Arkansas Razorbacks forward Jaylin Williams (10) reacts after a play against the Gonzaga Bulldogs with forward Trey Wade (3) Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Top-seeded Gonzaga knocked out of NCAA Tournament by Arkansas

By Adam Stites | Last updated 3/24/22

The No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs are out of the NCAA Tournament after losing to the fourth-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks, 74-68, in the Sweet 16 on Thursday.

It's the third consecutive NCAA Tournament with Gonzaga failing to win the national championship, despite securing a No. 1 seed. Last year, the Bulldogs lost in the national championship against Baylor, 86-70. In 2019 (the 2020 NCAA Tournament was cancelled), Gonzaga was eliminated by Texas Tech in the Elite Eight.

Gonzaga struggled offensively against Arkansas on Thursday, making just 37.5 percent of its field goals and only five of 21 three-point attempts. During the first half, the Bulldogs had three- and five-minute stretches without scoring a single point.

Arkansas was led by JD Notae, who scored 21 points with six assists, six rebounds, and three steals. Jaylin Williams added another 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Razorbacks.

Arkansas is the first team ever to beat an AP No. 1 during the regular season (Auburn on Feb. 8th) and the NCAA Tournament (Gonzaga tonight) in the same season. pic.twitter.com/sWZFbJc0h4
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 25, 2022

The win made the Razorbacks the first team to earn a spot in the Elite Eight, where they will play the winner of a game between Texas Tech and Duke for a spot in the Final Four. Arkansas reached the Elite Eight last year, but lost to Baylor. The team hasn't reached the Final Four since 1995.

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