Florida's 78-64 win over Minnesota would not have been nearly so one-sided without Mike Rosario stepping up in the first half and banging in 17 - dropping in four of his six three-pointers - of his game-high 25 points.
The gator point guard was at his efficient best, making eight of 12 shots from the field, including six of nine from three-point range. He also had a couple of rebounds, an assist and two steals in 34 minutes.
The Gators often struggle and stagnate on offense, but Rosario provided a needed spark to advance Florida into the Sweet 16, where they will meet the surprise team of the tournament, Florida Gulf Coast, the #15 seed in the South region.
With Mississippi's loss to LaSalle, Florida stands as the only team remaining from the four the SEC sent to the tournament. Off his stellar effort, Rosario will have to rise to the occasion again in the next round against the dangerous Eagles.
Updating the tournament conference scoreboard, the Big Ten improved its overall tourney record to 10-3, placing four teams - Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State - into the round of sixteen. The Atlantic 10, which went into the weekend a perfect 6-0, stumbled badly in the round of 32, losing four of five games. Only the LaSalle Explorers remain from the conference, advancing to the Sweet 16 with their win over Ole Miss.
Tournament Conference Scoreboard
Through games of 3/24
Through games of 3/24
Conference (# of teams) | W-L | Winners (wins) |
ACC (4) | 5-2 | Duke (2) Miami (2) North Carolina (1) |
Atlantic 10 (5) | 7-4 | LaSalle (3) Butler (1) St. Louis (1) VCU (1) Temple (1) |
Big 12 (6) | 3-4 | Iowa St. (1) Kansas (2) |
Big East (8) | 6-5 | Marquette(2) Louisville (2) Syracuse (2) |
Big Ten (7) | 10-3 | Mich. St. (2) Michigan (2) Indiana (2) Illinois (1) Ohio St. (2) Minnesota (1) |
PAC-12 (5) | 5-3 | Oregon (2) Arizona (2) Cal (1) |
SEC (4) | 3-2 | Mississippi (1) Florida (2) |
Missouri Valley (2) | 3-1 | Wichita St. (2) Creighton (1) |
Mountain West (5) | 2-5 | Colorado St. (1) San Diego St. (1) |
WCC (2) | 2-2 | St. Mary's (1) Gonzaga (1) |
Sun Belt (2) | 0-2 | -- |
All Others (19) | 6-20 | NC A&T (1) James Madison (1) Memphis (1) Harvard (1) Florida Gulf Coast (2) |