(8) Minnesota 66, (9) Northwestern 53
No. 8 Minnesota’s balance beat No. 9 Northwestern’s dominant shooter in a 66-53 win that might leave the Wildcats outside the NCAA Tournament once again. The Golden Gophers got 14 points from junior guard Lawrence Westbrook, one of six Minnesota players to score at least six points. Northwestern, which has never reached the NCAA Tournament, got 21 points from junior forward Kevin Coble, but he was the only Wildcat to score more than eight points. Minnesota will play No. 1 Michigan State next. The Spartans thumped Minnesota by 29 in their last meeting in February.
(7) Michigan 73, (10) Iowa 45
No. 7 Michigan avenged a 10-point loss to No. 10 Iowa in late February in a 73-45 blowout. The Wolverines shot nearly 60 percent from the field, led by junior forward DeShawn Sims, who had 27 points on 75 percent shooting. Sims made just three fewer shots than Iowa’s entire team, which shot only 33 percent from the field. The Wolverines get No. 2 Illinois in the quarterfinals. The two teams split their regular-season match ups.
(6) Penn State 66, (11) Indiana 51
No. 6 Penn State avoided a potentially devastating loss to No. 11 Indiana in a 66-51 victory. Senior forward Jamelle Cornley led the Nittany Lions with 22 points and five rebounds. Penn State’s defense, which held opponents to less than 70 points in all but two wins, limited the Hoosiers to 37 percent shooting. Penn State will play No. 3 Purdue in the quarterfinals. The teams split their regular-season meetings.
