Selection Sunday just two days away, but there’s plenty of college basketball action to keep up with on conference tournament weekend.
Top-ranked Duke returned to action on Friday without Cooper Flagg after the potential NBA Draft No. 1 pick sprained his ankle on Thursday. Without Flagg, the Blue Devils hung on to beat North Carolina 74-71 in the ACC semifinals after nearly coughing up a 24-point lead.
UNC had a chance to take the lead in the final seconds, trailing by one with two free throws. But the first missed and the second was waved off for a lane violation, paving the way for the Duke victory.
Beyond that, there were plenty of other noteworthy games. All top seeds in their respective conference tournaments advanced, with Duke joining Auburn (SEC), Michigan State (Big Ten), Houston (Big 12) and St. John’s (Big East). All those teams are potentially still in play for No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament.
Here are all the games we’ll be keeping a close eye on Friday. (Scroll for live updates.)
Friday’s best games:
ACC
No. 1 Duke 74, North Carolina 71
No. 13 Louisville 76, No. 10 Clemson 73
Big 12
No. 2 Houston 74, No. 17 BYU 54
Arizona 86, No. 9 Texas Tech 80
SEC
No. 3 Auburn 62, Ole Miss 57
No. 8 Tennessee 83, Texas 72
No. 4 Florida 95, No. 21 Missouri 81
No. 5 Alabama 99, No. 15 Kentucky 70
Big East
No. 6 St. John’s 79, No. 25 Marquette 63
Creighton 71, UConn 62
Big Ten
No. 7 Michigan State 74, No. 23 Oregon 64
No. 18 Wisconsin 86, UCLA 70
No. 11 Maryland 88, No. 24 Illinois 65
No. 22 Michigan 86, No. 20 Purdue 68
Best of the rest
No. 16 Memphis 83, Wichita State 80
Boise State 72, New Mexico 69
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER
91 updates
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 5:18 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Louisville survives after controversial finish!
Clemson had a shot at tying or winning the game late, but just couldn’t get a clean look. Credit Louisville for tough defense — though plenty will take issue with the lack of calls in the key moments at the end.
The Cardinals advance to face Duke in the ACC title game.
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 5:10 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Clemson mounting late rally
The Tigers are somehow still alive late in the ACC semis after trailing by 11 with under 2 minutes left in the game. They’re now down 2 with 30 seconds left. What a furious rally to make this a game.
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 5:05 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Final: Alabama 99, Kentucky 70
The Crimson Tide left no doubt in this one, giving Kentucky its worst loss of the season. Five different Alabama players scored 13 or more points in the win.
The Tide advance to the SEC semis and will face Florida.
Kentucky Wildcats
70
UK
6
Final
Alabama Crimson Tide
99
ALA
3
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 5:00 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Final: Arizona 86, Texas Tech 80
It was the Caleb Love show again for the Wildcats. The star guard finished 10-for-15 from the floor (5-for-8 from deep) and led all scorers with 27 points.
Arizona will take on top-seeded Houston for the Big 12 title on Saturday.
Arizona Wildcats
86
ARIZ
3
Final
Texas Tech Red Raiders
80
TTU
2
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 4:48 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Final: Boise State 72, New Mexico 69
Boise State was firmly on the bubble coming into the MWC semifinal and the Broncos might’ve just earned a bid with that close win over the Lobos. A tourney title and an automatic bid would take the guesswork out of it.
Boise State Broncos
72
BSU
5
Final
New Mexico Lobos
69
UNM
1
New Mexico State gets a chance to tie, but @BroncoSportsMBB SURVIVES. On to the Mountain West FINAL pic.twitter.com/mXXoi1dD0h
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 15, 2025
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 4:42 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Ugly end to Creighton-UConn
UConn was content just letting the clock run out in its loss, but Creighton’s Jamiya Neal had other ideas, throwing down a nasty dunk and hanging on the rim. UConn’s Hassan Diarra took exception and shoved him.
After Neal’s dunk, UConn’s Diarra pushes Neal and words are exchanged. pic.twitter.com/C7upaurX6q
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 15, 2025
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 4:30 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
UConn trailing late
The Huskies are down 6 with just a minute left in the game, but they’re still fighting.
