GATORS RALLY: Walter Clayton Jr., pictured, rescued top-seeded Florida with two late 3-pointers, and the Gators rallied from nine points down late to reach the Final Four with an 84-79 victory over Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region final. The Gators trailed 75-66 with less than three minutes to play before staging a furious rally against the third-seeded Red Raiders, who had done the same in the Sweet 16 against Arkansas. Clayton dribbled out of the paint and hit a fadeaway 3 with 59 seconds left to give Florida a 78-77 lead, and the Gators held on.

DEFENSIVE BATTLE: If you like defense, this NCAA Tournament Midwest Region final is for you. No. 1 seed Houston gives up the fewest points in the nation. No. 2 seed Tennessee is in the top eight in scoring defense and field-goal defense. The Cougars’ Joseph Tugler is Big 12 defensive player of the year. The Vols’ Zakai Zeigler won the same award in the Southeastern Conference. Three of the four finalists for national defensive player of the year will be on the court Sunday. Houston will try for its first Final Four since 2021. The Volunteers will go for their first ever.

— Associated Press