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 Event.
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 Immediately, this was the lowest remaining seed complete within the Elite 8 since 2007 (13). That 2007 match additionally had an similar draw when it comes to 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 reality 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 Event 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 Ultimate 4 in San Antonio subsequent weekend. 2008 was final time all 4 No. 1 seeds made the Ultimate 4, and that match ended with one of many lasting pictures of March Insanity.
The one factor we are able to do now could be 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 generally stay 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 towards 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 one more spherical.
East Area: (1) Duke 85, (2) Alabama 65
This was one of many video games that didn’t stay as much as the billing. Whereas I used to be actually anticipating a Duke victory and a few regression to the imply from Alabama following the Tide’s 113-point efficiency towards BYU within the Candy 16, I wasn’t anticipating this.
Alabama went from capturing an NCAA Event document 25-of-51 from 3-point vary within the Candy 16, to capturing simply 8-of-32 from 3-point vary within the Elite 8 on Saturday. The Crimson Tide’s capturing 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 workforce All-American Mark Sears was a non-factor for Alabama, scoring simply six factors on 2-of-12 capturing. 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 could be remembered, Houston vs. Tennessee had rather a lot using on it. Because the Sunday matinee, the standard of this recreation between the nation’s two premier defenses went a great distance in figuring out whether or not the weekend could 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 Event recreation.
Tennessee’s 15 first-half factors are the bottom in NCAA Event historical past by a workforce with a No. 1 or No. 2 seed.
Lowest not simply in an Elite Eight recreation — lowest in any spherical of the match. Ever.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 30, 2025
The Vols confirmed some semblance of life within the second half and minimize the deficit to 10 factors with beneath six minutes remaining. That was as shut as they’d get after the break, nonetheless, and Houston moved on to this system’s seventh Ultimate 4 with out a lot as breaking a sweat.
South Area: (1) Auburn 70, (2) Michigan State 64
I truly suppose this recreation did stay as much as the billing, though Auburn was by no means actually towards the ropes at any level. Then again, Michigan State saved its head above water simply sufficient to the place you could possibly by no means really matter them out at any level both.
This recreation additionally gave us one of many coolest moments of the match to this point. Auburn star and SEC Participant of the 12 months Johni Broome went down with what seemed to be a critical harm halfway by way of the second-half, casting a sobering cloud over what was monitoring to be a historic day for the Auburn program. Minutes later, nonetheless, 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 Ultimate 4 berth in class historical past. And that the Tigers did.
