March Madness 2018: Top Social Media Highlights for Friday's Sweet 16

The top-seeded Villanova Wildcats received a major scare from West Virginia before Jay Wright's team found its groove and pulled away for a 90-78 Sweet 16 victory.

The two teams battled on even terms throughout the first half, and Villanova took a 44-42 edge into the locker room at the break. However, West Virginia was not about to go away. When Jevon Carter scored on a layup with slightly more than 11 minutes to play, the Mountaineers took a 60-54 lead.

Villanova was not about to give in because it faced a deficit at a crucial moment. The Wildcats went on an 11-0 run turn the game back in their favor, and they were able to maintain a safe lead after that.

Jalen Brunson had an explosive game, scoring 27 points on eight of 15 shooting, including three of six from beyond the arc. He got plenty of help from Omari Spellman, who had 18 points and eight rebounds.

"What a game, man," Wright said, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com). "I hope that looked as good as it did from the bench, man. That was the most physically demanding, mentally draining 40 minutes we've played in a long time. They are so relentless."

Daxter Miles Jr. had 16 points and two steals to lead the Mountaineers.

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Kansas 80, Clemson 76

The Jayhawks are going back to the Elite Eight after Bill Self's team built a significant lead in the first half Friday and did enough to secure the victory.

This is the third straight year the Jayhawks have reached the tournament's fourth round, but they have not made to the Final Four since 2012.

Malik Newman led the way for the Jayhawks with 17 points, but Self was not happy with his team after the game since Kansas played so poorly down the stretch. The Jayhawks had a 62-42 lead with around 10 minutes to play, but the Tigers cut the advantage to six points with 2:27 left.

"We finished the game about as poorly as a team can," Self said, per the Associate Press (h/t the Toronto Star). "We know we've got to be a lot better Sunday, but we're really proud and happy to be in the game."

Gabe DeVoe had 31 points for the Tigers, but the slow start did them in against the front-running Jayhawks.

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Duke 69, Syracuse 65

The Blue Devils were pushed hard by the Orange for 40 minutes, but Mike Krzyzewski's team did enough to get by Jim Boeheim's upstart squad.

Krzyzewski and Boeheim have coached together for Team USA Basketball for many years, and both have stepped away from that organization. The two good friends went at each other hard in this Sweet 16 game.

Freshman Marvin Bagley was on top of his game, as he scored 22 points and had eight rebounds for the Blue Devils. His power and leaping ability down low were decisive factors that gave Duke the victory and the trip to the Elite Eight.

Senior Grayson Allen contributed 15 points and was able to find Bagley with pinpoint passes that set up easy baskets.

Syracuse was led by Tyus Battle with 19 points. The Orange was able to cut the lead to three points in the final minute, but they were not able to stop the Blue Devils and find a way to tie the game.

Mary Schwalm/Associated Press

Texas Tech 78, Purdue 65

The Red Raiders had never been to the Elite Eight, but they took advantage of their opportunity with a strong second half and eliminated the Boilermakers.

Purdue led for much of the first half and had a 25-20 lead when P.J. Thompson hit a three-pointer with 3:44 left, but that's when the Red Raiders asserted themselves. They closed the half on a 10-0 run and took a 30-25 lead into the locker room.

Texas Tech would never give up that lead. Purdue would close to within two points, as Carsen Edwards hit a three-point shot with 13:58 remaining, but the Red Raiders would not give in.

Senior guard Keenan Evans led a balanced attack, scoring 16 points, and that included making nine of 10 free-throw attempts. Zhaire Smith had 13 points, and Justin Gray contributed 12 points.

The explosive Edwards had 30 points to lead the Boilermakers.