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Ian Eagle believes UConn Huskies can repeat as National Champions

CBS Sports' Ian Eagles explains why he believes that the Uconn Huskies will go back-to-back as NCAA National Champions.

Sports Seriously

The NCAA men's basketball tournament's three-week run hits its middle stretch of the 67-game run to the national championship on April 8.

No longer does UTEP hold the distinction of being the only Texas school to win a national championship, that status went away when Baylor won in 2021, and this year six Texas teams, five from the Big 12, earned spots in the big dance. Most are gone now; all but Houston lost on the first weekend.

The defending national champion Connecticut is a No. 1 seed, led by Burges alum Tristen Newton, who was named an Associated Press first-team All-American on the eve of the tournament. Former Chapin star KJ Lewis is a prominent player for No. 2-seed Arizona.

Here are what Houston, Arizona and UConn are looking at as they continue their runs in the tournament. X-indicates they are out of the tournament.

No. 1 Connecticut and Tristen Newton

Connecticut looked a lot like its All-American star Tristen Newton: cool, in control and on top of things most of the way through in an 82-52 victory against 5 San Diego. This was a replay of last year's Final Four game, also won by Connecticut.

Newton scored 17 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists. He watched the end of the game with the rest of UConn's starters from the bench as the storied program set a school record with its 34th victory.

Next up for the Huskies is either an elite offensive team from 3 Illinois or an elite defensive team from 2 Iowa State. That East Region final in Boston will tip Saturday night on TBS.

No. 1 Houston

The Cougars have No. 4 Duke next on Friday in Dallas. That South Region game starts at 7:39 p.m. Mountain/8:39 p.m. Central on CBS.

x-No. 2 Arizona and KJ Lewis

The Wildcats were always in it, rarely on top of the game in a 77-72 upset loss to 6 Clemson. Former Chapin star KJ Lewis was one of three Arizona reserves who got in the game and he scored seven points with two rebounds and an assist in 12 minutes. That served to end his freshman season.

What is Thursday's March Madness schedule?

6 Clemson vs. 2 Arizona, 5:09 p.m. Mountain/6:09 p.m. Central, CBS, Los Angeles West Region

5 San Diego State vs. 1 Connecticut, 5:39 p.m. Mountain/6:39 p.m. Central, TBS/truTV, Boston East Region

4 Alabama vs. 1 North Carolina, 7:39 p.m. Mountain/8:39 p.m. Central, CBS, Los Angeles West Region

3 Illinois vs 2 Iowa State, 8:39 p.m. Mountain/9:09 p.m. Central, TBS/truTV, Boston East Region

What is Friday's March Madness schedule?

11 North Carolina State vs. 2. Marquette, 5:09 p.m. Mountain/6:09 Central, CBS, Dallas South Region

5 Gonzaga vs. 1 Purdue, 5:39 p.m. Mountain/6:39 Central, TBS/truTV, Detroit Midwest Region

4 Duke vs. 1 Houston, 7:39 p.m. Mountain/8:39 Central, CBS, Dallas South Region

3 Creighton vs. 2 Tennessee, 8:09 p.m. Mountain/9:09 Central, TBS/truTV Detroit Midwest Region

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.