Chibuzo Agbo scored 26 points shooting 9 for 12 and Desmond Claude recorded a double-double and USC gutted Washington 92-61 on Wednesday night. Agbo tied a career high with seven 3-pointers made in 10 attempts.
Mark Sears hit a winning floater as time expired, and No. 7 Alabama spoiled the home finale of rival and No. 1 Auburn.
Eight more automatic bids will be won Sunday, including in the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC. And by the end of Monday, the Big East will join the party, marking the end of play for the traditional power conferences.
The travel miles and losses have piled up for teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten when it comes to cross-country travel created by realignment.
Though the Eagles fell to North Carolina the next day, they gave the Tar Heels one heck of a fight, dragging the game into deep waters. For about 24 glorious hours, Boston College found another gear and played some of its best basketball of the season.