The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Elite Eight bracket is finally set. After some nerve-wracking Sweet 16 games, the surviving teams are only one game away from playing in the Final Four.
We have one No. 3 seed, one No. 2 seed, and three No. 1 seeds among the remaining teams. However, this tournament has only been just all chalk, thanks to the Pac-12 conference, with three surprising teams moving forward this far.
In this post, we’ve outlined a few key facts from the Sweet 16 that would be useful for the Elite Eight. Read on to know more!
Gonzaga Bulldogs Vs. Baylor Bears
Baylor and Gonzaga are probably destined to meet. These teams have been No. 1 and 2 in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll for the whole of 2020-2021 and have pursued to seem like title favorites in this year’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.
In the Sweet 16, the Gonzaga Bulldogs won past Creighton and have been laying down offensive clinics with Jalen Suggs, Drew Timme, and Corey Kispert. On the other hand, the Baylor Bears have eleven top-30 NET wins, plus the excellent wins in the NCAA over Villanova and Wisconsin.
Baylor Bears is just as impressive in the offense as the Gonzaga Bulldogs and returns its last year’s team. What’s more, the backcourt trio of Davion Mitchell, MaCio Teague, and Jared Butler averages at least 50 points combined, thus, helping the Bears lead in the three-point shooting field. Make sure to visit betting sites NL to place your bet.
Don’t Underestimate Michigan Wolverines
By winning big, the Michigan Wolverines are proving the nonbelievers wrong, even without Isaiah Livers, the team’s second-leading scorer. Coach Howard has motivated and encouraged his team.
Because of that, the Michigan Wolverines has seemed or appeared very much the part of the top seed as it collected wins over Florida State and LSU. Last Sunday, the Wolverines won in an 18-point lead over the Seminoles, thanks to its supporting players.
Additionally, there are two big names on this team particularly Franz Wagner and Hunter Dickinson. Of course, this is not to say that the Wolverines have fewer chances to win as a No. 1 seed. It is about how quickly this team has been able to reassemble without one of its top players.
Which Pac-12 Team Reaches The Final Four?
Three Pac-12 teams are included in the Elite Eight bracket in one of the best runs in NCAA Tournament conference history. In March Madness, the conference is 12-2 overall. One of the losses was bound to happen as Southern California finished the season for Oregon in the Sweet 16.
However, the most ambitious surprises have come from No. 11 seed UCLA and No. 12 Oregon State. The UCLA Bruins put up with a punch to the gut after a three-pointer at the buzzer, forcing overtime against Alabama on Sunday.
Still, the capacity to recover quickly of coach Cronin’s team was shown in overtime, throughout which UCLA beat the Alabama Crimson Tide. So, which group is most likely to get to the Final Four?
The USC Trojan may have the highest test in playing against the No. 1 seed Gonzaga. Even though coach Enfield’s team is pretty excellent, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are an offensive team that no other team could possibly beat.
It will take a big-time performance and determined effort from Evan Mobley against Drew Timme.
Seed Sleepers
On rare occasions, No. 2 and 3 seeds are deemed sleepers. However, Arkansas and Houston are seed sleepers. At the No. 2 seed group, Oral Roberts won against Ohio State in the first round. Additionally, Iowa lost to Oregon in the second round.
Also, Alabama just lost in the Sweet 16 against UCLA. At the No. 3 seed group, Abilene Christian won against Texas in the first round and West Virginia lost in the Sweet 16 against Syracuse Orange.
The Teams
The remaining teams have been uncertain. Only one Big Ten Team survives and 60% of the Pac-12 teams nabbed a place in the 2021 NCAA tournament. Will No. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. 2 Baylor be in the Final Four? Or can Houston make its way to the Final Four since 1984? Be sure to read this post just like you read a loyal casino review.