2023 March Madness scores, takeaways: Big Ten in bigger hole; hobbled Houston holds on, heads to Sweet 16

The second round of the NCAA Tournament got underway Saturday and didn't take long to create some memorable moments

NCAA Tournament mayhem continued on Saturday across the country as the beginning the second round provided more drama, upsets and the general madness of March. By night's end, the first eight tickets to the Sweet 16 had been punched and heartache inflicted on eight teams who saw their dreams of a national title dashed in the sea of emotion brought by the Big Dance.

The Cinderella story of the day belonged to No. 15 seed Princeton, which advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in the modern era of the NCAA Tournament by shellacking No. 7 seed Missouri 78-63. Princeton is just the fourth Ivy League program to reach the regional semifinals and the first since 2010.

Thing went a little better Saturday for Missouri's SEC rivals. First, No. 4 seed Tennessee upended No. 5 seed Duke 65-52. Then, in one of the day's top surprises, No. 8 seed Arkansas took down reigning national champion Kansas 72-71 as the Jayhawks became the second No. 1 seed to exit during the tournament's first weekend. Alabama avoided a similar fate by handling No. 8 seed Maryland 73-51 in the nightcap.

Before the attention turns fully to Sunday's action, when the final Sweet 16 spots will be secured, here are a few takeaways from Saturday's NCAA Tournament slate.

Houston roars back

In the aftermath of Kansas' loss to Arkansas, Houston found itself in a dire predicament. The Cougars trailed No. 9 seed Auburn 41-31 at halftime in front of a pro-Auburn crowd in Birmingham, Alabama. It appeared Houston was at risk of becoming the third No. 1 seed to lose in roughly a 24-hour span.

But then the Cougars showed why they entered the NCAA Tournament as the betting favorites to win it all. Behind a 20-point outburst from Tramon Mark in the second half, Houston rallied for an 81-64 victory to reach next week's Sweet 16. The Cougars outscored Auburn 50-23 in the second half and closed on a 9-0 run. While the offensive outburst stood out, so did the defensive effort. Auburn made just 4 of 24 shots from the field in the second half as Houston squeezed the life out of the Tigers.

No. 2 seeds survive scares

No. 2 seed UCLA jumped out to a 33-19 lead on Northwestern in the first half and looked poised to roll into the Sweet 16. But the Wildcats came all the way back to tie the game at 45 with 11:26 remaining. It was a fight until the end, but the Bruins emerged with a 68-63 win, despite a combined 29 points from Boo Buie and Chase Audige of Northwestern in the second half.

Another No. 2 seed, Texas, followed a similar script in its 71-66 win over Penn State. The Longhorns led 39-28 with 17:28 remaining before Penn State roared all the way back to take the lead with under five minutes remaining. From there, Texas clapped back with its own 10-0 run as forward Dylan Disu led the way with 28 points. It was a valiant effort from both Northwestern and Penn State, but neither Big Ten squad could quite get over the hump against their No. 2 seed foes.

ACC, Big Ten struggling

Speaking of the Big Ten, Sunday is shaping up as a huge day for the conference after its teams went 0-3 in NCAA Tournament action Saturday. No. 4 seed Indiana and No. 7 seed Michigan State are the Big Ten's last remaining hopes of having a team playing on the second weekend of the Big Dance.

The Hoosiers take on No. 5 seed Miami while the Spartans play No. 2 seed Marquette. Prospects are similarly dire for the ACC after Duke's loss to Tennessee on Saturday. The Hurricanes and No. 11 seed Pittsburgh are the ACC's last remaining teams, and it's possible the league could be entirely eliminated from the NCAA Tournament before the Sweet 16 if things go poorly on Sunday.

2023 NCAA Tournament TV schedule

All times Eastern | NCAA Tournament schedule | LIVE bracket

• (5) San Diego State 75, (13) Furman 52 -- Recap
• (4) Tennessee 65, vs. (5) Duke 52 -- Vols snap Blue Devils' 10-game winning streak
• (8) Arkansas 72, (1) Kansas 71 -- Arkansas shocks reigning champions
• (15) Princeton 78, (7) Missouri 63 -- Princeton makes first Sweet 16
• (1) Houston 81, (9) Auburn 64 --  Recap
• (2) Texas 71, (10) Penn State 66 -- Recap 
• (2) UCLA 68, (7) Northwestern 63 -- Recap
• (1) Alabama 73, (8) Maryland --  Recap

CBS Sports will be with you the entire way updating this story with the latest from every second-round game on Saturday. Keep it locked here for scores, analysis and highlights throughout the evening.

