of over two minutes. The Cougars have the top-scoring defense, and it's been on display early.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 10:20 pm ET · David Cobb]

Santiago Vescovi is out

14:55 1H: (3) Creighton 7, (2) Tennessee 6

Santiago Vescovi is out for Tennessee due to an illness. The status of Tennessee fifth-year guard was uncertain coming in. Vols coach Rick Barnes said Thursday that Vescovi had been "under the weather a little bit, but we expect him to be ready." Ultimately, he couldn't go. He's started 144 games for the Volunteers and was a double-figure scorer for three seasons. This year, he's taken a bit of a backseat offensively as the offense has run through Dalton Knecht. But he's nonetheless a key part of the rotation and a steadying hand. Look for Jamai Mashack and Jordan Gainey to play a larger roles without Vescovi.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 9:55 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Expert pick for Creighton-Tennessee 

This line opened at Tennessee -2 but has moved a half point. That feels like the right side to be on. This Volunteers team can grind you down with its defense, but it has the firepower to score with any team in the field thanks to Dalton Knecht. What Tennessee does well defensively matches up great on paper with Creighton's strengths. A close game coming, but I'll lay the tiny number on the better, more complete team. Pick: Tennessee -2.5 

2024 March Madness predictions: Expert picks against the spread for Sweet 16, NCAA odds in Friday's games

Kyle Boone

[Mar 29, 2024 at 9:39 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Purdue advances to the Elite Eight

Final: (1) Purdue 80, (5) Gonzaga 68

Purdue is moving on to the Elite Eight after an incredible second-half performance by reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey. The Boilermakers star scored 16 of his 27 points in the final 20 minutes of action to set up a date with the winner of No. 2 seed Tennessee vs. No. 3 seed Creighton on Sunday.

Just over a year after losing to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, Purdue will be making its third Elite Eight appearance this century. 

This game was a rematch of the opening round of the Maui Invitational — also won by Purdue — that puts the Boilermakers one game away from going back to the Final Four for the first time since 1980. Purdue star Braden Smith finished with a near triple-double: 14 points, 15 assists, and eight rebounds. His 15 assists is a Purdue NCAA Tournament record.

Gonzaga ends its season with a 27-8 record. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead in the opening frame because of their half-court offense. The Boilermakers made adjustments, and it didn't help that Graham Ike, Anton Watson, and Ben Gregg were all playing with foul trouble. 

[Mar 29, 2024 at 9:28 pm ET · David Cobb]

The party has begun

3:24: (1) Purdue 76, (5) Gonzaga 59

The party has begun among the massive contingent of Purdue fans in Detroit. The Boilermakers are on cruise control as they close in on an Elite Eight appearance. Graham Ike just fouled out for Gonzaga, leaving the Bulldogs without their best counter to Zach Edey. The Zags came with a gamely effort tonight early but have run out of gas after making a push early in the second half.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 9:26 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

NC State pulls off another stunner

Final: (11) NC State 67, (2) Marquette 58

The only double-digit seed remaining in the NCAA Tournament continued its improbable run on Friday with a near wire-to-wire victory over No. 2 seed Marquette. NC State will be making its first Elite Eight appearance since 1986 and less than two weeks after winning five games in five days at the ACC Tournament to secure an automatic bid to the Big Dance.

NC State guard DJ Horne scored a team-high 19 points, and Casey Morsell added 15 while playing in foul trouble to set up a date with the winner of No. 4 seed Duke vs. No. 1 seed Houston on Sunday with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

Marquette star Tyler Kolek recorded a season-low three assists just days after becoming the first player since Cal's Jason Kidd (1993) with at least 10 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds in consecutive NCAA Tournament games. The Golden Eagles struggled from 3-point land and finished 4 of 31 from beyond the arc for one of its worst shooting performances from 3 in its NCAA Tournament history. Marquette ends its season with a 27-10 record after making its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2013.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 9:20 pm ET · David Cobb]

Purdue in command

6:36: (1) Purdue 69, (5) Gonzaga 57

Gonzaga's back is against the wall with under seven minutes to play. Purdue has turned it on in the second half, and the Zags have cooled off just enough to where they are now on the ropes. It was likely going to take a shooting performance of 50% or better for the Bulldogs to have a chance, and they are now at 48% while Gonzaga is at 56%. Braden Smith has set a Purdue NCAA Tournament record with 15 assists to lead the charge for the Boilermakers.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 9:15 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Expert pick for Houston-Duke

