Sweet Sixteen hits the Motor City

From left, Tennessee’s Jahmai Mashack (15), Tobe Awaka (11), Dalton Knecht (3) and Zakai Zeigler (5) react in the second half. Tennessee wins, 82-75.

Creighton guard Trey Alexander (23) and forward Jasen Green (0) battle Tennessee forward Tobe Awaka (11) for a rebound in the second half.

Creighton guard Trey Alexander (23) and forward Jasen Green (0) battle Tennessee forward Tobe Awaka (11) for a rebound in the second half.

Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht (3) reacts after hitting a three-pointer in the second half.

Creighton band members play during a time out in the second half.

Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) and Creighton guard Francisco Farabello (5) go for a loose ball in the second half.

Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) defends Creighton guard Baylor Scheierman (55) in the second half. Tennessee vs Creighton in NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024. Tennessee wins, 82-75. (The Detroit News/Robin Buckson)

Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) and forward Jasen Green (0) swarm Tennessee forward Jonas Aidoo (0) in the second half.

Creighton guard Steven Ashworth (1) drives between Tennessee s Dalton Knecht (3) and Jahmai Mashack (15) in the second half.

Creighton fans dispute a ball possession call that goes to Tennessee in the second half.

Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) puts up a shot over Tennessee forward Tobe Awaka (11) and guard Jahmai Mashack (15) in the second half.

Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) blocks a shot by Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht (3) in the second half.

Creighton forward Jasen Green (0) and center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) converge on Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) in the second half.

Creighton forward Jasen Green (0) and center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) converge on Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) in the second half.

Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) defends a shot by Tennessee forward Tobe Awaka (11) in the second half.

Tennessee’s Jahmai Mashack (15), Zakai Zeigler (5), Tobe Awaka (11) and Josiah-Jordan James (30) react after Awaka hits a shot and heads to the free throw line in the second half.

Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) chases Creighton guard Steven Ashworth (1) in the second half.

Creighton guard Baylor Scheierman (55) lays on the court briefly after going for a rebound with the ending up in the hands of Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) from Tobe Awaka (11) in the second half.

Creighton guard Trey Alexander (23) drives on Tennessee guards Jahmai Mashack (15), right, and Dalton Knecht (3) in the second half.

From left, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes and assistant coach Gregg Polinsky give instructions in the second half.

The faces of these Creighton fans says a lot very late in the second half.

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott hugs Creighton guard Francisco Farabello (5) after he exits the game in the last minute of the game.

Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack (15) guards Creighton guard Baylor Scheierman (55) in the first half.

Creighton guard Steven Ashworth (1) drives on Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) in the first half.

Creighton guard Baylor Scheierman (55) shoots over Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) in the first half.

Creighton guard Steven Ashworth (1) and Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) go after a loose ball in the first half.

Creighton guard Steven Ashworth (1) and Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) go after a loose ball in the first half.

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott talks with guard Steven Ashworth (1) in the first half. Tennessee vs Creighton in NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024. (The Detroit News/Robin Buckson)

Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) shoots between Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) and guard Francisco Farabello (5) in the first half.

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes gives instructions in the first half.

Purdue student Dixon Wagner, 22, of Bartett, Ill. cheers as Purdue plays Gonzaga in NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024.

Art Hoekstra, right, high fives Paulina Hoekstra, left, next to their son, Ben, center, all of Munster, Ind. as Purdue plays Gonzaga in NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024.

Fans cheer as Purdue plays Gonzaga in NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024.

Purdue plays Gonzaga in NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024.

People walk towards the doors as Purdue plays Gonzaga in NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal at Little Caesars Arena.

Gonzaga’s Ben Gregg gets a hand on Purdue’s Zach Edey as he slams home a dunk in the first half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Fans stand and cheer during as Purdue plays Gonzaga in NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024.

