East Regional – Sweet 16: No. 1 North Carolina won by at least 20 points for the third consecutive game, beating No. 4 Washington State 68-47 to move into the Elite Eight against Louisville. The Tar Heels started slowly but eventually had enough firepower to quiet the Cougars. Washington State’s offense struggled against a tight Tar Heel defense that allowed only 31.6 percent shooting from the field. A good three-point shooting team, Washington State hit only two three-pointers. Junior forward Tyler Hansbrough led North Carolina with 18 points and nine rebounds.
No. 3 Louisville accomplished what few other teams could do this season: shut down No. 2 Tennessee’s vaunted offense. The Volunteers cut a 16-point first half lead down to one early in the second half. But the Cardinals used a decisive 13-5 run to rebuild a comfortable lead, and they ground down Tennessee the rest of the way. The Volunteers shot only 33.9 percent from the field, and only senior guard Chris Lofton scored more than 12 points. And he was 3-of-15 from the field. Sophomore swingman Earl Clark led five Louisville players in double figures with 17 points and 12 rebounds. [3/27/08]
