An NCAA Tournament dominated by favorites finally had a pair of (mild) upsets on Saturday evening in the regional finals.
Second-seeded Oklahoma and Villanova toppled top-seeded Oregon and Kansas, respectively — putting OU’s top prospect, Buddy Hield, within one game of playing for the national championship in his senior season with the Sooners.
Needless to say, many NBA stars were watching — including former players at the two schools.
FINAL FOUR BABY!! Nova nation baby
— Kyle Lowry (@Klow7) March 27, 2016
I’m so proud of them boys I’ve seen the work they put in!!! They deserve this!!
— Kyle Lowry (@Klow7) March 27, 2016
OH Buddy!!! see what I did there. Buddy Hield is a problem people..#MarchMadness
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) March 27, 2016
Buddy’s balls are out already.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 26, 2016
Let’s go, boys. ⭕️????????.
— Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin32) March 26, 2016
Villanova ‘s team spirit is A1
— Festus Ezeli (@festus) March 27, 2016
Buddy Hield & @OU_MBBall are straight flame throwers ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????#OklahomavsOregon #Elite8
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) March 26, 2016
Buddy Hield is a #flamethrower????????????#ONFIRE #sooners #MarchMadness
— Wally Szczerbiak (@wallyball) March 26, 2016
Congratulations @OU_MBBALL on making it to the #FinalFour! #ProudOkie Yeaaaaa !!!!! pic.twitter.com/22wZ4xtwJ0
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) March 27, 2016
The Sooners and Wildcats will meet in one of next Saturday’s semifinals at the Final Four in Houston. The other semifinal will feature the winner of Sunday’s games between Virginia/Syracuse and North Carolina/Notre Dame. Both are all-ACC matchups.
Ben DuBose is a veteran sports reporter who has followed the Houston Rockets and the NBA since Hakeem Olajuwon was Akeem Olajuwon. He writes for both SheridanHoops and ClutchFans, an independent Rockets blog. You can follow him on Twitter and listen to his Houston sports podcast.