Did This Year’s Elite 8 Live Up To The Billing?

In line with the metrics and total seeding, this yr’s Elite 8 discipline was arguably the strongest within the historical past of the NCAA Match. 

Of the remaining eight groups getting into the weekend, 4 had been No. 1 seeds, three had been No. 2 seeds, and one was a No. 3 seed. In line with Jordan Mendoza of USA In the present day, this was the bottom remaining seed whole within the Elite 8 since 2007 (13). That 2007 event additionally had an equivalent draw by way of seeds remaining. 

What makes this yr totally different?

The distinction between this yr and 2007, or actually every other yr, is the standard of the No. 1 seeds. I’ve listed this truth in varied articles over the previous few weeks, however it bares repeating yet another time given the circumstances.

This yr’s version of the NCAA Match featured 4 of the six highest-rated groups in 23 years of KenPom’s pre-tournament rankings.

All 4 traditionally nice one-seeds prevailed of their matchups, setting the stage for a loaded Closing 4 in San Antonio subsequent weekend. 2008 was final time all 4 No. 1 seeds made the Closing 4, and that event ended with one of many lasting photographs of March Insanity.

The one factor we will do now’s hope for extra drama within the video games subsequent weekend. Till then, let’s undergo what we noticed this weekend and decide what lived as much as the billing and what didn’t. 

West Area: (1) Florida 84, (3) Texas Tech 79

This was simply the sport of the weekend. Texas Tech proved that you just typically reside by the sword and die by the sword, dropping by the hands of an inconceivable Gator comeback after pulling off a miraculous comeback of their very own within the Candy 16 in opposition to Arkansas. 

Florida trailed by 9 factors with simply 3:14 remaining, however got here all the best way again, taking a 78-77 lead on a Walter Clayton Jr. 3-pointer with 59 seconds remaining. Clayton Jr. scored 22 of his 30 factors within the second half, and shot 50% from the sphere total to assist coach Todd Golden and the Gators stave off elimination for an additional spherical.

East Area: (1) Duke 85, (2) Alabama 65

This was one of many video games that didn’t reside as much as the billing. Whereas I used to be definitely anticipating a Duke victory and a few regression to the imply from Alabama following the Tide’s 113-point efficiency in opposition to BYU within the Candy 16, I wasn’t anticipating this. 

Alabama went from taking pictures an NCAA Match report 25-of-51 from 3-point vary within the Candy 16, to taking pictures simply 8-of-32 from 3-point vary within the Elite 8 on Saturday. The Crimson Tide’s taking pictures woes and lack of defensive presence had been felt on the scoreboard. Duke didn’t path for a single second and the Blue Devils held a safe double-digit lead for the ultimate 12 minutes of the sport. First crew All-American Mark Sears was a non-factor for Alabama, scoring simply six factors on 2-of-12 taking pictures. Kon Knueppel led the best way for Duke with 21 factors. 

Midwest Area: (1) Houston 69, (2) Tennessee 50

By way of how the 2025 Elite 8 can be remembered, Houston vs. Tennessee had quite a bit using on it. Because the Sunday matinee, the standard of this recreation between the nation’s two premier defenses went a good distance in figuring out whether or not the weekend can be remembered or largely misplaced to historical past.

It was one other dud. Tennessee put collectively a traditionally terrible efficiency within the first half, scoring simply six factors within the first 11+ minutes of the sport. Houston led 34-15 at halftime and led by as many as 22 factors within the first half. In line with Matt Norlander of CBS Sports activities, Tennessee’s 15 first-half factors had been the bottom ever by a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in any NCAA Match recreation.

Tennessee’s 15 first-half factors are the bottom in NCAA Match historical past by a crew with a No. 1 or No. 2 seed.

Lowest not simply in an Elite Eight recreation — lowest in any spherical of the event. Ever.

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 30, 2025

The Vols confirmed some semblance of life within the second half and reduce the deficit to 10 factors with beneath six minutes remaining. That was as shut as they might get after the break, nevertheless, and Houston moved on to this system’s seventh Closing 4 with out a lot as breaking a sweat. 

South Area: (1) Auburn 70, (2) Michigan State 64

I truly assume this recreation did reside as much as the billing, though Auburn was by no means actually in opposition to the ropes at any level. Then again, Michigan State stored its head above water simply sufficient to the place you would by no means actually matter them out at any level both.

This recreation additionally gave us one of many coolest moments of the event up to now. Auburn star and SEC Participant of the Yr Johni Broome went down with what gave the impression to be a critical harm halfway via the second-half, casting a sobering cloud over what was monitoring to be a historic day for the Auburn program. Minutes later, nevertheless, Broome emerged from the locker room to raucous applause.  From there, Broome took his spot again on the ground with Auburn nonetheless firmly in place to safe its second Closing 4 berth at school historical past. And that the Tigers did.