Elite Eight: TV Schedule, Odds, & Predictions for Weekend March Madness Slate
Eight teams remain in the NCAA Tournament, and there are No. 1 seeds are nowhere to be found.
It’s safe to say that this season’s Elite Eight features the most unexpected grouping of teams that we’ve ever seen. Zero No. 1 seeds, a singular No. 2 seed and teams from conferences like the Mountain West Conference and Conference USA still standing.
Nevertheless, the excitement has reached a zenith. With some gigantic showdowns set for this weekend’s Elite Eight, here’s everything you need to know, from when and where to watch, what Las Vegas is thinking and who the ESPN Basketball Power Index has moving on to the Final Four in Houston.
Game Times, TV Channels, & Odds for Elite Eight:
No. 3 Kansa State Wildcats vs. No. 9 Florida Atlantic Owls (+2) — Saturday, 6:09 p.m. (TBS)
- ESPN’s BPI: Kansas State by 1.2 (54.9% Win Probability)
No. 4 Connecticut Huskies vs. No. 3 Gonzaga Bulldogs (+2.5) — Saturday, 8:49 p.m. (TBS)
- ESPN’s BPI: Connecticut by 2.0 (57.6% Win Probability)
No. 5 San Diego State Aztecs vs. No. 6 Creighton Bluejays (-1.5) — Sunday, 2:20 p.m. (CBS)
- ESPN’s BPI: Creighton by 3.8 (65.4% Win Probability)
No. 5 Miami Hurricanes vs. No. 2 Texas Longhorns (-4.5) – Sunday, 5:05 p.m. (CBS)
- ESPN’s BPI: Texas by 8.0 (77.3% Win Probability)
First, the Wildcats and Owls will do battle live at Madison Square Garden to kick things off in the Elite Eight. Markquis Nowell stole the show in the first game of the Sweet Sixteen, and now he’ll be hoping to lead Kansas State to the Final Four, but the New York native will have to go through a tough Florida Atlantic team that’s hoping to spoil his homecoming.
Afterwards on Saturday, perhaps no team has been more impressive throughout the NCAA Tournament thus far than the Connecticut Huskies. The program is known for their impressive tournament runs, and this season’s could be shaping up as another memorable one, but Gonzaga stands in their way. The Bulldogs weren’t as heralded as past years entering this season’s event, but Mark Few’s team is proving why they’re always a hot pick come time.
Kicking off things on Sunday are is a showdown between San Diego State and Creighton. The Blue Jays ended the miraculous run of the Princeton Tigers, while the Aztecs pulled off one of the more shocking wins of the entire NCAA Tournament, sending top-seeded Alabama home. Now, the Mountain West Conference’s hopes lay squarely on their shoulders, but the Blue Jays won’t be an easy task.
Finally, Miami and Texas will do battle in a showdown between two high-level programs, and it’s going to be a war to get to the Final Four. Each squad was more than impressive in their Elite Eight victories, and there’s no love between the two gritty, physical programs. Whichever team finds its way to Houston, one thing is for sure, the Hurricanes or Longhorns will have a tremendous shot at a title.