Men's NCAA Tournament winners, losers: Big Ten continues to assert dominance

The first tickets to the NCAA men's Elite Eight were punched on Thursday with two outstanding games that came down to the wire and two games that ended up being one-sided contests. The Big Ten was again the big winner of the day as it continues to assert its dominance as the best conference in college basketball.

Let's take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers from Thursday's men's tournament action.

Winner: The Big Ten conference

The Big Ten went 3-1 on Thursday, and the only reason they had one team in the loss column is because Nebraska (the one Big Ten team to lose) played another Big Ten team (Iowa). With wins by the Iowa, Purdue and Illinois, the Big Ten now has at least three teams in the Elite Eight and has a chance to get two more in on Friday when Michigan and Michigan State play their games. 

Between the Big Ten's football dominance and now its continued basketball dominance, there isn't a better conference in men's college sports right now. 

Loser: Texas foul-shooting

There is nothing that is going to give teams more regret at this time of year than not making their foul shots.

It seems like such a small thing, but it always adds up.

The Texas Longhorns found that out on Thursday with a 79-77 buzzer-beating loss to Purdue that saw them go just 8-of-15 from the line. 

It was their for the taking. They just let it slip away. 

Winner: Purdue's buzzer-beating win

Winning a Sweet 16 game is always a big deal no matter how many times your program has been there.

Winning a Sweet 16 game at the buzzer is extra special and unforgettable.

Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn got that experience on Thursday.