Fiserv Forum witnessed two electrifying NCAA tournament games on Sunday, determining which teams would advance to the Sweet 16. Fans experienced the highs and lows of intense basketball action, as Illinois faced Kentucky in the first game, followed by Ole Miss taking on Iowa State in the second.On Friday, March 28, Ole Miss will take on Michigan State in the Sweet 16 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta Georgia. Kentucky will face Tennessee at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Sunday Game Highlights
The first game featured Illinois and Kentucky in a close matchup. Illinois junior Kylan Boswell ignited the game with an opening two-point shot, giving his team a 2-0 lead. However, Kentucky found their rhythm and by the end of the second quarter, they turned the tide, securing an 84-75 victory. Kentucky’s remarkable teamwork included 36 rebounds, 18 assists, 14 steals, 4 blocks, and limiting their turnovers to 5. Graduate student Koby Bea led the team with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal.
In the second game, Ole Miss faced Iowa State. Junior Malik Dia contributed 8 points early in the first quarter, but the team’s standout performance came from Pewaukee Native senior Sean Pedulla, who led with 20 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals and managed 2 fouls. Ole Miss celebrated a 91-78 victory, securing their spot in the Sweet 16.
Post-Game Press Conference
The postgame press conference offered insights from the winning teams and their coaches, Kentucky’s graduate student Amari Willimas expressed gratitude and disbelief, acknowledging the doubters who questioned their team’s ability to make it this far. Head Coach Mark Pope highlighted the deep camaraderie among his players, remembering the moment when a teammate stepped in to support another during a challenging family tragedy. Pope remarked, “I called in to check with that player and see how his day went and we had to scrap all the plays because his teammate Lamont (Butler) scooped him up and spent the day together.” Illinois Head coach Brad Underwood reflected on his team’s ambitions, emphasizing their pursuit of a national championship and the consistency of their program. “Six Straight NCAA tournaments to me, that’s about building a program with a culture of consistency.”
After the victory over Iowa State, Ole Miss head Coach Chris Beard acknowledged the pressure both he and his team faced during the game, “we were kind of, you know a win-or-bust team,” he went on to add “Ole Miss winning a tournament…Probable? No. Possible? Absolutely!” Meanwhile, Iowa State Head Coach TJ Otzelberger praised his team’s resilience and defensive tenacity. “They’re connected defensively; their switching can be disruptive. At times, it wears on you mentally,” he said.