Gonzaga’s Anton Watson lays up a basket over Purdue’s Zach Edey in the first half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Gonzaga’s Anton Watson lays up a basket over Purdue’s Zach Edey in the first half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard drives around Purdue’s Zach Edey in the first half of the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue’s Zach Edey gets the ball stolen away by Gonzaga’s Graham Ike in the first half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue cheerleaders enjoy the fun during the game against Gonzaga in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Gonzaga’s Anton Watson pulls down a rebound with Purdue’s Zach Edey defending in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue’s Braden Smith lays up a two pointer in the second half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Gonzaga coach Mark Few in the second half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Gonzaga’s Nolan Hickman works against Purdue’s Braden Smith in the second half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue’s Zach Edey puts up a shot over Gonzaga’s Graham Ike in the second half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Rent puts up a shot against Gonzaga’s Anton Watson and Graham Ike in the second half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue’s Zach Edey puts up a shot over Gonzaga’s Anton Watson in the second half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Gonzaga’s Ben Gregg takes a moment late in the second half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue coach Matt Painter in the second half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue’s Zach Edey gets tangled up with Gonzaga’s Anton Watson and Graham Ike in the second half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Gonzaga’s Graham Ike passes out of pressure from Purdue’s Lance Jones and Zach Edey in the second half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Gonzaga’s Ruam Me,bhard passes out of pressure from Purdue’s Lance Jones and Zach Edey in the second half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue’s Zach Edey waits to shoot after a two point basket, and one, in the second half in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Gonzaga fans celebrate a three point basket during the game against Purdue in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Declan McMullen, 8, of Indianapolis, center, poses with super Purdue fans and season ticket holders Adam Weber, 43, left, and Joe Jud, 43, right, both of West Lafayette, Ind. before the NCAA Div. 1 Men's Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024.

Brothers Ben Johnson, 21, in black, and Jack Johnson, 19, in white, of Carmel, Ind. pose for a photo with super Purdue fans and season ticket holders Adam Weber, 43, left, and Joe Jud, 43, right, both of West Lafayette, Ind. before the NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024.

Fans exit the QLINE and walk towards Little Caesars Arena before the NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024.

Fans look at NCAA merchandise before the NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024.

Tennessee fans Daniel Pollard, left, and Alex Pollard both of Nashville walk outside Little Caesars Arena before the NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024.

Fans pose for photos in front of NCAA signage before the NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024.

Basketball fans make their way into Little Caesars Arena for the Purdue, Gonzaga in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Fans and players make their way to Little Caesars Areas for the Purdue, Gonzaga game in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Fans and players make their way to Little Caesars Areas for the Purdue, Gonzaga game in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue's Zach Edey warms up before taking on Gonzaga in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Fans enter Little Caesars Arena the NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Semifinal in Detroit on Mar. 29, 2024.

Basketball fans make their way into Little Caesars Arena for the Purdue, Gonzaga in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue alumni Julia Taylor and John Taylor make their way to Little Caesars Arena for the Purdue, Gonzaga game in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue alumni Jon Filler, with sons Shane Filler, Dillon Filler, Liam Filler and Purdue alumni and mom, Erin Filler make their way to Little Caesars Arena for the Purdue, Gonzaga game in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue alumni Mary Turner Timma, Nick Smith, Cassie Hitchcock, Pete Pegan and Monica Hingst stop at Hockeytown cafe before making their way to Little Caesars Arena for the Purdue, Gonzaga game in the NCAA Midwest Regional semi-final in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 2024.

Purdue basketball fans Tami Medley of Indiana, left, and Rod Morrison of Indiana, right, laugh together while enjoying a beer at Hockeytown Cafe ahead of their team's Sweet 16 game against Gonzaga on Friday, March 29, 2024 in Detroit.

Creighton basketball fan Rob Spedden of Nebraska speaks with The Detroit News ahead of the team's Sweet 16 game against Tennessee on Friday, March 29, 2024 in Detroit.

Gonzaga basketball fans Tim Mortlock of Detroit, left, and Pete Mortlock of Washington, right, speak with The Detroit News ahead of their team's Sweet 16 game against Purdue on Friday, March 29, 2024 in Detroit.

From left, Purdue basketball fans Gregg Walbridge of Virginia, David Franzman of Indiana and Susan Huller of Indiana laugh together while enjoying a beer at Hockeytown Cafe ahead of their team's Sweet 16 game against Gonzaga on Friday, March 29, 2024 in Detroit.