[Mar 19, 2023 at 12:18 am ET · David Cobb]

Alabama rolls

Final: Alabama 73, Maryland 51

Jahvon Quinerly led Alabama with 22 points as the Crimson Tide cruised into the Sweet 16 and a matchup with No. 5 seed San Diego State next week. Alabama led just 28-23 at halftime before Quinerly took over and helped the Crimson Tide outscore the Terrapins 45-28 in the second half. Bama hit just 6 of 21 attempts from beyond the arc but got a 16-4 edge in second-chance points and held the Terps to just 1 of 8 shooting from 3-point range.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 11:04 pm ET · David Cobb]

UCLA advances

Final: UCLA 68, Northwestern 63

UCLA led by 14 at one point late in the first half but had to withstand a furious charge from Northwestern in the second half before holding on for an 68-63 win. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the way with 24 points for the Bruins, who will face either TCU or Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 next week. The win may have come with a cost for UCLA, though. While starting center Adem Bona returned from injury after missing two games, senior shooting guard David Singleton needed to be helped off the floor in the final minute after an ankle injury that looked pretty bad. With Jaylen Clark already out, the Bruins will be particularly thin on the wing if Singleton has to miss any time.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 10:59 pm ET · David Cobb]

Alabama winning ugly 

Half: Alabama 28, Maryland 23

There was nothing pretty about the first half of No. 1 seed Alabama's nightcap with No. 8 seed Maryland in South Region action, but the Crimson Tide took a 28-23 lead to the locker room after falling behind 9-2 early. The Terrapins shot just 30.8% from the field in the half and couldn't get anything to go after their hot start. Alabama is just 1 of 7 from 3-point range but winning the battle of second-chance points 9-0.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 10:16 pm ET · David Cobb]

Texas survives 

Final: Texas 71, Penn State 66

Penn State mounted an impressive comeback after trailing by 11 early in the second half. The Nittany Lions even took a 58-55 lead with 4:48 remaining to cap a 100 run. But the Longhorns pulled it together and used a 10-0 run of their own to retake control of the game. The star for Texas was Dylan Disu, who came within a point of matching his career high by scoring 28 on 14 of 20 shooting. Texas made its final six shots and scored on every possession over the final five minutes.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 9:43 pm ET · David Cobb]

UCLA looking strong

Halftime: UCLA 35, Northwestern 25

No. 2 seed UCLA looked good in the first half against No. 7 seed Northwestern as Jaime Jaquez scored 14 points on 6 of 11 shooting with Amari Bailey adding 11. Adem Bona returned to the starting lineup for the Bruins after missing the last two games due to a shoulder injury. He picked up two fouls and only played four minutes, but it's a good sign for the Bruins to have him back on the floor.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 9:31 pm ET · David Cobb]

Houston rallies

Final: Houston 81, Auburn 64

Houston avoided the first-weekend exit suffered by fellow No. 1 seeds Purdue and Kansas and rallied from a 41-31 halftime deficit to crush Auburn 81-64. The Cougars showed in the second half why they entered the Big Dance as the betting favorite to win it all. Tramon Mark scored 20 of his career-high 26 points in the second half to spark the Cougars. AAC Player of the Year Marcus Sasser also played well after dealing with a groin injury over the past week. He finished with 22. Just a dominant second half performance for Houston in a semi-road environment in Birmingham.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 9:26 pm ET · David Cobb]

Texas in command

Early second half: Texas 39, Penn State 30

Penn State is just 3 of 15 from beyond the arc and is playing catch up against No. 2 seed Texas. Dylan Disu has 16 points for the Longhorns, who are shooting 50% from the floor. PSU has just 10 paint points compared to 26 for Texas, which has a comfortable edge despite an 0 for 8 mark from beyond the arc.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 8:58 pm ET · David Cobb]

Princeton dances on

Final: Princeton 78, Missouri 63

Princeton entered NCAA Tournament history on Saturday by becoming the fourth No. 15 seed to ever reach the Sweet 16 as it beat No. 7 seed Missouri 78-63 in the second round. Ryan Langborg led the way with 22 points for Princeton, which is just the fourth Ivy League team to ever reach the Sweet 16 and the first since Cornell in 2010. It will be Princeton's first Sweet 16 appearance of the NCAA Tournament's modern era, and Saturday's performance only confirmed the Tigers are a serious threat in the dwindling field. Princeton led by as much as 21 in the second half and only allowed Missouri to lead for 32 seconds in the game in the game's opening salvo.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 8:56 pm ET · David Cobb]

