Butler 56, Texas 48

What Butler lacked in athleticism and quickness it made up for with poise.

With Texas scrambling to rally past the Bulldogs, Butler’s experienced lineup executed its offense, Kelly Dunham hit a huge three in the final minute, and the Longhorns were sent home. Butler could have fallen apart, and with its best player, Roosevelt Jones, hobbled by a leg injury, it would have been understandable.

Instead, Dunham, guard Alex Barlow and forward Kameron Woods simply played their game, converting free throws down the stretch and keeping Texas at arm’s length to move on. Butler was outrebounded, but it also took care of the ball, and doing the little things pushed the Bulldogs to the win.

Notre Dame 69, Northeastern 65

The NCAA Tournament is all about simply finding a way to survive. Notre Dame did that against Northeastern, winning 69-65, but the Fighting Irish are going to have to get a lot better.

The Irish didn’t shoot the ball well from the perimeter. They got pounded on the glass. They struggled to defend in the paint. That last point has been an issue for ND all season, but it really created an issue in the second half. Northeastern controlled the lane, and the Huskies almost pulled off the upset.

The good news is Notre Dame gets a clean slate for the next round. This is a good team, one that doesn’t string together back-to-back rough outings. ND was good enough to win, and if Zach Auguste and Jerian Grant can continue to produce at such a high level while the entire team turns up the defense on critical possessions, the Irish will be in good shape to reach the Sweet 16.