Oakland Region – Second Round: No. 2 UCLA did just about everything it could to give No. 10 Alabama chances to win but managed to hold on for a 62-59 win against the Crimson Tide in San Diego, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time in four years. Jordan Farmar scored 18 points to lead the Bruins (29-6), who shot better than 51 percent from the field. Ronald Steele led Alabama (18-13) with 21 points in the defeat. UCLA will play No. 3 Gonzaga in the Sweet 16.
No. 3 Gonzaga advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 90-80 win against No. 6 Indiana, ending coach Mike Davis’ tenure with the Hoosiers. The Bulldogs won despite getting only 14 points from Adam Morrison. Indiana’s defense shut down the All-American forward but couldn’t stop J.P. Batista or Gonzaga’s other supporting cast members. Batista finished with 20 points and nine rebounds to lead the Zags. Davis announced last month that he would resign effective the end of this season, which officially came today. [3/18/06]