McNeeley gets it to go for @UConnMBB 👏 pic.twitter.com/KYXMmhL9AG
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 15, 2025
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 4:22 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Louisville in control vs. Clemson
Meanwhile, in the ACC tourney, Louisville has opened up a healthy lead of its own in the second half against Clemson. It’s a defensive battle and the Cardinals are up double digits with just over 12 minutes left. The winner of that game will play top-ranked Duke on Saturday night.
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 4:04 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Caleb Love is feeling it
The Arizona star started the second half just like he did the first: Drilling 3-pointers. He has two more in the first few minutes (23 points total) and the Wildcats are up double digits on Texas Tech.
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 3:55 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Huskies teasing a comeback
Creighton is still leading in the second half of the Big East semifinal, but UConn isn’t going quietly. The Huskies are on a 12-0 run and back in the game.
Liam McNeeley wanted this bucket! 😤 Count it for @UConnMBB! pic.twitter.com/gXss8I4Jbv
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 15, 2025
AIDAN MAHANEY!!!! Massive three for @UConnMBB! The Huskies are back in it! pic.twitter.com/n16kNtJyV2
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 15, 2025
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 3:40 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Halftime: Arizona 47, Texas Tech 39
Caleb Love has been the focal point as usual for the Wildcats so far. He’s 6-for-8 from the field in the first half (including 3-for-4 from deep) and has 17 points. Most of that was in the first 7 minutes of the game.
Caleb Love has 13 points (4-4 FG, 3-3 3PT) in just seven minutes 🔥😼pic.twitter.com/iHwka53sEa
— Jenna Fink (@jennamfink) March 15, 2025
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 3:35 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Michigan pulling away early in second half
The Wolverines are on a tear coming out of the break and have opened up a double-digit lead on Purdue. The winner of this game will play Maryland on Saturday.
Big Slam! Big Three! @umichbball keeps it going! pic.twitter.com/3pb8sNHeFr
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 15, 2025
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 3:22 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Cooper Flagg won’t play in ACC title game Saturday
Duke coach Jon Scheyer said after the Blue Devils’ win that Flagg will miss the ACC tournament title game.
Jon Scheyer told reporters postgame that Duke’s Cooper Flagg (ankle) will not play in Saturday’s ACC Tournament title game. https://t.co/zApKQWPgGX
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 15, 2025
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 3:11 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Texas Tech on fire
The Red Raiders have surged into the lead midway through the first half against Arizona. They’re one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country and they’re 5-for-7 from behind the arc so far. Christian Anderson has two of them.
Christian Anderson. Bucket getter.#TTW | 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/AkGed8uc88
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) March 15, 2025
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 3:07 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
UK-Alabama trading blows early
The SEC quarterfinal between the Wildcats and Crimson Tide has started off with a blistering pace and both teams are shooting the ball well. It’s tied up at 14-14 at the first TV timeout.
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 2:53 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Arizona-Texas Tech underway in Big 12 semis
The Wildcats are off to a hot start in Kansas City. If this is the first Big 12 game you’ve watched, you may be confused as to what you’re looking at. Here’s Jeff Eisenberg on the curious court choice made by Brett Yormark and Co. for the conference tournament:
KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 14: A high view of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship logo on center court before the tournament semifinal game between the BYU Cougars and Houston Cougars on March 14, 2025 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Click the photo to read the story. (Scott Winters/Getty Images)
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 2:45 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Creighton takes early lead on UConn
Dan Hurley’s Huskies had a bit of a slow start on Thursday against Villanova and it looks like they’re starting the Big East semifinal against Creighton in similar fashion. The Bluejays are out to an early lead.
‘Jays are rolling! @JasenGreen44 on the fast break slam for @BluejayMBB 💪 pic.twitter.com/i3TbjsH5rN
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 15, 2025
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 2:35 AM GMT+1
Yahoo Sports Staff
Kentucky Wildcats
70
UK
6
Final
Alabama Crimson Tide
99
ALA
3
Arizona Wildcats
86
ARIZ
3
Final
Texas Tech Red Raiders
80
TTU
2
Sat, March 15, 2025 at 2:29 AM GMT+1
FINAL: Duke 74, UNC 71
An off-balance desperation shot clanks wide and Duke will advance by the skin of its teeth, and the sole of Jae’Lyn Withers’ sneaker. What a bizarre ending to a great comeback.
North Carolina Tar Heels
71
UNC
5
Final
Duke Blue Devils
74
