Baylor survives Villanova, advances to Elite Eight in men’s NCAA Tournament

It wasn’t easy, but Baylor’s quest to reach its first Final Four in 71 years is still alive after the No. 1-seeded Bears got past No. 5 Villanova 62-51 in the Sweet 16 of the men’s NCAA Tournament.

Now, half of the men’s NCAA tournament Elite Eight is set after Saturday’s March Madness offerings.

 Only once has a No. 12 seed reached the Elite Eight before. Never has a No. 15 seed gotten there.

We got one of the two, following Oregon State’s 65-58 upset of Loyola Chicago in the men’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 on Saturday. Of course, more history is being written in a March Madness that’s already seen a record number of upsets and double-digit seeds advancing to the second weekend. The Pac-12 is now 10-1.

Oral Roberts came oh-so-close to pulling off a historic upset in a two-point loss to Arkansas, ending the Golden Eagles’ Cinderella run. And Houston ended No. 11 seed Syracuse’s tournament by locking down Buddy Boeheim.

Sunday’s roster of games should bring more thrills, as a pair of top seeds including the undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs will look to punch their tickets to Elite Eight games scheduled for Tuesday.