What’s at stake for each team in this year’s Elite Eight

At the least one program is assured its first Last 4 look this 12 months and two others may make it to the nationwide semifinals for the primary time because the Eighties. Loads is at stake when the Elite Eight suggestions off on Saturday night time – even for UConn, which is trying to perform one thing that hasn’t been performed in nearly 20 years.

This is a take a look at what every crew left within the males’s NCAA Event is enjoying for once they tip off within the Elite Eight.

Connecticut

Final Last 4: 2023

UConn seeks to change into the primary crew since North Carolina (2016-17) to make consecutive Last Fours. As sturdy because the Huskies have appeared by means of three video games, they’re able to extra. Florida was the final crew to win back-to-back nationwide titles (2006-07), which is the place UConn seems to be headed.

Within the Candy 16, Connecticut defeated San Diego State, 82-52, in a rematch of the 2023 nationwide finals. By means of three match video games, the Huskies have gained by almost 29 factors per sport, a median rating of 82.7-54.

Duke

Final Last 4: 2022

The Blue Devils are within the Elite Eight for the fourth time since successful their final nationwide title in 2016. They went 1-2 over their first three appearances in that house, successful their most up-to-date regional closing in 2022 (former head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s closing season). 4 gamers stay from that squad, however solely senior guard Jeremy Roach receives substantial enjoying time. He is second on the crew in scoring, averaging 14 factors per sport.

Illinois

Final Last 4: 2005

Illinois has made it to the Elite Eight for simply the third time this century. The final time it did, in 2005, the Illini rolled all the best way to the nationwide championship sport. This 12 months might be barely more difficult with UConn looming within the regional finals. However the Combating Illini have measurement within the entrance court docket with Coleman Hawkins, a 6-foot-10 stretch large who’s hitting on 37.9% of his threes, which may permit them to match-up properly with Huskies middle Donovan Clingan.

NC State

Final Last 4: 1983

The Wolfpack are the closest factor to a Cinderella left within the area. An 11-seed getting into the tourney, NC State has gained eight in a row after starting the ACC Event on a four-game shedding streak. With a win over Duke, this system would head to its first Last 4 since successful the match in 1983.

Heart DJ Burns and guard DJ Horne have been wonderful through the crew’s present run. Within the Candy 16 towards Marquette, Horne hit 4 threes, enhancing his season common to 41.1% from deep. Burns was quiet towards Marquette however is averaging 14.7 factors per sport whereas taking pictures 66.7% from the sphere.

Purdue

Final Last 4: 1980

Purdue bought one step nearer to redemption with an emphatic 80-68 win over Gonzaga within the Candy 16. One 12 months after turning into the second 1-seed in match historical past to lose within the first spherical, Purdue is a win away from its first Last 4 in 44 years. This system has by no means gained a nationwide title.

Heart Zach Edey is in line to win his second consecutive Related Press Nationwide Participant of the 12 months award and has been dominant in by means of the primary three rounds of the match, the place he is averaging 26.7 factors, 11 rebounds and two blocks. The Boilermakers aren’t strictly confined to Edey’s manufacturing. They’re additionally the perfect three-point taking pictures crew within the nation, making 41% of their makes an attempt.

Alabama / Clemson / Tennessee

Final Last 4: N/A

The winner of Alabama-Clemson is assured its first Last 4 in program historical past whereas Tennessee should get previous Purdue to make its first. Alabama, like Purdue, is attempting to complete what it began final 12 months when it entered the 2023 NCAA Tournament because the No. 1 total seed however misplaced within the Candy 16.

In the meantime, Clemson was a well-liked decide to lose within the first spherical of this 12 months’s match to New Mexico after falling to Boston School by 21 within the ACC Event. As an alternative, it has been part of the ACC’s revenge tour with three of the ultimate eight groups within the area.

The Vols are led by their protection, which ranks third in adjusted defensive effectivity and fifth in efficient area purpose proportion allowed, per KenPom. SEC Participant of the 12 months Dalton Knecht is averaging 22.3 factors per sport within the match, together with a game-high 26 factors towards Creighton within the Candy 16.