Arkansas: Darius Acuff’s 60 points are the most by a freshman in the first two rounds of any NCAA Tournament. Nobody else still playing has scored that many points in this NCAA Tournament. Acuff has joined Chris Paul (in 2004 with Wake Forest) and Derrick Rose (in 2008 with Memphis) as the only freshmen to have multiple NCAA Tournament games with at least 20 points and five assists.
Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives to the basket past High Point forward Cam’ron Fletcher during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, March 21, in Portland, Ore.
Amanda Loman, Associated Press
South
Nebraska: Although Nebraska had never won an NCAA Tournament game before last week, Florida’s loss to Iowa means the Cornhuskers now have the longest postseason win streak (not counting conference tournaments) of any team left in the field. Nebraska won four straight games over Arizona State, Georgetown, Boise State and Central Florida to win the College Basketball Crown last year in Las Vegas.
Iowa: This will be the third time Iowa and Nebraska have faced off this season. The home team won the two previous meetings — a 57-52 Iowa triumph on Feb. 17 and an 84-75 Nebraska overtime victory on March 8. Iowa must take better care of the basketball this time. Iowa totaled 22 assists and 31 turnovers in those two previous meetings with the Cornhuskers.
Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey (3) drives past Kentucky’s Denzel Aberdeen (1) during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, March 22, in St. Louis.
Jeff Roberson, Associated Press
Houston: The Cougars are in the Sweet 16 for a seventh consecutive time, which represents the longest active streak of any school. Houston still has a way to go to match North Carolina’s record of 13 straight Sweet 16 appearances from 1981-93. Sweet 16 records began in 1975, the first year all teams were required to win at least one game to get to that round.
Illinois: Tomislav Ivisic had 14 points and 11 rebounds in a second-round win over VCU, giving him two double-doubles in four career NCAA Tournament games. The 7-foot-1 center from Croatia also can score from long range. His 101 3-pointers over the last two seasons are the most by any 7-footer during that stretch.