Reigning champs fall

Final: Arkansas 72, Kansas 71

For the second time in as many days, a No. 1 seed is headed home earlier than expected from the 2023 NCAA Tournament after Kansas, the reigning national champions and the top seed in the vaunted West Region, joined fellow No. 1 seed Purdue in getting bounced from the Big Dance following a stunning 72-71 loss to No. 8 seed Arkansas on Saturday. Kansas' loss guarantees at least two No. 1 seeds will not advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the 2018 NCAA Tournament after Purdue on Friday fell in the first round to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 8:35 pm ET · David Cobb]

UCLA vs. Northwestern pick

UCLA dominated in its first-round game vs. UNC-Asheville and didn't seem to be slowed by the absence of top defender Jaylen Clark, who is out for the season. However, this spot is where I think the shorthanded Bruins' luck runs out. Northwestern is an experienced team with two stars in Boo Buie and Chase Audige, who will give UCLA all it can handle. This is going to be one to watch where I think Northwestern has a real shot at pulling off the upset. Pick: Northwestern +7.5 (Kyle Boone)

[Mar 18, 2023 at 7:05 pm ET · David Cobb]

Houston vs. Auburn pick

In addition to a lingering groin injury for Houston leading scorer Marcus Sasser, who left the team's first-round game after aggravating the ailment he picked up in the AAC Tournament, the Cougars are also dealing with Jamal Shead's knee injury. Both are expected to give it a go, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said Friday, but at what level they'll be effective is unclear. The injury concerns combined with this game being in Birmingham makes me lean taking the 5.5 points with Auburn, which will effectively be playing a home game. Pick: Auburn +5.5 (Kyle Boone)

[Mar 18, 2023 at 6:58 pm ET · David Cobb]

Princeton looking good

Halftime: Princeton 33, Missouri 26

Just two days after upsetting No. 2 seed Arizona, No. 15 seed Princeton is looking to pull off another stunner. The Tigers lead No. 7 seed Mizzou 33-26 at halftime behind 15 points from Ryan Langborg. Missouri closed the half on a 7-0 run or else it would be in an even tougher spot entering the break. Mizzou can score in a hurry once it gets going, so Princeton still has a long way to go.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 6:21 pm ET · David Cobb]

Jayhawks up

Halftime: Kansas 35, Arkansas 27

Kansas is playing without head coach Bill Self yet again as he continues to recover from a health issue, but the Jayhawks played excellent defense in the first half by limiting Arkansas to 35.7% shooting. KU is just 1 of 7 from beyond the arc but has the edge because it was 13 of 21 on 2-point attempts. Point guard Dajuan Harris left the game wit an apparent ankle injury at the 3:07 mark. Jalen Wilson led the Jayhawks with 9 in the half, while Ricky Council IV scored 10 for the Razorbaks.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 5:05 pm ET · David Cobb]

Kansas vs. Arkansas pick

This is the shortest favorite for a No. 1 seed in a Round 2 matchup since 1996, and the history of short favorites faring against the spread is not encouraging. Kansas is equipped to buck that trend, though, with its balanced defense and guard-heavy offensive attack a pretty good matchup with Arkansas. The length of the Razorbacks -- from their guards and wings -- could disrupt KU and make this one close, but I like KU to win, say, 73-66 or something around there. Pick: Kansas -3 (Kyle Boone)

[Mar 18, 2023 at 5:03 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Tennessee takes down Duke

FINAL: Tennessee 65, Duke 52

No. 4 seed Tennessee wipes out No. 5 seed Duke in what is officially an upset by point spread as the Vols -- who entered the game as 3.5-point underdogs -- advance in a dominant win. Tennessee had its way with Duke defensively as it has done for much of the season and the Blue Devils really had no answers for how to solve the havoc-heavy defense it faced. Duke finishes with 15 turnovers, of which the Vols converted into 18 points, as Tennessee led the entire second half and never really wavered. Tennessee advances to the Sweet 16 where it will face either FAU or Fairleigh Dickinson.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 3:52 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Duke trailing at the half

Halftime: Tennessee 27, Duke 21

Duke looked to be in control much of the first half but No. 5 seed Tennessee closed the final 4:41 of the first half on a 9-0 run to gain a 27-21 advantage going into the break. Tennessee's defense noticeably affecting and disrupting Duke down the stretch. Eleven turnovers for the Blue Devils in just 20 minutes is brutal. This Vols defense knows how to stress an offense and apply pressure. Will be a big swing in the second half that determines who advances. 