There will be some 3-point regression after going 14 of 28 from behind the arc in a blitzing effort against James Madison, but the fact that the Blue Devils have one of the best catch-and-shoot players around in Jared McCain remains. Duke has shooters that can make an aggressive Houston defense pay when it gambles, and the Cougars can be challenged if they have to keep up with a hot shooting night on the other side. The Blue Devils have not always done a great job maintaining their edge in the wake of strong performances, but if Jon Scheyer can get this team dialed again, they're good enough to win -- and definitely cover. Pick: Duke +4.5

2024 March Madness predictions: Expert picks against the spread for Sweet 16, NCAA odds in Friday's games

Kyle Boone

[Mar 29, 2024 at 9:10 pm ET · David Cobb]

Purdue weathers a run

9:49 remaining: (1) Purdue 61, (5) Gonzaga 53

Gonzaga made a run to close within 53-51 on a Nolan Hickman 3-pointer with 13:01 remaining. But Purdue weathered it and struck back with an 8-2 surge entering the under 12 media timeout. Braden Smith is up to 13 assists to go along with 12 points as he continues to shine in a strong sophomore season. This team isn't just about Zach Edey, folks. The Boilermakers are getting it done with help from multiple sources against Gonzaga.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 8:55 pm ET · David Cobb]

Purdue surging to start the second

16:24: (1) Purdue 51, (5) Gonzaga 42

Gonzaga started the second half with Ben Gregg on the bench after he picked up his third foul in the closing seconds of the first. Dusty Stromer had to come in, and he just doesn't look ready as a freshman on this stage. Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn have all 11 of Purdue's second half points so far after combining for just three in the first half. The Purdue faithful inside Little Caesars Arena are getting loud.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 8:43 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Marquette struggles mounting

U12 timeout: (11) NC State 46, (2) Marquette 33

NC State has done enough to keep Marquette at arm's length in this one thanks to some serious struggles from Marquette's offense. Golden Eagles are 0-of-4 from 3-point range in the second half after going 2-of-13 in the first half. They've had some great looks but haven't been able to make shots to keep up. Pressure building here in Dallas for the Golden Eagles to do something -- and fast.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 8:30 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

NC State in control

U16 timeout: (11) NC State 44, (2) Marquette 30

It was all NC State in the first half and it has been all NC State out of the gates in the second half. The Wolfpack have outscored the Golden Eagles 7-6 in the first few minutes of play here in Dallas with Casey Morsell making both his shot attempts out of the halftime period. Marquette offense has clunked all three 3-point attempts.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 8:30 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Purdue leads at halftime

HALF: (1) Purdue 40, (5) Gonzaga 36

We have reached halftime in Detroit. If the first half was any indication of how this game is going to end, we are due for a good finish. Gonzaga is doing an excellent job with its half-court offense by spamming high pick-and-roll to get Purdue star Zach Edey out of the paint. 

The Boilermakers closed the half by making their last four field goals to take a four-point lead into the locker room. Purdue guard Lance Jones had an excellent opening half and scored 12 points. Edey added 11 points and six rebounds.

Something to keep an eye on during the second half is foul trouble. Gonzaga big man Ben Gregg picked up his third foul with nine second left in the half and Anton Watson has two fouls. Gonzaga star Graham Ike knocked down two 3-pointers and has a team-high 12 points. Purdue is electing to sag off Ike on the perimeter, and he's made them pay so far.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 8:20 pm ET · David Cobb]

Big closing stretch ahead

3:09 1H: (5) Gonzaga 33, (1) Purdue 33

Zach Edey checked out with Purdue leading 28-24. Gonzaga promptly went on a 5-0 run after as Graham Ike flushed a putback dunk and Anton Watson drilled a corner 3-pointer. Matt Painter quickly pointed to Edey, and he returned at the 6:19 mark with the Boilermakers down 29-28. Now, we head down the stretch of the first half in what's been a great game so far. Note: this is when UConn flexed in the first half against San Diego State on Thursday. Critical moments ahead.

[Mar 29, 2024 at 8:07 pm ET · David Cobb]

Purdue is scoring from deep

8:11 1H: (1) Purdue 28, (5) Gonzaga 24

Want to know why this year's Purdue team is better than last year's? It's all about the outside shooting. The Boilermakers entered the Sweet 16 as the nation's top 3-point shooting team at above 40% and are scorching hot early. Purdue is 6 of 9 from deep with two makes apiece from Mason Gillis, Braden Smith and Lance Jones. The collective firepower has the Boilermakers on a 6-0 run and leading after a strong start from Gonzaga had Purdue on its heels early.