Saturday had lots of potential for the SEC... and then it went up in smoke.

• Villanova 81, Alabama 58: The one thing that the Alabama Crimson Tide hoped to avoid was the Villanova Wildcats going all “Villanova” on them. Well... that’s exactly what wound up happening. The Wildcats had an absurd 49-point second half, spearheaded by the play of Mikal Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo. As a result, the Tide’s season came to an end in Pittsburgh. Sometimes though, there’s just nothing you can do.
• Kentucky 95, Buffalo 75: The season isn’t over for the Kentucky Wildcats, though. John Calipari will once again be leading this team into the Sweet 16 down in Atlanta. The Wildcats thumped the Buffalo Bulls by 20 out in Boise, and UK looks like the bona fide favorite now in the South Region. Ho, hum.
• Loyola Chicago 63, Tennessee 62: The Tennessee Volunteers climbed ALL the way back after falling behind in the late stages of the game... and then lost on a last second shot by Clayton Custer. The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers will instead be going to the Sweet 16, as Tennessee’s most successful season in years came to an end out in Dallas. Sometimes, life is cruel.
• Texas Tech 69, Florida 66: The Florida Gators threw a couple of late jabs at the Texas Tech Red Raiders. They found themselves in a position to tie the game in the final seconds but... came up short. Texas Tech will be going to the Sweet 16, while Florida’s season ended in Dallas, too. Life can be very, very cruel sometimes.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• The Auburn Tigers face the Clemson Tigers in San Diego. Naturally, Auburn just can’t escape Clemson, can they? Either Bruce Pearl is going to the Sweet 16 again, or Brad Brownell goes to his first. Should be a fun one in America’s Finest City.
• Texas A&M are set to try and knock off the North Carolina Tar Heels. It will not be easy, especially with the game in Charlotte. Crazier things have happened, right? I mean, yeah, of course they have. A 16 just beat a freaking 1 seed the other night.