[Mar 18, 2023 at 2:45 pm ET · David Cobb]

Tennessee vs. Duke pick

Duke blasted plucky No. 12 seed Oral Roberts in Round 1 to extend its winning streak to 10 games, flashing what appears to be title-worthy mettle in a wide-open East Region. So Duke -3 might be tempting. However, Tennessee, for all its struggles on offense -- of which there are many -- has a capable defense that could keep this within the number and down to a single possession at the end. Pick: Tennessee +3.5 (Kyle Boone)

[Mar 18, 2023 at 2:23 pm ET · David Cobb]

San Diego State rolls

Final: San Diego State 75, Furman 52

Micah Parrish led SDSU with 16 points off the bench, including 14 in the first half, as San Diego State dominated a Furman squad coming off Thursday's big upset of Virginia. The Aztecs held the Paladins to just 32% shooting and won the battle of second-chance points 18-5. The Aztecs are going to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014 and will face either Alabama or Maryland. Sixth-year coach Brian Dutcher had a likely No. 1 seed in 2020 before the season was canceled. The Aztecs were bounced in the first round each of the following two seasons but are finally back in the second weekend.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 1:06 pm ET · David Cobb]

Aztecs in command

Halftime: San Diego State 39, Furman 25

Np. 5 seed San Diego State is known for defense, and the Aztecs showed why in the first half by holding No. 13 seed Furman to 33.3% shooting. Micah Parrish led SDSU with 14 points and Matt Bradley hit a step-back jumper just before halftime to send the Aztecs into the locker room with momentum. "We're hard to score against," coach Brian Dutcher said in his halftime interview. The Paladins are just 2 of 12 from beyond the arc and will need start raining some 3s to get back in this game.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 12:41 pm ET · David Cobb]

Action underway

Saturday's action is the first of a two-day bonanza of second-round play that will put an official bow on the first full weekend of this year's NCAA Tournament, and the docket on deck figures to be just as delectable as the first few days of action. We have No. 1 seed Kansas as the shortest favorite in more than two decades in a Round 2 game, No. 1 seed Houston in a quasi-road environment facing No. 9 seed Auburn in Birmingham and plenty of other appetizing matchups that could deliver big results. Buckle up. Here are the expert picks.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 11:55 am ET · David Cobb]

Kansas without Bill Self once again

Kansas coach Bill Self re-joined the team this week as expected after being discharged from the hospital, though he did so on a limited basis. As he continues to recover, assistant coach Norm Roberts, who served as acting head coach during his absence in the Big 12 Tournament, will take the reins again in Round 2 vs. No. 8 seed Arkansas. Can the Jayhawks continue their quest for back-to-back national championships without Self once again?

[Mar 18, 2023 at 11:40 am ET · David Cobb]

How they got here

As Saturday's second-round NCAA Tournament action approaches, here's a look back at how things went down Thursday to bring these teams to this point.  The first round NCAA Tournament action began with upsets, mayhem and plenty of moments that will appear in the "One Shining Moment" montage once a champion is crowned on April 3. 

[Mar 18, 2023 at 11:25 am ET · David Cobb]

Furman still dancing

In addition to No. 15 seed Princeton, there is another budding Cinderella in the South Region. It's Furman, which pulled off the first upset of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday when the No. 13 seed Paladins stunned No. 4 seed Virginia 68-67 behind a 3-pointer from JP Pegues with 2.2 seconds left. UVa led 50-38 with under 12 minutes to play but wilted late, committing a critical turnover that led directly to Furman's go-ahead shot.

[Mar 18, 2023 at 11:10 am ET · David Cobb]

Princeton's stunner

If you're tuning in to NCAA Tournament action for the first time this weekend and wondering why No. 15 seed Princeton is still playing, here's the rundown for you. Princeton pulled an NCAA Tournament stunner on Thursday, when the No. 15 seed Tigers upset No. 2 seed Arizona 59-55 in the first round. It marks the third straight NCAA Tournament in which a No. 15 seed has upset a No. 2 seed after Saint Peter's beat Kentucky in 2022 and Oral Roberts beat Ohio State in 2021 and the 11th time in tournament history.