Clark Kellogg of CBS talks about “frees and threes” as key components to winning basketball games. Last night at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indy, UCLA sank more threes and a lot more frees in their 88-78 overtime victory over the Crimson Tide..

The Bruins were 10-of-29 from trifecta, 34.5%, and 20-of-25 from the charity stripe, 80%. Alabama was 7-of-28 from triple country, 25%, and just 11-pf-25 from the line, 44%. The missed free throws were the major difference in the game though UCLA sank big shot after big shot when it counted most. The Tide had hope when Alex Reese sank a miraculous 35 foot 3 at the buzzer to send the game into overtime, but UCLA took over in the overtime.

UCLA, 21-9 and an 11 seed, now faces No.1 seed Michigan in the Elite 8 of the West Regional. The Crimson Tide finishes its season at 26-7. It was a terrific season for the Tide as the team won the SEC regular season and the SEC Tournament Championship and looked like it could make the Final Four. The team made a courageous comeback in the second half rebounding from a double digit deficit at halftime and had the lead several times in the second half. But,at some point, you’ve gotta give the Bruins credit. They just made big shot after big shot and sank their free throws, while Alabama struggled mightily from the stripe. The Tide compiled an excellent season and has a lot to look forward to, though it is losing several players off of this year’s team. Recruiting has gone well for the 2021 class with the 17th ranked class in the country according to 247 sports with a 5 star and 2, 4 stars, so the team will be in the thick of the SEC race next season and a contender for years to come under Nate Oats. Auburn should be back in the hunt next year as well. For some teams, this season was a lost season and they get a mulligan next year. Powerhouses Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina and Michigan State would like to forget the 2020-21 season and you could put Auburn in that category. But I like Pearly to get the Tigers back in contention next season for the SEC title and the tournament if he doesn’t get in trouble with the NCAA in the meantime.

Sweet 16 record: 5-3

Elite Eight predictions

All 4 games at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy

Tonight

Midwest Region

No.12 seed Oregon State (20-12) vs. No.2 Houston (27-3)

6:15 CT

CBS

Houston by 8

Oregon State was impressive in handling Loyola-Chicago, 65-58, Saturday. Houston was just as impressive in defeating Syracuse, 62-48. I’ll take the slightly more athletic Cougars to advance to the Final Four on Saturday.

Houston 68, Oregon State 59

South Region

No.3 Arkansas (25-6) vs. No.1 Baylor (25-2)

8:57 PM CT

CBS

Baylor by 7 1/2

Arkansas survived a tough Oral Roberts team, 72-70, avoiding the upset on a barely missed three by OR at the buzzer. They now face the talented Bears, which disposed of Villanova, 62-51. I like the Bears to continue their superb play this season.

Baylor 75, Arkansas 65

Tuesday

West Region

No.6 USC (25-7) vs. No. 1 Gonzaga (29-0)

6:15 PM CT

TBS

Zags by 9

The undefeated Zags destroyed Creighton, 83-65, while the very impressive Trojans defeated Oregon, 82-68. I’m going to take the upset here. These PAC-12 Conference teams are for real.

USC 78, Gonzaga 76

East Region

No.11 UCLA (21-9) vs. No.1 Michigan (23-4)

8:57 PM CT

TBS

Michigan by 7

I’ll take another PAC-12 team in an upset.

UCLA 71, Michigan 69